Do you really believe in god?

[LogDog]

Is it the case that seemingly intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals who profess belief in a god are deceiving themselves and in all actuality do not believe?

“There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably, some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he does not dare face this thought. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Bertrand Russell, Human Society in Ethics and Politics

 

[Willamena]

Myths, if done properly, provide little in the way of comfort. They should, in fact, rock your boat, so to speak.

 

[Popeyesays]

I won't judge anyone else's degree of belief.

To me the existence of God is obvious.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Bishka]

Do you really believe in god?

Yes, is that a problem?

 

[Hacker]

You know, I have contmeplated my belief in God and during my contemplation I've concluded that the universe and human body is too magnificantly structured and created to just be out of chance? Tell me LogDog, are you capable of creating this universe and another human(of course without resorting to the process of reproduction and cloning)? Please explain, I'm so curious.

 

[Pariah]

Almost inevitably, some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he does not dare face this thought. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed

In earlier stages (chronologically speaking) of my spiritual development, this question cropped up much of the time. The religious myths, whatever they may be of (not restricting to fables and didactic tales) could not be true - they just couldn't be and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bring myself to believe in them. However, my idea of what myth is, is a bit different now. While I did read them metaphorically before, I do so more now than I did before.

It was impossible to tuck it away neatly in the nether regions of my brain before they crept back into my consciousness. And then eventually I removed them completely.

This story in now way, however, shows that I have not simply replaced old mythologies with new ones. I might have and I wouldn't have known it myself.

 

[LogDog]

Yes, is that a problem?

I guess it's an unfortunate reality.

 

[robtex]

Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Bertrand Russell, Human Society in Ethics and Politics

I have wondered if this is true or not before. I think there might be some merit to the idea that "furious and disputed" are signs of insecurity. I find the word "sacred" and phrase "religion is personal " are many times smoke screens for the religiously insecure. It obvious doesn't apply to a site, which features daily debate and discussion on the topic but certainly to many theists in general. And on a tangent note a cousin of the "furious dispute" is many times an appeal to ambiguity, with answers to divine inquisitions being "no one can no for sure" and "anything is possible." Ambiguity being a shield to exploring religion and or spirituality.

I think that fideism and its relationship to evidencable claims and epistemology could be a strong focus point for qualifying how one comes to decide, and with what convectional level and tools, that a God exists or does not exist or is completely un-ascertainable . .

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Is it the case that seemingly intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals who profess belief in a god are deceiving themselves and in all actuality do not believe?

I have no doubt that this is the case with some intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals. But I think this is not the case with a great number of them if not most of them.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Several of them actually.

I guess it's an unfortunate reality.

Why is this unfortunate? I will agree it is very unfortunate when a person uses religion and believes as a crutch, but to someone like myself, who is always questioning things, and looking for answers, it is not unfortunate.

And while the existance of God has not been scientifically proven, it has not been disproven either.

And with the way you question thiest, I am going to ask you a question.
Are you capable of percieving anything beyond what lies right in front of you?

 

[LogDog]

Tell me LogDog, are you capable of creating this universe and another human(of course without resorting to the process of reproduction and cloning)? Please explain, I'm so curious.

I'll make it my next project once I'm done repairing what the carpenter ants did to my garage.

 

[Hacker]

I'll make it my next project once I'm done repairing what the carpenter ants did to my garage.

HahaHA:biglaugh: can't wait to see that! I can only hope that you'll win that lovely nobel prize. Btw, what did the ants do to your garage?

 

[Papersock]

Is it the case that seemingly intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals who profess belief in a god are deceiving themselves and in all actuality do not believe?

“There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably, some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he does not dare face this thought. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Bertrand Russell, Human Society in Ethics and Politics

This is little different from a theist saying that an atheist really does know that god exists but his pride keeps him from admitting it.

 

[Ozzie]

Is it the case that seemingly intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals who profess belief in a god are deceiving themselves and in all actuality do not believe?

“There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably, some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he does not dare face this thought. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Bertrand Russell, Human Society in Ethics and Politics

You cannot primae facie exclude belief as valuable, coherent, and rational because it is not any of the above. Do a search of previous threads on this subject to find out why.

 

[LogDog]

Why is this unfortunate? I will agree it is very unfortunate when a person uses religion and believes as a crutch, but to someone like myself, who is always questioning things, and looking for answers, it is not unfortunate.

It's unfortunate that seemingly intelligent individuals who generally seek evidence and are skeptical in its absence accept the claims of religion without scrutinizing them with the same intensity.

And while the existance of God has not been scientifically proven, it has not been disproven either.

Neither has the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Russell's teapot. Do you believe in them?

And with the way you question thiest, I am going to ask you a question. Are you capable of percieving anything beyond what lies right in front of you?

I have an imagination.

 

[LogDog]

Btw, what did the ants do to your garage?

Evil things.

 

[morning-star]

Personally I believe that there is more than one God/goddess and that we call can become God’s of our own lives. We are the ones to control and manipulate every aspect of our lives and the way we live and see the world etc.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It's unfortunate that seemingly intelligent individuals who generally seek evidence and are skeptical in its absence accept the claims of religion without scrutinizing them with the same intensity.

It's unfortunate that seemingly intelligent individuals who generally seek evidence and are skeptical in its absence paint theists and theology with such a broad brush. It would be interesting to know how 'intensely' you've 'scrutinized' religious scholarship.

 

[.lava]

belief is nothing like voting a political party. Allah doesnot need our support or it is not our faith in Allah that make it real.

to me, belief is like marriage. once you agree to say 'yes' you give a promise.
you do not go seperate ways with your mate when you accept her as your wife. acceptance of marriage brings new stage of life with responsibilities.
it is a discipline and it doesnot work without effort.

so, i think devotion is better word to use than comfort.

yet if we speak about destiny, sooner or later, we would talk about comfort cos it is related to trust.

IMO_

 

[Sonic247]

Is it the case that seemingly intelligent, sharp minded, critical thinking, rational, generally skeptical individuals who profess belief in a god are deceiving themselves and in all actuality do not believe?

“There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably, some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he does not dare face this thought. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not real, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Bertrand Russell, Human Society in Ethics and Politics

It's not really that hard to face the world in a sense here in America, I could probably go out and become rich and famous if I wanted to. In fact in the richer countries we don't realize we need God because we have everything. The only thing that is hard about it is the knowledge that whatever I accomplish is temporary and pointless and has no eternal value. The freinds I have can die at any moment and I will never see them anymore. So yes it is reassuring to know that God sees everything and that things happen for a reason, but that doesn't mean it isn't true.