This post on another thread prompted the creation of this thread:
Quote:So, again, if your standards of evidence allow you to accept Yahweh, then why don't you accept the Flying Spaghetti Monster? What makes him less valid? (Other than the fact that everone knows it is supposed to be a parody)The first factor I'll note in differentiating religions is the "other than" noted above. If someone isn't making a serious claim, I don't give it consideration. I would think this would be obvious - you apparently do too, as noted above re: FSM - but lately atheists have been making arguments like, If you believe in God based on the Bible, you should believe in hobbits based on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkein (a Christian BTW) published LOTR as fiction.