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Originally Posted by Seaver
Allah IS God, so is Yaweh, etc. The difference is in the names which represents the different belief structures. I tend to follow my own conscience in what I wish to believe, and so borrow aspects of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. I don't believe in Krishna because I don't. No justifications can be given.
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Got it.
So you are a Theist because it makes you feel fuzzy -- understandable.
You are a Christian because it is what you are used to.
That seem like a reasonable description?
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I don't believe in Noah because it follows way too closely an ancient Babylonian text to be a coincidence. Also a single boat (especially with the ancient technological abilities of the time) could not carry 2 of every creature. If God had intended it to be so (an argument against my logic), he could have just re-created them all. I believe it is, like many of the Genesis stories, are moral fables handed down to teach us lessons. Faith and determination turns a lowly drunk into the savior of all the animals in the world.
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You seem to be using a varient of Occam's Razor to determine if a Bible story should be believed. That a fair interpritation?
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No where in the Bible does it say to stone people who break the rules of Kosher dining. You're thinking of the Torah.
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Calling the Old Testament "not the Bible" is a matter of definition. And a strange one, in my experience. But at least now I understand how you use the words.
So you place more faith in the New Testament than the Old Testament?
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My morality is my own. While I will say unafraid that the teachings of my religion has influenced me, my morality is still my own. I find nothing wrong with homosexuality, even though the Catholic Church declares it an abomination unto God (another Torah hand-down, not Bible).
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Romans 1?
Not that it matters much -- as you have stated, you don't view statements in the Bible as having any real authority.
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I did not find it comforting reading up on black holes. I did not find it comforting believing there is no meaning to this life other than to procreate and die so other generations can inherit.
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And you found that reading religious texts, and picking passages to believe in, made you feel better. Makes sense.
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This is not a logical argument, but it is strong to me regardless. There is a quote, "There are no atheists in foxholes." When the chips are down most of us find our faith. As I said maybe it's childish, maybe it's ignorant, but it's strong and gives us strength in return.
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Originally Posted by There Are No Athiests in Foxholes, Wikipedia
The statement is used to imply that atheists really do believe in God deep down, and that in times of extreme stress or fear, that belief will surface, overwhelming the less substantial affectation of atheism. Many atheists find use of this saying offensive. It should be noted that the phrase could also hint at a Marxist idea that theism is a barbituary for pain and struggle, in which the foxhole would represent the pain and struggle of the lower class, who escape their struggle by looking towards a better afterlife, or resting in a perceived god who will take care of them.
Groups within the secular community have always risen up to debunk this claim, and one organization, the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers exists to support atheists in foxholes. The group, headed by a combat veteran and West Point graduate, is composed of and run by atheists in the military. On Veteran's Day, 2005, MAAF and American Atheists hosted military atheists in a march on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Recent articles in Newsweek and The Colbert Report have highlighted the importance of recognizing the service and patriotism of atheistic citizens.
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Because I don't look good in orange robes :P
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That is because you didn't shave your head!
Thank you very much for describing why you do, and don't, believe various things.
Note that I have found in mathematics some of the most creative, enjoyable, fun passtimes. Anyone who has strived and managed to figure out a really tricky mathematical proof would not think that it isn't a creative endevour.
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Originally Posted by DaveMatrix
Why would an atheist want to understand something they dont believe in?
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I don't believe in the alternate history worlds created by Harry Turtledove, but I do enjoy learning about them. Just because something is fiction, doesn't mean it isn't interesting.
I'm not asking in order to be converted to your belief or convinced that your belief is right: I'm asking to understand your belief and why you hold it.
Note that I am not a caracture of a human being with one and only one motivation. Very few people are.
People are extremely complex and full of wonderous and amazing worlds.
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Seaver may want to play your game of 20 questions, but the atheists will never be satisfied with his answers and this game becomes endless.
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Satisfied? I can understand someone's choices and beliefs without agreeing with them.
You can have a discussion where the goal isn't to come to agreement. I can talk to someone and be indifferent to them changing their minds, even if I think they are wrong, and not believe that there is any chance my mind will be changed. Not all communication is evangelical.