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~Peace, OTA
posted by
Blue_feathers
on September 4, 2007 at 10:34 PM
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I don't know the answers.
posted by
A-and-B
on September 4, 2007 at 4:04 PM
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Dave. - as for your final thought in believers considering that there is
no God, I'm not sure if in a general sense it works that way.
All people are different in how they view things, with some more analytical than others. I can only speak from my own perspective on this but after examining all of the possibilities of the existence of God and in what form this being could possibly exist, I just cannot see a conscious entity as a possibility. True amongst most people however is the overwhelming desire for their to be a God, sometimes at all costs, sometimes in direct conflict with all reason and logic. Where I am certain that many more people have doubts amongst my detractors than what let on, there are a number of other dynamics at play as well. Belief is a comfort zone for many of them, it is also a means of social acceptance amongst their peers. To truthfully examine the existence of God, many of these people are not only going against their social conditioning, they also must enter an area of thought that is uncomfortable to them. Then there are a few that are dumber than bricks and would believe anything that they are told pertaining to belief.
posted by
gomedome
on September 4, 2007 at 2:58 PM
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arGee - I'm finding that everything I post lately is a rehash of something
discussed in the past.
I guess it is inevitable when one has been doing the same thing for so long, maybe it is time for a change.
posted by
gomedome
on September 4, 2007 at 2:41 PM
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Great stuff, but as ever you're preaching to the converted with me (or non-preaching to the unconverted). I'm with Dawkins on this one, that there is no such thing as a Christian (or Muslim or whatever faith) child, only a child of Christian (or whatever) parents. As you get older, you develop the faculties to start to explore and decide. You can't have things decided for you.
As an atheist, you have considered the possibility of a god, but as believers, how many of your detractors will have considered the possibility of there being no god? I'm talking generally there, not just about you.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on September 4, 2007 at 12:55 PM
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You have written about this in the past, Gome...
And continue to do so effectively. I remember that we discussed this matter, where I referred you to my post on the same subject. At the risk of imposing myself,
here is a link to that post, since it is an effective addition to your own post.
posted by
arGee
on September 4, 2007 at 12:43 PM
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cantey_1975 - it is just a natural process for most people
I remember a kid coming to school back when I was around 11 years old, with a story of how someone at another catholic church did the unforgiveable and bit into the wafer during communion. According to him, the perpetrator's mouth immediately filled with the blood of Jesus. I actually believed that story at the time, (okay, for about 15 minutes). Where there is a great deal of difference between the rate of growth in cognative ability of child's mind in the stages of development and the assimilation of knowledge over the years of early adulthood, our minds and what we know are ever expanding. This is bound to change some perspectives.
posted by
gomedome
on September 4, 2007 at 10:48 AM
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Chyrlann - the ages I used were merely examples, I have to agree that we
see many people who never grow beyond their conditioning throughout their entire lives.
We have seen a number of examples of this right here on this site, especially if one has been a spectator to some of the inane things posted upon occassion. I've always felt that the first step in aquiring knowledge in any field or endeavor begins with the admission of one's ignorance. Thanx for stopping by.
posted by
gomedome
on September 4, 2007 at 10:41 AM
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I think
ones religious beliefs definantly can be tempered and/or revamped over the years. It does show a strength of mind sometimes to be able to overcome forced conditioning received early in life, especially when the conditioning just does not seem to be the truth to the person who received it. Whatever social conditioning that is considered to be detrimental to one's charectar or cognitive development should be loosened and released over the years.
posted by
calmcantey75
on September 4, 2007 at 10:33 AM
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This is an intelligent and well written post. One would be immature to
believe in gobblety-gook, spoon fed to them by anyone at any age. It is true, life is the best teacher of truth. I would disagree as to biological age being the equating factor to maturation and understanding natural laws, thereby life's truths however. Many elders have lived spoon-fed lives having not matured and many youth have met natural laws & understanding of life's truths head-on at early ages. God is what you see at the bottom of the lake when a mysterious, unexplained hand pulls you to the surface. God is what you feel when the monster is tearing you apart & your human mind can't comprehend the torture. God is what you breathe when your last breath earthly breath is taken from your body. God is in that moment when no human life can save you. These moments of truth are received at any age.
posted by
roadscross
on September 4, 2007 at 9:53 AM
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