Bumper sticker. . .(shudder)

[wolfgirl]

Seeing that most of us are from North America, I would expect the majority to believe in "God" and not deny his existance.

But why do you find it hard to believe that people don't believe in your god, when you don't believe in so many other people's gods? You have dismissed their sacred texts and ancient rituals as being untrue because they disagree with yours, but you can't understand how we can dismiss your sacred text and ancient rituals.

 

[wolfgirl]

Seeing that most of us are from North America, I would expect the majority to believe in "God" and not deny his existance.

In fact, this is one of the things that most makes me not believe in any gods. The belief that most people have is totally random, based almost completely on where you happen to be born. It's not like most people, at a certain point in their lives, with no prior bias, simply examine all of the world's religions in depth and make an informed decision about the one that makes the most sense to them. They simply learn the one their parents taught them and then go about the rest of their lives "knowing" that theirs is the truth.

You happened to be born in North America, so you happen to believe in the xian god. If you had been born in India and never ever in your life even heard of a guy names Jesus, what then?

I just don't get it...

 

[Azure]

Quoting the bible is no sort of evidence of anything. Quoting an old book to prove something is utterly meaningless. Can I quote The Odyssey as proof that there are cylopses (cyclopsi?)?

Hard time catching on?

 

[Azure]

But why do you find it hard to believe that people don't believe in your god, when you don't believe in so many other people's gods? You have dismissed their sacred texts and ancient rituals as being untrue because they disagree with yours, but you can't understand how we can dismiss your sacred text and ancient rituals.

Where did I do that?

I said I find it hard to believe that the majority of people on this board would deny the existance of God. We live in North America, only a very small portion of the people are atheists.

 

[Azure]

In fact, this is one of the things that most makes me not believe in any gods. The belief that most people have is totally random, based almost completely on where you happen to be born. It's not like most people, at a certain point in their lives, with no prior bias, simply examine all of the world's religions in depth and make an informed decision about the one that makes the most sense to them. They simply learn the one their parents taught them and then go about the rest of their lives "knowing" that theirs is the truth.

You happened to be born in North America, so you happen to believe in the xian god. If you had been born in India and never ever in your life even heard of a guy names Jesus, what then?

I just don't get it...

How should I know?

People believe in God because they have faith. Clearly that is what you're lacking.

You are looking for physical evidence of something that does not exist in physical form.

 

[Palimpsest]

I said I find it hard to believe that the majority of people on this board would deny the existance of God. We live in North America, only a very small portion of the people are atheists.

I guess you'd find it hard to believe that the majority of people in my volleyball league are gay, since only a minority of people everywhere are gay.

 

[Azure]

I guess you'd find it hard to believe that the majority of people in my volleyball league are gay, since only a minority of people everywhere are gay.

Yes....

 

[Palimpsest]

Can I quote The Odyssey as proof that there are cylopses (cyclopsi?)?

According to Merriam-Webster, the plural is "c-y-c-l-o-p-e-s" when referring to the mythical giants with one eye.

 

[Palimpsest]

I guess you'd find it hard to believe that the majority of people in my volleyball league are gay, since only a minority of people everywhere are gay.

Yes....

And yet, by gosh, it's true.

 

[Darth Rotor]

Where did I do that?

I said I find it hard to believe that the majority of people on this board would deny the existance of God. We live in North America, only a very small portion of the people are atheists.

You are sampling from the wrong set of data, Azure. Look at the purpose of this forum, and the guiding principle of its founder. It would hardly be reasonable to expect it to reflect the varied population of all of North America, as it explicitly sets out its premise as being skeptical of paranormal and religious beliefs and assertions. That premise attracts that small percentage you cite.

In other words, you can from the founding premise of this board rightly expect a high percentage of atheists, agnostics, and others not among the set of people "believing in God" or "believing in a god."

Quoting the bible is no sort of evidence of anything. Quoting an old book to prove something is utterly meaningless. Can I quote The Odyssey as proof that there are cylopses (cyclopsi?)?

Only if you worship Poseiden, the Greek god of the sea. Seen any White Bulls lately, or are you a Red Bull kind of girl?

DR

 

[Paulhoff]

I said I find it hard to believe that the majority of people on this board would deny the existance of God. We live in North America, only a very small portion of the people are atheists.

Many people who look for Randi are not people who buy into the god thing to begin with. I wonder how many people are closet atheists, and only say they believe in god (even on polls) just to make it easier to get thru the day with the religious ones.

Paul

 

[Darth Rotor]

I wonder how many people are closet atheists, and only say they believe in god (even on polls) just to make it easier to get thru the day with the religious ones.

Paul

So they "out" themselves here, anonymously? That seems a paradox.

DR

 

[Paulhoff]

Not at all, do we know your name, do you know mine, things can be said here many would not say to even friends.

Paul

 

[Darth Rotor]

Not at all, do we know your name, do you know mine, things can be said here many would not say to even friends.

Paul

Hence the paradox, since not really "out" of the closet here. Maybe I chose the wrong word. Or perhaps I am over thinking this.

It happens.

DR

 

[Paulhoff]

Ideas are out of the closet, feelings too.

Paul





When I vote it is not public knowledge who I voted for.

 

[Azure]

You are sampling from the wrong set of data, Azure. Look at the purpose of this forum, and the guiding principle of its founder. It would hardly be reasonable to expect it to reflect the varied population of all of North America, as it explicitly sets out its premise as being skeptical of paranormal and religious beliefs and assertions. That premise attracts that small percentage you cite.

In other words, you can from the founding premise of this board rightly expect a high percentage of atheists, agnostics, and others not among the set of people "believing in God" or "believing in a god."

DR

I realize that.

I expect people to be skeptical about "god" on this forum, but in that skepticism I would also expect them to respect, and not attack the belief of others.

Being a skeptic, you should realize that belief in God is based on faith, and not physical evidence. Seems like most people on here demand the latter.

 

[Paulhoff]

Being a skeptic, you should realize that belief in God is based on faith, and not physical evidence. Seems like most people on here demand the latter.

So being here on a skeptic like forum, what else would you expect? Sorry, but if a god can not be based on physical evidence (the universe) that it is suppose to have made, then that idea of a god is flawed.

Paul

 

[Ossai]

Azure

People believe in God because they have faith. Clearly that is what you're lacking.

You are looking for physical evidence of something that does not exist in physical form.

So you’re a Gnostic?

Ossai

 

[Paulhoff]

faith

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

The word Faith does not have to deal only with religion.

Paul

 

[Palimpsest]

I expect people to be skeptical about "god" on this forum, but in that skepticism I would also expect them to respect, and not attack the belief of others.

Speaking only for myself, I don't respect irrational beliefs though I do respect other people's rights to those beliefs. And I'll respond in kind if my lack of belief is attacked.

Being a skeptic, you should realize that belief in God is based on faith, and not physical evidence. Seems like most people on here demand the latter.

Being a skeptic who's read "Why People Believe Weird Things" and "How We Believe", I realize that people rationalize their beliefs (even beliefs in God) in all sorts of funny ways. A lot of them think their reasoning is very logical and based on evidence.