If I mention the word "Christian"......?

Answer 1

Slater??

Answer 2

Philosophy

Answer 3

I think of Athiesm.

Athiesm is not really a philosophy for me. Rather, it's a conclusion; an answer to the question of what is the nature of the universe. From my perspective, human beings are (as far as I know) the first species on this planet to develop the kind of self reflection and analytical capacity that has allowed us to ask questions about why. Why are we here, why is the world so functional and ordered, why are there trees and animals and good and evil etc. Before science opened a fuzzy window onto the nature of the mechanisms of the universe, the only rational conclusion was that someone very smart and powerful must have created all the order and beauty we see around us.

Religion has always served that purpose for people, to explain the mysteries of our world. It also has served other purposes that we find very useful. For example, in our incredibly complex lives, it helps us know how to be. An old girlfriend of mine who had moved from Korea to the USA when she was 7 years old explained this phenomenon in another context. In Korea, marriages were planned and roles were highly constrained. You knew exactly what was expected of you and how your life would move forward. She could never have accepted that as an American woman, but she recognized the loss she suffered by coming here. I think that religion provides a similar framework for living our lives, like culture, but with written rules that keep us from being overwhelmed by choices.

I think religion has appeal to many people, providing comfort and security to people as they become independent adults. Sometimes, I think of it as a substitute for the arms of parents who let you know that all you have to do is follow the rules and everything will be ok.

So science seems to have supplanted religion for the purpose of explaining the workings of the universe. The question of religion as an explanation of everything is, just as it is for science, is "What happened before?" Science posits a universe (or many) where certain physical laws exist, and provides somewhat vague (but convincing to me) explanations of how life could evolve. On the other hand, religions (or ones that feature god anyway) posit the existence of a ultimately powerful, wise and compassionate (or fearsome) being who makes everything happen. My atheism is simply the conclusion that the former is more likely than the latter. This is based on some fundamental principles (Occam’s razor being one of them) rather than any proof. Another factor is the recognition that religion varies throughout the world, with many people holding mutually incompatible beliefs about god. It makes sense to me that god and religion as belief systems evolve to meet the needs of the people they serve. This alternative explanation of why there is a god (in the minds of people - which is the only place I've seen god) is another reason I choose to believe it is our invention.

I see two ways we look at the world. We try to have an objective perspective of the way things work. This view of the world from the outside looking in provides us with information about our condition that includes observations like "emotions are accompanied by hormonal secretions in our bloodstream", or "neural networks in our brain model phenomena we have experienced, thus enabling us to anticipate the behavior of things in our environment." This kind of thinking would not lead us to a conclusion that there is a god looking after us.

Of course, the second way we view the world is from the inside looking out, and this is the most instinctual and natural way of seeing it. We say and believe that we love someone not because we have a detailed understanding of the physiological processes that are occurring, but rather, because we feel a certain way when we are around them. We let our intuition and instinct lead the way. This kind of thinking could easily lead people to believe there is a god looking after us.... after all, the entire time we were forming as sentient beings (i.e. our childhoods), we had one or more adults making sure our needs were being taken care of, telling us what the rules were that would permit us to be rewarded etc.

Answer 4

On this answer board your looking to get bashed by many non-christians. In my church and amongst other Christians here comes many hugs.

Answer 5

I could get long winded-ly theological and give you some scriptures but...honestly I think the geologist deserves best answer on this one for "slater??" That was perfect.

Answer 6

Yes?

Answer 7

Yes?

Answer 8

I think in Sister Christian by Night Ranger .............

Answer 9

Then you might get told how to become one or that you are a silly dupe for believing, or that you are going to hell. Take you pick.

Answer 10

Family, happiness, joy, love....