I have the same problem. I have a feeling that what is good for maintaining as much diversity in nature is important to all living things. That is why I use terms such as 'Good for nature' in which I assume that good for society and individuals is, likewise, embedded.
But now I feel that I am moving away from the main point of the discussion and with my atrocious short term memory I don't know which discussion I am in!!!! I'm having fun though. Makc On Apr 10, 12:41 pm, Chuck Bowling <[email protected]> wrote: > On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 2:38 PM, malcymo <[email protected]> wrote: > > Yes the atheist has made the same leap of faith that the theist has > > made and only the agnostic is protecting his views with rational > > argument. > > > I suppose that the choice between theism and atheism will always be a > > leap of faith. For me it is just a matter of what seems most credible > > but could change. > > > The important question, I suppose, is whether or not, theism is, on > > balance good for nature or not. > > I would say that nature probably doesn't care. The real impact is on society > and the individual. > > With individuals I think it depends on the person. Some people just need to > feel like their belief systems are on a solid foundation irregardless of the > fact that there is rot in the core - namely a flawed rationale. > > Some just can't accept that life is exactly what it appears to be and so > ignore the shaky underpinnings of their beliefs in the hope that if they > keep their eyes closed it makes the end of their existence unreal. Others > reject the possibility of continued existence after death for fear of > retribution by a vengeful god. The reasons for theism and atheism are many > and varied. > > My point is that to consider the good and bad of theism and atheism you have > to consider their reasons and the impact that they have on the individual > and society in general. > > I would say that for some individuals a belief system that supports their > needs is a good thing regardless of the rationale that it is built on. It > gives meaning to their lives and provides a crutch for them to lean on. > > Often I wish I could lean on beliefs like that. I personally struggle > through life trying to find purpose were there is none. For me there is no > purpose in life other than the urge to spawn. That's a pretty depressing > thought but unfortunately, I'm just not capable of viewing the universe any > other way.
