whats your opinion of Deism?

[Diamond-Deist]

Deism is essentially the opposite of atheism. As is mentioned above, there isn't much more to it than "I believe there is a god or gods." Therefore, it's not as inherently insane as most supernatural beliefs, which is good.

I can respect the fact that deists don't align themselves will religion, per se. I don't see what leads them to believe in god(s), but that is a separate issue.

Shell Deist's believe in God because we feel that it is impossible for the Universe to function like it does just on pure chance and I mean all the way back to it's inception not the day to day running of it, we base our beliefs in science even with our thoughts on God itself, God to us is not some theist God riding a Chariot throwing lightning bolts at people.

In fact our beliefs mirror atheism in almost every way the difference only being our conclusion.

It is as I've tried to explain to Minimalist amongst others when we say God before you can attack it you will need to define what we mean when we say God, I know my version is complex with a couple of different theories.

That being said Deist Paladin and CinJin may have slightly different beliefs like anyone else so I can't speak for all deists.

In answer to the thread I think Deism is great.

[Minimalist]

It is as I've tried to explain to Minimalist amongst others when we say God before you can attack it you will need to define what we mean when we say God,

You are perfectly free to hallucinate whatever god you want. When you do it on an atheist message board you should wear a flak jacket because you are going to catch some.

[Diamond-Deist]

You are perfectly free to hallucinate whatever god you want. When you do it on an atheist message board you should wear a flak jacket because you are going to catch some.

I could say the same for you, maybe you are in denial? If you can explain how matter simply appeared in this Universe however many Billions of years old it is then please share.
Add to this the sheer will of force cells produce to advance themselves, produce DNA and all these other wonderous things they achieve at a molecular level then I too would be interested, not the mechanics or the process we all know how that works, but why? why does something not self aware desire so strongly to become something greater?
Why does a cell develop a membrane wall to contain itself? why bother? I know about the chemical reactions at atomic level so this is not what I am getting it, simply the behaviour of elements and particles seem to be pre programmed to react in certain way's this cannot happen through pure chance of nothing.
The Universe is like a factory, it seems to Deists to great and complex to be mere coincidence or chance.

Deists do not hallucinate anything, we base our beliefs on pure reason, if you want to understand how we do this maybe Deist Paladin, CinJin or myself (although I think I need a rest from grand scale debates) could take it up with you in the debate forum you may learn something that will make you less dismissive?

If you can answer these questions in a satisfactory manner then fine I would be indebted to you for making me more knowledgeable ...... If not you may need to borrow my flak jacket?

[Minimalist]

If you can explain how matter simply appeared in this Universe however many Billions of years old it is then please share.

Listen very carefully: I don't know.


Notice, I do not need to invent an entire theology to say that.

[Diamond-Deist]

If you can explain how matter simply appeared in this Universe however many Billions of years old it is then please share.

Listen very carefully: I don't know.


Notice, I do not need to invent an entire theology to say that.

Well if you think how unimaginably great the Universe is in the way it works gravitates and produces there is at least a 50/50 chance (that's a guess estimate admittedly) that it must have taken something great or a great occurrence to start it?

So if you admit you don't know and I admit I don't know along those lines as I just mentioned is it so ridiculous or hallucinogenic to believe that there is a power in this universe we don't understand, one that is not just normal matter swirling around space?

You can have your flak jacket back now.

[Minimalist]

and I admit I don't know along those lines

But you call yourself a "deist" which implies acceptance of some sort of "deity". You chose to saddle yourself with that moniker and it carries all sorts of baggage.

Keep the flak jacket.

[Diamond-Deist]

and I admit I don't know along those lines

But you call yourself a "deist" which implies acceptance of some sort of "deity". You chose to saddle yourself with that moniker and it carries all sorts of baggage.

Keep the flak jacket.

I feel that there is enough scientific evidence to point to something cannot come from nothing in origin or execution, the destruction and creation cycle works to well in this universe, it is not pure chaos at all and that is the biggest indicator of some force of order.

whether God is a mind like deity which I'm starting to doubt or that God is the Universe and is a force of will within it and we are all part of said being as we are made of stardust ourselves is speculation but seeing as space is eternal something strange has developed and i believe it to be at the very least likely and am happy with my position, what I would not be happy with is a position where I simply think everything is pure chaos and random action.

I'm sending you the flak jacket 1st class with no return address.

[The Grand Nudger]

Excellent. That proof is? Has anyone been able to replicate your results? What would falsify your conclusion?

(my entire opinion of deism summed up right there)

[frankiej]

God to us is not some theist God riding a Chariot throwing lightning bolts at people.

Awww but they are the cool gods.

[KichigaiNeko]

and I admit I don't know along those lines

But you call yourself a "deist" which implies acceptance of some sort of "deity". You chose to saddle yourself with that moniker and it carries all sorts of baggage.

Keep the flak jacket.

I feel that there is enough scientific evidence to point to something cannot come from nothing in origin or execution, the destruction and creation cycle works to well in this universe, it is not pure chaos at all and that is the biggest indicator of some force of order.

firstly I am not aware that science has reached a inal conclusion on the "something from nothiing" hypothesis.

Define your concept of chaos?? For me the actions of the universe look rather chaotic with no senmse of order...except if you are refering to the order found in physics??

whether God is a mind like deity which I'm starting to doubt or that God is the Universe and is a force of will within it and we are all part of said being as we are made of stardust ourselves is speculation but seeing as space is eternal something strange has developed and i believe it to be at the very least likely and am happy with my position, what I would not be happy with is a position where I simply think everything is pure chaos and random action.

I'm sending you the flak jacket 1st class with no return address.

Nice bit of rhetoric and sarcassm there diamond.