I was Christian until I reached the age of reason. I certainly do think it's absurd that so many seemingly educated people, believe in gods. I cannot fathom how anybody of a sound and knowledgeable mind, could hold these beliefs in spite of logical reason. Are they emotionally unstable? Whats going on in these peoples minds? What is a "religious experience" to you?



I do not share your non-condescending sympathy. How can I not be condescending when faced with a population that is blatantly defying logic and imposing their belief-based ideology on governments and societies, in a way that seems obviously destructive, unfair, and harmful.
When people have the tools to form a reasonable and responsible belief about the origins and purpose of life, and instead replace it with theology, its like a slap in the face of reality - of sanity.



What kind of understanding is needed in order to gain humble respect for a viewpoint that seems pervertedly wrong?

This post was edited by NatureNames on Oct 17 2015 12:59pm

you should know that your repulsive condescension towards others is why i started calling out your idiocy for what it is after ignoring it for several years

The age of reason? What does that even mean?

You are making my point... there's a certain percentage of people in every belief system who cannot understand how other people could believe differently. That's a narrow mindedness that I'll never understand.



That is why you are in danger of being labeled a bigot. Lack of understanding and a condescending attitude are two different things.

Defying logic based on your standards of what is logical. Everyone imposes their moral beliefs through government, so you'll have to get over that.

Again, you speak in such black and white terms. Your view is reasonable and responsible, others are not. Anyone who doesn't agree with your metaphysical opinions is unreasonable. It's just an immature perspective. Maybe you should think about why human beings, smart and dumb, have a tendency to believe in God, or at least believe in a metaphysical concept deeper than naturalism.



I think people who spend time thinking about the questions of existence and the universe naturally develop a healthy dose of respect for other people who have done the same, and have come to a different conclusion.



\_/

The age of reason, you know.. thinking for yourself. Such as seeing that santa claus and the tooth fairy are not actually real.



Don't put viewpoints into my mouth. I never said that. It should be blatantly obvious to everybody that other people have different beliefs.



My standard of what is logical? Logic is not a belief system. Its based on tangible facts and verifiable evidence. It's science!



It's not just my view, but it's the view of much of the scientific community and an increasing number of the population of developed nations. Its not metaphysical opinions, it's science!
I think humans have a tenancy to believe in gods because religion claims to offer answers to some of life's biggest questions. The satisfying and reassuring doctrine of religion plays on our very instinct to survive and understand the world around us. People are taught to be religious and become deeply attached to it, and so continues the cycle. I also don't think humans are very intelligent on average. Knowledge is closely tied to belief so ignorance plays a major role as well.



I cant disagree with that. But generally the religious are not among this group of people.

Perhaps consider that the failing may be with you and not with everyone else.



Logic is neither science nor based on facts or evidence. It is a formalistic system we created.



Materialism is not science either, it is a philosophical viewpoint justified with philosophical reasoning, not scientific facts.

This post was edited by Voyaging on Oct 18 2015 08:02pm

I'm continuously skeptically investigating my reasoning and the reasoning of those around me. I don't look at these matters in failure or success, but rather a work in progress.



I didn't mean to say logic was science, but the standard of logic in this context is a logical reasoning based on valid arguments rooted in scientific facts.



Ok? I wasn't talking about materialism. What does being scientifically literate have to do with materialism?

Sorry if I misunderstood your post.

The conversation went:


and you responded:


It sounded to me like you are referring to naturalism/materialism, or at the very least atheism (as the "view of much of the scientific community"). All of which are philosophical positions without a scientific basis.

This post was edited by Voyaging on Oct 18 2015 09:09pm

fear