Seattle
Valued Senior Member
The problem with religion is that no one actually believes in God and the specific teachings of the underlying religion.
Atheists have insufficient evident in a god to have such a belief. Agnostics don't have enough knowledge to either believe or disbelieve.
Theists don't actually believe either but they sometimes think that they do believe. They don't actually believe however. Since most people the world over say that they do believe you would think that this would be a peaceful, tolerant, cooperative and enlightened place to live.
It's not however. People don't act in accordance with their "beliefs". They may say that's because "we're not perfect" but it's really because they don't think anything is going to happen to them by not following their religion's teachings.
When they really do believe something they act differently. When someone believes that a bridge is unstable they won't walk (or drive) across it. There would be no divorces, adultery, lying and people would go to church every week if they had the same certainty that they would actually be tormented in hell for an eternity.
The only "true" Christians, Muslims, etc. are the extremest nutjobs that very few would identify with however those are the only ones who actually act like they believe the threat of eternal punishment is real.
Why do you think most theists are leading such a deluded life? It's an easier life to live but impossible to believe in their underlying "faith".
Atheists have insufficient evident in a god to have such a belief. Agnostics don't have enough knowledge to either believe or disbelieve.
Theists don't actually believe either but they sometimes think that they do believe. They don't actually believe however. Since most people the world over say that they do believe you would think that this would be a peaceful, tolerant, cooperative and enlightened place to live.
It's not however. People don't act in accordance with their "beliefs". They may say that's because "we're not perfect" but it's really because they don't think anything is going to happen to them by not following their religion's teachings.
When they really do believe something they act differently. When someone believes that a bridge is unstable they won't walk (or drive) across it. There would be no divorces, adultery, lying and people would go to church every week if they had the same certainty that they would actually be tormented in hell for an eternity.
The only "true" Christians, Muslims, etc. are the extremest nutjobs that very few would identify with however those are the only ones who actually act like they believe the threat of eternal punishment is real.
Why do you think most theists are leading such a deluded life? It's an easier life to live but impossible to believe in their underlying "faith".