Thread: Teapots in Paradise - Richard Dawkins and my future Kid

Ron,

Yes, I agree that, regrettably, in English, common usage does not make the distinction, and dictionaries have several definitions, which make "belief" and "faith" synonymous. :)

I am not picking on you Jimbo, but when you write

If there is a god I will there with Him and all will be well. If there is no God it does not matter what I believe in as there will be nothing. a 50% chance of winning for something.

which god are you talking about? You certainly have MUCH less than 50% chance to be right, given the plethora of gods, literally thousands of them.

For example, what about if the REAL god is Allah, to name one of the most presently popular gods? When you show up at the gates of heaven to cash in your virgins, you wont be admitted, because while you were alive you did not prayed 5 times per day, as required. As a result, you'll end up in Hell…and all will NOT be well. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Tin Tin

I never thought you were picking on me :D . I do not believe in a plethora of gods nor do the majority of religions (I am sure there are more esoteric ones that do) Even Hindu's believe in one God but with many manifistations.

No matter what you call such a divine being by name it is basically the same god at least in the worlds major religions. As to 50% or even 5% it is better odds than none. If there is a God I win if not, I do not loose. So for me it is a win lose situation. For you it is a loose loose one.

Pay your money and take your choice. I am not trying to shove my beliefs down anyones throats but it always seems strange to me that non believers want others to accept their version as the truth. :D

Jimbo,

I know you are not trying to shove anything down anyone's throat, but just stating your opinion on the subject, and so am I stating mine. FYI, I have never seen any proselytizing done by atheist organizations, whereas the shrill evangelical movements of the many churches, such as the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or Mormon churches, are never-ending, and, like it or not, permeate every aspect of our lives.

Some remarks.

1) You are misinformed regarding the number of gods in "existence" on this earth. Thousands have "died" over the years, but many more are still "active." Just have a look at Michael Jordan's "Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses" and you'll see what I am talking about.

2) All the gods are the same? Not to a true believer. What you call the "world's major religions" are the ones which were the most "pushy" (but let us not complicate things and talk only about these). There is strength in numbers, but might does not make right. And try to tell an Episcopalian that his/her god is the same as that of the Catholic, or better yet, that of a Muslim.

3) Religious people believe in an after-life, but this after-life can only be achieved through a recipe which is particular to each of the churches. So, what about the different ways to get to "heaven?" If the true god is the Catholic one, the Episcopalians, the Muslims, the Mormons, etc, will not enter, period. They bet on the wrong horse. They wasted their lives following the wrong religions, iso enjoying their earthly lives.

4) And what about if the "true" god is the one worshipped in a few tribes, in Central Africa? How is your believing in a generic god going to help you to get into their heaven?

The truth of the matter is that from your point of view there must be a creator, and from my point of you there is none, and neither of us can prove his rightness. Personally, I do not lose sleep over it. But I abore the fanatics, the do-gooders, hollier-than-thou who insist that an athiest cannot be a good person.

And if there was a creator, it is absolutely a fair question to ask "how did the creator got created, by what or by whom?" But religious people never ask that question, because no religion has the answer to that one. :P

It not really was my intention to start a discussion about the existence of one or more Gods. Wise, smart and educated people have ended discussions about faith with; "Because I believe", and there it stops. It simply stops.

Ahhhh Bert, as a Jerry Falwell used to say "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" :lol:

Bert,

So, what is it gonna be ? You surely opened the way with your original post… :?

Chilli,

I almost passed the compulsory requirements of your husband's course. :) I particularly enjoy Karen Armstrong, as a writer and also as a commentator on the TV: “History of God,” “The Great Transformation, ” plus "Holly War," and "Visions of God" Four Medieval Mystics and their Writings." Can these last two be substituted for John Allegro's “Dead Sea Scrolls?” (Just kidding)