InChrist and I have been discussing knowledge a bit, what we really do and can "know. The definition of knowledge is, "facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject." First this tells us that knowledge is based on empirical evidence. Next it tells us that one need not gather that evidence themselves but being educated and shown the evidence is enough. Finally it says we must truly understand the subject to "know" it.
In some things I've written on Luciferianism I further defined knowledge as, "the closest possible stage of understanding to objective certainty one can achieve". People can argue all day that there's really nothing we can know and they have a point. For me, I accept the existence of objective knowledge on faith.
The conversation started with a claim that he "knows" god exists through different means. This is a common claim that pops up a lot. People claim they know god exists based on personal experience, seeing beauty in the world, feeling life is too complicated to not be created, etc. The problem is we absolutely do not know god exists (or does not), and claiming other wise is completely untrue. There is no empirical evidence supporting it, religious experiences can be explained away, beauty is subjective and doesn't imply a deity anyways, ignorance on any level does not imply god
It seems like a little thing but knowledge is very important in Luciferianism, and this is a forum about religious education. I don't see anything wrong with belief in god, but if you say you know god exists (or you know god does not exist) you are - plain and simply - lying. Understanding what knowledge is is very important when it comes to discussing religion. I think people like believing they know such things because not knowing causes distress, maybe even cognitive dissonance. This is something we individuals should try to over come. There is nothing wrong with not knowing, there is nothing wrong with belief, there is nothing wrong with faith. In fact, all of those are unavoidable. I believe when we truly understand knowledge and what we can or cannot know then we will find more peace.
In some things I've written on Luciferianism I further defined knowledge as, "the closest possible stage of understanding to objective certainty one can achieve". People can argue all day that there's really nothing we can know and they have a point. For me, I accept the existence of objective knowledge on faith.
The conversation started with a claim that he "knows" god exists through different means. This is a common claim that pops up a lot. People claim they know god exists based on personal experience, seeing beauty in the world, feeling life is too complicated to not be created, etc. The problem is we absolutely do not know god exists (or does not), and claiming other wise is completely untrue. There is no empirical evidence supporting it, religious experiences can be explained away, beauty is subjective and doesn't imply a deity anyways, ignorance on any level does not imply god
It seems like a little thing but knowledge is very important in Luciferianism, and this is a forum about religious education. I don't see anything wrong with belief in god, but if you say you know god exists (or you know god does not exist) you are - plain and simply - lying. Understanding what knowledge is is very important when it comes to discussing religion. I think people like believing they know such things because not knowing causes distress, maybe even cognitive dissonance. This is something we individuals should try to over come. There is nothing wrong with not knowing, there is nothing wrong with belief, there is nothing wrong with faith. In fact, all of those are unavoidable. I believe when we truly understand knowledge and what we can or cannot know then we will find more peace.