Paul -

What I said was that I believe that the number of people who believe in god is increasing. I never said that I have evidence. I don't.

(July 10, 2010 at 12:16 pm)Godhead Wrote: Strattosphere -

You're equating belief in god or spirit with religion in particular. The number of people believing in a religion may be decreasing but that's not what I said. You don't have to be in a religion to believe in god. So the number of religious people can decrease, while the number of those who believe in god yet aren't in a religion can increase.

You're just making s#?t up. Where's your evidence (apart from your own wishful thinking) that anyone ever just goes from atheist to believing in God without there being some sort of intervention from a representative of a religion. It just doesn't happen, unless they have psychological problems - http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/dow...1&type=pdf
.

I've just seen that you answered my question already. You have no evidence. That says it all. You must know somewhere inside that you are lying to yourself!

Strattosphere -

No, I didn't say that. I didn't specify at all how I think people are starting to believe in god. I just said that the number of people who do believe in god (by whatever route) is increasing. I don't believe I specified how.

(July 10, 2010 at 5:32 pm)Godhead Wrote: Strattosphere -

No, I didn't say that. I didn't specify at all how I think people are starting to believe in god. I just said that the number of people who do believe in god (by whatever route) is increasing. I don't believe I specified how.

Actually, the number of non-religious individuals has gone from around 11% to 20% among younger folks, according to http://www.humaniststudies.org

In fact, 'non-religious', seems to be the only category increasing. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/us/27a....html?_r=1

It's just amazing how many easily disproved falsehoods you claim to believe.

In this mind -

As I say, you don't have to be religious to believe in god.

re·li·gious (rĭ-lĭj'əs)
adj.
1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.
2. Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text.
3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty.

Um, yeah, you do.

In this mind -

No not at all. I'm not a member of any religion. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism are some examples of religions. And there are many more. You don't have to be a member of any of them to believe in god.

(July 10, 2010 at 6:28 pm)Godhead Wrote: In this mind -

No not at all. I'm not a member of any religion. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism are some examples of religions. And there are many more. You don't have to be a member of any of them to believe in god.

Yes, you are. You are a member of a religion you invented for your very own self. The fact that the membership of this religion numbers only one fruitcake does not mean it is not a religion.

In this mind -

No I don't think you understand. There's a distinction between religion and personal beliefs.

(July 10, 2010 at 6:38 pm)Godhead Wrote: In this mind -

No I don't think you understand. There's a distinction between religion and personal beliefs.

re·li·gious (rĭ-lĭj'əs)
adj.
1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.

Do you believe in a deity?

Yes?

Then you are religious.

Do your personal beliefs include a deity?

Yes?

Then you are religious.

I know you really, really, really want to believe you are special, sorry, sweetie, you are religious, just like all the other deluded souls.

Well, actually, you are a Poe, but I'm referring to the character you are playing.