>>
>> What empirical tests have you performed to check if your
>belief is correct?
>
>Ambiguous question. It makes no sense to postulate one of an infinite
>number of undetectable explanations for something when no explanation
>is required. There is no need to explain what need not be explained. If
>you have a more specific question, then ask away. But before you ask,
>you should know that I do NOT believe there is no god, nor do I believe
>there is a god. I do not have any beliefs regarding the matter, because
>they are not necessary to explain the world I see. If I ever see a
>verifiable, repeatable experiment for god, then I will accept
>that there
>is a god and work on reorganizing my conception of science. Until then,
>there is no need.
Erik has the classic agnostic belief, which follow strict rules of logic. I
am by no means criticizing this. I believe that his assumptions are very
correct, and based in logic. I believe the same, and fully support his
position.
So why do not others (90% as quoted before) go through the same set of tests
to determine that it can't be 'determined'? Why is there such a reliance
upon faith? I do not believe that this is linked to a fundamental fear or
death, for if it was, most people would follow the dictates of their belief
(free of most sin - no one's perfect). There is little in the way of dogma
that leads people to believe in God. A belief in God does not require a
religion, but I would assert that it does require personal validation
("feeling God"). For some it is a fundamental belief, validated only through
experience. Unfortunately science cannot measure or validate this belief or
feeling as being real. Even some scientists, packed with the sharp sword of
the scientific method, can still find a place for God.
I have a theory (which of course would not meet Erik's stringent standard
for what is required to formulate a theory) that genetics plays a strong
role in experiencing "spirituality". Putting aside what spirituality means,
there are fundamental physiologic processes that occur when people feel
"rapture" or "feel God". All religions have this one thing in common. All
feelings of spirituality has a common element of "feeling God" or "knowing
their place in the Universe"(there are thousands of ways to express this
feeling, which explains the cornucopia of religious dogma to pick and choose
from). Most people feel this at one time, some more than others. I can't
help but to think that some people (like myself) lack the necessary
component to "feel God" in the same degree and manner. Some people are
raised religious, but never gain conviction. Others never have exposure to
religion, yet do claim to have "felt God" and profess a belief and love of
God.
Why is this? Taking the religious position, one could say that they have not
"let God in". I believe that for some people (perhaps that 10% of us who are
'godless')they (I) lack something which provides this unshaken belief in so
many people.
I would assert that most people who do believe in God, know that it is based
upon faith, but do have personal validation, despite its illogicalness. They
understand the arguments, but can put them aside, because they have personal
validation that God exists, and is aware of their existence. Being an
objectivist, I have been taught to scoff at the idea, with the clear and
simple argument - "Where's the Beef!". I struggled with this for many, many
years. WHY DO THEY BELIEVE!
I personally would like proof, even if it was a personal conviction. Life
may have been easier for me as a strong church goer, having faith in the
Lord, doing the Lord's work. It did not come, but it did have an interesting
effect - It freed me to be critical of God, his believers, and the dogma
associated with God.
In talking to my parents about this, I came to realize that my freedom from
"feeling God" places me in a position to be unbiased, and by this, I become
an "intellectual guardian", able to question and challenge those who use
religion for evil, as a weapon or as an implement of control. I pay a price
in this, but it is _undenialable _that I contribute to the health of
religion, by being its intellectual guardian - to question bad religion, bad
beliefs, bad science, bad memes. Some say that religion will die. I'm
suggesting that religion will mature and grow stronger as science
progresses. Science has and will break down the toxic memes of religion, and
will influence the culture of religion to enhance the survivialability of
humanity.
Call it the God or Spirituality Gene. Some of us don't understand what it
means to believe in God. Evolution may have made us that way. But Gaia may a
role for Atheists and Agnostics - it's to make religion better for the
common man. I believe I was born to do the job. For all of you who believe,
I think you owe me your thanks for defending the Lord's work.
Chad Cooper
>
>
>--
>"Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/
>_______________________________________________
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>
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