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I agree with the fact that concept of deities were probably originated because of fear and ignorance of their proponents and evolved to a more abstract concept.
by drKarl 16y ago
I agree with the fact that concept of deities were probably originated because of fear and ignorance of their proponents and evolved to a more abstract concept.
Science gives a solid (based on facts) answer to many events which were misteries back in the ancient world, but with every bit of knowledge we acquire through the means of science, we hold a deeper view of what we still don't know.
"Some people become atheists because they can't understand how a God would allow so much suffering in the world."
That is a very debatable subject, since I reckon many people (including myself) are atheist simply because there is not a solid reason not to be. The aforementioned sentence assumes a typical abrahamic deity (judeo-christian-islamic), that is, a omnipotent, omniscient, all-loving deity, which is in itself, with all three characteristics, a contradiction, but in history there have been and are many gods which are not all-loving. This sentence assumes that the natural state is being a theist (that is, a god-believer) and that some people become atheists. Well, I claim that the natural state is being an atheist, and family, society, education, makes theists.
Death is the end of life, and any further meaning anyone might add, is completely arbitrary.
Suffering exists in the world, and it is strongly correlated with chemical substances in our brain and organisms.
- DanielBMarkham 16y agoYes, why to be an atheist is debatable, and I wasn't trying to get into reasons to be an atheist, simply observe that some atheists cite this as a reason for losing their faith. In fact, I have no desire to discuss religion at all. I was trying to make the observation that I believe there are 3 over-reaching concepts that play together in various ways in various cultures -- and such interplay is not just a human construct. Death is the end of life, and any further meaning anyone might add, is completely arbitrary. Yes, death exists. We all choose what meaning to assign it. I may decide to become a doctor to prevent it. I may decide to give my life in a war. I may choose to creatively explain what happens after it. The point is that it is a concept that is part of intelligent existence. Suffering a result of chemicals in the brain? Perhaps as perceived by the person. From an external viewpoint, however, suffering seems to be part of watching things live. I'm not sure what the chemical makeup of an antelope's brain is the minute the cheetah catches it, but it can't be very happy. The process looks like suffering to the external viewer. The larger point is that metaphysical concepts can allow us to reason about other life forms in the universe. If that's a true statement, then I think that's pretty cool.