Fundamentalism versus Critical Thinking

Impossible. Blind faith leads to religion. Thinking of any kind never led anyone to religion. Faith is an excuse for not thinking, and undergoing a process of self-delusion should not be confused with "critical thinking".Edited by bluegenes, : No reason given.

I cannot prove that fairies do not exist, or that Zeus does not exist, or that dragons do not exist, or that your God does not exist. But actively and positively believing in any of those things requires self-deception (whether you are "satisfied with the claim" or not). Theoretically, all of them might possibly exist, along with an infinite number of other magical entities that we could dream up.I used to know someone who believed in elves, and I can assure you that she had not arrived at the belief through a process of critical thought, but through the same kind of mental processes that lead people to religion.I repeat, critical thought does not lead anyone towards religion.

All religions require blind following. I'm using the word "thinking" as implying some kind of intelligent effort in the process, and I'm not including "faith" as an intelligent thought process.

No critical thinker has the option of marriage to a religion. Religions require "FAITH", and faith is the greatest enemy of critical thought.If there is no evidence for the existence of elves, that does not prove their non-existence, but a critical thinker would never actively believe in them unless or until there is evidence.

Have you provided "evidence" for yours?Religions require blind faith, not intelligent effort. People who think critically (on this subject) would never come to the conclusion that any of the existing religions in the world are true.It is not intelligent to actively believe in something for which there is absolute zero evidence.

I think you're being honest, here, Phat, and it seems that we have some common ground. I'm trying to point out to others that religious faith has nothing to do with critical thinking.To point to your faith and "feelings" is honest.

Atheism - WikipediaFrom Wiki:

quote:

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Atheism is the disbelief in the existence of any deities. It is contrasted with theism, the belief in a God or gods. Atheism is commonly defined as the positive belief that deities do not exist. However, others”including most atheistic philosophers and groups”define atheism as the simple absence of belief in deities (cf. nontheism), thereby designating many agnostics, and people who have never heard of gods, such as newborn children, as atheists as well. In recent years, some atheists have adopted the terms strong and weak atheism to clarify whether they consider their stance one of positive belief (strong atheism) or the mere absence of belief (weak atheism).

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A good critical thinker, on the subject of Gods, would fit the nontheistic type of atheist (weak atheism). I'll stick my neck out, and claim that that would always be the case. Religious people and strong atheists cannot rationalize their views, and it's arguable that both require faith.Don't you think that the dumb arranged marriage that you mention might be a good analogy to people remaining in the religion of their childhood?

I think pretty much everything is orientated around the "critical thinking" theme in relation to religion, even if we have strayed a bit from fundamentalism. I just put the link to Wiki in because there are problems with the definition(s) of atheism, with many people taking it to mean a "there cannot be Gods" attitude, which is the kind of statement that many of us wouldn't like to be associated with (Richard Dawkins, for example, included).Mainly, Minnemooseus, I wanted to make the controversial claim that critical thinking in relation to religion, fundamentalist or otherwise, should lead to weak atheism or agnosticism, and see what reactions that would bring.If Phat's happy with the way his thread's going, then I think it's all fine so far!

Do, by all means, give me a list of religions that do not require blind faith, and I'll personally investigate every single one of them. It won't take me long, will it?"Believing" leads people to religions, not thinking. By what evidence did I carefully analyze all this? Observation of religious people, and their blatently obvious capacity to lie to thenselves.I'd suggest a trip to the Holy Land of Israel/Palestine if you disagree.

Are you trying to make me laugh?

Really? What's mine? Everybody?

I've no belief about how this universe came into existence. "Everybody has beliefs" statements are common amongst religious people.For all I know, the universe may have been created by seven Goddesses because they were bored in whatever might be the equivalent of a rainy Sunday afternoon in eternity, and they wanted to see what happened in black holes. The possibilities are infinite.Do you have an objection to honesty?