Simple question about god and all of that jazz.
If you have a child who believes in santa claus, it's fine. Your child is happy. It's logical that he would believe in santa because as a child he looks forward to getting toys and gifts etc. So he waits for santa to give it to him. While he doesn't know santa is actually his parents, the reasoning behind his thinking santa is real is logical regardless.
Likewise, for sake of argument, with god. People who believe in god are happy. It's logical one would believe in god because in christianity, they look forward to the afterlife, god's love, and so forth. So waiting for god (or jesus) to arrives is fine. The reasoning behind the believer believing in gods is logical regardless how ridiculous one may think it is both in the case of santa and of god.
In these respects, why wouldn't we say the afterlife, god, and so forth are logical (there is reasoning behind it) regardless the absurdity one may think it is?
I also noticed in reading the logic afterlife thread and remembering others even some believers don't consider their belief in god logical. Going by the above, why not?
To derive logic doesn't mean you have to use science. It just means you're using whatever it means that makes sense to you to justify why you believe what you do "and" how it makes sense to the reality you live in. (In addition. It's hard to defend one's belief in god if it doesn't logically make up one's view of reality and with justification behind such reasoning).
Should the goal really be whatever story makes one feel Good? Whatever happened to seeking Knowledge, Truth, and Wisdom?
Our choices define who we are, what we know, and what we need to learn. Should we define ourselves as feeling good regardless of the cost? That will never be me. What about honesty with ourselves and others? Should this really take a backseat to a dreamworld?
I remember when I first realized Santa wasn't real. Every store had a different guy as Santa. That can't be right. I confronted my parents. I let them have it. How could you lie to me? Why are you doing all this??
I must say their faces were a bit red. I was young and showed no mercy. Perhaps, the best thing is to never bring Santa up. When they ask from hearing it from friends, tell them when you find out, let me know. Start the challenge to Discover at an early age rather than totally relying on answers from others.
Beliefs are important for different reasons than you say. If beliefs did not exist, we would lock up just like my old computer when all the facts were not known. Beliefs are not the problem. Valuing beliefs over the Discovery of the Facts, leads one away from truth into that dream world.
In reality, truth will not always be an agreeable thing. On the other hand, truth and true reality will always end up better after all the learning and Discovering is done.
You say it's ok for people to believe in God. You say it almost with the assumption God does not exist. Are you too creating a dream world that feels good to you as well?
You speak of Logic. If God exists, then God can be found. The existence of God can only be a fact or truth to those who have actually Discovered God. Everyone else lives on the Beliefs of their choosing.
Those who are satisfied with beliefs over Discovering the Truth are really in the same boat. Whatever makes you happy. Is this really the best way? Of course not!!
Atheists and theists really need each other. The interaction between the two point to the fact that being satisfied with mere beliefs will never be the answer. The different views bring all kinds of lessons to learn. There is Genius behind it all!!
That's what I see. It's very clear!!