Well there are several counter points to this, but essentiallt:
The about dolphins analogy was inaccurate, this equates more to saying dolphins don't exist. That's why I really didn't get it first time round.
Also, to many people, the world's very existence is inarguable proof of the existence of God. The concept of God is basically a response to 'why/how are we here?' Also, people pray for stuff and it happens. If I wrote to Santa Claus asking for a new bike and I woke up on Christmas morning to find one there, I would tend to believe in Santa Claus. As a child, I did. Later I discovered it was my parents so, ok, now no longer believe in Santa Claus. People with answered prayers often continue to have to other explanation - except perhaps coincidence, but coincidence is as flimsy as faith.
Largely though, not my point. Incidentally, my belief system is probably closer to humanism than any other in it's core tenets. I find 'do you believe in God' to be a massively complicated question, but forced to come out one side or the other, then I'd probably go with no. I'm not arguing against atheism or humanism or any belief system at all. I just think this is an ineffective and counter-productive way of furthering that cause.
to many people, the world's very existence is inarguable proof of the existence of God. I'd like to see that laid out as some kind of logical proof - because I can't see how A leads to B.
Also, people pray for stuff and it happens. People pray. Stuff happens. Nobody has ever been able to show that prayer actually affects what happens. Large scale tests of anonymous prayer for sick people have shown that it has no effect.
But - this is almost besides the point. The world is full of adverts for God - I walk home past a few of them every day. The TV has shows dedicated to God. Occasionally standing up and saying "You know, I believe there isn't a God." is a good start in counteracting that.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-01-08 10:43 am (UTC)The about dolphins analogy was inaccurate, this equates more to saying dolphins don't exist. That's why I really didn't get it first time round.
Also, to many people, the world's very existence is inarguable proof of the existence of God. The concept of God is basically a response to 'why/how are we here?' Also, people pray for stuff and it happens. If I wrote to Santa Claus asking for a new bike and I woke up on Christmas morning to find one there, I would tend to believe in Santa Claus. As a child, I did. Later I discovered it was my parents so, ok, now no longer believe in Santa Claus. People with answered prayers often continue to have to other explanation - except perhaps coincidence, but coincidence is as flimsy as faith.
Largely though, not my point. Incidentally, my belief system is probably closer to humanism than any other in it's core tenets. I find 'do you believe in God' to be a massively complicated question, but forced to come out one side or the other, then I'd probably go with no. I'm not arguing against atheism or humanism or any belief system at all. I just think this is an ineffective and counter-productive way of furthering that cause.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-08 11:05 am (UTC)I'd like to see that laid out as some kind of logical proof - because I can't see how A leads to B.
Also, people pray for stuff and it happens.
People pray. Stuff happens. Nobody has ever been able to show that prayer actually affects what happens. Large scale tests of anonymous prayer for sick people have shown that it has no effect.
But - this is almost besides the point. The world is full of adverts for God - I walk home past a few of them every day. The TV has shows dedicated to God. Occasionally standing up and saying "You know, I believe there isn't a God." is a good start in counteracting that.