Quote Originally Posted by TomOfSweden View Post
My point is that it's impossible to work out the nature of god even if it did exist. Maybe my line of reasoning was a bit hard to follow. It has a tendancy to get a bit fuzzy when I'm discussing purely abstract issues.
I took that point, and agree with it. At the best we can work out where we need a supernatural filling. However the fact that we are unable to work out the nature of God does not mean that he does not exist.


So you believe in god because you want god to exist? If true, at least it's honest. But not really a case for gods existance, is it? I might as well say that I'm am atheist because I don't want god to exist. A bit silly isn't it? Hardly anything to base a religion on.
Not quite:
1. I believed in a God because to me it is the answer which makes sense.
2. I wanted to know more about God, so looked at how the various (but admittedly not all) faiths explained God.
3. I found one which made logical sense and fitted my experience of supernatural.
4. I studied the sacred texts of that faith to discover more what they revealed of God's nature.
5. I brought that information into real life and considered it and tested it.
6. I discovered more about God.
7. I found that the more I read and considered, the more spiritually aware I became, developing an appreciation of the tri-fold nature of humans - physical, emotional and intellectual, and spiritual - and how these interact.
8. I returned to step 4.


But you'd hardly bet on it being right, would you? Since you admit that the proof is full of holes?
Although there are many theories, some well grounded, and some less so; to my knowledge there is no complete proof on either side.

I'm really fascinated about how the bible came to be, but I think it's a bit of a side-track. We have no idea if it's the word of god or not. It's just an assumption christians make. If we don't even manage to come up with a likely model for how supernaturality works then the Bible isn't very relevant is it? If the supernatural didn't control the hands of the people writing it, then it isn't the word of god, right? If we have different interpretations of it, then well....we can't really draw any conclusions and....I think it's best to create a new thread about just that.
Smiles - after you...

That's fine, but you have no idea if it is in fact god you're adressing or just thin air, do you? Considering the nature of human perception, even if you personally have seen god, doesn't prove a thing.
I do not think not being able to see something is serious proof of it not existing. If you are referring to talking to God - I have seen too many things change as a result of doing so for it to be purely placebo, imagination or chance.

ok, but how do you know what is the "voice" of god and what just is wishfull thinking/hallucination/delusion?
That is a discussion in itself, and is one I have had many times. I have heard God, as in I would be amazed if someone who had been in the room at the time would not have heard him, twice. Once was over something I knew I should I do, but kept finding excuses about. The other time I was driving, and unbeknown to me a small child was about to come round the corner directly into my path. By following the instructions of that voice, in the moment before I could know there was a potential problem, that small boy was not seriously injured, or killed.

Other times, I 'hear' a voice in my head, which I have learned to recognise. I cannot give you any evidence that it is not wishful thinking or delusional, except that it has a nasty habit of always being right, of often making a decision on the basis of information I don't have, and is always in line with what the Bible teaches.

The other way I 'hear' from God, is not direct communication at all, but by learning what sort of thing He likes, my conscience will prick if I am stepping outside of those boundaries - that is no more supernatural than your slave knowing what you do and do not like, because she has made a study of you.

That's a contradiction. Just saying "god thought of it" is just avoiding the issue. A supernatural model of the universe is a lot more complex than a non-supernatural, because you have so much more variables. The plain fact is that the supernatural model has more holes in it than the non-supernatural. Just because on a very superficial level it looks simpler doesn't mean the maths of it are any simpler.

Again, just because you or I don't understand the maths of a theory, doesn't mean nobody does.
I think we have been round this one before. I fully agree that a model of the universe which includes the supernatural is bound to more complex, because there is an additional dimension. That in itself does not indicate whether it is right or wrong.

To me, the supernatural model has less holes in - but I fully admit that is because I temporarily suspended disbelief to view it with an accepting mind, (ref my much earlier comment about choosing which circle to stand in).

Because you and I don't fully understand any theory, of either 'side', does not prove it one way of the other.

But you're only talking about your personal journey. It's as if it's an emotional standpoint. A bit like going with what ever feels the best for you. The supernatural elements of religion is a scientific theory. A model. As with all scientific theories we can have leanings toward one or the other model. But if the theory is too flimsy, like all the supernatural theories of the world. Then having a firm faith in it is stupid. There's a number of serious scientific theories on the mechanics of the universe works, (no, christianity isn't one of them) and no scientist would say, this is what I believe the rest of you are all wrong. They might sound like that's what they're saying, but it's not what they mean.
Why do you say that the supernatural elements of religion are a scientific theory? I would say (if I have to find a discipline for it) that it is closest to a psychological theory - in that, to me, it is a study of a force with personality. In all the years of physics which I studied, personality was never a factor - with the possible exception of the sadistic temperament of one of my physics masters.

Believing in a scientific theory as a scientist is diametrically different than believing in a scientific theory as a religious follower. It has to do with comparing theories and doing the maths. If you don't have a degree in quantum mechanics it's a bit arrogant to pick your own version and just go for it, just like all religious people have to do. I think popular science is fun. I do my best in following the research but I don't have the proper education in the subject to formulate my own complete theory on the mechanics of the universe works or even evaluate what christianity says about it. That would be arrogance to the extreme.
Well, my quantum mechanics does not progress past a foundation unit I did at university, which was a shame, I loved that unit and found a real beauty in it, in the same way that I loved the unit I did on astrology, so I don't have the knowledge either to follow latest papers. That does not mean however that I reject the science. I agree popular science is fun, but I do get frustrated when initially theories are expounded, and after a few trips round the press they return as facts.

If religious people on top of this have the bad taste to vote for laws based on religious ethics, then I feel like grabbing for my gun. Hobby philosophers pissing those who have done their homeworkd and actually know better, (most often scientists) in the face. Yes, I think we should leave the big decision to the proper scientists, of the simple reason that they understand things that we don't.
Do I understand that you are suggesting leaving governing our countries to a group of scientists? *shudders at the thought* I live with someone who has a PhD in a physical science, and most of the people he works with have the same. Many of them work in ground breaking research, so they are still actively exploring their small area of science. I also regularly attend dinner parties with some of these people - and yes, I am very grateful for the work they do, and without doubt our world is a better place for it - but the thought of them governing the country. Please, no.

The religious comunity disregard serious science and treat all these big questions like a big joke. If they didn't they'd learn the maths. They might look all sinceare when they're pondering the bible, but it requires that you selectivly ignore critical problems of the model and only vote with your heart.
I disagree that the religious community disregards science. I am sure there are a few small groups which do, but I am sure I can find you a corresponding group of nutty scientists - so please don't discredit a whole community because one small subgroup is wacky. I personally refuse to ignore critical problems of the model which I have embraced. That does not mean that I have all the answers, but then, nobody, of any discipline does.

I think you are right when you said I voted with my heart when I decided to step into the circle of belief. After that I have been very analytical and critical.

I think religions are good for humanity simply based on the fact that they exist. They aparently fill a need. Practices that humanity doesn't need has a tendancy to disapear. That's the beauty of evolution. It may very well be that with the good bits we get some bad bits, but over the whole, it's aparent that it does a lot of good. Again, simply based on the fact that religions exist. Why? I have no idea. If anything in this thread, it should be aparent that I'm the wrong person to ask.
I think faith is good for humanity, and we are also social beings. I think they are two needs which we have. I don't think we have a need for religion.

I do know one thing that this thread has shown me Tom; you are great guy to get me thinking about some of the basics which I have accepted for too long - so I sincerely thank you for the challenge. We may not agree, but I have a great respect both for what you say, and how you say it.

cariad