03 Jul 20
One can debate the proposition "The naked truth is undesirable" and perhaps agree that it is sometimes true but not generally true. You might disagree, but that's OK.
So, what about "a false sense of security". Is it always a bad thing? Can it have benefits?
Thoughts on this - of a spiritual, philosophical, moral, ideological, or nuts & bolts life-navigation nature [of course] - are invited.
As an atheist, I obviously believe that Christians, for example, have a false sense of security, in that their faith will deliver them to eternal salvation. I do though recognize the benefits of such a false sense, as it clearly reduces the fear of death and helps certain people cope with the injustices of this world.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidThe paradox is that on their deathbed an atheist should logically allow themselves any delusion that offers comfort since if they believe that is truly the end what would be the point of depriving yourself of that comfort or maintaining your sanity? The sign of true atheism should be accepting the comfort of religious conversion on the deathbed.
As an atheist, I obviously believe that Christians, for example, have a false sense of security, in that their faith will deliver them to eternal salvation. I do though recognize the benefits of such a false sense, as it clearly reduces the fear of death and helps certain people cope with the injustices of this world.
This way of thinking calls into question the use of the word false, if it is a true comfort. Can something that truly meets the needs of one part of the mind and truly does not offend the logic of another be labelled false?
03 Jul 20
@petewxyz saidI am so certain of the non-existence of God that pretending otherwise on my deathbed would bring no comfort.
The paradox is that on their deathbed an atheist should logically allow themselves any delusion that offers comfort since if they believe that is truly the end what would be the point of depriving yourself of that comfort or maintaining your sanity? The sign of true atheism should be accepting the comfort of religious conversion on the deathbed.
This way of thinking call ...[text shortened]... the needs of one part of the mind and truly does not offend the logic of another be labelled false?
03 Jul 20
@petewxyz saidAny atheist who would actually do that was Never Truly an Atheist in the first place! 😆
The paradox is that on their deathbed an atheist should logically allow themselves any delusion that offers comfort since if they believe that is truly the end what would be the point of depriving yourself of that comfort or maintaining your sanity? The sign of true atheism should be accepting the comfort of religious conversion on the deathbed.
This way of thinking call ...[text shortened]... the needs of one part of the mind and truly does not offend the logic of another be labelled false?
03 Jul 20
@ghost-of-a-duke saidIf our core beliefs could change everyday we would effectively have no existence at all since we could just become a different self everytime a context required adaptation. If we had no capacity to evolve or develop our beliefs we could not survive. I believe the truth must be somewhere between the two, but how much control do we have over the process?
I am so certain of the non-existence of God that pretending otherwise on my deathbed would bring no comfort.
If I was suddenly told I had the life expectancy of a 90 year old I would struggle to live with it, yet 90 year olds appear to often live comfortably with that truth. I can only assume that changes must be going to happen within me if I live to 90. How much control I will have over those changes should possibly be linked to how much control and choice do I have regarding my personality? Can I assume that I know how my beliefs and truths will develop and progress? How surprised would 20 year old me have been if introduced to current me? I certainly cannot assume I will be current me on my deathbed.
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03 Jul 20
@ghost-of-a-duke saidHopefully you still feel the same when you’re actually on your deathbed.
I am so certain of the non-existence of God that pretending otherwise on my deathbed would bring no comfort.
03 Jul 20
@dj2becker saidWhat's with the avatar?
Hopefully you still feel the same when you’re actually on your deathbed.
03 Jul 20
@hells-caretaker saidNobody should ever wear purple.
We all believe in something. Choice & belief. Constantine (Roman Emperor) gave away his Pagan belief & never wore purple again. If it's your time, it's your time, beyond?
03 Jul 20
@dj2becker saidyou want for ghost's viewpoint to remain unchanged?
Hopefully you still feel the same when you’re actually on your deathbed.
even as you are certain that will cause him eternal torture?
i ain't inviting you over this weekend
03 Jul 20
@rookie54 saidDon't worry old chap, I chose to ignore the veiled abhorrence.
you want for ghost's viewpoint to remain unchanged?
even as you are certain that will cause him eternal torture?
i ain't inviting you over this weekend
03 Jul 20
@petewxyz saidPerhaps you are misunderstanding what the word "false" is referring to in the expression "a false sense of security"?
This way of thinking calls into question the use of the word false, if it is a true comfort. Can something that truly meets the needs of one part of the mind and truly does not offend the logic of another be labelled false?
The sense of security is real, but the certainty that X (a bad thing) isn't going to happen ~ or that Y (a good thing) is going to happen ~ is unfounded or mistaken.
If we are talking about so-called "revealed" religions, the use of the word "false" in the OP relects the perspective that the various promises of an afterlife of some kind by different people's god figures are not real. The solace that such beliefs afford those that hold them is, nevertheless, real.