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Religion

in2herbs

(4,480 posts)

25. If by belief in a deity(s) you mean a belief in something greater than one's self --

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Sat Jul 7, 2018, 12:36 AM

Jul 2018

IMO it is impossible for humans not to believe in a deity(s).

This is based on my belief in reincarnation as what we gain from each of our incarnations is knowledge that there is something that exists greater than our self. It is what enables us not to lose all hope.

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Is belief in deities superior to non-belief in them? [View all] MineralMan Jul 2018 OP

Actually, I have a problem with one being considered superior to the other. dhol82 Jul 2018 #1

I don't agree with you about where the problem lies. Mariana Jul 2018 #3

Don't think it's the enthusiastic support of the middle dhol82 Jul 2018 #20

Apathy? Mariana Jul 2018 #23

The question cannot be answered empirically. bitterross Jul 2018 #2

I an not frustrated. MineralMan Jul 2018 #5

If someone is dumb, then blind obedience to a godlike authority. .. Bretton Garcia Jul 2018 #38

Agreed. eom guillaumeb Jul 2018 #13

I would say that the two are roughly equal Mountain Mule Jul 2018 #4

See my reply just above yours. MineralMan Jul 2018 #6

Very few people claim to be certain there are no deities. Mariana Jul 2018 #10

But one edhopper Jul 2018 #12

Existence of a thing can be proven. Iggo Jul 2018 #32

I can't prove Flying Purple People Eaters don't exist. Act_of_Reparation Jul 2018 #39

The skeptical position is superior. Voltaire2 Jul 2018 #7

Perhaps. MineralMan Jul 2018 #8

But not from a philosophical perspective? Voltaire2 Jul 2018 #15

On what evidence do you base this assertion? guillaumeb Jul 2018 #18

That is correct skepticism is not the same as non-belief. Voltaire2 Jul 2018 #21

Skepticism in philosophy defaults to a generalized non-belief. guillaumeb Jul 2018 #22

Maybe, maybe not. PoindexterOglethorpe Jul 2018 #28

Either we are saying the same thing or you are being obtuse Voltaire2 Jul 2018 #30

I suppose that if one lived 5,000 years ago.... Thunderbeast Jul 2018 #9

Yes. My thinking is along the same lines. MineralMan Jul 2018 #11

The question presupposes an answer to a different question marylandblue Jul 2018 #14

Is belief in a deity superior to a "certain belief" guillaumeb Jul 2018 #16

Different question. Voltaire2 Jul 2018 #17

No, simply reframed. guillaumeb Jul 2018 #19

only if the deities are. . . Stargleamer Jul 2018 #24

If by belief in a deity(s) you mean a belief in something greater than one's self -- in2herbs Jul 2018 #25

It's easy for me to believe there is something greater than myself. MineralMan Jul 2018 #31

My bad. in2herbs Jul 2018 #34

The criminal justice system is a power greater than myself. Iggo Jul 2018 #33

Its like Hope This Alleyway Won't Kill me vs Street Smarts populistdriven Jul 2018 #26

I love that you posted this to generate a discussion... Upthevibe Jul 2018 #27

Are you talking about a generalized belief in deities? PoindexterOglethorpe Jul 2018 #29

America as a melting pot comes to mind with what you say. gtar100 Jul 2018 #36

Here's something else. PoindexterOglethorpe Jul 2018 #37

Non-belief is a "null" value and is therefore not equal to anything. gtar100 Jul 2018 #35

In the abstract, there's at least an argument that they're equal in one dimension. Pope George Ringo II Jul 2018 #40

for me, it is the fact that I have never heard of an atheist kill anyone because demigoddess Jul 2018 #41