New Deist user here.

[Dystopia]

Not really, it's equally reasonable.  Let me ask you a question, which is more reasonable..believing in fairies or pixies?

I don't really see the logical consistency in your analogy - Both are equally fantastic and horrible depending on the tale. I do think believing in dragons is more reasonable than believing in fairies because dragons are awesome and spit fire. 

It's actually less reasonable because there is no motivating factor to make you believe in a god. You have absolutely nothing to go by. It's like you are trying to be more logical than theists but you just don't get there. It's a complete fail.

You talk as if Christians had motivating factors and deists not - Everyone has motivating factors for anything, people don't act, believe or think someway out of the blue. What is a motivating factor to make you believe in a god? Is it merely fear of hell? Because that's a terrible reason to believe, a very totalitarian one. Believing out of free will (I don't really believe in free will but you get the point) is 1000x more desirable than believing out of pure fear.

I understand why some theists believe. They are indoctrinated and or they just don't research it much but they have something tangible making them believe whether it is other people or a false book of shit.

So what do you say about educated theists or born again religious people? They don't exist?

Desists have nothing motivating them to believe other than stupidity. There is no fear of hell motivating you, no retarded ancient book, no church, nothing.

I think that's a reason why Deism is infinitely more appealing to some people than religion - Because you can believe and live your life the same way you would if you didn't believe. Doesn't that make the product more profitable? It seems obvious to me. 

According to oxford, stupidity means

Lacking intelligence or common sense

From my experience, deists can lack both or have both, I've met deists smarter than me. Are you telling me I'm stupid?

hell, some don't even think there's an afterlife, so it might just be a neurological difference that leads people to think differently or some kind of tendency to believe.

To help put it in perspective, I think I'll become a Leprechaunist. I just believe they left pots of gold out there and then went on their merry way. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy thinking this.

And why does this have any relevance whatsoever? Are you seriously saying that the reason people believe in god is because they see gold?

[KUSA]

^^^^^ Thats right it's gold. Gold is proof of God. Especially transparent gold.

[robvalue]

Edit: Never mind, my idea was crap. Time for bed!

[Longhorn]

As much as I would like to say that, it would make atheists to look like dicks.

Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep...

meow

[Starlord]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.  ( I feel better now after a a day or 2 of respite). 

I openly admit, I have no evidence of any god existing. It's just more of a feeling than anything else.  I rather be a Deist, than a Christian which imo is toxic. saying to someone they are going to hell because they are gay or don't believe are pretty harsh things to say, some people can view that as a threat. ( It definitely provokes fights to happen that's for sure.)

When I watch some preachers preach on the street on youtube: Most of the time it regards "sinners going to hell". Personally, all of what they do is provoke fights with what they are saying to everyone.  

Example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7jeNypk1rc

Just the shirts and signs alone are provoking in nature ( Repent or Perish) is one of them, even still it doesn't justify destroying property.  However, using a Megaphone, shunning people who believe differently, Telling people if you are gay you are sinning, and god throws them in hell.  Freedom of speech in some areas such as this shouldn't be tolerated.

How do you feel about street preachers?

---------------------------------------------

I know most atheists were probably went through a deist stage before becoming an Atheist.  However, for me it's just a feeling I have, I know I have zero evidence, but I am fine with that .  I still believe in science is what brought us alot of things we have today and that Evolution is a big thing which actually have evidence for. ( Not everything mind you, but that's the beauty about science, always learning).

I don't really want to argue my position on why I am a deist, it's like I said just a feeling ( Maybe that feeling will just fade away over time), but as of now it feels right and is a lot better than Christianity.

Again, thank you for the warm welcome!

[The Grand Nudger]

I don't really see the logical consistency in your analogy - Both are equally fantastic and horrible depending on the tale. I do think believing in dragons is more reasonable than believing in fairies because dragons are awesome and spit fire. 

-both the deists god and the theists god are equally fantastic.  You're talking about logical consistency as if you understood the term, I know that you don't.  However, you're dead on with the bit about dragons, so you can't be all bad, and I'm willing to put aside any other difference in service of that fact. 

[Bob Kelso]

Hey everyone, I am a Deist currently. I just spoke over a course of 2 days with 2 christians about how they are using fear mongering by saying ( If you don't believe, you are going to hell.) They say they are not fear mongering but trying to save me. It is really affecting my health.

 They are trying to "save me" but really they are pushing me further away by basically threatening me with the you don't believe= hell.  kinda down right now don't know what to do .

Pascal's wager is what that's called. Ask them to consider the same for the other religions, they can be just as wrong as you are. Usually garners an excellent reaction. 

On the "affecting my health" thing. I'm sorry if it's hyperbole, but if it isn't then consider growing a backbone mate. If you don't want to argue then don't, tell them the discussion is over. Simple as that. You don't have to listen to bullshit or mince words with people if you don't want to.

[Longhorn]

How do you feel about street preachers?

They're not right in the head. And they bring back nasty memories.

[robvalue]

Sounds good to me You're honest enough to admit it's based on emotions, I respect that. You have no duty to defend or debate deism here, so if someone keeps bothering you about it you can just ignore them.

It's the harm religion causes that I am against first and foremost, and it seems you agree with that.

I think street preachers are generally either disturbed individuals, or arrogant pricks. But I respect their freedom of speech, as long as they're not too loud or actively hassling people. If it progressed into hate speech/incitement then I'd draw the line.

[Starlord]

Sounds good to me You're honest enough to admit it's based on emotions, I respect that. You have no duty to defend or debate deism here, so if someone keeps bothering you about it you can just ignore them.

It's the harm religion causes that I am against first and foremost, and it seems you agree with that.

I think street preachers are generally either disturbed individuals, or arrogant pricks. But I respect their freedom of speech, as long as they're not too loud or actively hassling people. If it progressed into hate speech/incitement then I'd draw the line.

Yeah, emotions really have no place on an evidence based debate/argument. Therefore I keep those emotions in check when arguing ( If I ever do argue, I tend to keep to myself most of the time).  

Yes, I 100% agree the way certain denominations ( because I am sure not all denominations of Christians are crazy?) spread their belief is harmful to society.  Christianity itself, I don't have much problem with, it's the people that use  Christianity that makes it more bad than others.

"It's only as bad as it's user".

The bible itself seems to be filled with horror like stories, that I am unsure why Christians keep their faith knowing their bible has that kind of stuff written.  I may never truly know there reason, but I respect them all the same ( as long as they are civil about it and not being mean by saying things like the video I posted in a previous post.).

"If it progressed into hate speech/incitement then I'd draw the line."  Yep I 100% agree, there are better ways to "Get your message a crossed without using Fear mongering tactics. 

Some people say: " Fearing god is the beginning of wisdom"  Yeah I still don't get that at all,  If I fear god, why would I attempt to go to him? ( If he's real mind you).