(April 9, 2012 at 11:16 pm)Cinjin Wrote: The point you are trying to make is not lost on me, but the analogy is always going to be flawed because belief has nothing to do with love. The rich man in your analogy is not asking for friends to believe in his existence, merely to love him for who he is rather than his money/power.
On the surface perhaps, but if you look deeper into the actual requirements of friendship the underlining principle is a form of love the Greeks identified as Philia. If Philia is the goal then the physical presents of an individual is not necessary. What is, are the basic requirements that a friend or someone who shows this specific type of Love full fills their obligation. As with any friendship, even in the presents of a potential friend belief/faith is required in each other. Belief and faith that the person in question will offer the same kind of love you are offering them.
Quote:The rich man is also not looking for humility the way your god is, he is looking for genuine love and acceptance.Which is the same thing God is looking for when you break down the principles to their core values.
Quote: In fact if the wealthy man is looking for humility, he's going to find a bunch of ass-kissers and phony people, the exact opposite of what your god is SUPPOSEDLY looking for.You are not describing true humility, ass kissing for the sake of self promotion is not humility. It is a deceitful practice designed to promote one's self. Humility is yielding one's self to (in this case) to the authority of God.
Quote: I'm sorry, it doesn't work and it certainly does not answer the question of why ALL gods require belief in addition to love and worship.That is a self answering question, for how can one worship and love if one does not believe?
