"Why Believe in God" ad campaign

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by David E

G.K. Chesterton said: “When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything”.

I'm afraid Chesterton is full of it with this one. On the contrary, people who stop believing in God very often do so because they have learned to apply critical thinking. The same reasoning that makes Santa Claus, astrology, Scientology and sasquatch doubtful is finally applied to the cherished notions of ones upbringing, and the result is the putting away of childish things.

There are some who abandon their childhood religion in favor of some other non-rational substitute - eastern religion, The Secret, feng shui, chakras, you name it. But these are not the secularists. These are (to generalize) supernaturally inclined new-agers, who have redefined god and continue to search for things mystical, magickal, transcendent, etc. I don't want to upset anyone here who fits this broad category, but these people often do "believe in anything." (They are often wonderful, life-loving folk, in spite of or even because of their embrace of the silly.)

On the whole, those who have reasoned their way rationally out of god belief are inclined to value science, experience wonderment at our ever-growing (but long ways to go) knowledge of the universe as it is, and find meaning on their own, without recourse to having it spoon fed to them. Chesterton's little wheeze doesn't sting, because it doesn't display much understanding.

And wow, the counter-programming of Ahmedinejad single-handedly demolishes the idea of Western European Secularism? Sheesh. I hardly think giving this doofus a brief forum is tantamount to surrender. Indeed, I suspect it will steel the resolve of many secular people to oppose his brand of theocratic bloodlust.

Anyway, David E, in the spirit of late holiday generosity, here is an atheist who may have some sympathy with your view. You're welcome.

[€uroMeinke]

In preparation for our Bollywood New Years, I started delving into Hindu theology and find it fascinating in how it compares to the competing Monotheism in our culture. First off, this notion of "God" as a "lawgiver" (well at least setting and establishing moral and ethical guideleines) seems kind of fuzzy in a pantheon - as the God's themselves seem subject moral and ethical judgement and face consequences for their actions. Secondly, with millions of God's already, what's one more? It seems pantheistic thinking sort of promotes multi-culturalism. I'm sort of coming to the conclusion that if we decide to adopt and promote a religion a pantheistic one trumps monotheism in many ways.

I think one of the problems with monotheism is defining just what this "God" is - Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, Father, Sacrifice, Watch Maker, Santa, Energy, Mysterium Tremedum, etc.. I've had several occasions where people have argued that I can't possibly "really" be an atheist, because I held some belief (I don't think an atheist necessarily has to be a nihilist) but whatever.

Before we can discuss a beleif in God, I think we need to define just what that God is we are believing in. As for me, I'll align with Nietzsche and ask for a God that can dance - Shiva be praised, Dance Nataraja Danace!