Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Pidasso
I was making a joke.
So then tell us some of the characteristics of your god. I recall you saying that you believe god intervenes, and you said recently that you were praying for god to help an ailing family member.
So far as I can tell: you think "god" created the universe with some sort of plan or direction that is beneficial or helpful to it's inhabitants, you think he knows about what goes on in the universe, (or he wouldn't even know about you, your prayers, your ailing family member, etc.) you think he has the power to use that knowledge in order to heal people. You believe there is some sort of afterlife that is enjoyable.
What you seem not to understand is this is exactly how most humans are bound to wish the cosmos to be. This belief quels many natural fears in humans - fear of death (now you never die, because there's another life to go to after this one! yay!), fear of suffering, not having or not knowing humans ultimate place in the universe. Added benefits such as seeing long past family members in the afterlife, and immortality since it seems you have not indicated that there is an end to the afterlife you believe in.
All of this is how humans are bound to wish the universe to be. It's great stuff for making people feel good, making them feel like they know exactly why they're here, where they're going, what they will do when they get there, etc. It removes the sense of complete chaos that actually has ruled humans lives for thousands of years. Humans have been chased, frightened, scared by multiple natural phenomena over time...tornados, tsunamis, asteroid impacts, droughts, hunger, etc. Religion is the one way in which they can finally once and for all
feel that they are safe and in control.
But are you actually in control? Honestly, can you really say that it is anything more than desperate wishful thinking?
You are painting a picture of how you want the cosmos to be and simply pretending that it's true, without pondering or exploring the validity of any other scenario which may not be as appealing to your secret wishes and hopes.