I like you, too, Paul. LOL
And if there's one thing I agree with you on, it is that the human mind has the powerful ability of self delusion. It is an incredibly powerful force, but it is nothing that cannot be overcome. Denial only reaches so far and only holds so long. The perserveraance of man can endure. I think you are very much aware of this, just like I am. I simply think that you deny it more than you'd like to admit.
My world-view does not rely on invisible deities or miraculous occurences any more than yours does. First because God is not invisible, and secondd because my definition of 'miracle' is far different from yours. You want to wait for balls of fiery white light to erupt in the sky and begin speaking to you before you declare a miracle has occured. My criteria are far less stunning.
I do not think that God might exist, and I do not think He exists because i have been told He does. I believe he exists, because my own experiences have subjectively and sufficiently proven to me, time and time again, that He exists.
You say that you are a true atheist, but I simpy do not believe there is such a thing. For that to be true, one would have to exist outside of the boundaries of God, and that is simply not possible. God is a part of all things, even atheists. So from my POV, you are the self-deluded one. You are denying a very core part of yourself because you cannot understand that part.
I am not upset that you claim ourself to be a true atheist who completely disbelieves in all of the notions of God. I consider you an intelligent person, and a nice one at that. You are my friend. But I simply understand too much about how God works to truly believe you are an atheist, nor is anyone.
And if there's one thing I agree with you on, it is that the human mind has the powerful ability of self delusion. It is an incredibly powerful force, but it is nothing that cannot be overcome. Denial only reaches so far and only holds so long. The perserveraance of man can endure. I think you are very much aware of this, just like I am. I simply think that you deny it more than you'd like to admit.
My world-view does not rely on invisible deities or miraculous occurences any more than yours does. First because God is not invisible, and secondd because my definition of 'miracle' is far different from yours. You want to wait for balls of fiery white light to erupt in the sky and begin speaking to you before you declare a miracle has occured. My criteria are far less stunning.
I do not think that God might exist, and I do not think He exists because i have been told He does. I believe he exists, because my own experiences have subjectively and sufficiently proven to me, time and time again, that He exists.
You say that you are a true atheist, but I simpy do not believe there is such a thing. For that to be true, one would have to exist outside of the boundaries of God, and that is simply not possible. God is a part of all things, even atheists. So from my POV, you are the self-deluded one. You are denying a very core part of yourself because you cannot understand that part.
I am not upset that you claim ourself to be a true atheist who completely disbelieves in all of the notions of God. I consider you an intelligent person, and a nice one at that. You are my friend. But I simply understand too much about how God works to truly believe you are an atheist, nor is anyone.
