(March 14, 2014 at 8:37 pm)Rahul Wrote:

(March 14, 2014 at 8:22 pm)Napoléon Wrote: Anyone who seriously sits there and thinks "I know god exists" is either being intellectually dishonest with themselves or downright brainwashed beyond all comprehension.

Not necessarily. Lots of people have personal experiences that, for them, proves that something exists. Whether it be god, or bigfoot, or aliens, or ghosts, etc.

But then they would be deluded? No?

(March 14, 2014 at 9:29 pm)Aral Gamelon Wrote: Happy to help!

Edit: I might be a wizard, you never know.

I believe in you, Aral.

Thanks BW, my magic got that much stronger from your belief.

(March 14, 2014 at 9:35 pm)Napoléon Wrote: But then they would be deluded? No?

Only if we make the assumption that whatever they experienced was, in fact, a delusion.

(March 14, 2014 at 8:26 pm)Deidre32 Wrote:

(March 14, 2014 at 8:22 pm)Napoléon Wrote: That's pretty much my point though. In reality, everyone should describe themselves as agnostic, as it's impossible for anyone to know whether a god does or does not exist. I don't care what they tell you. Anyone who seriously sits there and thinks "I know god exists" is either being intellectually dishonest with themselves or downright brainwashed beyond all comprehension.

Yes. Great post.

I've often thought religion wouldn't exist if it weren't for our egos. lol

I think you've hit the nail on the proverbial head. It is all ego. When I was so sick, and so lost, all that made me feel good was the idea of some supernatural force coming to save the day. It made me feel special; the thought of someone really loving my potential as they understood my pain was outstanding to me. Then I realized, when I came to the lovely world of atheism, it was just like what lennon and einstein said. It was just a way of measuring sadness. When I felt good, I'd never keep up the save me mindset.

It wasn't until shit hit the fan that I needed jesus. The thought of christianity being true kept me alive, so I thought. Now that the god delusion is out of my life, I can safely say I've never felt better. But part of me, a big part of me, feels like I shouldn't ever take the god delusion away from people, unless they ask questions. I'm not going to lie for their sake, as I will always be myself. But some people REALLY need jesus to be true. Their intelligence and or personalities just cant handle it. Sorry if this doesnt make perfect sense, I'm a bit out of it tonight.

(March 14, 2014 at 10:20 pm)Rahul Wrote: Only if we make the assumption that whatever they experienced was, in fact, a delusion.

I would make that assumption every day of the week until it their claims were proven true.

(March 14, 2014 at 10:25 pm)Napoléon Wrote: I would make that assumption every day of the week until it their claims were proven true.

I'd just withhold judgement and go about my business as usual.

(March 14, 2014 at 10:31 pm)Rahul Wrote:

(March 14, 2014 at 10:25 pm)Napoléon Wrote: I would make that assumption every day of the week until it their claims were proven true.

I'd just withhold judgement and go about my business as usual.

That's the hope for something that isn't coming shining through. Every religion is one big, shitty coincidence.

Now, as far as my "atheistic" view... I just keep an open-mind and a shitty expectation level. lol

(March 14, 2014 at 6:07 pm)MysticKnight Wrote:

(March 14, 2014 at 1:53 am)fr0d0 Wrote: Anti religion (aren't we all) but open minded perhaps.

You're no longer Christian?

Incorrect

I also agree with Napoleon. I don't think anyone can know for sure.

Agnosticism has connotations of disbelief also I believe.

(March 14, 2014 at 10:23 pm)heathendegenerate Wrote:

(March 14, 2014 at 8:26 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: Yes. Great post.

I've often thought religion wouldn't exist if it weren't for our egos. lol

I think you've hit the nail on the proverbial head. It is all ego. When I was so sick, and so lost, all that made me feel good was the idea of some supernatural force coming to save the day. It made me feel special; the thought of someone really loving my potential as they understood my pain was outstanding to me. Then I realized, when I came to the lovely world of atheism, it was just like what lennon and einstein said. It was just a way of measuring sadness. When I felt good, I'd never keep up the save me mindset.

It wasn't until shit hit the fan that I needed jesus. The thought of christianity being true kept me alive, so I thought. Now that the god delusion is out of my life, I can safely say I've never felt better. But part of me, a big part of me, feels like I shouldn't ever take the god delusion away from people, unless they ask questions. I'm not going to lie for their sake, as I will always be myself. But some people REALLY need jesus to be true. Their intelligence and or personalities just cant handle it. Sorry if this doesnt make perfect sense, I'm a bit out of it tonight.

No, it makes perfect sense. What you posted here, really touched me. We sometimes talk about the logic behind why we left faith behind, but we don't talk about 'why' we remained in faith as long as we did. And that often has to do with emotions and fear. It's good to see you are feeling a lot better after abandoning religion, and weirdly...now that I'm not living my life 'deluded,' I don't live deluded about others, either. I used to accept all kinds of bad behaviors (mainly from men I dated)...because being a Christian was supposed to make me 'forgiving.' lol Riiiight. That's unfortunately a byproduct of religion, you don't live in reality, and you refuse to see things as they really are.

I'm glad you posted this, thank you. :=)