How irrational Atheism is depends on your definition of Atheism. If the argument is about the historical and factual truth of religious texts, there is no rational way to think what happened in religious texts actually happened because there is no empirical way to prove they happened. So if Atheism is defined as "all that stuff in the bible never happened" then that's a totally rational thing to think. If the argument is that religious stories are metaphors with the purpose of giving a blueprint for how to live your life, then Atheism is just as much a value statement as religion.
I think this is correct even in the first intentions of the first jews who wrote the torah Every ancient culture created myths to explain at the population ethics, morals, even advices for everyday's life, i don't think Judaism (and for extention christianity) escape from this "rule". I don't have any particular problem with atheism, but i don't appreciate the hardcore one: they act just like extremist muslims, and they aren't aware of this. They create sometimes hierarchical associations (like the italian UARR: rationalists atheists and agnostics union) that believe in "strong atheism and weak atheism" that isn't too different from a classic religious association, in fact, it seems more of a religion without a god than the opposite of a religion.
I share my "Belief" like you already done, i think the definition of "pandeism" is near to what i think is "god", that's it
After reading basically this entire thread, I'm almost entirely certain that I use Fe/Ti rather than Te/Fi. I relate to so much to all of this. I grew up in a Christian family, but have always been pulled towards philosophies such as Buddhism. I always feel torn between sticking to the faith I grew up in and what beliefs seem to make more sense to me in my mind. At this point, I say I'm Christian, but when I think about it, it is only because I don't want to disappoint my family and friends, especially since almost all of them are a part of the Christian community. I would say that my values that I hold firmly to are very Christ-like. But I am not entirely certain at this point in my life if I believe that Jesus is really the Son of God. I also don't like God as He is portrayed in a lot of the Old Testament. Last night I watched "The Life of Pi" for the first time, and loved how the man as a little boy combined many philosophies together. I related a lot to that. But as a kid, I was much more into defending the beliefs of my Christian community or what my parents told me was true. Now there is always a battle between my Fe and Ti. Does that make any sense? Or am I attributing certain things to wrong functions?
An example is when I was talking to some of my family and started saying things like, "What if reincarnation exists as the purgatory of Catholicism?" or "What if the angels are really just spirits of the water, trees, sky, etc...?" My aunt told me I really needed to go apply to Bible School.
alphus- And this was actually the first thread that made me wonder if I wasn't Fe/Ti, because I couldn't relate to any of it, so I think seeing what you relate to is a perfectly legitimate tool (although VR may still be more reliable). I'm an atheist IRL, but culturally Jewish (I tend to identify as a Jewish atheist, which in my area is actually a fairly common designation. I think it's because a lot of Jewish parents place a high emphasis on scholarship and, today, a certain amount of atheism comes part and parcel with the package), and knew I was since I was about seven. Part of it was likely a result of early science exposure, but I just never really "got" religion. It seemed to have the same tone as a lot of fairy tales and, while I liked the stories, that was always all they were to me. And I fought back when my parents tried to MAKE me religious. I knew I wasn't. I didn't mind it when I was allowed to think my own thing, as praying seemed sort of like a game and I liked some of the songs, but I don't like having other people's beliefs forced upon me. Now that I'm older and they're letting be, I'm more able to appreciate the traditions, some of which are nice, but I don't think I'll ever believe in God without some sort of proof, as there's so much evidence for the view of the universe I do take. I am pretty idealistic, but it's more I believe in humans and human potential rather than a supernatural influence. (But I do love fantasy novels...so who knows?)
Your post does make a lot of sense and does sound vaguely Fe-ish, but I've been wrong before, And those sound like great questions! I'll be interested to see what type you are.
alphus Interestingly, the first Greek christians believed in reincarnation. There is historical christianism and the "official" teaching that ignores its past.
alphus Interestingly, the first Greek christians believed in reincarnation. There is historical christianism and the "official" teaching that ignores its past.
Really? Wow! I didn't know that! Now I think I'm going to research it!
I haven't seen that being a spiritual teacher would really pertain to having students. From rejection I have had a far distance to those who would not accept what I had to say. Even when I would come to have come to accept that this world is not contingent where I want it to go in my direction the solemn nature at which we would deem virtuous has peaked my sentimentality. In friendship the fictional pejorative against which non sees that what they do is wrong my own cowardice laments for what I could do but have not. This bothers me in the Jesus story. I would never die for loving those doomed to Hell anyway and even so thoughts of suffering crippled me. Fortunately I escaped but others being peaked in disavowing others show lower states of humanity. Letting deem fit only now am I mature enough to see that my insights can now be shown to people I would consider helping in their development finding an equal who expels the vices that bind them, allow me to partake in their wisdom. Sanguine I must do this myself and look for it in every interaction heal my emotions not least I have been given the validation or encouragement to propel me further.
Last Edit: Sept 11, 2013 17:51:16 GMT -5 by aether