Why do only children believe goblins and Santa, but adults believe in God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If praying or meditation makes someone feel better, calmer, less frightened, more serene or whatever why object? If the knowledge they are being prayed for gives comfort, why object?
Do people mock meditators? They do tend to lower their blood pressure during meditation.
Why does science mean God doesn't exist btw? The existence of God does not require an ark.

Some people care what is real and what is not.

Some people.

But is it necessary to express beliefs that prayer is a nothingburger activity?
Some people prefer being "right" to being tolerant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If praying or meditation makes someone feel better, calmer, less frightened, more serene or whatever why object? If the knowledge they are being prayed for gives comfort, why object?
Do people mock meditators? They do tend to lower their blood pressure during meditation.
Why does science mean God doesn't exist btw? The existence of God does not require an ark.

Some people care what is real and what is not.

Some people.

But is it necessary to express beliefs that prayer is a nothingburger activity?
Some people prefer being "right" to being tolerant

I would suggest that that people who pray start meditating instead: same effect, without the false reward promised at the end of the one life that we have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If praying or meditation makes someone feel better, calmer, less frightened, more serene or whatever why object? If the knowledge they are being prayed for gives comfort, why object?
Do people mock meditators? They do tend to lower their blood pressure during meditation.
Why does science mean God doesn't exist btw? The existence of God does not require an ark.

Some people care what is real and what is not.

Some people.

But is it necessary to express beliefs that prayer is a nothingburger activity?
Some people prefer being "right" to being tolerant

I would suggest that that people who pray start meditating instead: same effect, without the false reward promised at the end of the one life that we have.

Ah. I have finally understood some of the responses. Apparently religion/prayer requires belief in an afterlife, literal Bible reading, going to or belonging to some organized church or sect or something, and/or censuring or discriminating against or harming the "others." No.

Not the case for all. Not what I believe in. Try harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior. If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after they die.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If praying or meditation makes someone feel better, calmer, less frightened, more serene or whatever why object? If the knowledge they are being prayed for gives comfort, why object?
Do people mock meditators? They do tend to lower their blood pressure during meditation.
Why does science mean God doesn't exist btw? The existence of God does not require an ark.

Some people care what is real and what is not.

Some people.

But is it necessary to express beliefs that prayer is a nothingburger activity?
Some people prefer being "right" to being tolerant

And, as stated, some care about what is real and true.

If you don’t, thats fine. But you can’t be offended by the truth.

There’s an old fable about that. The Emperor’s New Clothes.

[Anonymous]

So, so long as any religious bigots exist it is necessary to care if any people are religious/believe in any god or higher power, or pray?

So if you tell the "truth" to someone who doesn't think that's truth you are sure they will be "offended"?

Ok. I am not offended just trying to understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, so long as any religious bigots exist it is necessary to care if any people are religious/believe in any god or higher power, or pray?

So if you tell the "truth" to someone who doesn't think that's truth you are sure they will be "offended"?

Ok. I am not offended just trying to understand.

No you aren’t. You understand perfectly.

This is a forum to say what you think and believe. I have no problem with you doing so. But you don’t seem to extend the same courtesy.

Gosh I wonder why that is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior. If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after they die.

NP: How are they wasting time living a life that brings them joy and comfort and way to live a good life? It doesn't have to be the same way as yours to also be a good life for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, so long as any religious bigots exist it is necessary to care if any people are religious/believe in any god or higher power, or pray?

So if you tell the "truth" to someone who doesn't think that's truth you are sure they will be "offended"?

Ok. I am not offended just trying to understand.

No you aren’t. You understand perfectly.

This is a forum to say what you think and believe. I have no problem with you doing so. But you don’t seem to extend the same courtesy.

Gosh I wonder why that is?

No I was trying to understand if there is a litmus test. I understand now there is.
Ok.
Why did I probe? Because I seldom run into litmus tests.
Thanks for explaining.

[Anonymous]

BTW not every deist believes in an afterlife. Or the bible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, so long as any religious bigots exist it is necessary to care if any people are religious/believe in any god or higher power, or pray?

So if you tell the "truth" to someone who doesn't think that's truth you are sure they will be "offended"?

Ok. I am not offended just trying to understand.

What are you talking about?

Where did I say there was a litmus test?

No you aren’t. You understand perfectly.

This is a forum to say what you think and believe. I have no problem with you doing so. But you don’t seem to extend the same courtesy.

Gosh I wonder why that is?

No I was trying to understand if there is a litmus test. I understand now there is.
Ok.
Why did I probe? Because I seldom run into litmus tests.
Thanks for explaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior. If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after they die.

+ 10 million. It breaks my heart because I see someone I love dearly in the throws of an evangelical cult that has destroyed his relationships with loved ones and has wasted so much of his precious life…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior. If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after they die.

NP: How are they wasting time living a life that brings them joy and comfort and way to live a good life? It doesn't have to be the same way as yours to also be a good life for them.

And of course, I didn't say that their life has to be like mine in order to be good for them. Sounds like you're saying, "why not humor them, if they think they're going to live forever." Is that what you mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway.

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts. That’s a “them” problem.

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms.

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs.

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior. If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after they die.

+ 10 million. It breaks my heart because I see someone I love dearly in the throws of an evangelical cult that has destroyed his relationships with loved ones and has wasted so much of his precious life…

I'm so sorry. Maybe someday, he'll have a change of heart, at least regarding his relationships with loved ones. It's possible -- It happened to me. A family member actually apologized to me for their behavior.