Jacksonville 23rd most Christian city in the country

[Adam W]

That's a hybrid species, sort of a combination of non sequitur and affirming the consequent.

It's begging the question, isn't it?

[Tacachale]

That's a hybrid species, sort of a combination of non sequitur and affirming the consequent.

It's begging the question, isn't it?

Ding ding ding. Come on people, know your logical fallacies.

[ChriswUfGator]

I thought that at first, but when you look at it, it's not preconclusory. It's really an attempted conflation of cause & effect, combining both a non-sequitur and affirming the consequent. He's saying that because a bunch of people spend time doing something, it must mean XYZ. It's really a hybrid.

[Ocklawaha]

I don't know about that Chris, it seems to me bizarre  to insist that one has surreal analogical evidence that there is no God, then to subvert that logic by a irrational lifetime focus on the negative. Talk about logical incongruity?   

My adult daughters once believed in the tooth faerie and often spoke of "her." I can't remember a single moment where I ever focused a conversation or argument on the unlikeliness of her existence. When they would lay on the carpet and stare out into a darkened woods then excitedly proclaim they had seen a faerie, who am I to tell them they didn't. 

"Like Buddha at the sermon where he didn't say a word, meaning: if you think you hear a flower, its a flower that you heard."

"There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, the wise are not moved by praise or blame.”   
― Siddhārtha Gautama

[ronchamblin]

It’s interesting to notice how frequently a conversation, no matter its subject, shifts to religion, and finally to the argument of the existence of a god.  I am so sensitive that some might erroneously assume that I might believe in the existence of a god, I never use the phrase “existence of God”, but instead use “existence of a god”, as the first use might imply a belief in existence.

One usually doesn’t express concern about other’s beliefs in fantastic things or amusements. Perhaps any concern is also unwarranted because fantasies seem to be innocent and good for the mind in general, and some might lead to unexpected pleasures or even interesting truths. 

And one doesn’t become concerned about another’s drift into imaginary beings or things, or even superstitions, unless the consequences of believing is harmful to individuals or societies.  After all, the stretch of the mind to imagine all kinds of things is an exercise in mind and spirit which might offer on occasion, glimpses into realities which would escape the purely logical thinker.

We might recall times throughout history when astrology, instead of more rational methods was used by leaders to make important decisions affecting large populations.  And during the 15th and 16th centuries, the belief in witches by the popes and the lower clergy caused the burning of thousands of women believed to be witches, such is the power of belief, even when ultimately there is absolutely no truth to it.

How can one compare a belief in a god to a belief in a witch? … or even to a belief in astrology, tooth fairies, or Santa Claus?  Obviously some of these beliefs can be harmful and wasteful; and certainly life threatening if one is thought to be a witch.

So, what is it about the arguments for or against the belief in a god, which seem to surface in so many forum discussions?  Obviously some individuals sincerely believe that their god exists.  Why do some compare this belief in a god to other’s beliefs in astrology, various superstitions, in witches, bigfoot, tooth fairies, Santa Claus, unicorns, and other entities emerging from the fruitful imagination of the human species? 

Does the comparison exist because, just as with all of the other beliefs, there has never in the history of mankind been any evidence to support the existence of any of these things, including a god?  It has taken only several centuries to cure humanity's belief in witches and many other superstitions of the pre-science era.  How many centuries, how many millions of years will it take for humanity to stop believing in a god?  Does the belief linger because of the deep need in many humans, to be cared for, even as adults?  Is their god like a father, and therefore the source of comfort, and an entity to which they can send their cares, and their responsibilities?
 
Are there harmful consequences of humanity’s beliefs in the existence of gods?  Because of a belief in gods, have some wars been fought, with the suffering of millions as a result?  Are some populations currently subdued into complacency, shaped, maneuvered, and held captive in dictatorships, as a consequence of their belief in a god?  Does belief in a god allow some populations to assume the character of sheep?  Does a belief in a god allow millions to waste billions supporting charlatans like Joel Osteen, Jimmy Swaggart, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jim Bakker, and their ilk?  Does a belief in a god allow some to shed responsibility for their own decisions and behaviors?  Does a belief in a god promote moods and habits of superstition and non-science, thereby causing societies, communities, and individuals to be vulnerable to suffering and death when they are subjected to conditions which threaten their existence and wellbeing?  Does a belief in a god rid oneself of the necessity to exercise critical thinking?   

Does a belief in a god allow some to give excessive attention to this superstition, when they should give more attention to solutions to worldly problems affecting their families and their societies?  Does a belief in a god allow too many to squander this life preparing for the next, when they should they give sober attention to enjoying this life?  Does a belief in a god give a false comfort to the masses, allowing them to possess the complacency and habits of sheep, thereby giving full reign to those in government, wall-street, and the corporate world, who, by way of their greed and positions of power, rape them of all life’s necessities?  Has this happened in America?  Is it still happening?           
         
 

 

[Debbie Thompson]

Don't confuse the weaknesses of humans with God, Ron. We strive to be Christ-like, but we don't get there. Some get farther than others.  :-)   As to empirical proof, it's a leap of faith.  First you believe, then you get the proof.  It's the mystery of faith, and modern man doesn't like mysteries.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Don't confuse the weaknesses of humans with God, Ron. We strive to be Christ-like, but we don't get there. Some get farther than others.  :-)   As to empirical proof, it's a leap of faith.  First you believe, then you get the proof.  It's the mystery of faith, and modern man doesn't like mysteries.

Amen!