01-15-2018, 03:47 PM
I'm sorry, but I don't accept the premise that religious people expect their Deity to solve their problems.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'God helps those who help themselves.' To my knowledge, no devout Christian would have the nerve to ask God to solve their problems for them. Most of the prayers of people in need start with the phrase, 'God, give me strength to persevere...' or something similar.
And no, I am not equating prayer with alcohol.
Just to be clear, we aren't only talking about Christians, right? We're talking about 'religious people.' I highly doubt that farmers across the world, of any faith, who experience drought or floods stop tending their crops and hope for 'miracle wheat' to pop up in their fields. They go about their farming and pray for better weather. In Hinduism, there are specific ways and rituals meant to clear yr mind, remove doubt and fear, center yr heart... so that you can figure out the solution in an intelligent and rational way, free of fear and doubt. Does imagining a globe of light inside you absorbing all yr worries of failure so that you have the peace of mind to solve yr problem work? I don't know. But seeking the peace of mind to solve yr own problems is not the same thing as expecting a deity to do so.
I respect Atheism, it's as valid as any other faith, but this particular argument always comes down to suppositions. Atheists are generally more intelligent than religious people. Religious people expect their deity to solve their problems for them. Cools. Show me the data. Convince me that is the case. Anyone who knows me, knows I'll listen with an open mind...
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I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'God helps those who help themselves.' To my knowledge, no devout Christian would have the nerve to ask God to solve their problems for them. Most of the prayers of people in need start with the phrase, 'God, give me strength to persevere...' or something similar.
And no, I am not equating prayer with alcohol.
Just to be clear, we aren't only talking about Christians, right? We're talking about 'religious people.' I highly doubt that farmers across the world, of any faith, who experience drought or floods stop tending their crops and hope for 'miracle wheat' to pop up in their fields. They go about their farming and pray for better weather. In Hinduism, there are specific ways and rituals meant to clear yr mind, remove doubt and fear, center yr heart... so that you can figure out the solution in an intelligent and rational way, free of fear and doubt. Does imagining a globe of light inside you absorbing all yr worries of failure so that you have the peace of mind to solve yr problem work? I don't know. But seeking the peace of mind to solve yr own problems is not the same thing as expecting a deity to do so.
I respect Atheism, it's as valid as any other faith, but this particular argument always comes down to suppositions. Atheists are generally more intelligent than religious people. Religious people expect their deity to solve their problems for them. Cools. Show me the data. Convince me that is the case. Anyone who knows me, knows I'll listen with an open mind...
8 )