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Atheists more likely to believe in superstitions

S

Sniffles

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I'm going to paraphrase a quote I read a while ago from some Pope:

"With faith, one need not think"

Do you remember what Pope stated that? Because such a statement would contradict basic Catholic theology. In fact the basic complaint of both Protestants and Orthodox Christians is that Catholicism is too rationalistic.


There a really informative book on the subject, called: The Fall Of Reason. (I think that's what it's called)

I think I know what book you're talking about. Funny cause there's a book called The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Starks
 

ajblaise

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Do you remember what Pope stated that? Because such a statement would contradict basic Catholic theology. In fact the basic complaint of both Protestants and Orthodox Christians is that Catholicism is too rationalistic.

No, I just know that it's a fairly old quote, not from a recent pope.
 

Magic Poriferan

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This wouldn't strike me as terribly odd, since Christianity tends to chase out any belief that it feels does not match with it's own. So, once Christianity steps in, all of that other flakey crap has to step out.

This doesn't tell us anything about scientific literacy, though.
 

redacted

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Could you put it like this: Supernatural pertains to that which is not of the physical world while superstition too pertains to that which is not of the physical world but with fear added to it.

How is religion not based on fear?
 

Bella

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How is religion not based on fear?

You're using 'religion' where I used 'supernatural'. I don't think they're the same, I would say religion is the unfortunate mess humans made of the supernatural.
 

Virtual ghost

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No, real atheists/rationalists are not superstitious at all.

What I think that is happening in scenario you have mentioned is that people are changing one phantasy for another.
To tell you the truth I think that those two have same or similar source.

Really rational people are not superstitious because they don't need it and entire thing does not have too much sense.
(religion or supersticion)

I think of myself as an atheist, rationalist and future scientist and I can tell you that I am against superstition far more then against religion.
And I am far from supportive when it comes to religion.

For example I will start a thread "Why astrology suck" soon.


I think that your theory is not correct.
 

redacted

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You're using 'religion' where I used 'supernatural'. I don't think they're the same, I would say religion is the unfortunate mess humans made of the supernatural.

Okay, separate question -- how is believing in God not based on fear?
 

Bella

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Am I gonna get in trouble with moderator again? I'm not answering before he answers.
 

redacted

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We are in the philosophy forum. You can answer whatever you want.

The only reason the mod didn't like your posts is that you didn't list any reasoning.
 
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How is religion not based on fear?

This is a question that can never be resolved in a debate between an atheist and a believer. The reason is that they are starting from different points.

The atheist starts from the given that God does not exist. Therefore, any belief in God is misguided on its face and needs supplementary motivation. Fear would probably be the number one reason for religion from this point of view, with a sense of belonging being another strong one.

The believer starts from the given that God does in fact exist, and so belief needs no supplementary motivation. Belief is a simple acknowledgement of the truth. It's the same as asking someone to explain the basis for their belief that grass is green. It's a nonstarter.
 

Bella

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Okay then.
To your question:" How is believing in God, not based on fear"

I don't really know how to answer you. In my life God has represented the opposite of fear.
People insist on going down the "How can a loving God......" road, which in turn, I suppose, makes them believe in God out of fear.
 

redacted

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This is a question that can never be resolved in a debate between an atheist and a believer. The reason is that they are starting from different points.

The atheist starts from the given that God does not exist. Therefore, any belief in God is misguided on its face and needs supplementary motivation. Fear would probably be the number one reason for religion from this point of view, with a sense of belonging being another strong one.

The believer starts from the given that God does in fact exist, and so belief needs no supplementary motivation. Belief is a simple acknowledgement of the truth. It's the same as asking someone to explain the basis for their belief that grass is green. It's a nonstarter.

Not if I admit that I'm an atheist out of fear too.

Edit: I fear the consequences of not having an intricately well thought out belief system in every aspect of my life. The power of denial scares the shit of out me, and I try as hard as I can to fight anything that I would consider denial, including belief in anything supernatural.

But I guess you're right, the believer would call atheism denial...

Meh, as long as you admit there's always at least one step of faith somewhere down the ladder, you're not lying.

Okay then.
To your question:" How is believing in God, not based on fear"

I don't really know how to answer you. In my life God has represented the opposite of fear.
People insist on going down the "How can a loving God......" road, which in turn, I suppose, makes them believe in God out of fear.

At the bolded statement -- doesn't that sort of prove my point? If God is the opposite of fear, then not believing in God is living in fear...

Everyone always chooses the easy way out, myself included.
 

Bella

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You have successfully confused the ISTJ.

All I know is, God has been good to me.
 

redacted

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Right, because He represents a lack of fear. Which means you would be scared of not believing in Him. Which means you are held in your belief because of fear.
 

Bella

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No, it's not the lack of fear he represents, it's the things He has done.
 

Bella

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Yes, I'm not contradicting myself, I was answering you on why I say that He has been good to me. You say it's because He represents a lack of fear and I'm saying that yes, He does, but apart from that, it is the stuff He has done.
As in, it's not the lack of one thing only but it is also the active presence of something else.
Does that make any sense.
 

redacted

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Yeah it makes sense.

You also pretty much admitted I'm right.

Listen, I tried to make myself believe in God. I really did. It just doesn't make any sense to me... It would be nice, though.
 

Jack Flak

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Yes, dissonance is technically correct. 'Tis the fear of nothingness, in this context.
 
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