Larry,
I agree with the point by point ('lessness) so I'll try to minimize it.
It would appear that your main thrust for theism is that it appears to extend longevity and that therefore it carries benefit.
Whilst this may be true (for a whole host of possible reasons) it is far from the only course of action you can take to achieve that. It would appear, for example, that leaving the US and moving to Japan, or the Greek Island of Crete, would have an even greater impact on your potential longevity. Those 2 regions appear to offer the greatest average longevity on the planet (and both are cultures that smoke heavily).
It is fully possible that theists are happier in their daily lives than atheists (I have no data on that) but even if this and the above are true it says nothing as to the truth of the belief itself.
I guess how important that is to you might vary. I can say I understand the lack of interest in what's real and what's imagined if it makes you happy - its just not something I aspire to.
We can therefore agree to disagree if you like. I don't really care one way or another what you or others believe as long as it doesn't impinge on others. There is, of course, a great deal we could say about that, in combination with the often expressed opinion amongst atheists that it is the more reasonable theist that provides cover for the extremist (the one with bombs strapped to his body, or the one that blows up abortion clinics and so on).
If that is true (and I am not saying it is, as yet) then your added longevity comes with a cost - one that might even be causal in the relative lack of longevity amongst non-believers. Would that cost be worth it?
Now I know you get uncomfortable with the Santa comparisons. Whilst I understand where you are coming from you need to understand that to me there is little difference in the belief's, although I was hoping to show you something else with it rather than merely getting you upset.
What I had hoped you would notice is the ease with which I defended Santa, almost to the point of making it seem reasonable from your initial attack. I pointed out he didn't live where you searched. I told you where he did live and that you can visit him. I even covered the flying issue.
Now suppose I could further point to research showing that children who belief in Santa gain benefit from it in relation to those that don't. Does that make Santa real?
I agree with the point by point ('lessness) so I'll try to minimize it.
It would appear that your main thrust for theism is that it appears to extend longevity and that therefore it carries benefit.
Whilst this may be true (for a whole host of possible reasons) it is far from the only course of action you can take to achieve that. It would appear, for example, that leaving the US and moving to Japan, or the Greek Island of Crete, would have an even greater impact on your potential longevity. Those 2 regions appear to offer the greatest average longevity on the planet (and both are cultures that smoke heavily).
It is fully possible that theists are happier in their daily lives than atheists (I have no data on that) but even if this and the above are true it says nothing as to the truth of the belief itself.
I guess how important that is to you might vary. I can say I understand the lack of interest in what's real and what's imagined if it makes you happy - its just not something I aspire to.
We can therefore agree to disagree if you like. I don't really care one way or another what you or others believe as long as it doesn't impinge on others. There is, of course, a great deal we could say about that, in combination with the often expressed opinion amongst atheists that it is the more reasonable theist that provides cover for the extremist (the one with bombs strapped to his body, or the one that blows up abortion clinics and so on).
If that is true (and I am not saying it is, as yet) then your added longevity comes with a cost - one that might even be causal in the relative lack of longevity amongst non-believers. Would that cost be worth it?
Now I know you get uncomfortable with the Santa comparisons. Whilst I understand where you are coming from you need to understand that to me there is little difference in the belief's, although I was hoping to show you something else with it rather than merely getting you upset.
What I had hoped you would notice is the ease with which I defended Santa, almost to the point of making it seem reasonable from your initial attack. I pointed out he didn't live where you searched. I told you where he did live and that you can visit him. I even covered the flying issue.
Now suppose I could further point to research showing that children who belief in Santa gain benefit from it in relation to those that don't. Does that make Santa real?
Kuusi palaa, ja on viimeinen kerta kun annan vaimoni laittaa jouluvalot!
