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Post by Mlle Antéchrist on May 5, 2011 19:19:59 GMT -5
Incapable, or merely unwilling to consider the idea because it makes you uncomfortable? I was raised Christian, went to church every Sunday as a kid, have a mostly-Christian family, and live in a place where Christianity is still the dominant religion, and that certainly didn't leave me psychologically incapable of imaging life without Christianity.
After all, challenging our own beliefs keeps us intellectually honest, and helps us to understand the people who disagree with us.
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Post by Cygnus on May 5, 2011 19:34:41 GMT -5
I should add that leaving Christianity doesn't necessarily mean one is or ought to be an atheist. There are a ton of belief systems out there. I know that. But I feel like I should either be a christian or an Atheist. I'm not too keen on switching belief systems. I'll probably just stay an Agnostic. It seems odd that you're talking about belief systems like you can just pick and choose. That doesn't really make sense to me. I'm not an atheist because one day I said to myself "you know, It'd be cool to become an atheist...I'm going to do that". I identify as an atheist because the term "atheist" best describes what I believe (or don't believe) with regards to deities. I feel that you should come to your own conclusions rather than subscribe to whatever belief system seems appealing to you. I would encourage you to explore various religions, though; at the very least, it might give you some idea of what different beliefs are out there and might cause you to examine your own more thoroughly. |
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Post by happycheeze on May 5, 2011 20:17:09 GMT -5
Gnosticism has to do with knowledge claims and is compatible with both theism and atheism.
I'd recommend taking a look at this vid
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chagen
Junior Member
Not Banned
Posts: 71
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Post by chagen on May 5, 2011 21:32:22 GMT -5
I know that. I've thought about it (as much as a 15-year-old can), and I finallly have come to this set of beliefs:
We have no idea whether or not a God exists.
If one does, they are probably the Abrahamic God.
I will err on the side of a God existing. I haven't seen any reason not to believe in one.
--------
Those basically define my beliefs at the moment.
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Post by Admiral Lithp on May 5, 2011 22:21:21 GMT -5
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Post by Mlle Antéchrist on May 5, 2011 22:34:39 GMT -5
Out of curiosity, why do you think it would most likely be the Abrahamic god?
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Post by ironbite on May 5, 2011 23:34:59 GMT -5
Also do Muslims and Jews follow the same god?
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Post by Art Vandelay on May 6, 2011 0:23:45 GMT -5
A) It still is good in some ways. So? Even Harry Potter has some good morals, that doesn't mean you should worship the characters. |
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Post by Oriet on May 6, 2011 2:09:40 GMT -5
Out of curiosity, why do you think it would most likely be the Abrahamic god? I am also curious about this. Also do Muslims and Jews follow the same god? Add Mormons to the list as well. |
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Post by arrowdeath on May 6, 2011 4:50:34 GMT -5
Thirded. Why would it be an Abrahamic god over, say, the entire pantheon of Hindu gods. Or even the ancient Greek or Norse gods.
Remember, you can't just prove there might be a god, you also have to prove that it's this specific god.
And good for you. 15 was when I actively started questioning Hinduism and the beliefs I was parroting (upon realizing that I was being taught the same thing I laugh at when other people say it, the realization was quite jarring). Questioning is always good.
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Post by tolpuddlemartyr on May 6, 2011 8:22:32 GMT -5
You could add other "one gods", there are a couple of them.
Ahura Mazda (Zoroastrianism)
Dyeus (Proto-Indo-European religion)
Perun (pre Christian Slavic religion)
Akal Purakh (Sikh)
Τὸ Ἕν "The One" (Platonism...not a religion but still arguably a non Abrahamic "one god")
Shangdi (Shang Dynasty, China)
Why not any of these "one gods"? Why your Abrahamic "one god"?
EDIT: Nearly forgot, the Wiccan Goddess. Yet another "one god".
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Post by rookie on May 6, 2011 8:22:33 GMT -5
Um, Chagen, what you are saying sounds suspiciously like Pascal's Wager. And it sounds like you are more hedging your bets rather than believing. It comes across as "Well, I'm not sure, but if I'm wrong, I'll be wrong for this side." It was the "erring on the side of..." comment.
Now if that is good enough for you, then it is good enough for you. And that is fine, you won't hear any more about it from me. Beliefs are extremely personal, as for the reasons for those beliefs. But those words you used, in that order, came across as kinda weak.
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on May 6, 2011 8:25:02 GMT -5
A) It still is good in some ways. So? Even Harry Potter has some good morals, that doesn't mean you should worship the characters. But...but I already started the Cult of Lovegood! |
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Post by Art Vandelay on May 6, 2011 8:29:58 GMT -5
So? Even Harry Potter has some good morals, that doesn't mean you should worship the characters. But...but I already started the Cult of Lovegood! If by "worship", you're thinking of "do bad, bad, impure things to", then sign me the fuck up! |
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on May 6, 2011 8:40:33 GMT -5
But...but I already started the Cult of Lovegood! If by "worship", you're thinking of "do bad, bad, impure things to", then sign me the fuck up! That's not what worship means? Fuck...I guess I better close down the Church of Hermione... |
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