If people were 100% rational, would the world be better?

[The Grand Nudger]

Every need to be so harsh.  People should know themselves and people should recognize others for who they are.  

I can't see that you have any reason to believe that silly shit - but I expect you to act on it, simply because you say that's who you are, and I believe you.  Every time you use the word god, up above, I'm pretty sure you're talking about yourself.  Maybe, if you cared more about less fortunate people, they wouldn't be less fortunate, but you don't.  You care about you, and you even care about you to their detriment.

You're worthless, and that's okay.  Some people are just broken, right?

Nah, I'm not worthless. Not even close. You can keep that to yourself.

Private truths about your public professions?  Nah.  If you tell me you're an asshole, I will vocally affirm that I believe you, and I will think about you..and people like you, when I consider or plan for things.  To do anything less would be a disservice to the reality of your genuine asshole person.

Wouldn't it?  It would be like denying that you exist and are who you say you are.  Who does that help?  Not you, not me, not some third party.

You're right, though, I was harsh. You're not worthless. Society always needs someone we can cut loose to do shitty work. People who we think so little of that we fling them against things we think might not work with no care for how those people make it out the other end. As long as they keep thinking they can fuck the other guy, and have theirs..especially by divine mandate - smooth sailing.

The choice here seems to be between being your own completely terrible person, or someone else's useful idiot. A choice that you could only make for yourself, and a choice which I would categorically respect the outcome of, no matter the contents.

[Ahriman]

Okay......? No need to be so harsh. And so what if I think God favors me over other people? I have every reason to believe that. I have experienced many good things, that a lot of other people have never experienced. Is this not proof of God's favor? If God cared about those less fortunate than me, as much as He cares about me, then those "less fortunate" people, would not be less fortunate.

Yeah, this is either narcissism or some equivalent of the American Prosperity Gospel.

I'm an atheist, and I have a great life.  Does God love me more than some pious refugee?  Does God love me more than those slaughtered by maniacs?  

That's some deity you believe in.  Perhaps you could explain what you believe God is, and what you believe God does (and why).

God is a transcendental masculine spirit, who presides over the universe, and bestows gifts upon those whom He wills. Happy people tend to receive greater gifts than unhappy people, because happy people are generally more appreciative of good things, than unhappy people.

---

Nah, I'm not worthless. Not even close. You can keep that to yourself.

Private truths about your public professions?  Nah.  If you tell me you're an asshole, I will vocally affirm that I believe you, and I will think about you..and people like you, when I consider or plan for things.  To do anything less would be a disservice to the reality of your genuine asshole person.

Wouldn't it?  It would be like denying that you exist and are who you say you are.  Who does that help?  Not you, not me, not some third party.

You're right, though, I was harsh.  You're not worthless.  Society always needs someone we can cut loose to do shitty work.  People who we think so little of that we fling them against things we think might not work with no care for how those people make it out the other end.  As long as they keep thinking they can fuck the other guy, and have theirs..especially by divine mandate - smooth sailing.

The choice here seems to be between being your own completely terrible person, or someone else's useful idiot.  A choice that you could only make for yourself.

You sound like a very caring person.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, you know, I cry when I murder stuff - so I think that qualifies. It's pretty hard to shoot through tears, if you'd never tried.

There is a special place in my tiny, tiny heart for the minority report. People who, for example, will say fuck you got mine to strangers. Even more-so with people who think god did this or that, gave them this or that. That's the height of hubris and servility alike. Wholly aside from arguing the truth of the beliefs, and accepting that people act on their beliefs rightly or wrongly - I can see how difficult and uncomfortable it may be in a social environment to advance some hated or denigrated point of view. The world is pretty mean to assholes - but assholes may have it right.

.......insomuch as they remind us that we hurt their delicate fee-fees by rightly observing that they're worthless assholes. I believe that happens, I believe you feel that. Apologies - but I'll probably....no, definitely, point it out again.

-because I respect the truth of the claims you've made about yourself. You say that's who you are, and I believe you.

[Ahriman]

Well, you know, I cry when I murder stuff - so I think that qualifies.  It's pretty hard to shoot through tears, if you'd never tried.

There is a special place in my tiny, tiny heart for the minority report.  People who, for example, will say fuck you got mine to strangers.  Even more-so with people who think god did this or that, gave them this or that.  That's the height of hubris and servility alike.  Wholly aside from arguing the truth of the beliefs, and accepting that people act on their beliefs rightly or wrongly - I can see how difficult and uncomfortable it may be in a social environment to advance some hated or denigrated point of view.  The world is pretty mean to assholes - but assholes may have it right.

Yes, the assholes are right. Most people will never accept that basic truth. And then they complain, about all kinds of fucking bullshit problems, when the solution is very simple - let the assholes take charge. I guarantee you one thing, we would make damn sure society is improved to a more fitting status for humanity's vast potential. I have some really great ideas, for how I would change society.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, then, I would expect assholes to stop putting so much effort into insisting that they weren't assholes, and more into insisting that they were right.

You got a bank statement ready? Let's see who god favors? Brutally honest question.....are you A Poor Person™ complaining when you reference your "inner strength"...? When can I come party at your beach house? Does your bank statement reflect that "inner strength", or is it a consolation prize for having no statement to speak of?

We can clear this up, and you know how much I love clarity, right now. Tell me the last time your "inner strength" profited you in any way, so that I can understand what you mean to say?

[HappySkeptic]

God is a transcendental masculine spirit, who presides over the universe, and bestows gifts upon those whom He wills. Happy people tend to receive greater gifts than unhappy people, because happy people are generally more appreciative of good things, than unhappy people.

Do you think that gender-identity is a required attribute of non-corporeal spirits?

About this happiness thing: happiness is a state of mind.  It isn't a reward from a deity, and being happy doesn't get you more "stuff" (though being depressed can certainly derail your life).  Poor people can be happy and rich people can be miserable.

You say you are bipolar, so perhaps you notice that you succeed when happy and don't when you are in depression.  That's a mental condition, and I hope you have help for that.  Mood swings are no joke.

You are younger than most people on this board, so perhaps you haven't thought through all the theological implications of your views.  Such a spiritual being, who blesses some with happiness, and gives more to the happy, is not a moral creature.  It is an idea that has been rejected by almost every type of theologian except in Televangelism circles.  It is not to be found anywhere in the bible.

[The Grand Nudger]

It's stupid prosperity gospel shit. But let's grant it. Maybe there is a god somewhere who gives gifts to his favorite cocksuckers.

So what? Should we go out and practice our cocksucking technique to please the god of cocksuckers?

[Ahriman]

It's stupid prosperity gospel shit.  But let's grant it.  Maybe there is a god somewhere who gives gifts to his favorite cocksuckers.

So what?  Should we go out and practice our cocksucking technique to please the god of cocksuckers?  

Damn dude.......you must have a personal problem with the kind of person I am. I'm really not that bad. I am selfish, yes. I am inconsiderate, yes. But I would argue, most people are selfish and inconsiderate. Having my personality just intensifies those traits. God doesn't reward people based on what they do, but rather, on who they are. This is a good system, for some people. Perhaps you haven't found a system that works for you?

[The Grand Nudger]

 I'm really not that bad. I am selfish, yes. I am inconsiderate, yes.

The latter two sentences argue competently against the first.

But I would argue

-ofc you would..and I would laugh, and call you worthless, and point out that you can't argue for shit. Weak.

You're telling me, now, that cocksucker's god rewards people for who they are instead of what they do..and you imagine that's better? Little Lord So-and-So, more deserving than all of his creators creatures on account of who he is..obviously, not what he does..since he doesn't do shit.

Your religion is silly, your god is imaginary, and you are poorer, weaker, and more ignorant than I am. If theres a god who grants favors he has not granted them to you. QED.

[Ahriman]

 I'm really not that bad. I am selfish, yes. I am inconsiderate, yes.

The latter two sentences argue competently against the first.

But I would argue

-ofc you would..and I would laugh, and call you worthless, and point out that you can't argue for shit.  Weak.

Yiou tell me cocksucking god rewards people for who they are instead of what they do..do you imagine that;s better?  Little Lord Fontlery, deserving of all his creators creatures.  Go fuck yourself.  Your religion is silly, your god is imaginary, and you are poorer and more ignorant than I am - qed.

All of that grand posturing, and then you fall back on the same tired atheist lines.......disappointing. But honestly, you don't even know me. I could be your best friend, and you wouldn't know what's going on in my head. Consider yourself lucky, that you've been given a glimpse into my psyche. Not many people have received this understanding.