What is wrong with theistic beliefs?

[The Grand Nudger]

I put "something else." To me, theism (belief in God) is a false belief. But the question asked about theistic beliefs with an "s." A great many true beliefs can be tacked on to a false one. And that is certainly the case with the major world religions.

Was Martin Luther King delusional? Was Gandhi delusional? No. Probably far less delusional than your average person. Did they each have at least one false belief. Yes, probably.

Deism is a belief in god.  Theism is more. Deists believe in god. Theists believe in a personal god who intervenes and has told them where to put their peeners and what to do with anyone who puts their peener elsewhere.

Deists are silly. Theists are positively dangerous.

[Angrboda]

I reserve the right to lodge additional objections to the aforementioned class as I see fit, notwithstanding any failure to do so at a prior time.

[KevinM1]

2) under the spell of an illusion, defined as misinterpreting an actual phenomenon;

I'd say that this is probably the most accurate.

Religion has almost always been the end result of the ignorant misinterpreting their experiences. Example: people get sick? It's due to some cosmic force related to the person's exhibited morality. A demon corrupted them, or karma bit them in the ass, or something else along those lines.

I mean, how many times have we encountered theists who say they believe because of what they've personally experienced - especially if it's something not trivially accounted for? Despite human psychology dictating that one's individual experience is often faulty at best, due to a variety of factors? "I know what I experienced. I know it was real." Really? Because physics and psychology tend to say otherwise.

[Whateverist]

If these categories seem awkward, I'll let you know why I chose them tomorrow. But I can tell no one really likes them much, it's like putting polygonal blocks in round holes. But I did like the illusion option better than the other two for the same reason as Kevin.

Poll closes tomorrow. Vote early and often!

[vulcanlogician]

2) under the spell of an illusion, defined as misinterpreting an actual phenomenon;

I'd say that this is probably the most accurate.

Religion has almost always been the end result of the ignorant misinterpreting their experiences.  Example: people get sick?  It's due to some cosmic force related to the person's exhibited morality.  A demon corrupted them, or karma bit them in the ass, or something else along those lines.

I mean, how many times have we encountered theists who say they believe because of what they've personally experienced - especially if it's something not trivially accounted for?  Despite human psychology dictating that one's individual experience is often faulty at best, due to a variety of factors?  "I know what I experienced.  I know it was real."  Really?  Because physics and psychology tend to say otherwise.

Good point. Now I want to change my answer to illusion. Oh well...

[The Grand Nudger]

We're all laboring under at least a few illusory beliefs or concepts.  If that were the reason that theism were problematic than we could see those same problems in all other examples of illusory beliefs or concepts - but we don't. While the belief in such a god is nothing more or less than the affirmation of the illusory.....it's the fact that this particular illusion is an echo chamber for all of our basest compulsions that makes it problematic.

[Angrboda]

We're all laboring under at least a few illusory beliefs or concepts.  If that were the reason that theism were problematic than we could see those same problems in all other examples of illusory beliefs or concepts - but we don't. While the belief in such a god is nothing more or less than the affirmation of the illusory.....it's the fact that this particular illusion is an echo chamber for all of our basest compulsions that makes it problematic.

I think the centrality of the delusion is a factor as well, which isn't under the majority of harmless delusions. Believing it's the most important thing in your life and that it comes from God himself has effects that more mundane beliefs lack.

Who in heck is Gae Bolga?

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Remember to remain civil when discussing the beliefs of others, everyone!

Oh lol, wrong forum.

[The Grand Nudger]

I think the centrality of the delusion is a factor as well, which isn't under the majority of harmless delusions.  Believing it's the most important thing in your life and that it comes from God himself has effects that more mundane beliefs lack.

Who in heck is Gae Bolga?

Agreed.  

More a what than a who. 

[Fidel_Castronaut]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gáe_Bulg

Spear of mortal pain/death.

Sounds delicious. ^_^