Heh I disagree. Ohh not with all of it but this bit in particular. 'I'm just not capable of viewing the universe any other way.'
So this is your belife that you are not now and never will be capable of changeing your mind? Naaa I simply do not belive that. Based on what evidance? Have you the abilty to look into your own future? Based on the evidance of life, and please feel free to contemplate the same things for yourself, I have seen my father change his mind and indeed some of his ways as he ages. I am not the same man now that I was even three years ago and have no reason not to suspect further change as I both get older and read more and learn more. I'm willing to be you some serious money that you yourself have changed since your teenage years(assuiming you are at least in you late 20s by now?) Of course you are capable of viewing the universe in other ways, man why would you choose to restirct your future self in that way? On Apr 10, 1:41 am, 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.
