Isn't beleif in God overrated?

[presser_kun]

Originally Posted by StarshipEnterprise

[color=black]There certainly is something bigger than our universe and something that caused the existence of the universe, but no one knows what it is.

You may be right, but you may be wrong. I know of no evidence to support the idea that there is something bigger than our universe, much less that that something created.

Beginninngs, origins, first causes -- all of these things are quite interesting to me. If you have data to support your thought here, please pass it along to me.

As for the humility and security that belief in God gives people, there are other ways to get them.

Quite true; I agree.

Why do we as a race, a species, persist in pursuing this via belief in God.

That's another thread, I think, and one I'd also be interested in following.

I think being compassionate can give security in itself because seeing that you are making someone else happy by giving up some of your needs can bring great joy.

Not sure about your reasoning here.

Seeing someone else become happy due to your contributions can, indeed be very rewarding. But I don't think it follows that security necessarily or even occasionally flows from acts of compassion. To the contrary, it's possible that acts of compassion can undermine your sense of security, if you give to the point of not being able to feed yourself, for example.

In my view, security, which is absence of fear and presence of a sense of safety, comes from trust, first in yourself, then in others around you. Compassion feeds this trust, but is not the genesis of it, I think.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by presser_kun

You may be right, but you may be wrong. I know of no evidence to support the idea that there is something bigger than our universe, much less that that something created.

Beginninngs, origins, first causes -- all of these things are quite interesting to me. If you have data to support your thought here, please pass it along to me.



Quite true; I agree.

Why do we as a race, a species, persist in pursuing this via belief in God.

That's another thread, I think, and one I'd also be interested in following.



Not sure about your reasoning here.

Seeing someone else become happy due to your contributions can, indeed be very rewarding. But I don't think it follows that security necessarily or even occasionally flows from acts of compassion. To the contrary, it's possible that acts of compassion can undermine your sense of security, if you give to the point of not being able to feed yourself, for example.

In my view, security, which is absence of fear and presence of a sense of safety, comes from trust, first in yourself, then in others around you. Compassion feeds this trust, but is not the genesis of it, I think.

I'd like to know who messed with your CornFlakes...such a pull back, astounding!

v/r

Q

[StarshipEnterprise]

Originally Posted by StarshipEnterprise
[color=black]There certainly is something bigger than our universe and something that caused the existence of the universe, but no one knows what it is.


You may be right, but you may be wrong. I know of no evidence to support the idea that there is something bigger than our universe, much less that that something created.

True! I guess what I was trying to say is that it does not make sense for us to exist without a cause for that existence. It seems the big bang couldn't have happened on its own. At this point in time, existence is something no one can comprehend.

To say there is no God, whithout evidence to prove this claim, is like saying what is past the four walls surrounding me does not exist. That one has just narrowed the universe to self. That means there is nothing, and life is meaningless. However, those past those four walls surrounding the one, would beg to disagree, and would be perfectly content to let the one sit within the four walls, thinking there is nothing but them.

Me, I just poked my head in to see if the one wants to come out past the four walls...

If not, I'll be on my way.

v/r

Q

I don't understand your reasoning here. I know there is plenty beyond myself in the universe. First of all there is this room, then there is this city, this country, this world, this galaxy, countless other galaxies, and possibly something unknown outside the universe. Much more than four walls

Quote:
I think being compassionate can give security in itself because seeing that you are making someone else happy by giving up some of your needs can bring great joy.


Not sure about your reasoning here.

Seeing someone else become happy due to your contributions can, indeed be very rewarding. But I don't think it follows that security necessarily or even occasionally flows from acts of compassion. To the contrary, it's possible that acts of compassion can undermine your sense of security, if you give to the point of not being able to feed yourself, for example.

In my view, security, which is absence of fear and presence of a sense of safety, comes from trust, first in yourself, then in others around you. Compassion feeds this trust, but is not the genesis of it, I think.

Well, yeah. You thought it through more than me.

[presser_kun]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

I'd like to know who messed with your CornFlakes...such a pull back, astounding!

Erm...I've read back through my posts, and don't see what I've pulled back from. Not being sarcastic, not at all, just a bit flummoxed.

Could you show me where you think I've erred?

Thanks!

press

[Uriella]

Originally Posted by StarshipEnterprise

Indeed belief in God is a powerful thing that provides humility and security, which are both spiritual necessities. I am looking for truth however, and in order for something to be considered truth, it has to be backed up by substantial evidence. I have not seen very much evidence for the existence of God, but there is also not very much evidence that he doesn’t exist either, so I don't rule out the possibility. There certainly is something bigger than our universe and something that caused the existence of the universe, but no one knows what it is. If there is a higher power like God, I don't believe it would have the characteristics of a being like we usually give to God. This is just a thing people use to relate to God better which I can't see being reality.

I have no problem with other people believing in God, I try to respect everyone's beliefs. What I don't like is when people are exclusivist about their views. Open-mindedness is essential.

2c.

Hi Starship, what you are looking for is proof, not truth. Truth is a very subjective thing, that is it depends upon your point of view whether or not something is a truth. If truth were one and the same thing for each and every one of us, then we would not be having this conversation. And wouldn't that make life boring? :-)

Blessings, Uriella

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by presser_kun

Erm...I've read back through my posts, and don't see what I've pulled back from. Not being sarcastic, not at all, just a bit flummoxed.

Could you show me where you think I've erred?

Thanks!

press

You used to believe? Now you don't? I wouldn't call that an error, simply astounding!

then again I might call it an error. But then I'm not you.

v/r

Q

[presser_kun]

Originally Posted by Uriella

Hi Starship, what you are looking for is proof, not truth. Truth is a very subjective thing, that is it depends upon your point of view whether or not something is a truth. If truth were one and the same thing for each and every one of us, then we would not be having this conversation. And wouldn't that make life boring? :-)

Blessings, Uriella

Ah. You're right. But one of the "truths" we disagree on is whether or not there is an objective, absolute truth or not. it's the very reason there are different religions at all.

peace,

press

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Is the arguement that:

1. There is no God? or

2. I don't believe in God?

Which am I arguing? Neither really, but "I don't believe in god" is the nearest to my position.

Originally Posted by Quahom

As a human, how does one know there is no God? On the other hand any human can say "I don't believe in God".

For example, there are Americans who say "I don't believe in the government of the United States". Does that mean that the government of the United States can't reach out and touch the disbelievers?

To say that there is no United States government is a foolish notion. To say I don't believe in the United States government is a declaration, in which one potetentially places themselves at odds with a very powerful "entity". This is either brave or very cavelier.

To say there is no God, whithout evidence to prove this claim, is like saying what is past the four walls surrounding me does not exist. That one has just narrowed the universe to self. That means there is nothing, and life is meaningless. However, those past those four walls surrounding the one, would beg to disagree, and would be perfectly content to let the one sit within the four walls, thinking there is nothing but them.

I'm confused, what are you saying here?

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Jaiket

Which am I arguing? Neither really, but "I don't believe in god" is the nearest to my position.

I'm confused, what are you saying here?

Just because one does not believe in something, does not make it unreal, or nonexistent.

v/r

Q

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Just because one does not believe in something, does not make it unreal, or nonexistent.

Im going to have to disagree with you on that one.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

Im going to have to disagree with you on that one.

LOL, that doesn't mean I'm not right either...

v/r

Q