RE: Indoctrination & Mental Gymnastics
January 19, 2015 at 1:59 pm
(This post was last modified: January 19, 2015 at 2:13 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Misattribution is hardly a "practical" reason. I'd call it a sufficient cause, but it's not very practical. We don't appear to be the only animals that can reason (and the means by which we have this ability doesn't appear to be in the least bit spiritual or supernatural - it's a bodily organ), and whether or not any other animal has some notion of the supernatural is beyond either of us to make such statements about. Maybe they do, maybe they don't - neither of us know that...but only one of us seems -content- to accurately describe their knowledge of the subject. We're both human, so were both curious - even though we're not equally open to the same things. Science may never answer those questions, but "god" certainly will not, because "god" cannot. As to your explanation of why you're christian...I think that one applies equally to every other person of every faith -except the bit about conspiracy....that's some standard apologist trash, and, IMO - beneath you. Finally, whether or not you feel that you're on the right track, despite it being a great feeling, probably doesn't have a whole hell of alot to do with whether or not you're -actually- on the right track. Not for me, not for you. It's called "confirmation bias" - pretty well understood. None of this stuff in the post is "spiritual reason", you're hinting at -actual- reason throughout (even if it may not actually be present).
Most of the stuff you referenced there is simply not unique to you or to christians, the only difference between you and an atheist comes at the "therefore god" portion. People wonder, people feel awe, people have confidence..both in their own positions and in the positions of others whom they respect. I mention all of this because your post implies some things about your perception of others that is at times passably inaccurate (the bit about what knowledge people are content with and in what context) to downright derogatory (regarding curiosity and human nature) or dismissive (my daddy said I was right and you're wrong so that's good enough for me). I actually don't think that any of the above would be "good enough" for you in any other subject, god's getting a pass - a psychological screening manouver being run for a preferred concept. This, too, happens in "the atheist mind" just doesn't get leveraged for "god". I suspect that this is what "spiritual reason" -is-, if any of the above are "spiritual reasons". It's a header for desiring and laying claim to rational reasons, but failing to apply rational standards and procedures in order to obtain them.
Most of the stuff you referenced there is simply not unique to you or to christians, the only difference between you and an atheist comes at the "therefore god" portion. People wonder, people feel awe, people have confidence..both in their own positions and in the positions of others whom they respect. I mention all of this because your post implies some things about your perception of others that is at times passably inaccurate (the bit about what knowledge people are content with and in what context) to downright derogatory (regarding curiosity and human nature) or dismissive (my daddy said I was right and you're wrong so that's good enough for me). I actually don't think that any of the above would be "good enough" for you in any other subject, god's getting a pass - a psychological screening manouver being run for a preferred concept. This, too, happens in "the atheist mind" just doesn't get leveraged for "god". I suspect that this is what "spiritual reason" -is-, if any of the above are "spiritual reasons". It's a header for desiring and laying claim to rational reasons, but failing to apply rational standards and procedures in order to obtain them.
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