Non-Theists: Why Do You Suppose Theism Exists?

[fantôme profane]

I think the human brain has developed very sophisticated ways of understanding other human beings and interacting with other minds. And I think it is a quirk of human psychology that we apply this tool of understanding minds to other areas. We can’t understand why the volcano erupts the way it does, but if we attribute a mind to it, then we feel that we can understand. The volcano god is angry or is sleeping.

It may seem to many people that we have advanced beyond silly notions of volcano gods, rain gods, or evil spirits that cause disease. But we still have the tendency to use personification to explain what we cannot explain, to make the unfamiliar familiar.

[Storm]

I think it's just another phase in the evolution of religion. Its time will pass.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why do you suppose theism exists? Why do people believe in deity?

*mumbles* steals my idea... why I outta... slam... Kitty... small vent... geez look at all that blood... on a Wednesday, I said no way!... *end of mumbling*

It's nice to have a purpose, deity gives that to a lot of people. Of course there are non-theistic religions/philosophies that give purpose too, but Theism is a powerful method.

[crystalonyx]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Ball

Why, is he wrong? preaching? debating? lying?

This is a non-theist thread. There are so few, we don't need theists preaching in what few there are.

[crystalonyx]

Originally Posted by stephenw

I'm neither theist nor atheist.

So you're an agnostic?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by crystalonyx

So you're an agnostic?

Nah. He's just found the key for every door.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Nah. He's just found the key for every door.

Or the door for every key.

[stephenw]

Originally Posted by crystalonyx

So you're an agnostic?

mmm, No.