On Hell and Forgiveness

[polymath257]

Well, I consider most of the arguments for religion to be at this level of childishness. It really isn't a caricature. There is a claim that everything needs a cause (incorrectly, by the way) and immediately claims that some ultimate cause is God. How is that any different than someone claiming their garden grows because of gnomes and unicorns?

I think maybe *you* should state your reasoning concerning God in a way that doesn't immediately apply to gnomes and unicorns.

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But believing that undetectable things that cannot be measured are causing everything all around us *is* delusional.

Maybe we should ask this: what would it take for you to say that belief in gnomes in my garden is delusional?

This doesn't seem to be making your case for calling others delusional; but rather you just making a statements and not supporting them.  It's not my job, to make your argument for you. I already disagreed with the logic of your analogy, although I don't think that bad logic, makes one delusional. If you disagree, then you will have to explain what you mean by delusional. 

Comparing one thing to invisible gnomes in your garden, isn't making an argument, but a statement.   You need an underlying premise to support it, and then the comparison must properly apply.   You can't just insert anything.   Do you have reasons or evidence for the claim;  or is this it?   Because if this is it, I think we are done here.

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I also think that you believe that the arguments for Christianity are childlike, because you don't understand, and cannot accurately represent them.   If you think that it was is being put forth, then your ignorant on the subject, and I would suggest that you listen better.

You disagreed with the analogy, but gave no reason for that disagreement. I understand the classical (and many non-classical) arguments for Christianity and have yet to see one that isn't childish or that can't be applied to gnomes in my garden.

I asked why you don't think that someone believing in garden gnomes isn't to be considered to be delusional. As far as I can see, they are. I also see most religious beliefs as being on the same level as belief in garden gnomes. You have yet to give a distinction that cleanly separates those beliefs.

You claim that my argument for garden gnomes uses bad logic. I agree. But it is the same bad logic as is used for the existence of deities. if you reject one, you should reject the other.