Hi God. Are You There? Are You Real?

If he was actually mentally ill, once the medication kicks in he will realize the extent of what he has done to himself, so in a sense worse. Better if he knows not to make it worse, if it could be worse Worse if the medication runs out and he hasn’t got the sense to refill the prescription, ‘well I feel better now, so I don’t need it’. More if i think of it.

Very true. Two youngsters are on a car trip to the Dr’s office. One is told by his parents “We’re going to get ice cream”. The other is told by his parents “We’re going to the Dr.'s, it’s time for you annual shots”. Who is happier on the car ride?

So, the argument for believing in salvation, God, Hell, etc… is that it makes you happier even if it turns out have no bearing on reality? (I’m not saying that’s a bad thing or wrong, just something I can’t get behind).

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I think its more that whether or not it has a bearing on reality doesn’t matter. For those with faith, it IS their reality. And its not like they’d ever have a way to find out they were wrong

True. The cold, deaf, and dumb universe doesn’t care if I am religious. It doesn’t take offense at not getting sole credit., or something. And, if I am wrong, I will go into oblivion. Into utter unaware nothingness along with everyone else. So no putting up with an insufferable “I told you so!”

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With all it’s flaws, this is easily my favorite part about religion. I think this is the single biggest driving force to diety worship becoming such a powerful influencer of society.

Therein lies the rub. A non believer sees faith as having no bearing on reality, where with someone of faith their belief absolutely has a bearing on reality.

I can understand not getting behind it. I only sought something to believe in once the shit hit the fan and my own abilities were proven to be an abject failure.

Well, to be honest, I actually am “religious” but just not a Christian. Buddhism is the only “religion” that has connected with me, and has made quite an impact on my happiness and well being. I put religion in parentheses because Buddhism (specifically, Soto Zen) doesn’t require faith, or belief in a God or supernatural being. I do enjoy the study of religion, though, which is interesting to me.

And that’s what makes it no different than anything else people invent. Now, if religion had no flaws, it would be impressive.

My favorite part has been the fish fry events and pancake socials.

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Why would you say that? Faith absolutely has shaped reality.

My favorite part is all of the women it has driven to porn.

And that just demonstrates how everyone has their own favorite part. We all get something different out of it.

Time doesn’t have to be a factor. Everything that exists is contigent upon something else for its existence.
Because an infinite regress is logically impossible, there stands to be a non-contingent being upon which everything else depends on for its’ existence.
Everything that exists has a single thing in common, information. Beyond quarks and strings, information is what things are when all other properties are lost.
That information has to come from something because nothing cannot do or be anything.

???

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That’s good. I don’t know much (anything) about Buddhism, or really any others. After a lot of really crappy life experiences I finally concluded that if God is the ultimate entity, then its responsible for everything, including the bad things I didn’t appreciate at the time.

I’m probably still agnostic. I believe in something I just refer to as a higher power and leave it as one of the great mysteries of the universe.

??? Oh, you’re right. There is a God.

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And some of us get to do the giving.

Giggity

Non-contingent force**

Depended upon for its creation**

Or we could just follow Kant’s advice and not bother trying to reason and prove God exists because humans are too stupid to conceive of god (hence why god(s) always seem so human and appear to share the values of the people who worship them). We should just assume god exists.

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Uh. Yeah, I think maybe you’ve got the exhortations on giving a bit mixed up.

Nah man. It’s pretty much the only time Jesus gets brought up in my house these days. Double whammy.