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Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 12:36 am
(This post was last modified: March 7, 2017 at 12:37 am by Tea Earl Grey Hot.)
Let's say you're someone living in the pre-scientific era. Without knowing even the most basic findings of science that we have today, would theism be a more rational conclusion for someone to make to any degree? Is atheism less rational in this context?
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"The lord doesn't work in mysterious ways, but in ways that are indistinguishable from his nonexistence."
-- George Yorgo Veenhuyzen quoted by John W. Loftus in The End of Christianity (p. 103).
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 12:39 am
I can understand why it would be more appealing back then, but it's still using an argument from ignorance.
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 12:40 am
I think that's initially where religion came from. Our ancestors had to have some way to explain what theycouldn.t understand.
Later it became a way to control peopke.
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 1:59 am
(March 7, 2017 at 12:39 am)Jesster Wrote: I can understand why it would be more appealing back then, but it's still using an argument from ignorance.
This, essentially.
Less things having explanations for them does not equate to theism having more supporting evidence.
"Owl," said Rabbit shortly, "you and I have brains. The others have fluff. If there is any thinking to be done in this Forest - and when I say thinking I mean thinking - you and I must do it."
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 10:01 am
You have to give the boogie man a name and powers. Helps cope with the unknown. What's was that......... oh just the boogie man. Can't stop him, just deal with it and move on.
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 10:08 am
Also before logical fallacies were formalized. But I think our ancestors can be forgiven for being confused...dreams, hallucinations, schizophrenia, epilepsy, NDEs...all these things were terribly mysterious and certainly seemed to be beyond natural explanation at the time. Not to mention that pretty much everything else was just as inexplicable. Given the toolbox of our brains having a bias towards ascribing agency; I don't see how we would have avoided widespread belief in the supernatural. And of course, manipulating those beliefs is handy for social control.
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RE: Is theism more rational in a pre-scientific context?
March 7, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Yes, of course.
But why now given what we know?
The world's driving around in electric cars but many/most still prefer a horse and cart!
It doesn't make sense.
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Know God, Know fear.
