<<<Thus far, i have seen no evidence of a god or godlike creature, at
least as described in any religion.>>>
But what do you tell the person, like that cult leader in Texas,
who like numerous other pious persons believe they have direct and
indisputable evidence on the contrary, in favor of a god? I've never
talked to a 'God' before, but the problem is telling someone else that they
haven't either.
<<God is simply an animalistic fear response to the unknown. The more you
believe, the more animalistic and closer to barbarianism you are. >>>
I don't mean to take your words out of context, because I agree
that part of that belief is a "response to the unknown", but do you think
that animals believe in God? I know that's not what you said at all, but
"animalistic" can be interpreted as 'closer to the way animals (besides us)
are? See, I would give animals other than humans more credit, by saying
they are much farther advanced than us in that they don't demonstrate any
sort of pagan ritualistic behavior or some submission to a higher being;
they merely exist, and act as dicated by Nature.
<<<As someone bereft of the emotions of "fear" or "belief", I see the
concept of a god as no big mystery at all, just a handicap to those who are
overrun with fear or belief.>>>
Just because I always try to see how the opposite of everything can
be true when I read something signifcant, I see this as sort of a paradox.
A Christian or someone else holding strong religious doctrines would tell
us that WE are handicapped in not believing, because we due to our lack of
faith, we lack redemption, and ultimately are crippled when we are barred
access to heaven. They would also say that our handicap is not being able
to percieve God as they do, and we have spiritual blindness, and need to
open our eyes and mind to the Lord, yadda yadda yadda.....(which is ironic
because we would say something very similar to them about lacking
perception). I'm not saying you are wrong about your judgement of what
religious belief is, only that the tables could be turned just as easily on
ourselves.
<<< Dont worry, as you get to know, you will learn to hate me.>>>
On this statement however, you couldn't be more wrong. I think the
opposite will happen. The more familiar I become with your thoughts, the
more I understand you. In my experience, most hatred and violence is the
result of the lack of understanding between people.
The reason I joined this list is to get perspective; either from
those with a similar view point that reinforces my own, or from those that
can show me a different way of looking at things. Already, some of the
things you've posted have directly paralleled some of the things I've
thought, and I agree with your opinion on matters more often than not. I
also don't believe in the idea of absolute truth, however I do not
subscribe to the 'rational thought process' and think all personal thought
is irrational. My difference of opinion does not mean that I don't think
you are intelligent person and I respect your beliefs. Anything you have
to say (and all others on this list) enriches my understanding of how
everything is.
The way I currently look at things (like the internet) prevents me
from being capable of hatred of someone I don't know. Your words are not
necessarily you, and I make the separation. Maybe you are just joking
again, but even more impossible is for me to "learn to hate". I have a
choice in what I am taught, which is whatever my mind accepts is the most
true in each case. I've disregarded many bogus doctrines in this way, and
I will always choose open-minded dialogue over ignorant hatred. So this
means, um, I like you!
~kjs