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In reply to the discussion: If you are a creationist, you are a fucking idiot [View all]RainDog
(28,784 posts)58. and in reply to your questions
Meanwhile, I'm just wondering what triggered the Big Bang ... or other things that faith can address, like why are we here?
Faith actually cannot address what triggered the big bang because the big bang is a scientific theory about the origin of matter. Religion has nothing worthwhile to say about the formation of matter.
If you want to frame the question of existence within religion, you are more than free to do so. however, it is not necessary nor even worthwhile for some people to do so because any answer will be unsupportable. That's what faith is - belief in things unseen.
Why are we here? This is a question that science has answered, repeatedly.
We are here because of the long, long expanse of time during which chemical elements, then compounds, formed. These compounds created new substances by their combinations. Because of the random interaction of compounds, more complex organisms were formed. Mutation, a natural and randomly occurring event, contributed to the development of variation. Symbiosis, or the coming together of two distinctly different entities for the benefit of both, is the basis for sexual reproduction, in basic terms. Sexual reproduction greatly increases the chance of survival in any particular environment because of the likelihood of greater variation that randomly increases survival depending upon random natural events within which an organism may live out its life span.
The meaning of life is life. The goal of life is life.
If you want to assign an egocentric view of why life exists, then religion can provide a way to proffer that egocentric question within a frame that provides meaning outside of the idea that we exist to live and to promote the well being of the planet we inhabit for the sake of future generations of our and others' offspring. But it's not necessary to align with that egocentric view in order to have a meaningful life.
Not all religions have this egocentric pov, however, that asks "why are we here."
Some people, in fact, think that this egocentric religious orientation is part of the problem, not the solution, in our current society.
Faith can answer questions - but those answers cannot be verified within reality. Faith is outside of reality as it is understood. Kierkegaard, a Christian existentialist philosopher, noted that faith is insanity, at its core, because it exists outside of reality. As long as someone does not hurt anyone else by their participation in this unreality, what harm does it do? None, until it tries to claim it is a universal truth or that someone's faith allows her or him to dictate the terms of someone else's life.
A belief in god, it seems to me, offers solace for those who are afraid of not being. The desire to live is strong - until it's not. Just as we offer beliefs in benevolent bearded grandpas that leave presents under trees, stories of an anthropomorphic god and life after death in this one provide pleasure and comfort to some people. For others, this idea is too small minded.
For others, just the knowledge that we are all part of an infinitely recycling and recombining existence that has gone on for billions of years is enough. This is the "miracle." The facts are enough for awe and humility. For some, it's enough to know we are the stuff of stars - the stuff of eternity, in human terms, which is really no different than the idea of an "infinite" universe.
Faith is not necessary for many people to address the questions you ask. I would posit that, until someone understands the rational explanations for these questions, tho, faith is built upon delusion.
Some people find faith oppressive because it does not require any proof to validate claims.
Faith actually cannot address what triggered the big bang because the big bang is a scientific theory about the origin of matter. Religion has nothing worthwhile to say about the formation of matter.
If you want to frame the question of existence within religion, you are more than free to do so. however, it is not necessary nor even worthwhile for some people to do so because any answer will be unsupportable. That's what faith is - belief in things unseen.
Why are we here? This is a question that science has answered, repeatedly.
We are here because of the long, long expanse of time during which chemical elements, then compounds, formed. These compounds created new substances by their combinations. Because of the random interaction of compounds, more complex organisms were formed. Mutation, a natural and randomly occurring event, contributed to the development of variation. Symbiosis, or the coming together of two distinctly different entities for the benefit of both, is the basis for sexual reproduction, in basic terms. Sexual reproduction greatly increases the chance of survival in any particular environment because of the likelihood of greater variation that randomly increases survival depending upon random natural events within which an organism may live out its life span.
The meaning of life is life. The goal of life is life.
If you want to assign an egocentric view of why life exists, then religion can provide a way to proffer that egocentric question within a frame that provides meaning outside of the idea that we exist to live and to promote the well being of the planet we inhabit for the sake of future generations of our and others' offspring. But it's not necessary to align with that egocentric view in order to have a meaningful life.
Not all religions have this egocentric pov, however, that asks "why are we here."
Some people, in fact, think that this egocentric religious orientation is part of the problem, not the solution, in our current society.
Faith can answer questions - but those answers cannot be verified within reality. Faith is outside of reality as it is understood. Kierkegaard, a Christian existentialist philosopher, noted that faith is insanity, at its core, because it exists outside of reality. As long as someone does not hurt anyone else by their participation in this unreality, what harm does it do? None, until it tries to claim it is a universal truth or that someone's faith allows her or him to dictate the terms of someone else's life.
A belief in god, it seems to me, offers solace for those who are afraid of not being. The desire to live is strong - until it's not. Just as we offer beliefs in benevolent bearded grandpas that leave presents under trees, stories of an anthropomorphic god and life after death in this one provide pleasure and comfort to some people. For others, this idea is too small minded.
For others, just the knowledge that we are all part of an infinitely recycling and recombining existence that has gone on for billions of years is enough. This is the "miracle." The facts are enough for awe and humility. For some, it's enough to know we are the stuff of stars - the stuff of eternity, in human terms, which is really no different than the idea of an "infinite" universe.
Faith is not necessary for many people to address the questions you ask. I would posit that, until someone understands the rational explanations for these questions, tho, faith is built upon delusion.
Some people find faith oppressive because it does not require any proof to validate claims.
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Yes. Our evolutionary history includes many millenia spent in small groups.
Jackpine Radical
Aug 2013
#79
Sure, I think anyone who believes, in the face of scientific evidence to the contrary,
Bake
Aug 2013
#92
If your argument is that the Bible is a collection of Bronze Age stories, that's fine.
Marr
Aug 2013
#66
I would go so far as to say that God gave people brains/minds because he/she expects us to USE THEM.
Bake
Aug 2013
#40
Debate Krauss. Debate Dawkins. Debate Dennett, or Harris, or any other prominent "new atheists"
RadiationTherapy
Aug 2013
#15
You're not sorry, and if that's supposed to be an apology, it's a totally "Republican" apology
Bake
Aug 2013
#41
Even if there was a god, there still wouldn't be an "absolute moral truth." nt
ZombieHorde
Aug 2013
#51
So essentially, the guy is arguing against using rational thought for, basically, anything.
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2013
#56
I don't think that it has to do with being taugh narratives at an early age but rather
grantcart
Aug 2013
#74
My definition of an idiot is someone who either can't or won't think.
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2013
#107
Yet we must not denigrate people's deeply held beliefs or risk being labeled a bigot.
cleanhippie
Aug 2013
#85
That's true. We can point out that the beliefs of Republicans are ridiculous and harmful
Arugula Latte
Aug 2013
#86
So true. What I find most amazing is that the Republican POV is grounded closer to reality
cleanhippie
Aug 2013
#87