I've been arguing with some deists on the internet. Why are they so annoying and get offended so easily? Moreover, why do they all seem to use a modified philosophical version of the arguments from complexity and cosmology, labelling anyone who refutes them as not seeing deep enough/the big picture? Do they really consider themselves intellectually productive for thinking about the universe and saying 'there has to be a god behind this'?

My apologies if this offends deists members who have nothing to do with my personal arguments.

I don't think I've ever gotten into an argument with deists. Seems to me that deism is more or less harmless. They believe some cosmic force started the universe and just left it as is. There's no doctrine that they're forcing others to follow. No punishment for not believing in it or following said convoluted message.

Unless there's some other kind of deist that thinks we should restrain our exploration of space lest we anger the creator.

I may be wrong, but deism seems to be the least invasive religion out there, and I'm more concerned about these extremist followers of abrahamic religions running around than deists.

(August 6, 2014 at 10:38 am)Chad32 Wrote: I don't think I've ever gotten into an argument with deists. Seems to me that deism is more or less harmless. They believe some cosmic force started the universe and just left it as is. There's no doctrine that they're forcing others to follow. No punishment for not believing in it or following said convoluted message.

Unless there's some other kind of deist that thinks we should restrain our exploration of space lest we anger the creator.

I may be wrong, but deism seems to be the least invasive religion out there, and I'm more concerned about these extremist followers of abrahamic religions running around than deists.

I've only encountered it a few times myself, but I think what Blackout is talking about is when challenged some deists assume the same indignance that some theists do. As if the lack of doctrine or attendant creeds to their religious belief somehow makes it unassailable or not deserving of criticism. Especially when some deists pull the "look how unreasonable all these Christians/Muslims/Jews/Hindus are, with all their doctrines. I just believe in a creator, so much more reasonable" card.

Deism isn't religion AFAIK ^.


I've known some deists in real life, it always amazes me how they assume they're so intellectually superior. They almost give off an aura of knowing something you don't. Like you say, they seem to think they 'see deeper' than everyone else. Kinda annoying.

Reality is, they don't know anything we don't know. They're just being intellectually dishonest with themselves. It usually comes down to "I want to believe", not "I have reason to believe". But yet, they still act superior. Call them out on it and they usually just say "It's something I can't quite describe".

Just seems like they use cop outs to justify their pointless belief IMHO, but yeah, we point this out and it's like we're attacking them. Honestly, I couldn't give a fuck if you don't label yourself a theist or belong to an organised religion, deists take just as much a leap of faith as any other 'believer', and they shouldn't be given slack just because their label is different.

Deist god looks a lot like biblegod in one aspect in my opinion. It's a creator who stopped intervening at some point.

I'd call that dereliction of duty.

(August 6, 2014 at 11:49 am)Rhythm Wrote: I'd call that dereliction of duty.

Well, once it's created you shouldn't have to intervene again, assuming you did it properly in the first place, and being omnipotent and stuff....

Right, incompetence.

(August 6, 2014 at 10:27 am)Blackout Wrote: I've been arguing with some deists on the internet. Why are they so annoying and get offended so easily? Moreover, why do they all seem to use a modified philosophical version of the arguments from complexity and cosmology, labelling anyone who refutes them as not seeing deep enough/the big picture? Do they really consider themselves intellectually productive for thinking about the universe and saying 'there has to be a god behind this'?

The universe's taste for irony, and for absolutely absurd 'coincidences', would suggest a Meddler or the like of such.

Quote:My apologies if this offends deists members who have nothing to do with my personal arguments.

I'm not offended, boy... It's true: I'm annoying as all get out

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(August 6, 2014 at 10:38 am)Chad32 Wrote: I don't think I've ever gotten into an argument with deists. Seems to me that deism is more or less harmless. They believe some cosmic force started the universe and just left it as is. There's no doctrine that they're forcing others to follow. No punishment for not believing in it or following said convoluted message.

That whole 'just left it as is' bit isn't exactly necessary.

Deism shares much with agnostic theism.

Quote:Unless there's some other kind of deist that thinks we should restrain our exploration of space lest we anger the creator.

I might suggest we not send probes out into space until we're capable of defending ourselves... but that's just aliens in general to be concerned about.

Quote:I may be wrong, but deism seems to be the least invasive religion out there, and I'm more concerned about these extremist followers of abrahamic religions running around than deists.

Religion???

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(August 6, 2014 at 10:57 am)Napoléon Wrote: Just seems like they use cop outs to justify their pointless belief IMHO, but yeah, we point this out and it's like we're attacking them. Honestly, I couldn't give a fuck if you don't label yourself a theist or belong to an organised religion, deists take just as much a leap of faith as any other 'believer', and they shouldn't be given slack just because their label is different.

To be entirely fair: every positive belief, every scrap of certainty, every small quip of knowledge... requires a significant leap of faith.

Sure sure... religions are even more of such, no question... but bare trust (let alone conviction) is an impressively self-important leap in and of itself.

I far prefer deists to jesus or allah freaks. Those scumbuckets are dangerous.