Religion

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

45. Possibly because you were exposed to alternative information at a young age

Tue Jul 11, 2023, 09:13 AM

Jul 2023

The greatest threat to organized religion is the application of critical thought which is why we see religion in decline in most areas of the world and does a lot to explain why religionists routinely burned "blasphemers" alive for most of the history of Christianity.

Still today we see people who would rather see any criticism of their superstitions stamped out, including right here on DU on a forum expressly purposed for such discussions. It makes one wonder how firmly held their beliefs are if they can't tolerate dissenting viewpoints.

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Why do people believe in God? [View all] walkingman Jul 2023 OP

I think my bumper sticker says it all "Critical Thinking, the Other American Deficit. NoRethugFriends Jul 2023 #1

I tend to agree with you but walkingman Jul 2023 #4

It means the strength of your conviction should be proportional to your evidence Major Nikon Jul 2023 #20

True - for sure it seems here in Texas. walkingman Jul 2023 #80

Never figured it out, maybe because I'm secure enough not to have such needs. elleng Jul 2023 #2

As a kid we did what was called a "sword drill" which is where you had kind of a contest walkingman Jul 2023 #6

Peace and Love to you! Life is short....enjoy!! walkingman Jul 2023 #78

Take it to the Secular group! LW1977 Jul 2023 #3

Didn't mean to offend you - would you mind just telling me walkingman Jul 2023 #5

Thank you. murielm99 Jul 2023 #17

There most definitely are those groups. This isn't one of them Major Nikon Jul 2023 #22

Do you think me asking the question "why do you believe" is ridicule? walkingman Jul 2023 #34

Nonsense Major Nikon Jul 2023 #21

I agree with you. It is not possible for anyone wnylib Jul 2023 #23

Thanks for this! ShazzieB Jul 2023 #27

I'm not sure your are confirming that my question of "Why do you believe in God" is offensive walkingman Jul 2023 #55

What I was confirming is that talking about believing in God at DU does not feel safe. ShazzieB Jul 2023 #83

Understand - I honestly am just curious what others think about the issue. As I said earlier, I had walkingman Jul 2023 #84

I also have nothing against atheists. wnylib Jul 2023 #56

I believe you contradicted yourself Major Nikon Jul 2023 #85

So just the act of questioning is offensive? I am trying to understand the logic of religion. walkingman Jul 2023 #35

this is a religion group, not a believer's group. NoRethugFriends Jul 2023 #26

Somebody MOMFUDSKI Jul 2023 #33

This is the group to edhopper Jul 2023 #47

The overwhelming majority of the content on this site involves ridiculing beliefs. Act_of_Reparation Jul 2023 #58

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #68

It all depends on your definition of God, don't you think? ZZenith Jul 2023 #7

Precisely. mahina Jul 2023 #14

I was always told to believe that GOD knows and understands everything we do in life for everyone. walkingman Jul 2023 #36

It's difficult to grasp an intelligence that powerful, innit? ZZenith Jul 2023 #46

That's a good point. walkingman Jul 2023 #64

I'm not sure I understand your question. ZZenith Jul 2023 #65

So in reality there is no one "true" religion or GOD. It is just a matter walkingman Jul 2023 #66

Are you familiar with the parable of the three blind men and the elephant? ZZenith Jul 2023 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #69

Cool video - reminded me of my first algebra class where my only thought was walkingman Jul 2023 #71

It started out as a brilliant leap of logic for people that had no understanding of geology yet. brewens Jul 2023 #8

That makes sense to me. However, that is not the message I hear....ever. walkingman Jul 2023 #37

It took them a few thousand years to settle on one god being the best message. We know now a lot brewens Jul 2023 #49

Agree - as time passes and we become smarter and smarter so at some point walkingman Jul 2023 #79

Yes I think it's because from childhood, people are taught to accept god on faith and faith alone vlyons Jul 2023 #9

I'm another 76 yr old Butterflylady Jul 2023 #28

The only problem I have with Christians (I don't know anyone who professes another religion) is they walkingman Jul 2023 #38

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #59

Wonderful story - thanks for sharing. Have you ever visited? walkingman Jul 2023 #60

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #62

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #63

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #61

These days when asked what my religion is for a medical appointment or any document walkingman Jul 2023 #77

cannot handle reality Skittles Jul 2023 #10

I agree. Laffy Kat Jul 2023 #11

Name checks out mahina Jul 2023 #13

I don't have a problem with people believing in anything that helps them get by Skittles Jul 2023 #57

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #70

To allay their fear of death; the basis of all religions. marybourg Jul 2023 #12

It's the basis of belief Major Nikon Jul 2023 #25

I don't fear death - I like being here but realize it is only for a short time. walkingman Jul 2023 #39

Fear of death nowforever Jul 2023 #15

I don't fear death - I worry about those I will leave behind. Maybe because I am already old walkingman Jul 2023 #76

I believe that God is what connects us all. Not a personal God but a spirit that Maraya1969 Jul 2023 #16

I love those thoughts. I hate it when I see people's religious beliefs telling other how they should walkingman Jul 2023 #40

Interesting, can you describe the "something there" a little more? walkingman Jul 2023 #75

The name of the religion is Advaita. Maraya1969 Jul 2023 #81

Reminds me of some of the Yoga classes I took in the 60's , thank you for posting. walkingman Jul 2023 #82

As a person raised Christian I have some thoughts herding cats Jul 2023 #18

I would love to see my Dad and Mom again. Just to have a "grownup" conversation about things walkingman Jul 2023 #41

I agree it is a wonderful thought and compelling but not very rational. walkingman Jul 2023 #74

Looking from outside in to another culture mahina Jul 2023 #19

I could get that link to work but I found the series - thank you. Look forward to watching. walkingman Jul 2023 #42

Thank you - I need some time to check this out. walkingman Jul 2023 #73

I think it has to do with how the human brain works Major Nikon Jul 2023 #24

Makes sense. Just wonder why it never took for me in terms of organized religion. walkingman Jul 2023 #43

Possibly because you were exposed to alternative information at a young age Major Nikon Jul 2023 #45

Atheist here: LakeArenal Jul 2023 #29

From what I've seen that makes perfect sense. It seems more like a social group than anything else walkingman Jul 2023 #44

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #30

I wear a T-shirt that says "Coexist" - you are actually living it! Sounds like a nice lifestyle. walkingman Jul 2023 #51

One thought, Christianity does not equal religion sanatanadharma Jul 2023 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #48

I've always thought of it as the "Initial Singularity" but I understand what you are saying. walkingman Jul 2023 #52

Complete lack of MOMFUDSKI Jul 2023 #32

One thing that bothers me about that walkingman Jul 2023 #53

I have another thought: LakeArenal Jul 2023 #50

See...that is just wrong it reminds me of one of my favorite quotes walkingman Jul 2023 #54

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2023 #72