Through stories like this children (and adults) are encouraged to think that God might (possibly, maybe, perhaps) show up in the hour of great need and save us. — Bitter Crank
I interpreted it to mean "Let go of the rope." Meaning, put yourself entirely in my hands. — Bitter Crank
I assume that our unfortunate climber would soon arrive at the gates of heaven after having let go. In heaven we will find eternal rest in the care of God. Heaven will be an altogether pleasant experience, I have been led to believe. — Bitter Crank
The stories might be better compared to a novel or play, where one uses an entirely fictional tale to illuminate deep truths about the human condition. Given the intended audience, everybody on Earth, such fictional tales would necessarily have to be fairly simple. — Jake
The gods were invented and their supporting literature was composed by mortal men who worked subtle and plain themes into compelling, inspiring, (sometimes readily) believable tales whose themes have endured for at least 5 millennia. — Bitter Crank
What kind of evidence could there be for supernatural phenomena? As an atheist I'm trying to think of examples of what would convince me that there is a god and that the physical world is not all there is. — Purple Pond
What kind of evidence could there be for supernatural phenomena? As an atheist I'm trying to think of examples of what would convince me that there is a god and that the physical world is not all there is. — Purple Pond
No it's not. My materialism is a philosophical position.Your Materialism is a questionable faith-based religion — Michael Ossipoff
I can't respond to bunch of bullet points. — Purple Pond
Why is there that physical universe that's all that there is, on which all else supervenes? — Michael Ossipoff
What is your argument?
"Your Materialism is a questionable faith-based religion" — Michael Ossipoff
No it's not. My materialism is a philosophical position.
hat kind of evidence could there be for supernatural phenomena? — Purple Pond
As an atheist I'm trying to think of examples of what would convince me that there is a god and that the physical world is not all there is.
Materialism:
A theory that matter is the only or fundamental reality, and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter.
Religion:
Commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.
Religious:
Relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity. — Michael Ossipoff
Look, do you want me to respond to your posts or not?I didn't ask you to respond. In particular, I didn't ask you to respond to the statements in my post. — Michael Ossipoff
I don't know. And I have a question for you: Why is there something rather than nothing?But yes, I did ask a question. I asked:
Why is there that physical universe that's all that there is, on which all else supervenes?
— Michael Ossipoff — Michael Ossipoff
The form of the question was like a bullet point. I guess I'm supposed to feel stupid now, right? Because I can't answer one of the big questions.That's a question, not "bullet-point". If you can't answer it, I won't pretend to be surprised. Don't worry about it. — Michael Ossipoff
Maybe I should quote Merriam-Webster for you again: — Michael Ossipoff
I don't understand the reasoning here. Just because materialism may have something in common with religion doesn't mean it is a religion.But your belief that this physical world is all of reality, the ultimate reality on which all else supervenes, and "by which all being and processes and phenomena can be explained" amounts to a religion, by a reasonable interpretation based on something that religions have in common. — Michael Ossipoff
I'm trying to think of examples of what would convince me that... the physical world is not all there is. — Purple Pond
.This is just a gross false equivalency. Live by the sword die by the sword, how about another definition showing your false equivalency:
.
de•vo•tion
dəˈvōSH(ə)n/Submit
noun
love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.
.
Materialism does not include love, nor loyalty nor enthusiasm, any of those things that a materialist feels towards Materialism, is a trait about him and not Materialism. Nowhere in your definition of Materialism does it mention any of those things.
.But of course there is more, the focus of the word must be a person, activity or cause. Materialism is also none of these things either.
.”I didn't ask you to respond. In particular, I didn't ask you to respond to the statements in my post.” — Michael Ossipoff
.
Look, do you want me to respond to your posts or not?
.I don't know.
.And I have a question for you: Why is there something rather than nothing?
.”That's a question, not "bullet-point". If you can't answer it, I won't pretend to be surprised. Don't worry about it.”— Michael Ossipoff
.
The form of the question was like a bullet point. I guess I'm supposed to feel stupid now, right? Because I can't answer one of the big questions.
.”Maybe I should quote Merriam-Webster for you again:” — Michael Ossipoff
.
Maybe you shouldn't because dictionary definitions aren't wholly reliable. There are different dictionaries with different meanings of the words "materialism" and "religion".
.”But your belief that this physical world is all of reality, the ultimate reality on which all else supervenes, and "by which all being and processes and phenomena can be explained" amounts to a religion, by a reasonable interpretation based on something that religions have in common.” — Michael Ossipoff
.
.
I don't understand the reasoning here. Just because materialism may have something in common with religion doesn't mean it is a religion.
.Now you are just backing further into the weeds sir. Anything you are committed to is a religion now?
Further, your point about materialists and aggressive atheists has already been refuted.
.
Which one? (Rhetorical question—You needn’t answer.)
.
.I repeat, you are talking about certain people, not Materialism.
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.