Eliot Wild
Irreverent Agnostic Jerk
I was struck by a thought while replying to another thread. I honestly believe that some people NEED God, even a fictitious one.
Personal experience: My mother, bless her heart, needs God. It is that simple. Her God, her faith and her Church are a huge part of her life. Her religion is her primary social network, as well as a moral guidepost for her, and whether for good or ill, it is also a sort of pychological crutch that holds her up during stressful situations, such as the death of loved ones.
My thought was this: If I had conclusive proof that God didn't exist, would I break the news to her?
I'm glad this is a hypothetical, 'cause I really don't know what I'd do. Personally, I have always felt that giving people the truth was the best thing to do, but a favorite literary character of mine once said, "I never lie, at least not to people I don't love."
In other words, perhaps the truth isn't good for some people and we might withhold it out of compassion.
What are people's thoughts?
Personal experience: My mother, bless her heart, needs God. It is that simple. Her God, her faith and her Church are a huge part of her life. Her religion is her primary social network, as well as a moral guidepost for her, and whether for good or ill, it is also a sort of pychological crutch that holds her up during stressful situations, such as the death of loved ones.
My thought was this: If I had conclusive proof that God didn't exist, would I break the news to her?
I'm glad this is a hypothetical, 'cause I really don't know what I'd do. Personally, I have always felt that giving people the truth was the best thing to do, but a favorite literary character of mine once said, "I never lie, at least not to people I don't love."
In other words, perhaps the truth isn't good for some people and we might withhold it out of compassion.
What are people's thoughts?