Why do you cling to the idea that you're the special creation of a deity, who loves you personally and is intimately concerned about your behaviour? Why do you believe that the entire universe exists solely for your benefit? Will your monstrous ego ever allow you to accept reality, to accept what you really are instead of what you wish to be?
2006-08-09 01:32:44 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jack: I do appreciate the time you took to write that. However (you knew there was a 'however', didn't you?)... I've never seen an argument for gods that can't be debunked and I'm quite confident that no-one can dispute my disproof of god without contradicting themselves, so I do think my position is justified.
2006-08-10 01:48:59 · update #1
Jack: PS turn on your email...
2006-08-10 01:49:26 · update #2
I think it's mostly fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being wrong, fear of not being accepted.
2006-08-09 01:38:44 · answer #1 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Icarus, I wonder if you will have the courage and intellectual honesty to give serious consideration to my answer. I don't know, but I'll give it a try...
I looked at your profile, as well as the questions you've asked. You've described yourself as an athiest, and you ask a disproportionately large number of questions like this one. I wonder if you've seen any similarities between yourself and some of the bible-pounders on this sight -- because I do see similarities.
Icarus, both you and the bible-pounders are alike in that you are both convinced beyond doubt that your positions are correct. Because of that you are irritated by the fact that everyone doesn't see things they way you do, and feel this compulsive need to continually get your point across. ("You're wrong, you're wrong. why can't you see it?)The point I'm making is that athiesm is just another form of "fundamentalism." The reason is that both the athiests and the bible-pounders profess a position on God that is absolute. He ABSOLUTELY DOES (OR DOES NOT) exist.
Both of these positions are irrational because each makes a claim that is not provable. As an athiest, you can assert many reasons why this religion or that is off the beam; and you can even point out valid rational and empirical arguments for not believing. Nevertheless, the claim that "there is no such thing as God," is a claim you cannot prove. And in the absense of absolute proof, you may not rationally make an absolute claim.
Now of course, you may counter that the bible-thumpers make their absolute assertions based on no evidence -- and you would be 100% correct. That is why I say (as disconcerting as it might be for you to absorb) that you have more incommon with the absolutist bible-pounders than you think.
According to Bertrand Russel (certainly NO friend of religion) there really are only two rational positions for a person to take with regard to religion: Agnosticism or Fideism.
The agnostic concedes the non-provability point and says "Maybe there is a God and Maybe not. However, all of the best evidence I can muster points to "Not," and therefore, I will govern my life as though God does not exist."
The Fideist also concedes the non-provability point and says, "Maybe God exists or not; however, the assertion of faith in my heart confirms His existence. In FACT, maybe I'm right, and maybe I'm wrong. Nevertheless, I will live my life as though God does exist.
You may not enjoy hearing this, but Russel was right; athiesm is as irrational a position as that of the bible-pounders. Take a minute or two, Icarus, and cruise these pages. You're bound to find a bible-pounder or two. Go to their Q & A page and see if their one-note fixation doesn't resemble yours, but from the other side. I, for one, think the world would be a lot saner place if we had fewer people (like athiests and bible-pounders) screaming about things they cannot know. Agnosticism and fidiesm live peacefully, side by side. They don't try to argue points they know aren't arguable; and their world is ever so much more desireable.
When you rail against the bible-thumpers, Icarus, when you castigate them for their pig-headed obstinacy, please know that you're looking into a mirror. Do you like what you see?
2006-08-10 05:52:44 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Icarus,
Ironically, pride and arrogance, are not allowed in the Kingdom of God. Unless we become as humble children in our approach to God, we cannot even think to enter His Kingdom. It is the death of our ego, that frees us, to experience spiritual rebirth, and the evolution into our higher selves. Until we have sacrificed our egos, we are only potential children of God. The decision to accept the Presence of a Higher and Greater Intelligence within our minds, is the path to Truth. The Universe, was created for the eternal exploration and creativity of all of God's children, from all of His worlds. We are not alone.
2006-08-09 08:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by Will O' the Wisp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in God, but I DO NOT believe that the entire universe exists solely for my benefit. And neither do most people who believe in God.
2006-08-09 08:43:12 · answer #4 · answered by scatcat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am what I am. I am not my possessions or my job. God loves me but then he loves everyone. I personally don't believe that the entire universe exists solely for myself. As far as ego and arrogance, all men are fallible.
2006-08-09 08:39:53 · answer #5 · answered by doesitmatter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are the one who presumes to know all of our places in the universe, who's the one with a monstrous ego?
2006-08-09 08:38:23 · answer #6 · answered by wisdombeattentive 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have a monstrous ego except I believe that *ALL* things are bound to and through deity. So all things are equally special. All things are sacred.
2006-08-09 08:43:31 · answer #7 · answered by Pablito 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I accepted WHO I was a long time ago. And found my path when I went "back to my roots". It's rather parochial to assume that ego is the root of belief when personal upbringing, experiences, perception and influences also factor in "deciding" one's path. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs, but TRUE religion is not in that which you worship, but is in that which you DO. And how you apply it to life and others around you.
2006-08-09 08:42:37 · answer #8 · answered by Companion Wulf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe is a mirror dear friend. A Mirror that shows each of us only what we expect to see.
It will grant your wish, and is fully capible of granting the wishes of those who see things differently from you.
It is not necessary that you change their minds and get them to think the way that you do.
When you do this it only sounds more like you are trying to convinse your self anyway.
Love and blessings
don
2006-08-09 08:40:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ah........what was the question
Jehovah created the Universe and everything in it his first creation was his son. col 1:15 and Rev 3:14
by means of him all other things in heaven and earth was created. They both love us intimately and are personally concerned in our behavior. They don't want us to do things that hurt each other.
Your wrong just wanted you to know that
2006-08-09 08:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God has to give us our place in the universe.
The universe exists by Him, for His purpose.
We are sinners in need of a Savior and will become what He has planned for us.
2006-08-09 09:34:17 · answer #11 · answered by tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋