Superstition and religion

[Captain Oates 911]

but who is running the superstition rules ? If we don't touch wood or throw salt, just who is going to zap us?

If it ain't big g then who ?

Perhaps it's the little goblins who are in an eternal struggle with J's dad and who he can never seem to get rid of.

If g can convince people to turn flame throwers on each other as an act of devotion to him, I would have thought that making goblins extinct would be easy peasy lemon squeezey. The Maori killed off the dodo so goblin eradication forever can't be so hard

We have cats and I have never noticed goblins in here. Perhaps G needs a cat.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Alan the Red

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Pascal's Wager. He was no intellectual lightweight.

In layman's terms Pascal's Wager basically says to act like you believe in God because the consequences are less severe if you're wrong. How is that an endorsement of faith in God?

That's just it. If one must suspend reason in order to have faith (something I strongly disagree with), then what stops nutjobs like David Koresh, or terrorists from believing that they are simply doing God's will?

Are you saying that David Koresh and Terrorists all know that they're just evil murdering a$$-mongers who use the fallacy of a God they don't believe in to excuse their acts?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wonder if big j was superstitious ?

Are there magpies in Palestine (oops the Great State of Israel) ? and does a singleton mean bad luck for certain ?

Did he throw salt over his shoulder if he broke a mirror ?

I suppose it's different if you know you are going to be crucified because 7 years bad luck doesn't really matter any more

There are and have been religious people who have also been superstitious, but their superstitious beliefs do not stand up to the same type of scrutiny that their religious beliefs do.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In layman's terms Pascal's Wager basically says to act like you believe in God because the consequences are less severe if you're wrong. How is that an endorsement of faith in God?

Try to follow the path of the argument here. The argument was made that one must suspend all reason in order to have faith in God. While one cannot reason the affirmed existence of God (unprovable), one can arrive at the point of embracing something that transcends beyond the limits of human logic. God is mystery.

[Captain Oates 911]

In layman's terms Pascal's Wager basically says to act like you believe in God because the consequences are less severe if you're wrong. How is that an endorsement of faith in God?

I used to be a lay man before I got married. Boy, was I.

I can't lose either way with pascal the rascal coz G would know I am an ok guy really and would let me off because he likes people acting rationally.

He would turn me loose to play cards all day with Billy Graham for eternity - now there is a threat.

But these televangelists with private jets and shiny suits - robbers of widows insurance money ? He would have them in the basement washing my car.

I wonder if we still needs us to worship him when we get there or is it not necessary once we get our heaven green card ?

It's not expressing as much faith to believe in someone I can actually see and who's right hand I am sat on

Are there guns in heaven ? My neighbors don't want to go if not and what about the 2nd up there ?

Will there be deer for Sarah to shoot ?

[^_^ 5,021]

... one cannot reason the affirmed existence of God ...

At last, we agree.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There are and have been religious people who have also been superstitious, but their superstitious beliefs do not stand up to the same type of scrutiny that their religious beliefs do.

Really? Take Pinoys as an example. They as a group are some of the world's most devout Catholics and Muslims, but also some of the most superstitious, seeing omens in everything. They have a mixture of almost every belief, and not much is left to chance. Just last night, the wife was talking about her itchy palms, with an expectation of money.

ETA: I mean Bahrainians.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Some Old Guy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

At last, we agree.

One cannot reason that there is no God either.

[Jenn! 918]

If I didn't know so many highly intelligent people that were also religious, I, too, would think that you had to be a little bit stupid to be a "believer". That said, I still don't really understand how they do it, believe, that is.

[Captain Oates 911]

Try to follow the path of the argument here. The argument was made that one must suspend all reason in order to have faith in God. While one cannot reason the affirmed existence of God (unprovable), one can arrive at the point of embracing something that transcends beyond the limits of human logic. God is mystery.

So is the question of killing the fungus in my right toenail

If I went round worshipping every mystery I come across I would end up tithing broke.

I will die not knowing how many beetle species exist in the Amazon basin - I can accept that ignorance and mystery without having to build an entire theory on it.

What is the diff between ignorance and mystery while we are at it ? Much ignorance is incurable because the answers are not available to us. To construct a belief system on a mystery is the same as constructing it on ignorance in that instance

I don't know anyone who is religious but not superstitious - it's obvious to me that they are merely a gradation of gullibility - but does one strengthen the other ?

[^_^ 5,021]

One cannot reason that there is no God either.

Do you make a point of believing everything that can't be reasonably disproven?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Really? Take Pinoys as an example. They as a group are some of the world's most devout Catholics and Muslims, but also some of the most superstitious, seeing omens in everything. They have a mixture of almost every belief, and not much is left to chance. Just last night, the wife was talking about her itchy palms, with an expectation of money.

ETA: I mean Bahrainians.

Oh, I know. Mexicans tend to be very superstitious also. A lot of their superstitions existed before the Spaniards. What I'm saying is that superstitions aren't on the same level as religious beliefs. For example, the Catholic Church believes in Purgatory. There is a long and careful reasoning behind it. Most superstitions don't go further in explanation beyond cause and effect - my palms itch, so it means I'm getting money soon.

[Jenn! 918]

I think superstition generally involves a pretty poor understanding of science. I don't think you'll find many educated religious people that are superstitious.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Do you make a point of believing everything that can't be reasonably disproven?

We're not talking about everything or just anything. We're talking about the ultimate beginning and ending of all existence. But as far the material world or universe, there aren't too many things left that can't be proven. We may not currently have the know-how to prove or disprove, but there is scientific hypothesis for things like black holes and dark matter.

[Captain Oates 911]

If I didn't know so many highly intelligent people that were also religious, I, too, would think that you had to be a little bit stupid to be a "believer". That said, I still don't really understand how they do it, believe, that is.

Me too but they do

Some of the MOST highly qualified scientists and mathematicians etc believe in god

The same ones send money to Nigeria after the the Nigerian scam email. Top diplomats and business people send money.

Now THAT is a mystery - perhaps I should worship it

It proves that the gullibility quotient is independent of intelligence measured on other scales and both the dullest and the cleverest in society are equally vulnerable to gullibility and suggestibility