Why This Belief?

Sorry, all you religions are just the same to me. After all the Satanists tell me you worship the bad guy.The other day, I read an article that talked about how some young girls with anorexia had actually reified their illness into a goddess that they did rituals for - Ana. I mean, that says it all for me. That's how religions get started - we don't always understand why we do the things we do, we have compulsions that don't feel like choices to us, and so we deify them in order to have something to try to talk to, reason with, exert influence over. It's about trying to sway the unswayable. None of you are crazy. Just a little confused.

How much more likely? Show your work. Do you understand what I'm asking? You're comparing probabilities and telling me one is larger than the other; I want to see your numbers so I can judge for myself.

I just don't understand how you can make that claim. What constitutes "more likely?" I've reviewed post 7 a couple of times and find no supporting evidence to this claim. If you could quote a passage or two that highlight this that would be much appreciated. I'm not necessarily asking for scientific evidence, I would just like to know why you come to this conclusion.

I gather by the signature that shows on your profile that you call yourself a secular humanist. You have come to one conclusion about the why's of this universe and our existance and I have come to another.I have already told you that I have no numbers. The question is philosophical not scientific. I use expressions like "a greater likelihood", whereas you use expressions like the quote I used. You say definitively that you are right which sounds like you must have proof for secular humanism. I'd like to see your numbers and your proof.

Hi MaxI'm not sure what it is you are looking for that wasn't in my earlier post.There is so much that has to be maintained in perfect balance for this world and this universe to exist that I contend that logic dictates that everything is designed. Is that proof? No. Is there proof that there is no design? No.I remember holding my children as infants. There is a joy and sense of connectedness that goes beyond physical reality. Is that proof? No.I simply maintain that when one considers the complexity of this world and of life itself, the range of emotions that we can experience, the fact that we are able to call something right or wrong, that we distinguish between good and evil, and the fact that we have consciousness at all causes me to believe that Intelligent Design is far more likely than not.

I appologize, that was a little off topic, I always get a little erked when people don't present reasoning for their statements. I will accept your statement for the purpose of this discussion.Changing gears a little bit. The following quotes are from message 7. You say that evolutionary processes don't lead to loving one's family or having compassion for others. Are these traits not seen in other species? Loving ones families is essential for many species to survive. Look at the mother child relationship for dogs, monkeys, etc. I think that compassion can be put in that same boat. I guess the definition of love and compassion can come into question. Do you contend that the thing that causes a mother dog to protect her babies is different then the thing that causes a mother human to protect her child? What about the possibility that Jesus was dillusional but at the same time very convincing. Look at how we treat modern day people who "talk to God." To be dillusional doesn't necessarily mean they can't be extremely intelligent and persuasive.
What about the evidence of all of the individuals who gave his/her life for the Islam way? A common response is that they have been deceived by political leaders or dillusional leaders. Why is it so obvious that these individuals are dillusional or politically influenced and not Jesus? Strength of conviction (even enough to die for) does not imply (in my mind) divinity.I don't mean to attack you or anything like that, but I've always been torn as to why any single religion. It really seems like a "world view" choice which has been basically decided by where and when you (not necessarily you specifically) were born. How can I justify devoting my life to a belief that is based on the random chance that I was born here or there? When there are major correlations between families that are extremely religious in a certain religion and there children following the same way, I can't justify a God punishing me for not following the right religion.

First, for the record, I'm not saying that the TofE is wrong, I'm just saying that that biological evolution is one thing, and that what we are talking about is something altogether different.I agree that these traits are also in other species although not to the same degree. For example after we had our pup for a couple of months we took him back to his mother. There was zero recognition. He was just another dog. I'll be concerned and anxious about my kids and grandkids until the day I die.At any rate I don't see the point as being particularly germane as I would also contend that the care that a mother dog has for her offspring comes from the same source as my love for my kids. As I said. At the time of the crucifixion the disciples were dispirited and felt that it had all been for nothing. Peter denied even knowing Christ three times.Subsequent to that they commit their lives to carrying on Christ's work. Why? I contend it is because they met the resurrected Christ. If I had been one of them it certainly would have got my attention.I don't pretend to understand the world of the metaphysical. I am convinced of its existence and I suppose anyone who believes in ID has to believe in the metaphysical as the intelligence in ID has to come from somewhere.I also assume that it isn't just the voice of God influencing us. (I'm not talking audible voices.)I also assume that not all the spiritual influences in our lives are positive ones. Let's just say that whatever it was influencing the 9/11 hijackers wasn't God. I believe that I have already addressed this issue so I’ll repeat what I have already posted in #7 and #14 in the next three paragraphs.As a Christian I don’t believe that other faiths are completely wrong. I frankly found it very reaffirming to read the Book Of Buddha. The original Buddha preached the very same message that Christ gave us which is to love your neighbour and beyond that even, to love your enemy. Christianity does proclaim the idea that Christ was God incarnate. In many ways Christ completed other faiths in existence at that time. (Islam came along later.)As I said, I don’t believe that other faiths are completely wrong and frankly I don’t accept the idea that there are nothing but Christians in heaven. I believe that those of other faiths who genuinely embrace the message of love and forgiveness are actually serving Christ even if they don’t know him by name. I know that there are Christians on this forum that will disagree with me on this point but frankly I can only say that I believe they are mistaken. The Bible also makes the point that it isn’t those who know the message of Christ that are right with him, but it is those who have his message in their hearts. As one Christian songwriter put it, it doesn’t matter if you know the Bible if it’s all just in your head, the thing I need to ask you is have you done the things I said.I am guessing that you are basing your opinion on your experiences in the US. I live in Canada. In Canada the prominent religion is Secular Humanism. Just about any belief is treated with more respect than Christian belief.
In actuality the Christian faith is growing far more rapidly in Asia, Africa and South America than in North America or Europe.

What about comming back from the dead?
Now thats convincing.

Indeed, that would be convincing. I guess I just have to hope that the rapture occurs during my lifetime. Then I might be convinced. Come on, let's all hope (or pray) together, so I may be convinced.

Comparing likelyhoods? The question is mathematical, not philosophical. So show your work.

I guess this comes down to the credibility of the bible, which has been discussed indepth in other threads.

Lots of people come back from the dead. It's practically routine nowadays.

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People who think they have all the answers usually don't understand the questions.

Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionarylikelihood n. 1 probability; likeliness
2 something that is likely to happen; a probability
3 likeness, resemblance (Obs)likely a. 1 having the appearance of truth; credible; probable;
as a likely story
2 seeming as if it would happen or make happen
reasonably to be expected; apparently destined
as, it is likely to leave at any minuteThere is no mention of how a probability or likelihood is arrived at, and no mention of mathematical proof. If you like I'll say that when I look at the complexity of life and the complexity of nature that is required to maintain life, I come to the conclusion that it is more probable to be by design than by some cosmic coincidence.I am saying that I believe design is the most probable conclusion to come to. You make much more definitive statements such as this quote. I asked before that seeing as how you contend that you are dealing with fact and I am only dealing with probabilities how about you show me your mathematical proof, or your numbers as you put it, that ID is impossible.By the way; I don't think that you're crazy either; just spiritually challenged. This message has been edited by GDR, 06-04-2005 08:15 AM

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

quote:

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Main Entry: probability
Pronunciation: "pr-b&-'bi-l&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

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a (1) : the ratio of the number of outcomes in an exhaustive set of equally likely outcomes that produce a given event to the total number of possible outcomes (2) : the chance that a given event will occur b : a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of probabilities

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You say that you compared ratios. Well, I want to see the ratios you compared. You say you compared chances; well, I want to see the chances you figured for the first outcome vs. the second.Otherwise I'd like you to admit that what you did was not an analysis of likelyhoods, but simply an argument from incredulity. You found what you wished to find, not what was accurate. You don't want to believe that ID is false; therefore, you do not. Which is your perogative but don't disguise it as any kind of objective search for truth by clouding the issue with the mathematical language of probability and likelyhood. We deserve your honesty, not your lies. I never said it was impossible. I think it's quite likely, in fact, that intelligence will come to be able to design and create life.But, according to the most accurate scientific models, that's not how the living things currently on Earth came to be.

I would be very surprised if it was a majority let alone a vast majority that have sudden deep conversions. I think certain sects that emphasize emotions create "revival" atmospheres which lend themselves to strong experiences in the same way voodoo or any emotional cult does things. However I suspect most theists were simply raised up and their faiths developed over time. Catholics tend to be born rather than converted for example.lfen