If you are happy with your beliefs, and they are working for you good.
Is this the measure, the only meaningful way to look at life?
If the Theistic world view is all wrong then the truth is they (we)(I) have always been all wrong, instead of the truth of reality it’s an illusion.
If the Atheistic world view is all wrong, then they have had the illusion, not truth of reality.
Color my world with truth not acceptable opinions.
@kellyjay saidI think I've spoken before about my nan who was a devout Christian. Although I didn't agree with her, I never challenged her faith, as even as a youngster I realized what a big part of her life it was. Religion made her happy. Why, as a loving grandson, would I ever want to challenge that. It was something that gave her strength and hope. It was a beautiful thing. It was working for her. (Right up until her passing).
If you are happy with your beliefs, and they are working for you good.
Is this the measure, the only meaningful way to look at life?
If the Theistic world view is all wrong then the truth is they (we)(I) have always been all wrong, instead of the truth of reality it’s an illusion.
If the Atheistic world view is all wrong, then they have had the illusion, not truth of reality.
Color my world with truth not acceptable opinions.
From my point of view, her faith was wrong, and yet 'right' for her. I don't think it matters that it was an illusion.
3 edits
@ghost-of-a-duke saidThose who attend religious meetings every week are both happier and live longer on average.
I think I've spoken before about my nan who was a devout Christian. Although I didn't agree with her, I never challenged her faith, as even as a youngster I realized what a big part of her life it was. Religion made her happy. Why, as a loving grandson, would I ever want to challenge that. It was something that gave her strength and hope. It was a beautiful thing. It ...[text shortened]... iew, her faith was wrong, and yet 'right' for her. I don't think it matters that it was an illusion.
https://www.wthr.com/article/regular-church-goers-are-happier-non-believers-study-says
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/06/14/the-times-churchgoers-live-six-years-longer-on-average/
In fact, those of faith tend to live about 6 years longer.
Also, those of faith tend to give to the poor much more than their agnostic/atheist counterparts who sit on web sites all day bashing those of faith. From what I have gathered here, they tend to be pretty miserable people.
https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Religious-Americans-Give-More/153973
Well what do ya know, faith in God is good for everyone!!
Who knew?
@whodey saidWell, faith in the 'idea' of God is good for everyone. And like I say, I have no problem with that.
Those who attend religious meetings every week are both happier and live longer on average.
https://www.wthr.com/article/regular-church-goers-are-happier-non-believers-study-says
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/06/14/the-times-churchgoers-live-six-years-longer-on-average/
In fact, those of faith tend to live about 6 years longer.
Also, those of faith tend t ...[text shortened]... ericans-Give-More/153973
Well what do ya know, faith in God is good for everyone!!
Who knew?
Whatever works for you.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidSo living in an illusion is okay if it makes one happy? Doesn't these positions actually carry some serious realities, no matter what one of the two you happen to favor?
I think I've spoken before about my nan who was a devout Christian. Although I didn't agree with her, I never challenged her faith, as even as a youngster I realized what a big part of her life it was. Religion made her happy. Why, as a loving grandson, would I ever want to challenge that. It was something that gave her strength and hope. It was a beautiful thing. It ...[text shortened]... iew, her faith was wrong, and yet 'right' for her. I don't think it matters that it was an illusion.
@kellyjay saidAnd yet, all you have to offer about the world in which both of us live ~ and more specifically, any supernatural dimension attendant thereto ~ are your opinions about what is the truth. It's your prerogative - and quite acceptable for you - to colour your world with those opinions and then declare it to be the "truth".
Color my world with truth not acceptable opinions.
@kellyjay saidThere is no God.
So living in an illusion is okay if it makes one happy? Doesn't these positions actually carry some serious realities, no matter what one of the two you happen to favor?
If believing in God helps someone cope with life's challenges and gives them hope and comfort then that can only be a good thing. Some people seek such comfort in a bottle of gin. Not such a good thing.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI thought you were of the opinion no God, no good/evil? So gin even where it leads is just another path that we don't like nothing more, unless you just said that about good, and you really think there is one? A preferred path and a disliked one doesn't make one good or bad, right or wrong, righteous or evil unless there is something more to this moral thing that anything goes, don't you think?
There is no God.
If believing in God helps someone cope with life's challenges and gives them hope and comfort then that can only be a good thing. Some people seek such comfort in a bottle of gin. Not such a good thing.
@fmf saidThank you for your opinion.
And yet, all you have to offer about the world in which both of us live ~ and more specifically, any supernatural dimension attendant thereto ~ are your opinions about what is the truth. It's your prerogative - and quite acceptable for you - to colour your world with those opinions and then declare it to be the "truth".
@kellyjay saidWhy would you think that?
I thought you were of the opinion no God, no good/evil? So gin even where it leads is just another path that we don't like nothing more, unless you just said that about good, and you really think there is one? A preferred path and a disliked one doesn't make one good or bad, right or wrong, righteous or evil unless there is something more to this moral thing that anything goes, don't you think?
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI totally agree with this pov, Ghost.
I think I've spoken before about my nan who was a devout Christian. Religion made her happy. Why, as a loving grandson, would I ever want to challenge that. It was something that gave her strength and hope.
From my point of view, her faith was wrong, and yet 'right' for her. I don't think it matters that it was an illusion.
I am just reading some books by Chinua Achebe, the first of four is called "Things Fall Apart", about the first white men coming to Nigeria in the late 1800s.
Whilst the white missionaries to, say, Africa, did a lot of good (like building schools and hospitals) they did an incredible amount of bad by trying to "save" the heathen out of his/her culture and beliefs. Basically: "Here is my culture and my belief. If you don't take it, lock stock and barrell , you will burn in hell".