God is in your mind?

The Batlord · 03-20-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazstp

Just got the current NewScientist in my letterbox and it's called The God Issue. I'll have a read and see if there's anything interesting.

For starters here is a quote from Alain de Botton's Religion for Atheists;

As an atheist raised Catholic and a parent of young children I can certainly understand the attraction of the notion that you will be reunited with loved ones in the afterlife. The bond between parent and child is such that any mental gymnastics required to at least imagine that we can maintain that bond beyond death is entirely understandable.

I agree with this. I mean, if religion isn't divinely inspired, then it is a process of evolution that came about to fulfill some need that wasn't being met without it, and since it's still around, we likely are still not meeting that need on our own.

As an atheist, without religion to justify ethics I've largely been left with nihilism and the concept that I keep going on and engage in morality because it is in my nature to do so, which is rather circular (life perpetuates itself and seeks to exist simply because it is instinctual) and doesn't hold much logic, since it doesn't really matter whether the atoms that constitute my body continue to constitute my body or whether they instead become a chair. Religion sort of gives you a reason to go on and engage in morality that can't really be argued over so we are able to engage in the minutiae of life without our minds being taken over with such thoughts.

Howard the Duck · 03-20-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I agree with this. I mean, if religion isn't divinely inspired, then it is a process of evolution that came about to fulfill some need that wasn't being met without it, and since it's still around, we likely are still not meeting that need on our own.

As an atheist, without religion to justify ethics I've largely been left with nihilism and the concept that I keep going on and engage in morality because it is in my nature to do so, which is rather circular (life perpetuates itself and seeks to exist simply because it is instinctual) and doesn't hold much logic, since it doesn't really matter whether the atoms that constitute my body continue to constitute my body or whether they instead become a chair. Religion sort of gives you a reason to go on and engage in morality that can't really be argued over so we are able to engage in the minutiae of life without our minds being taken over with such thoughts.

well, i'm quite amoral to begin with, and if there wasn't some metaphysical prefect being stern with me, there's no telling what i'm liable to do

blankety blank · 03-23-2012, 05:18 PM

Salami wrote:

Quote:

This is interesting, so if you're allowed to ramble then I'M DAMN WELL GOING TO TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THE BIOLOGY BEHIND THIS - it's useful for both your and my wider education.

Forgot Salami. The song was grossly funny!. I'll have to return the favor on my next reply. Tell me more about biology if you don't mind. The CNS processes would be great mate. I forget almost all of this sh*t. It was a long time ago, and, they don't exactly make it difficult at most universities or schools over here. Ramble on. A great tune as well.

Leaves are falling all around,
Its time I was on my way.
Thanks to you, Im much obliged
For such a pleasant stay.

But now its time for me to go,
The autumn moon lights my way.
For now I smell the rain,
And with it pain,
And its headed my way.
Ah, sometimes I grow so tired,
But I know Ive got one thing I got to do,

Ramble on,
And nows the time, the time is now
To sing my song.
Im goin round the world,
I got to find my girl, on my way.
Ive been this way ten years to the day, ramble on,
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams.

Got no time to for spreadin roots,
The time has come to be gone.
And tho our health we drank a thousand times,
Its time to ramble on.

Ramble on,
And nows the time, the time is now
To sing my song.
Im goin round the world,
I got to find my girl, on my way.
Ive been this way ten years to the day, ramble on,
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams.

I aint tellin no lie.

Mines a tale that cant be told,
My freedom I hold dear;
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air,
Twas in the darkest depths of mordor
I met a girl so fair,
But gollum, and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her.
Her, her....yea.
Aint nothing I can do, no.

Ramble on,
And nows the time, the time is now
To sing my song.
Im goin round the world,
I got to find my girl, on my way.
Ive been this way ten years to the day, ramble on,
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams.

Gonna ramble on, sing my song
Gotta keep-a-searchin for my baby...
Gonna work my way, round the world
I cant stop this feelin in my heart
Gotta keep searchin for my baby
I cant find my bluebird!
Id listen to my bluebird sing but I cant find my blue bird
A-keep-a ramblin baby...