Originally posted by FreakyKBH
How did we get from the doddering old fool in a robe (who has nothing to do with the question of God) to sanctimonious people (who, equally having nothing to do with God), exactly?
The far more likely scenario is what I expressed previously: you would much rather appear superior to the allegedly antiquated notion of belief in, love for, and devotion to God the Father.
Take this in slowly.
We are delighted to have access to the internet and to shared tools such as dictionaries on the internet.
We do not enjoy these benefits through religion and do not need to thank God for them.
Instead it would be useful not only to recognise the real sources for these benefits - which include public investment in science and technology and public investment in education et al - but also to appreciate that, in the absence of continuing collective effort, these collective gains can be privatised.
People who want to appeal to "God" in such situations are typically, IMHO, distracting attention in order to confuse us. I dislike such people. Notice that does not make me superior to them. It makes me antagonistic, which is quite a different situation.
It is easy to test the sincerity of this religious drivel. It turns out to be sectarian and bigoted. Their "religion" turns out to come as part of an ideological package and I do not like the baggage train. Not a good sign and not a sign of authentic religious commitment.
I prefer to replace religious confusion and bigotry with political awareness.
On the other hand, a serious discussion about "God" could be interesting and I have at times entered into such conversations.