RE: This is what I think God is
May 29, 2016 at 5:51 am
(This post was last modified: May 29, 2016 at 5:53 am by robvalue.)
Hey there, welcome to the forum 
From what you've said, it seems like you're looking for deeper meaning and significance in the universe. I find everything pretty amazing as it is, and the idea that all of this could develop without the need for any kind of intelligent external guidance is astonishing. For me, if there was some weird being pulling the strings, it would be rather a disappointment. "Oh. This is just a play area for some bored thingy. In that case, it's no longer amazing, it's stupidly designed in every way."
As others have noted, you're equivocating when you say that God is [stuff that we know exists] and therefor this stuff also has extra mystical properties, because of other uses of the word "God". I think you're beginning to realise this. Things don't gain any extra attributes that we didn't already know about by giving them a fancy label.
What exactly is a god is far from clear. In fact, it's so unclear, that I assign the term no meaning whatsoever. I've heard every possible thing it could be contradicted by a theist at some point. So until it's actually associated with something demonstrated to be real, that doesn't already have its own name, then I think it's a worthless term. It's an attempt to shoe-horn in ideas by association without doing any of the hard work via science. And it's often just a plug for gaps in knowledge. It has no explanatory power. "God did it" tells us nothing useful, and it's just an assumption.
If thinking about the universe and imagining what might be going on "behind the scenes" makes you happy then there's no harm I that. I ponder such things myself. The difference between a theist and a sceptic is generally that a sceptic is aware they are speculating whereas the theist claims to have knowledge about things that haven't yet been demonstrated. Atheism is simply one logical outcome of scepticism (basing beliefs upon evidence as objectively as possible). I have several videos on these subjects, if you are interested.
Many people use "God" and religion as a comfort blanket. I don't think there's too much harm in that, except for when they feel the need to force their beliefs on others, or when such irrational thought leads to further bad ideas. But if you keep such notions in check and realise they are speculative at best, there's really no problem. I regularly retreat into fantasy worlds of all kinds, some existing only in my head.
I hope what we have said is useful, you already seem to be giving things some thought which is more than I can say for 99% of people who come here with "unusual" ideas. Please let me know if you have any questions, or you're interested in a particular subject.
As for quantum mechanics, I'm no expert but we do have some people who are. Hopefully they will comment soon. As with everything, we attempt to model QM as best we can. We often use mathematics as part of this. If the maths has been demonstrated to hold, then it's a good model. That doesn't however demonstrate anything mystical; although quantum mechanics seems to the uninitiated pretty much like magic. It's mental!
What! You are anything but boring You're a fascinating person! No way I'd want anyone boring for my bestie 
From what you've said, it seems like you're looking for deeper meaning and significance in the universe. I find everything pretty amazing as it is, and the idea that all of this could develop without the need for any kind of intelligent external guidance is astonishing. For me, if there was some weird being pulling the strings, it would be rather a disappointment. "Oh. This is just a play area for some bored thingy. In that case, it's no longer amazing, it's stupidly designed in every way."
As others have noted, you're equivocating when you say that God is [stuff that we know exists] and therefor this stuff also has extra mystical properties, because of other uses of the word "God". I think you're beginning to realise this. Things don't gain any extra attributes that we didn't already know about by giving them a fancy label.
What exactly is a god is far from clear. In fact, it's so unclear, that I assign the term no meaning whatsoever. I've heard every possible thing it could be contradicted by a theist at some point. So until it's actually associated with something demonstrated to be real, that doesn't already have its own name, then I think it's a worthless term. It's an attempt to shoe-horn in ideas by association without doing any of the hard work via science. And it's often just a plug for gaps in knowledge. It has no explanatory power. "God did it" tells us nothing useful, and it's just an assumption.
If thinking about the universe and imagining what might be going on "behind the scenes" makes you happy then there's no harm I that. I ponder such things myself. The difference between a theist and a sceptic is generally that a sceptic is aware they are speculating whereas the theist claims to have knowledge about things that haven't yet been demonstrated. Atheism is simply one logical outcome of scepticism (basing beliefs upon evidence as objectively as possible). I have several videos on these subjects, if you are interested.
Many people use "God" and religion as a comfort blanket. I don't think there's too much harm in that, except for when they feel the need to force their beliefs on others, or when such irrational thought leads to further bad ideas. But if you keep such notions in check and realise they are speculative at best, there's really no problem. I regularly retreat into fantasy worlds of all kinds, some existing only in my head.
I hope what we have said is useful, you already seem to be giving things some thought which is more than I can say for 99% of people who come here with "unusual" ideas. Please let me know if you have any questions, or you're interested in a particular subject.
As for quantum mechanics, I'm no expert but we do have some people who are. Hopefully they will comment soon. As with everything, we attempt to model QM as best we can. We often use mathematics as part of this. If the maths has been demonstrated to hold, then it's a good model. That doesn't however demonstrate anything mystical; although quantum mechanics seems to the uninitiated pretty much like magic. It's mental!
(May 28, 2016 at 9:33 pm)Mamacita Wrote: We're boring now?
Why? Because we don't live in tall tales and story books? Lol
I am pretty boring, though. To be fair.
Unless. Unless hanging out with the local senior citizen club counts. We talk about their RVs. Oh, and we eat babies. That's risqué, no?
What! You are anything but boring
You're a fascinating person! No way I'd want anyone boring for my bestie
Feel free to send me a private message.
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum
