Religion

NeoGreen

(4,036 posts)

43. I guess I look at it as...

Tue Aug 26, 2014, 12:57 PM

Aug 2014

...everyone is working to understand reality, regardless of the paths/tools they use to do so.

Plus, I assume that the number of individuals that take the path from Atheism to Deism to Theism is <<< then the reverse.
Both over time and at any one period in time. Not to say there wouldn't be some exceptions.

It would be interesting if there were numbers we could use for a comparison.

I also would be interested in a comparison of the number of individuals for:
meh to Atheism to Deism to Monotheism to Polytheism, and
Polytheism to Monotheism to Deism to Atheism to meh

where "meh" is the point that an individual's Atheism doesn't matter because there are no more believers left for comparison.

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What are your thoughts on deism? [View all] Htom Sirveaux Aug 2014 OP

I have no issue with it. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #1

If god "gives you strength", isn't that "interfering" with the world? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #3

No, that's indirect. Htom Sirveaux Aug 2014 #4

Uhm, okay? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #5

I don't think "God doesn't interfere with the laws of nature" Htom Sirveaux Aug 2014 #6

Take it up with Justin, it's what he believes. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #7

No, it's your characterization of what he believes. Htom Sirveaux Aug 2014 #8

Without a straight, easily understood answer, it's all I have to work with. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #44

No, that's indirect. AlbertCat Aug 2014 #42

Not to me but I can understand how from a pure logic viewpoint it might. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #9

It really depends on how you define "interference" EvolveOrConvolve Aug 2014 #13

I still think we make our own decisions so I would be hesitant to say that the strength is hrmjustin Aug 2014 #14

How about an example? Can you give one where you feel "god gave you strength" cleanhippie Aug 2014 #22

When my mother had her surgeries. I asked for strength to get through it. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #23

And you feel that god gave you that strength? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #24

Sure I would have. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #25

Then how can you be sure god gave you anything at all? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #27

Because I feel it. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #28

This is so very confusing. You say that god gave you the strength to get through it cleanhippie Aug 2014 #29

It is gard to explain but I will say that we make our own choices. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #30

You keep saying that but to me it's gobelygook. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #31

Despite the strength one gets from the Almighty we make our own decisions. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #32

What decisions? This is about getting strength from god and how it effects the world. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #34

What I am saying and I have been clear ix thst despite this strength we make our own decisions. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #35

Uhm, okay? But I still do not know what that means. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #37

I pray and I ask for strength from God. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #38

And if you don't "feel it come through" does the event happen differently? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #39

No not likely. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #40

So what's the benefit then? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #41

Well that is a good question. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #45

You do what because what comforts you? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #46

I pray to God because it gives me comfort. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #47

What does that have to do with "god giving you strength"? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #48

Ok, I pray to God and I pray to God to give je strength to do whatever I have to do in this moment. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #49

So you're not actually "getting" anything from god? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #50

No I believe there is something coming from God. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #51

Grace or strength? Define that so I can understand your meaning. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #59

Not in the sense that God is making a decision for me. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #60

So this "strength that god gives you" isn't really strength at all? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #61

It is not easily definable. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #63

I see that. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #68

You mistake me. I do know what it does for me but it is hard to put it intowords. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #69

"I do not know what it does for me" cleanhippie Aug 2014 #70

I said I do know what it does for me. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #71

And why do you keep evading the big question? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #33

I understand the dictotomy of free will vs. intercessory relief EvolveOrConvolve Aug 2014 #73

I'm unsure just how being given a thing that assists you isn't interfering. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #21

It's more plausible than Theism. Gore1FL Aug 2014 #2

No reason to think it valid phil89 Aug 2014 #10

What qualifies as "evidence"? nt Htom Sirveaux Aug 2014 #11

Something measurable, falsifiable, phil89 Aug 2014 #36

"Something beyond a persons feelings." rug Aug 2014 #56

it was a way of edging away from the foolishness of traditional theism without getting one's head Warren Stupidity Aug 2014 #12

Exactly. enlightenment Aug 2014 #17

Yes it was the choice of our founding fathers underpants Aug 2014 #52

note the lopping of heads part is mostly hyperbole. Warren Stupidity Aug 2014 #54

Still assumes facts not in evidence. AtheistCrusader Aug 2014 #15

I don't think much of it at all, to be honest. Act_of_Reparation Aug 2014 #16

A transitional phase... NeoGreen Aug 2014 #18

I see your point and deism may be a transitional step cbayer Aug 2014 #20

I guess I look at it as... NeoGreen Aug 2014 #43

I agree that everyone is working to understand their reality. cbayer Aug 2014 #75

As usual, these labels are complex and can vary depending on how cbayer Aug 2014 #19

It's only complex when we allow words to have fluid meaning that suit our POV. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #26

deism dmn16 Aug 2014 #53

I'm more of a Deeist Arugula Latte Aug 2014 #55

Smooooth underpants Aug 2014 #62

I'd rather fight than switch cbayer Aug 2014 #67

Or Dee Snider of Twisted Sister? Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2014 #72

No! I will not worship that guy! I'm not gonna take it! Arugula Latte Aug 2014 #77

As an American, I always want more. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2014 #57

Deism ZombieHorde Aug 2014 #58

Not clear. Do you think people identity as deists because they find cbayer Aug 2014 #64

I assume different Deists have different reasons for their beliefs. ZombieHorde Aug 2014 #65

I tend to think that beliefs or lack or beliefs are just what they are. cbayer Aug 2014 #66

It's tantamount to atheism pokerfan Aug 2014 #74

Why do you say that atheism is not welcome here. cbayer Aug 2014 #76