So tempted to print some out....

No real reason. I just do.

Well, that's refreshingly honest... While being intellectually dishonest at the same time. Can you actually answer the question of "Why?"

(April 4, 2012 at 7:21 pm)Paul the Human Wrote: Well, that's refreshingly honest... While being intellectually dishonest at the same time. Can you actually answer the question of "Why?"

I've decided that I cannot. Believing in god does no harm to me. I don't believe in a specific god, just that a god(or gods) exist. I may be a logical person, but I do have a spiritual side and I fully embrace that part of myself.

(April 4, 2012 at 7:27 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote:

(April 4, 2012 at 7:21 pm)Paul the Human Wrote: Well, that's refreshingly honest... While being intellectually dishonest at the same time. Can you actually answer the question of "Why?"

I've decided that I cannot. Believing in god does no harm to me. I don't believe in a specific god, just that a god(or gods) exist. I may be a logical person, but I do have a spiritual side and I fully embrace that part of myself.

So, more of a deist than a theist. That's easier to swallow than the whole Christianity thing. That kind of belief does indeed cause harm, as the bible is a handbook of hatred.

(April 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm)Paul the Human Wrote:

(April 4, 2012 at 7:27 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote:

(April 4, 2012 at 7:21 pm)Paul the Human Wrote: Well, that's refreshingly honest... While being intellectually dishonest at the same time. Can you actually answer the question of "Why?"

I've decided that I cannot. Believing in god does no harm to me. I don't believe in a specific god, just that a god(or gods) exist. I may be a logical person, but I do have a spiritual side and I fully embrace that part of myself.

So, more of a deist than a theist. That's easier to swallow than the whole Christianity thing. That kind of belief does indeed cause harm, as the bible is a handbook of hatred.

I see Christianity as possibly harmful to impressionable people. The bible is something you can take lessons from as long as it isn't taken as something entirely serious. Exploring religion definitely helped me explore my morality. If somebody is hateful, It rarely matters what they believe, they will still be hateful.

(April 4, 2012 at 8:45 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote: If somebody is hateful, It rarely matters what they believe, they will still be hateful.

Absolutely. Unfortunately, religion in general and the Abrahamic ones in particular have a tendency to provide hateful people with a platform.

(April 4, 2012 at 8:49 pm)Stimbo Wrote:

(April 4, 2012 at 8:45 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote: If somebody is hateful, It rarely matters what they believe, they will still be hateful.

Absolutely. Unfortunately, religion in general and the Abrahamic ones in particular have a tendency to provide hateful people with a platform.

Agreed. Hateful people always have a platform if others agree with them. People love it when other people agree with them.

(April 4, 2012 at 7:27 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote: I've decided that I cannot. Believing in god does no harm to me. I don't believe in a specific god, just that a god(or gods) exist. I may be a logical person, but I do have a spiritual side and I fully embrace that part of myself.

Belief without reason is is the starting point from which all other irrationalities spring. You say that your belief in god is harmless, but what checks do you have in place to justify that they are doing you or others around you no harm? And to what extent are you willing to accept any beliefs about god without reason? And what point do you say, "That's it, from this point I need a reason."?

(April 5, 2012 at 8:22 am)genkaus Wrote:

(April 4, 2012 at 7:27 pm)Adjusted Sanity Wrote: I've decided that I cannot. Believing in god does no harm to me. I don't believe in a specific god, just that a god(or gods) exist. I may be a logical person, but I do have a spiritual side and I fully embrace that part of myself.

Belief without reason is is the starting point from which all other irrationalities spring. You say that your belief in god is harmless, but what checks do you have in place to justify that they are doing you or others around you no harm? And to what extent are you willing to accept any beliefs about god without reason? And what point do you say, "That's it, from this point I need a reason."?

I feel pretty safe from that. My belief is not a major component of my life, It's just one of those things I believe.
I don't believe god is something you reason yourself to believe. And If I decide I actually need a reason, I'll just stop believing. Simple enough.
I've kept myself at this state of belief for 3 years, so I don't see myself snapping now.