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A reason to believe?
April 29, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I don’t have one. Sorry to disappoint you. I’m asking if anyone can provide one. I’m very curious about this. Can anyone give me one reason to believe there is a god? I’m not asking anyone to say something that could actually cause me to believe. Nothing like that. It’s just that I have never, ever been given a reason to believe that god might actually exist that doesn’t presuppose the existence of god.
For example, the threat of eternal damnation and the promise of eternal paradise would be a great reason to believe, but only if god, does indeed, exist. Otherwise, they don’t matter. What I’d like to be able to do is say, “Sure, I can accept that as a reason to believe in god”, even if that reason isn’t enough to believe on its own.
Can anyone offer me a reason to believe that doesn’t require faith?
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RE: A reason to believe?
April 29, 2010 at 1:16 pm
That one doesn't work for me! I'm married. I do remember it fondly, though... and I can tell you the word god was definitely uttered.
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RE: A reason to believe?
April 29, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I can't think of any.
The cosmos is also within us. We're made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself - Carl Sagan
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RE: A reason to believe?
April 29, 2010 at 4:45 pm
The reason to believe is the quality of life belief gives.
That's the whole point... greater appreciation of life as it can be.
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RE: A reason to believe?
April 29, 2010 at 5:16 pm
(This post was last modified: April 29, 2010 at 5:18 pm by Ace Otana.)
Quote:It gives you a reason for your existence: if you follow the teachings of Jesus the goal of your life is to be a good, kind, generous person.
Already have that. Don't need religion to have that.
Quote:It gives you a set of permanent moral values that can guide you through your life.
Already have that. You don't need belief in god to be moral.
Quote:It can get you a social network on which you can always count on no matter what happens to you. Even if you sin they will help you repent.
Already have a social network I can always count on. Don't need belief in god for that. Forget the repent shit. All my friends and family are atheists.
Quote:It is free.
So is being an atheist.
Quote:Why NOT believe in God ?
No evidence for gods existance.
Quote:That's the whole point... greater appreciation of life as it can be.
Already have that. You don't need to have a belief in god to appreciate life. Or have a greater appreciation of it.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence - Carl Sagan
Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.
Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.
You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.