Often it is argued that the concept of god is a figment of human imagination. Or alternatively it is contended that belief in god is a sign of weakness, a debilitating dependency, Marx’s “opiate of the masses”. However the lives of saintly persons from every tradition are clear testimony against such claims. It is seen that it requires the utmost degree of conviction, strength, inspiration and courage, for it often means to go against all established social norms. Persevering in the face of such opposition is not the job description of an emotionally dependent weakling. And contrary to Marx’s assessment, such persons have often proven to be great social reformers
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Emotional Dependence and God
- Thread starter lightgigantic
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*************Often it is argued that the concept of god is a figment of human imagination. Or alternatively it is contended that belief in god is a sign of weakness, a debilitating dependency, Marx’s “opiate of the masses”. However the lives of saintly persons from every tradition are clear testimony against such claims. It is seen that it requires the utmost degree of conviction, strength, inspiration and courage, for it often means to go against all established social norms. Persevering in the face of such opposition is not the job description of an emotionally dependent weakling. And contrary to Marx’s assessment, such persons have often proven to be great social reformers
M*W: There area great social reformers in all forms of life. The existence of god begins in one's mind (often handed down from one's elders), but it's a simple delusion. Some believe it, because they want to believe it is true. Those of us who have escaped that prison of the mind know it's a delusion. Believers just can't see it nor rationalize it. They need the delusion to go on.
Anyone who has a delusion and believes that delusion to be real is weak-minded. They are hopeless. If they believe in the comfort of their delusion, they would probably buy ocean front property in Arizona unseen. That's why christian churches are going by the way. People are smarter now. They expect proof of this god they believe in. They come to realize they will never see that proof.
American christianity is dying, and its adherents are starting to see why. There's no business like show business, and it has become big business, but the returns are waning.
"Saintly" persons still exist. Some of them may be called "atheists." Christianity isn't going to last, because this religion of some 34,000 denominations is losing money and people to the truth. Most folks don't need the "opiate of the masses" anymore.
However the lives of saintly persons from every tradition are clear testimony against such claims. It is seen that it requires the utmost degree of conviction, strength, inspiration and courage, for it often means to go against all established social norms. Persevering in the face of such opposition is not the job description of an emotionally dependent weakling.
Sort of like what you're doing with this post? Truly a theist's viewpoint if I ever saw one.
Absolutely, one look at St. Francis will show you that there are serious theists out there that use their belief for good.
Do note however that their actions do not imply or argue that their belief is true and, as even you will be aware, it certainly does not apply to what.. 99.9% of the theist population that tend to show exactly that which you are claiming against. You will always, regardless to the endeavour, find people that excel at whatever it is they believe in - be that tennis, bass fishing or god worship. It's unfortunately not an argument for anything more than the strength of belief and determination. It is also not an argument that such activity does not attract a certain type of person or is not a psychological need but merely a sign of how much they needed it.
Do note however that their actions do not imply or argue that their belief is true and, as even you will be aware, it certainly does not apply to what.. 99.9% of the theist population that tend to show exactly that which you are claiming against. You will always, regardless to the endeavour, find people that excel at whatever it is they believe in - be that tennis, bass fishing or god worship. It's unfortunately not an argument for anything more than the strength of belief and determination. It is also not an argument that such activity does not attract a certain type of person or is not a psychological need but merely a sign of how much they needed it.
sure*************
M*W: There area great social reformers in all forms of life.
and none of them are emotionally dependent weaklings
it might be a fact that this is your experience of god, but drawing everyone else under the same umbrella would require a bit more substantiation than your hearsayThe existence of god begins in one's mind (often handed down from one's elders), but it's a simple delusion. Some believe it, because they want to believe it is true. Those of us who have escaped that prison of the mind know it's a delusion. Believers just can't see it nor rationalize it. They need the delusion to go on.
actually logic and reason are required for faith to persevere (at least in the beginning stages) - religion without philosophy is simply sentimentalism, and I would agree that such a means quite commonly takes the mainstage of many so-called religious disciplinesAnyone who has a delusion and believes that delusion to be real is weak-minded. They are hopeless. If they believe in the comfort of their delusion, they would probably buy ocean front property in Arizona unseen. That's why christian churches are going by the way. People are smarter now. They expect proof of this god they believe in. They come to realize they will never see that proof.
Even if that is true, it's still unclear why Christianity (and the contemporary American version of it) is sufficient to adequately illustrate the length and breadth of all religious claimsAmerican christianity is dying, and its adherents are starting to see why. There's no business like show business, and it has become big business, but the returns are waning.
erm ... pardon?"Saintly" persons still exist. Some of them may be called "atheists."