Does God Exist?

[Shaggai]

Faith is useful for a variety of reasons, from the placebo effect to being psychologically helpful.

However, if you aren't willing to debate your beliefs, don't come to this sort of thread.

[Grave_n_idle]

I see lots of advantages to being religious. I just can't trick myself into it.

There are lots of advantages, at least for me, but it obviously differs depending on the person. If it's not for you, it's not for you. No shame in that. If it is, it is. No shame in that either.

No, like I said, I see advantages, and it would be great for me. I just can't believe something I don't believe.

[The Steel Magnolia]

Because it's therapeutic? That's one of the reasons I'm religious, which is in part as a way of dealing with depression, anxiety, and flashbacks.

Admittedly, mainly the latter.

I'm not seeing how willful delusion is therapeutic.

Are you my therapist?

No?

Are you a licensed CBT professional?

No?

Then on what basis, precisely, do you actually think you have the ability to say what is and is not therapeutic for people.

[Kubrath]

Why? There exists no verifiable evidence that any deity exists.

I don't believe that though. As for why I believe in God, mainly because I want to and because I like my religion, but also so that I will not burn in Hell for eternity.

Aha, fear of punishment. Gotta love that God, who forces you into submission with threats.

[Mavorpen]

Because it's therapeutic? That's one of the reasons I'm religious, which is in part as a way of dealing with depression, anxiety, and flashbacks.

Admittedly, mainly the latter.

I'm not seeing how willful delusion is therapeutic.

It isn't, really. It simply allows you to engage in a circle jerk with your ego and allows you to mask your problems by pretending they can be solved by in imaginary being. It doesn't actually solve anything. That's not the sort of therapy I would want.

[The Orson Empire]

I don't believe that though. As for why I believe in God, mainly because I want to and because I like my religion, but also so that I will not burn in Hell for eternity.

There's something that saddens me about the fact that you believe in your religion (partially) because you wish to escape damnation.

It's not the only reason, though.

[Conscentia]

100%? You don't doubt it, even a little?

No. I have 100% faith.

Say that you have faith in a god implies you'd know how to recognise a god (ie. it implies you know the definition of god).

Can you provide for me a definition of "god" that does not rely on simple description of specific gods?

[Dyakovo]

Why? There exists no verifiable evidence that any deity exists.

I don't believe that though.¹ As for why I believe in God, mainly because I want to and because I like my religion², but also so that I will not burn in Hell for eternity³.

1: Then you can provide said verifiable evidence?
2: What religion?
3: No worries. You won't. Hell does not exist.

[The Steel Magnolia]

I don't believe that though. As for why I believe in God, mainly because I want to and because I like my religion, but also so that I will not burn in Hell for eternity.

There's something that saddens me about the fact that you believe in your religion (partially) because you wish to escape damnation.

Not all of us do!

I don't believe in a hell, for reference.

[Nationalist State of Knox]

Even in the absence of evidence?

Sure, I do. I believe, even though I know there's no proof for, for a variety of reasons.

I guess mentality differs considerably between certain people. Can't be helped, I suppose.

[The Steel Magnolia]

I'm not seeing how willful delusion is therapeutic.

It isn't, really. It simply allows you to engage in a circle jerk with your ego and allows you to mask your problems by pretending they can be solved by in imaginary being. It doesn't actually solve anything. That's not the sort of therapy I would want.

I reiterate:

Are you my therapist?

No?

Are you a licensed CBT professional?

No?

Then on what basis, precisely, do you actually think you have the ability to say what is and is not therapeutic for people?

[Nationalist State of Knox]

There's something that saddens me about the fact that you believe in your religion (partially) because you wish to escape damnation.

It's not the only reason, though.

The fact that it's a reason at all is bad enough.

There's something that saddens me about the fact that you believe in your religion (partially) because you wish to escape damnation.

Not all of us do!

I don't believe in a hell, for reference.

Good. The Bible doesn't reference it, interestingly enough.

[The Steel Magnolia]

Sure, I do. I believe, even though I know there's no proof for, for a variety of reasons.

I guess mentality differs considerably between certain people. Can't be helped, I suppose.

I used to be an atheist for the longest time. My views and beliefs changed accordingly, and I'm not going to hold on to something that's no longer true to myself. My religion is a positive aspect in my life, and evidence for or not, I see no reason to get rid of it.

[Mavorpen]

Then on what basis, precisely, do you actually think you have the ability to say what is and is not therapeutic for people?

The fact that I'm right.

[The Steel Magnolia]

Then on what basis, precisely, do you actually think you have the ability to say what is and is not therapeutic for people?

The fact that I'm right.

Prove that religion is not therapeutic for people.

(Hint: you can't)

[Soldati Senza Confini]

It's not the only reason, though.

The fact that it's a reason at all is bad enough.

Not all of us do!

I don't believe in a hell, for reference.

Good. The Bible doesn't reference it, interestingly enough.

It does reference Sheol, or what would be the realm of the dead, but it never references hell.

[Kubrath]

It's not the only reason, though.

The fact that it's a reason at all is bad enough.

Not all of us do!

I don't believe in a hell, for reference.

Good. The Bible doesn't reference it, interestingly enough.

Wrong.

Hell in the Bible

[Nationalist State of Knox]

I guess mentality differs considerably between certain people. Can't be helped, I suppose.

I used to be an atheist for the longest time. My views and beliefs changed accordingly, and I'm not going to hold on to something that's no longer true to myself. My religion is a positive aspect in my life, and evidence for or not, I see no reason to get rid of it.

I can't conceivably see any way I'll revert from my atheism.

[Mavorpen]

The fact that I'm right.

Prove that religion is not therapeutic for people.

(Hint: you can't)

I...I just did.

I'm not seeing how willful delusion is therapeutic.

It isn't, really. It simply allows you to engage in a circle jerk with your ego and allows you to mask your problems by pretending they can be solved by in imaginary being. It doesn't actually solve anything. That's not the sort of therapy I would want.

[The Orson Empire]

I don't believe that though.¹ As for why I believe in God, mainly because I want to and because I like my religion², but also so that I will not burn in Hell for eternity³.

1: Then you can provide said verifiable evidence?
2: What religion"
3: No worries. You won't. Hell does not exist.

1. I'm not saying there isn't evidence, but why do you need hard evidence to believe in a religion? Why can't you just have simple faith and follow the rules?
2. Protestant Christianity.
3. Well that's your belief, but it is not mine.

[Cameroi]

Then on what basis, precisely, do you actually think you have the ability to say what is and is not therapeutic for people?

The fact that I'm right.

except that there is no such thing as a fact. only a preponderance of evidence, or lack there of, that some things happen more often then others, or that some things happen more often when other things happen first.
(preponderance meaning a greater amount one way or another.)

[The Land Fomerly Known as Ligerplace]

I used to be an atheist for the longest time. My views and beliefs changed accordingly, and I'm not going to hold on to something that's no longer true to myself. My religion is a positive aspect in my life, and evidence for or not, I see no reason to get rid of it.

I can't conceivably see any way I'll revert from my atheism.

That's because the Inquisition hasn't restarted yet.

[The Steel Magnolia]

I used to be an atheist for the longest time. My views and beliefs changed accordingly, and I'm not going to hold on to something that's no longer true to myself. My religion is a positive aspect in my life, and evidence for or not, I see no reason to get rid of it.

I can't conceivably see any way I'll revert from my atheism.

A year ago, neither did I. I'm sure the same is true in reverse for many religious people as well.

It's a personal decision. And fuck anyone who tries to dictate to me what I can and cannot have faith in.

[The Orson Empire]

It's not the only reason, though.

The fact that it's a reason at all is bad enough.

Not all of us do!

I don't believe in a hell, for reference.

Good. The Bible doesn't reference it, interestingly enough.

Why? And you're wrong about the Bible not referencing Hell.

[Mavorpen]

The fact that I'm right.

except that there is no such thing as a fact. only a preponderance of evidence, or lack there of, that some things happen more often then others, or that some things happen more often when other things happen first.
(preponderance meaning a greater amount one way or another.)

Holy fucking shit, it was a joke.

Also, you're wrong. Facts do exist.