The Problem with Christians

[abaris]

We have certain members here, whom I won't call out by naming, who put up with daily abuse (they're morons, idiots, etc. -- I'm guilty of indulging in this abuse myself) but who are clearly not idiots. In fact, some of them strike me as rather intelligent.

I can imagine who you mean. They may not be unintelligent, but knowing the bible from cover to cover doesn't make you educated. They're ignorant and often times wilfully ignorant. Very low horizon when it comes to the real world.

I can deal with stupid. But what I can't stand are people speaking with an air of authority while being wilfully ignorant. And, if presented with evidence, even refuse to look at what's rubbed under their noses.

That's when I usually can't help it. An idiot or moron adress comes quite naturally in these moments.

[robvalue]

I agree, when you're dealing with someone you know can do better, and is capable of learning, that is frustrating. It's hard to watch them throwing their intellectual potential away because reality clashes with their dogmatic beliefs.

[Minimalist]

Childhood psychological conditioning makes it easier.

Give me the child for seven years and I will give you the man.

-- Jesuit motto

These days, that is really creepy.

[abaris]

Hitler said something similar.

But the Jesuits haven't been the worst in centuries past. Other orders have that honor. Foremost the Dominicans, who were leading in providing the witch hunters and inquisitors.

[AJW333]

That's basically what religion is, not just Christianity. A coping mechanism that gives people an excuse not to use their brains.

It's not about an excuse not to use their brains. It's about ultimate security. Feeling protected in life and death, not having to cope with losing loved ones forever, not having to cope with the thought of no longer existing at some point in time.

The ultimate life insurance, if you so will. I guess, that's the major motivator.

The life insurance analogy was true for me when I was a child, but it isn't the driver in my faith now as an adult. I am convinced that the supernatural must exist because there are things present in our world that natural processes cannot account for.
An example of this is that we generally accept that 4.5 billion years ago there was nothing living on earth, just dirt rocks and water. Since we know of no natural process that creates life from non-life, there must be some process at work above and beyond the natural, ie the supernatural. 

AJ.

[Silver]

I am convinced that the supernatural must exist because there are things present in our world that natural processes cannot account for.

That is the precise ill logic that led man to create religion and god(s).

[AJW333]

I am convinced that the supernatural must exist because there are things present in our world that natural processes cannot account for.

That is the precise ill logic that led man to create religion and god(s).

Not sure where the logic fails. Can you elaborate?

[Silver]

That is the precise ill logic that led man to create religion and god(s).

Not sure where the logic fails. Can you elaborate?

The logic fails in your presumption that an answer not readily available must automatically equate to god.

The entire purpose of science is to discover the answer, no matter how long it takes, rather than to jump to a conclusion due to an inability to understand or accept that answers take time.

[Jenny A]

Empirical failure of strongly held beliefs can actually make people double down on their belief system. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Prophecy_Fails Be those beliefs religious, political, or conspiratorial, commitment often means stronger belief in the face of obvious contradiction.

[Minimalist]

I think the medical term is "Thick as shit" Jen.... or however you say that in Latin.