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God
Mar 18, 2011 15:32:31 GMT -5
Post by innerstickler on Mar 18, 2011 15:32:31 GMT -5
Why should I believe in the existence of god? What empirical benefits will I receive?
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God
Mar 18, 2011 16:11:22 GMT -5
Post by shodan on Mar 18, 2011 16:11:22 GMT -5
That's an argument from consequence. If God exists, He exists whether or not it is beneficial to know Him.
Similar to the mistakes in recent books touting atheism. It does not matter if theists have a worse record than atheists in wars and atrocities (they don't). This does not prove the existence of God one way or the other.
Regards, Shodan
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God
Mar 18, 2011 16:19:03 GMT -5
Post by innerstickler on Mar 18, 2011 16:19:03 GMT -5
I'm asking of what worth it is to me to believe. If my life is unaffected by believe, why would I bother. On the other hand, if someone could show me that belief would improve my life by some statistically measurable metric, I would be more intrigued.
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God
Mar 18, 2011 18:44:02 GMT -5
Post by Casey Cho on Mar 18, 2011 18:44:02 GMT -5
I'm asking of what worth it is to me to believe. If my life is unaffected by believe, why would I bother. On the other hand, if someone could show me that belief would improve my life by some statistically measurable metric, I would be more intrigued. Does believing that the Earth is round personally benefit yourself in anyway?
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God
Mar 18, 2011 19:04:02 GMT -5
Post by theblob on Mar 18, 2011 19:04:02 GMT -5
But the earth IS round.
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God
Mar 18, 2011 19:20:24 GMT -5
Post by Casey Cho on Mar 18, 2011 19:20:24 GMT -5
Of course. What I am saying is that can you not accept the truth for its own sake?
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God
Mar 18, 2011 19:25:24 GMT -5
Post by theblob on Mar 18, 2011 19:25:24 GMT -5
Well, no. I can't believe something just because someone says to believe it. I need some kind of basis for belief. Not necessarily absolute proof, but at least solid evidence from people I respect.
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God
Mar 19, 2011 13:20:12 GMT -5
Post by dubyakayel on Mar 19, 2011 13:20:12 GMT -5
There is a positive correlation between happiness and religiosity with notable exceptions. THAT can be proven empirically. And I am not arguing if there is an actual God or not.
That said, I do believe it's due to the whole idea of social integration as Durkheim would say. Being a community of believers, any community, leads to one being happier through collective effervescence. Also, this is my personal theory, but I do believe praying has similar effects to meditating, at least some forms of prayer since meditation is just more about concentration on one thing.
There's also the whole argument of The Protestant Work Ethic which was argued by Max Weber which led some societies to work harder than other societies, particularly the pilgrims. I wonder if they, the pilgrims, could have survived if there was no faith to guide them through all those dark times though looking back, life really was shitty, if I had no blind faith, I'd be tempted by suicide. Also there is a whole promotion of literacy to read the bible.
All that said is more on an individual level, going into the topic of social level. Well, that's a different story in terms of group conflicts, but it makes me wonder if it's really religion and if humans would find something else to fight for.
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God
Mar 20, 2011 9:29:07 GMT -5
Post by typicaldoper on Mar 20, 2011 9:29:07 GMT -5
Anyone who has paid attention knows that Denmark and Sweden are among the least religious nations in the world. Polls asking about belief in "God," the importance of religion in people’s lives, belief in life after death or church attendance consistently bear this out.
It is also well known that in various rankings of nations by life expectancy, child welfare, literacy, schooling, economic equality, standard of living and competitiveness, Denmark and Sweden stand in the first tier.
Discuss.
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God
Mar 20, 2011 13:02:44 GMT -5
Post by diogenes on Mar 20, 2011 13:02:44 GMT -5
I don't think the OP's question really makes much sense logistically. One is either persuaded to belief or one is not. Potential benefits of a belief don't really have anything to do with it. Saying that "believing in Papa Smurf will get you a check for a million dollars" is not going to convince anybody to believe in Papa Smurf.
Belief is not volitional.
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nonny
New Member
Posts: 41
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God
Sept 29, 2012 20:54:56 GMT -5
Post by nonny on Sept 29, 2012 20:54:56 GMT -5
I'm asking of what worth it is to me to believe. If my life is unaffected by believe, why would I bother. On the other hand, if someone could show me that belief would improve my life by some statistically measurable metric, I would be more intrigued. Does believing that the Earth is round personally benefit yourself in anyway? Holy fuck! That avatar is big!
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