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Ok,Rei....let us test the hypothesis of any possibility that a Diety could and would speak to humans through ancient writings translated unto the present. Now let me get personal...does this prospect annoy you?
Not at all, although it seems like an odd prospect - certainly not something I would do if I were a deity.
However, there is no logical contradiction in that.
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Perhaps the possibility of all logic in ones own mind being refuted is daunting.
Logic and the scientific method got us the car, modern medicine, and central air. I'll stick with them, thank you very much.
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I know that I bristle when asked to consider the possibility of no Diety.
And I don't do the opposite. Strange, that....
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1) I can not "prove" the existence of a Diety. You cannot "prove" the non existence of one either. To get back on topic, what is the source of our conviction?
I can only answer for myself, of course. There are an infinite number of "could-be"s in the universe. There could be an invisible snake sitting right next to your computer, getting ready to strike and kill you should you move. On the other hand, there might be an invisible rampaging troll heading toward you that will surely kill you if you don't move. There might be invisible gnomes waiting to blind you should you step outside your door, and invisible elves looking to decapitate you if you don't. You can't live your life around "unreasonable possibilities"; a person, consequently, is forced to discard unreasonable possibilities. Your deity falls under that category, just like invisible pink unicorns do.
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Perhaps many of you feel comfortable with cold hard facts that you can quantify.
Mmm... gotta love that feel of central air!...... (see earlier reference)
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To be fair, most atheists have an open mind and would love to be shown a fact that would allow their worldview to expand. Perhaps this is not as true with so called "believers" who will hang on to their sacred cow despite being unable to explain the rationale. I suppose that my defense of my "personal rationale and conviction" is an inner conviction which I cannot share.
The same inner conviction that leads hindus to believe that cows are sacred? The same inner conviction that leads shintos to believe that there are nature spirits everywhere? The same inner conviction that leads one to believe that Mohammed was a prophet of God? All of these people feel just as strongly about their beliefs as you do.
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I am only trying to share this conviction out of a spirit of wonder and respect. I seek not to bother anyone. (whew! I am a long winded writer...sorry, guys!
No, it's good to have differing opinions - it'd be boring here if there weren't any!
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."