gringoperry Wrote:I don't believe I'm ever going to win the lottery, but I could. Now if you tell me I am going to definitely win the lottery, me not believing it doesn't mean it won't happen, it just makes it unlikely because things like that generally don't happen. I tend not to believe in unlikely things, however, it doesn't stop me wondering. I can still hold the position of not believing, while pondering on whether something may or may not be possible. For instance, I can build a range of scenarios in my mind that will explain how I came to win the lottery - Everything from pure coincidence to increased odds from playing more, just in case. It's a fantastical story, but it could actually happen.
In my hypothetical (wishful thinking) scenario, if I were to win the lottery exactly how you foretold, do you know what I would say? "Would you believe it?" Funny turn of phrase that, isn't it? It's especially reserved for events/things that have very little chance of coming to pass or existing. This is the only rational position one can hold when it comes to Gods. If I were to win the lottery I could easily present the evidence of it. I'm sure most people wouldn't have a problem with the part where you told me that I would win it, either - some would assign it to superstition, while others would accept it as a remarkable coincidence etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you can't pigeon hole non/belief into neat little packages. Like, for instance, I don't believe that my kids will tidy their rooms when I tell them to. When they surprise me and actually listen to a damn word I say, I don't start proclaiming miracles - sarcasm aside, of course.
I actually don't know who I'm typing this to, I just wanted to waffle a bit.
Selliedjoup Wrote:How do you know or assess the likelyhood of a god(s)? You seem to have assumed it possesses the same odds as winning the lottery. Why?
I never assumed anything. The point of my post was summed up in the last paragraph; where I pointed out that there are distinct differences between levels of disbelief. I put more stock in me winning the lottery because I have observed people winning the lottery, and have even won it myself on a smaller scale (Scratchcards). I put more stock in my kids surprising me and cleaning their room because sometimes kids do that. I consider the possibility of God(s), eliminate what they are likely not, then assign them to what they possibly are - either outside of natural laws as we know them; or, they don't exist at all.
In all three cases the level of disbelief I hold is based on what I can observe. As far as we know, as of today, God has never been observed. All we have to go by is ancient claims, which we have no way of verifying. When God makes an appearance, my level of belief will increase - after we eliminate optical illusion/trickery as an explanation, of course.
