Is belief in God a choice

[Edwardo Piet]

So where's the discussion if I'm just 'watching from a distance'? And what am I supposed to be looking out for? If I can indeed do that and it still be a discussion?

EvF

[fr0d0]

Well supposedly, and I realise that again I'm asking you to go out on a limb here.. you observe what I say and then come in with questions like "why do that because it isn't logical given this". You're a logical person aren't you? You've considered other positions besides your own before. You don't only want to know about stuff that exclusively supports what you think already do you?

[Edwardo Piet]

Correct! What's your point?

EvF

[fr0d0]

To answer the preceding question. What's yours?

[Edwardo Piet]

This:

So where's the discussion if I'm just 'watching from a distance'? And what am I supposed to be looking out for? If I can indeed do that and it still be a discussion?

EvF

Your post that followed this one, was you implying that I'm a logical person and that I indeed consider viewpoints beside my own. To which I agreed. I still want to know how there can be a discussion between us if I'm just going to watch...that kind of seems like a contradiciton!

EvF

[fr0d0]

Ya, ok. You just watch and learn!!

Well how can we discuss it if you don't know what it is in the first place?

Once you know what it is, then we can discuss the merits either way. As (to me) we're discussing the possibility of Christians, within their belief constraints, having a choice or not.... how does your need to believe one way or the other prevent you from discussing it?

[Edwardo Piet]

I don't know if it prevents me from discussing it or not, becasue as you say, I don't know exactly what this 'belief' in the Christian says in the first place.

Because whenever I question it, you say only yourself and other Christians can 'truly' understand it. So how can I discuss it then?

If on the other hand, there is a way for me to understand it and it's not exclusive to Christians liek yourself, and it's of course done without there being 'evidence for it'...then how? How do I come to understand it as an atheist, in order for me to discuss it? Because as you say, I need to know what it is you're on about first...so how do I do that? Is it somehow limited to Christians or not?

EvF

[fr0d0]

Well how will you know if you never let it start? There's certainly no magic to it. It's just a simple position on belief that, as I am completely aware, you don't accept. I don't accept your position but I'm here reading it and discussing it all the time. How on earth is that possible then if I can't talk about what I directly believe? I'm already in the position that you're considering doing. Personally I find it very interesting and educational to learn what other people think and the reasoning behind what they believe. It doesn't mean I have to compromise my beliefs. It also doesn't mean I have to keep my beliefs if my mind changes. It's cool like that, I can sorta have my own mind ..y'know? Adrian said I could keep it... He said he didn't need any more half chewed theist brains as he had quite enough for a stew already.

[Edwardo Piet]

I don't know how to 'start believing' ...because I'm in the position that it's not a matter of choice, that I need to actually be convinced or not either externally or internally, and it's not some 'preference' that I can just 'choose to' do. Your position on the other hand is that - in respect to the Christian God that you believe in - it is a matter of choice. So the discussion is about these two different views and which is correct. And on my side of the discussion I need you to support that belief is a matter of choice otherwise there's no discussion between our two views. You say then that I first need to 'let it start', but I don't know how untill you support how this is even possible, that is the whole discussion!

So then I ask...do you know of any other way?

EvF

[Violet]

Belief comes from not thinking about something, and having absolute faith in your being right, and being arrogant enough to think that. Sounds a little difficult to do... to be honest