What are they, Chopped Liver?

soccerfreaks said:

"Clay Pigeons"
I enjoy this particular board a lot because it permits by its very existence a diversity of beliefs while insisting on tolerance of that diversity.

That is a cool thing.

I like to think that, for the most part (I have admittedly slipped up once or twice) I have honored that premise and even saluted it.

This makes it so much more perplexing that I find your response, hondo, disingenuous at the same time I can admire RE's response.

After careful reflection, I have come to this conclusion in that regard: Re does not explain her faith but simply announces it, while you explain yours.

That is important, I think, because faith does not require explanation (as you, yourself, note) and a person of faith understands this (which you, apparently, do not).

It is what it is.

Beyond that, I have some issues with your paragraphs (I know, I know, I am picking on you).

To wit: the notion that there has always been a need for worship, as you state, is actually a good argument for the probability that religion is something made up to appease the holes in our souls (to say nothing of Phil's suggestion that religion was invented by the rich to keep the rich rich).

The best argument for the existence of a god is the one indicated by RE: it just is.

Your understanding of 'history' leaves something to be desired, as well. The sun, the moon, these are pivotal in the development of religion and it is likely there would not BE a christianity without the religions that preceded it. Christianity would certainly not celebrate its rites on the dates that it does were it not for the sun and the moon and other religions devoted to the worship of these luminous orbs (I'm not talking about your breasts, RE, nor my own wife's for that matter, worshipful though I am of them).

The notion that belief is a binary system, that you either believe or believe not is also simplistic, in my humble opinion. You omit the option that is agnosticism, the lack of belief. Atheists, as you suggest, have faith. Agnostics reside in the world of "I don't know". It is not a happy land for most of us, but it is an honest one.

As for your pondering with respect to what we did before doctors?

We died.

You reveal again your lack of historical perspective. Look back 200 years, 100 years, even 50 years, even 20 years, and compare life expectancy then to what it is now.

Doctors and researchers are improving life and life expectancy on a DAILY basis, whether they believe in a god or not.

And, regarding the notion that we look at doctors as 'a miracle pill'? WTF? Do you have any evidence of that? On this site or elsewhere? I do not look at my doctors as miracle pills. I look at them as professionals dedicated to healing me.

You denigrate both the medical profession and faithful christians with your junk religion.

Just my opinion so please don't take anything wrong.

Joe

Hi Joe
I try not to judge anyone because I know little about them or there back ground or history. I always say you don’t know a person unless you can walk a mile in there shoes

Take care

dasspears said:

And, as the name notes,
Spirituality and Meditation. Hence the name.

And, peace! Yes!

And, peace! Yes!