N
Non_Serviam
Guest
I believe he was quite clear in stating that the behaviours that were occurring were treated. He made no claims about the disease itself.
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Z
Zatzat
Guest
He did not believe in your God or any kind of personal God…the belief in a personal God, he considered childish. Please don’t pretend that Einstein was a Theist.
Einstein couldn’t have been clearer on his position;
positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/einstein.htm
- It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it.
- I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own – a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotisms.
- I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.’
- The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.
- For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions…
- I do not believe in immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.
- A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
- It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I also cannot imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere… Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
- Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the action of people. For this reason, a research scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by a prayer, i.e. by a wish addressed to a Supernatural Being.
- I am convinced that some political and social activities and practices of the Catholic organizations are detrimental and even dangerous for the community as a whole, here and everywhere.
Z
Zatzat
Guest
I’ll suggest that you’ve not clearly read my question.
Hence my clear question, how does one treat a incurable, progressive neurological disorder, such that a person deteriorated to the point of being admitted into a geriatric ward of a psychiatric facility, to their being treated, released and no recurrence of extreme behavioral symptoms that had them committed in the first place?
alzheimer.ca/english/disease/faqs.htm
‘Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain where brain cells continue to die over time. There is no cure to stop the progression.’
N
Non_Serviam
Guest
I would suggest you go get a dictionary and look up the words “disease” and “symptoms”. The behaviour is a symptom of the disease and not the diease itself. The symptoms of many diseases can be treated even if the disease itself cannot be cured.
Now stop trying to score debating points using another person’s suffering.
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Einstein made a lot of quotes that have been taken out of context be religious people. For some reason they seem to erroneously believe that if they can prove by hook or by crook that Einstein was religious that people like myself would have to stand down.
I don’t know any people who believe that Einstein believed in a personal God. You are beating a straw man.
The question raised here is that you cannot say Einstein believed in no god whatever. He was, if anything, a desist, and is on record as believing in the god of Spinoza. He was abundantly clear about not being an atheist.
And since Einstein lived well after Darwin, I don’t think you can say that he was impressed by evolution as doing away with the idea of God (a governing Intellect) altogether.
I don’t know any people who believe that Einstein believed in a personal God. You are beating a straw man.
The question raised here is that you cannot say Einstein believed in no god whatever. He was, if anything, a desist, and is on record as believing in the god of Spinoza. He was abundantly clear about not being an atheist.
And since Einstein lived well after Darwin, I don’t think you can say that he was impressed by evolution as doing away with the idea of God (a governing Intellect) altogether.
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Zatzat
Please don’t pretend that Einstein was a Theist.
I never said he was.
Please don’t pretend that Einstein was an atheist.
He wasn’t.
Please don’t pretend that Einstein was a Theist.
I never said he was.
Please don’t pretend that Einstein was an atheist.
He wasn’t.
Z
Zatzat
Guest
If a poster is going to bring up anecdotal and personal stories, they’d better be prepared to answer questions. The op has made some extraordinary claims…I’m asking fair questions.
N
Non_Serviam
Guest
The actual OP posted a thread asking some simple questions about atheists in order to improve he understanding-the thread went along quite nicely for several pages before starting to succumb to becoming a debate thread.
If you persist you may win the battle in being “right” on this point, but you will lose the war by contributing ammunition to those who claim that atheists are heartless, uncharitable people with no sympathy or concern for others who would toss their deceased loved ones in a Hefty bag and leave them by the curb. Don’t help them promote that myth-it doesn’t help the public perception of atheists nor does it help others to seek an unbiased explanation of your views.
Much better to let it go, understand the difficulties faced in life by those who have to deal with that particular disease and try and bring the thread back to a charitable discussion of atheist’s actions and motivations.
R
R_Daneel
Guest
Strongly agree.
Certainly possible, but that is not what I alluded to. I was just doubting that he would pray to God to help him to perform his mechanical duties. Just like those scientists who are deeply religious and accept the religious doctrines outside their specific field of research - but within their specialty they behave exactly as their atheist peers do. They look for natural causes and natural explanation - they discard the “goddidit” as unnecessary.
I understand. We see the same thing and draw different conclusions. Happens all the time.
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Just like those scientists who are deeply religious and accept the religious doctrines outside their specific field of research - but within their specialty they behave exactly as their atheist peers do. They look for natural causes and natural explanation - **they discard the “goddidit” as unnecessary. **
This is a presumptuous remark on your part. In no way does the religious scientist no longer regard “goddidit” as unnecessary. What he does regard is the necessity of understanding how “goddidit.” He will not know that until he can begin to fathom the laws of nature at work, which are the product of the mind of God.
This is a presumptuous remark on your part. In no way does the religious scientist no longer regard “goddidit” as unnecessary. What he does regard is the necessity of understanding how “goddidit.” He will not know that until he can begin to fathom the laws of nature at work, which are the product of the mind of God.
R
R_Daneel
Guest
The point was that those religious scientists behave just like their atheist peers, they use reason and logic and the much-maligned scientific method (hypothesis forming - testing - verification) in their research - not wishful thinking (aka: faith). They seek natural explanation, not intangible “magic”.
J
jinminn
Guest
Caricatures like this do no one any good. They make believers look a fool and just tend to leave a bad taste in the mouth over those targeted.
To address this, as well as the OP (and perhaps to re-rail things):
- I was not raised Christian, became Catholic in 2000, had two significant conversions in 2002 and 2003 which led me to be convinced that I knew the risen Lord, that he was alive in my life and in the scriptures, and that he was the reason for life.
- I lived the Christian life for about 6 years, living in a house of other believers during college who were part of a campus outreach group, I led music at prayer meetings, I gave talks at retreats, I strove to read the Bible every single day, went to daily Mass, during one difficult time went to adoration daily for more than a month, frequented confession and the like. I even printed out all of my most encouraging Bible verses and taped them to my wall during college – probably 50 of them plastered all over the place to remind me about god.
- I’ve read the NT at least twice all the way through and all of the gospels more times than that. I started reading the OT all the way through and stopped in Joshua. I’ve read all of the psalms. This was all in the context of meditative prayer, not just ‘reading’. One chapter per day and then reflecting on striking meanings.
Since then (4.5 months) I’ve been questioning everything. I have found the hypothesis that no religions are true far more explanatory than the hypothesis that one is true. With the evidence at hand, I have been intellectually all-but-convinced that a no god or disinterested god hypothesis deals with these facts far better than an omnimax god that aligns with Christianity.
- inspired scriptures containing immoral commands
- geological and archaeological evidence contradicting things like the flood, exodus, and the fall of Jericho
- how to explain the fall and entrance of evil into the world via human actions in light of evolution
- why Christianity is not compelling to other believers
- humanity has been in the habit of inventing gods for answers to life’s various questions for at least 25,000 years
- animals have displayed various examples of morality and intelligence suggesting that there is a true progression of capabilities rather than a black-and-white line of soul/no-soul between animals. See HERE and HERE.
- why miracles are on the decline in magnitude and number and are reported by all faiths, not just one
- why morals are quite consistent across the globe and across other characteristics whereas the religions explaining what god put that moral sense there are quite different. See HERE
- the existence of evil at all given an omniscient and omnibenevolent god
J
jinminn
Guest
Continued…
In essence, I think the ‘blindfold test’ describes it best: if I were to be blindfolded and asked ‘what do you that omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence would look like in a world created, from the beginning, by a being with those characteristics?’, every answer I would write down would be purely wrong if Christianity is right. We trust our reason in multitudes of other facets of life… yet in religion I’m told that not only am I completely wrong (and even prideful to suspect I know better), but that, in fact, the way things are is the only way that god even could have done things.
Intellectually, I’m an agnostic/atheist. Emotionally, it has been extremely difficult to contemplate ‘leaving the fold.’ I keep praying, talking to people, posting on forums/blogs, thinking, listening to debates, etc. thinking that I may have missed that one key argument that I needed to hear to make it all work. Instead I’m left seeing so many impossibilities about Christianity that I can’t bring myself to believe, yet emotional fear about it possibly being right such that I can’t walk away.
At the end of the day, with respect to the comfort questions and such, it’s up to me and the community I choose in order to find support and make it through calamity. I find it interesting to suggest that during calamity, believers may take refuge in god’s ‘promises’… yet what are those and how are they fulfilled? Ultimately, I am usually answered that they will be fulfilled only in heaven for a life lived in patient trusting faith despite any contrary evidence. I am facing the prospect that there is no being watching out for me.
In that case, it’s up to me and, again, my community (as I believe community is a human need, not a religious one) to become the best human being I can. I wish to surround myself with others who wish to lead fulfilling and fruitful lives of accomplishment. Though it’s often suggested that atheism leads to a lack of care for anyone but one’s self, I find that it ends up being like most other philosophies/world views: it’s presented and one must either accept or reject it as a basis for positive living. The same is true of religions. All of humanity presents a clear picture that across all world view and beliefs, humans are excellent at doing horrible deeds, being indifferent, and excelling as pinnacles of human success (and at doing everything in between).
Long winded… the post is quite pertinent so I thought I’d add my story and views.
In essence, I think the ‘blindfold test’ describes it best: if I were to be blindfolded and asked ‘what do you that omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence would look like in a world created, from the beginning, by a being with those characteristics?’, every answer I would write down would be purely wrong if Christianity is right. We trust our reason in multitudes of other facets of life… yet in religion I’m told that not only am I completely wrong (and even prideful to suspect I know better), but that, in fact, the way things are is the only way that god even could have done things.
Intellectually, I’m an agnostic/atheist. Emotionally, it has been extremely difficult to contemplate ‘leaving the fold.’ I keep praying, talking to people, posting on forums/blogs, thinking, listening to debates, etc. thinking that I may have missed that one key argument that I needed to hear to make it all work. Instead I’m left seeing so many impossibilities about Christianity that I can’t bring myself to believe, yet emotional fear about it possibly being right such that I can’t walk away.
At the end of the day, with respect to the comfort questions and such, it’s up to me and the community I choose in order to find support and make it through calamity. I find it interesting to suggest that during calamity, believers may take refuge in god’s ‘promises’… yet what are those and how are they fulfilled? Ultimately, I am usually answered that they will be fulfilled only in heaven for a life lived in patient trusting faith despite any contrary evidence. I am facing the prospect that there is no being watching out for me.
In that case, it’s up to me and, again, my community (as I believe community is a human need, not a religious one) to become the best human being I can. I wish to surround myself with others who wish to lead fulfilling and fruitful lives of accomplishment. Though it’s often suggested that atheism leads to a lack of care for anyone but one’s self, I find that it ends up being like most other philosophies/world views: it’s presented and one must either accept or reject it as a basis for positive living. The same is true of religions. All of humanity presents a clear picture that across all world view and beliefs, humans are excellent at doing horrible deeds, being indifferent, and excelling as pinnacles of human success (and at doing everything in between).
Long winded… the post is quite pertinent so I thought I’d add my story and views.
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Though it’s often suggested that atheism leads to a lack of care for anyone but one’s self, I find that it ends up being like most other philosophies/world views: it’s presented and one must either accept or reject it as a basis for positive living. The same is true of religions. All of humanity presents a clear picture that across all world view and beliefs, humans are excellent at doing horrible deeds, being indifferent, and excelling as pinnacles of human success (and at doing everything in between).
Why do I have the feeling from the above that you find no real difference between a life with God and a life without God?
Is that what you believe?
Why do I have the feeling from the above that you find no real difference between a life with God and a life without God?
Is that what you believe?
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
The point was that those religious scientists behave just like their atheist peers,
Then by the same token atheistic scientists behave just like their religious peers.
They are both using the scientific method.
The scientific method is neither religious nor atheistic. It is the scientific method, pure and simple. And it’s interesting that this scientific method was first established by religious men, not atheists.
In point of fact, it is difficult to find really great scientists who were, or are, atheists. And for every one that you can find, I can find three that were, or are, religious.
Then by the same token atheistic scientists behave just like their religious peers.
They are both using the scientific method.
The scientific method is neither religious nor atheistic. It is the scientific method, pure and simple. And it’s interesting that this scientific method was first established by religious men, not atheists.
In point of fact, it is difficult to find really great scientists who were, or are, atheists. And for every one that you can find, I can find three that were, or are, religious.
J
jinminn
Guest
Well, obviously there is a difference. However, my point was that any world view one examines will present cases of it lived well, with mediocrity, and poorly. I stated this to point the false ultimatum of ‘be-religious-and-good-or-atheist-and-selfish-and-bad’. It’s false. This is why D’Souza v. Hitchens debates are pointless as soon as they get into the question of which cause has produced the most evil in the world. Then the drag everyone they can out onto the carpet and try to pin-the-tail-on-the-theist/atheist and count deaths and such.
It’s silly. Humans seek motivation for living. Atheism is one possible motivation if grasped correctly, as is religion. They are definitely different however if one examined results, I think they would not be as different as we suppose.
Go for it; and make it contemporaries rather than using a list of theists extending back to the 300’s or something. There are currently 2100 members of the National Academy of Sciences and the last poll taken in 1996 showed a 93% atheist membership. Here’s a LINK to criteria for membership. You’ve got about 4500 similarly acclaimed/recognized/advanced theist scientists to assemble if I grant even a highly conservative ~75% current atheism rate. That’s only tapping one resource of highly achieved scientists.
P.S. Here’s a hint: you probably won’t be able to accomplish your TASK (read the paragraph beginning ‘A study has shown atheism in the west…’)
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Go for it; and make it contemporaries rather than using a list of theists extending back to the 300’s or something.
Why? Are you trying to load the dice in favor of the atheists? That’s the only motive I can see for saying we can’t go back to religious giants of science like Copernicus and Kepler, or Galileo and Newton. Are we supposed to count from Darwin onward only? Are we supposed to ignore that Einstein opposed atheism?
Are we supposed to discount that the scientific method of moderns times was mostly developed by religious men and institutions in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance?
Why are you fixated on thinkers in the present?
Do you ignore the teachings of Christ and only read modern theologians to get the truth?
Do you think rap music is better than classical?
What has time got to do with anything? If a thing is true, it is true for all time.
Even Darwin denied that he was an atheist.
Again, I need you to give me the name of an atheist in science who ranks near Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, Einstein, or Darwin.
Good luck.
Incidentally, as a Catholic what would you give as the reason why so many lesser scientists have turned to atheism in modern times?
Why? Are you trying to load the dice in favor of the atheists? That’s the only motive I can see for saying we can’t go back to religious giants of science like Copernicus and Kepler, or Galileo and Newton. Are we supposed to count from Darwin onward only? Are we supposed to ignore that Einstein opposed atheism?
Are we supposed to discount that the scientific method of moderns times was mostly developed by religious men and institutions in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance?
Why are you fixated on thinkers in the present?
Do you ignore the teachings of Christ and only read modern theologians to get the truth?
Do you think rap music is better than classical?
What has time got to do with anything? If a thing is true, it is true for all time.
Even Darwin denied that he was an atheist.
Again, I need you to give me the name of an atheist in science who ranks near Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, Einstein, or Darwin.
Good luck.
Incidentally, as a Catholic what would you give as the reason why so many lesser scientists have turned to atheism in modern times?
C
Charlemagne_II
Guest
Nicolaus Copernicus Heliocentric Theory of the Solar System
“The universe has been wrought for us by a supremely good and orderly Creator.”
Johannes Kepler Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motions
“[May] God who is most admirable in his works … deign to grant us the grace to bring to light and illuminate the profundity of his wisdom in the visible (and accordingly intelligible) creation of this world.”
Galileo Galilei Laws of Dynamics
“The Holy Bible and the phenomenon of nature proceed alike from the divine Word.”
Isaac Newton Laws of Thermodynamics, Optics, etc.
“This most beautiful system [the universe] could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” Isaac Newton
Benjamin Franklin Electricity, Bifocals, etc.
”Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped.
James Clerk Maxwell Electromagnetism, Maxwell’s Equations
“I have looked into most philosophical systems and I have seen none that will not work without God.”
Lord William Kelvin Laws of Thermodynamics, absolute temperature scale
“I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism.”
Charles Darwin Theory of Evolution
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” Origin of the Species, 1872 (last edition before Darwin’s death).
Louis Pasteur Germ Theory
“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”
Max Planck Father of Quantum Physics
“There can never be any real opposition between religion and science; for the one is the complement of the other.”
J.J. Thompson Discoverer of the Electron
“In the distance tower still higher peaks which will yield to those who ascend them still wider prospects and deepen the feeling whose truth is emphasized by every advance in science, that great are the works of the Lord.”
Werner Heisenberg Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
“In the course of my life I have been repeatedly compelled to ponder the relationship of these two regions of thought (science and religion), for I have never been able to doubt the reality of that to which they point.”
Arthur Compton Compton Effect, Quantum Physicist
“For myself, faith begins with the realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man.”
Max Born Quantum Physicist
“Those who say that the study of science makes a man an atheist must be rather silly.”
Paul A.M. Dirac Quantum Physicist, Matter-Anti-Matter
“God is a mathematician of a very high order and He used advanced mathematics in constructing the universe.”
George LeMaitre Father of the Big Bang Theory,
“There is no conflict between religion and science.” Reported by Duncan Aikman, New York Times, 1933
Albert Einstein Special and General Theories of Relativity
“The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who—in their grudge against traditional religion as the ‘opium of the masses’—cannot hear the music of the spheres.”
“The universe has been wrought for us by a supremely good and orderly Creator.”
Johannes Kepler Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motions
“[May] God who is most admirable in his works … deign to grant us the grace to bring to light and illuminate the profundity of his wisdom in the visible (and accordingly intelligible) creation of this world.”
Galileo Galilei Laws of Dynamics
“The Holy Bible and the phenomenon of nature proceed alike from the divine Word.”
Isaac Newton Laws of Thermodynamics, Optics, etc.
“This most beautiful system [the universe] could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” Isaac Newton
Benjamin Franklin Electricity, Bifocals, etc.
”Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped.
James Clerk Maxwell Electromagnetism, Maxwell’s Equations
“I have looked into most philosophical systems and I have seen none that will not work without God.”
Lord William Kelvin Laws of Thermodynamics, absolute temperature scale
“I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism.”
Charles Darwin Theory of Evolution
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” Origin of the Species, 1872 (last edition before Darwin’s death).
Louis Pasteur Germ Theory
“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”
Max Planck Father of Quantum Physics
“There can never be any real opposition between religion and science; for the one is the complement of the other.”
J.J. Thompson Discoverer of the Electron
“In the distance tower still higher peaks which will yield to those who ascend them still wider prospects and deepen the feeling whose truth is emphasized by every advance in science, that great are the works of the Lord.”
Werner Heisenberg Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
“In the course of my life I have been repeatedly compelled to ponder the relationship of these two regions of thought (science and religion), for I have never been able to doubt the reality of that to which they point.”
Arthur Compton Compton Effect, Quantum Physicist
“For myself, faith begins with the realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man.”
Max Born Quantum Physicist
“Those who say that the study of science makes a man an atheist must be rather silly.”
Paul A.M. Dirac Quantum Physicist, Matter-Anti-Matter
“God is a mathematician of a very high order and He used advanced mathematics in constructing the universe.”
George LeMaitre Father of the Big Bang Theory,
“There is no conflict between religion and science.” Reported by Duncan Aikman, New York Times, 1933
Albert Einstein Special and General Theories of Relativity
“The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who—in their grudge against traditional religion as the ‘opium of the masses’—cannot hear the music of the spheres.”
A
Annemariels
Guest
This thread was originally about me trying to understand the daily life of an atheist.
Do atheists have any rituals after the birth of a baby? We typically baptize our children, do you do anything?
Today I tried an experiment. My goal was to live my life without letting my faith interfere with anything I did or thought about. After an hour, I gave up. It was impossible. This is how the day started:
My college aged son stopped home at 8:30 am before heading to work. I looked at him and thought, “God, he looks so pale, please let him be ok.”
Turns out he was hung-over. My thoughts turned to," God, let this be a lesson for him. And please help him feel better."
These types of prayer-thoughts continued despite my effort to separate myself from my faith. Lord, I feel a migraine coming. Please don’t let it wipe me out today. I have too much to do. Dear sweet God, help me find my sunglasses. Oh, look at how pretty those flowers look! Thank you God for helping them grow…
For the life of me, I just could not separate myself from my faith. I never knew how much I think about God until I tried this experiment.
So, having shared all this, as an atheist do you think about being an atheist all the time the way I think about God all the time?
Do atheists have any rituals after the birth of a baby? We typically baptize our children, do you do anything?
Today I tried an experiment. My goal was to live my life without letting my faith interfere with anything I did or thought about. After an hour, I gave up. It was impossible. This is how the day started:
My college aged son stopped home at 8:30 am before heading to work. I looked at him and thought, “God, he looks so pale, please let him be ok.”
Turns out he was hung-over. My thoughts turned to," God, let this be a lesson for him. And please help him feel better."
These types of prayer-thoughts continued despite my effort to separate myself from my faith. Lord, I feel a migraine coming. Please don’t let it wipe me out today. I have too much to do. Dear sweet God, help me find my sunglasses. Oh, look at how pretty those flowers look! Thank you God for helping them grow…
For the life of me, I just could not separate myself from my faith. I never knew how much I think about God until I tried this experiment.
So, having shared all this, as an atheist do you think about being an atheist all the time the way I think about God all the time?
J
jinminn
Guest
Quite an interesting post. I am just a few months into more serious doubt and still definitely have a habit toward praying to Jesus at work during the day. The only thing I would point out is that I want to say that this is more habit than faith. That could be quite an assumption and forgive me for being wrong if I am. It’s not that I think you don’t believe what you are doing, but there is certainly another component of you having built a habit out of constant involvement of thoughts of god into your life.
For me, this has changed from daily prayer to constant analysis of different arguments, thoughts, forum posts, debates, and the like. I think our thoughts end up forming to that which we either value or simply focus on this most.
So… for me: yes, I think about atheism/theism most of the time. It is the most important thing I have on my plate right now. I’d be interested to hear what others say.
I will add that consistent prayer through out the day, whether actually accomplishing anything via supernatural means, can perhaps be effective at motivation of action and ‘right’ thoughts. I haven’t sorted through the whole ‘basis-of-morality’ area yet, but I do see a need to have a motivating factor for actions and god/Jesus was that for me if I chose it to be. Requests to think the right thoughts, to be kind, to be patient, etc.
Do others here ‘talk to themselves’ as an alternative to prayer in order to self-motivate toward right actions, kindness, modifying one’s path toward where you want to be and who you want to become?
- Status