Would Polytheism Be Better For Us ?

[Florestan]

I find it hilariously but sadly ironic that the only people who engage in the sort of close-minded bigotry that they gleefully tar all Christians and other people of faith with, who active proselytize for their faith, and who start such threads repeatedly for the sake of attacking theists as stupid, are all folks who identify themselves as atheists!  

The emperor has no clothes, has he? 

[Dr. Dread]

Well, no one does, really.

[Florestan]

Well, no one does, really.

Yes, agreed --- but not everyone pretends to be an emperor... 

[Dr. Dread]

Yes, agreed --- but not everyone pretends to be an emperor... 

Quoted for truth.

OMIGOD!!! 

[Elgarian]

BTW, I have no problem with atheism or atheists, per se.  What I don't like is this idea that their philosophy is better or that people who are different are dumb or fooling themselves.  A knowledgeable atheist is one who knows the limits of that particular philosophy, is comfortable with them, and accepts them.  Same for Christians and any other religious follower.  None of us should suppose that our philosophy is bulletproof, and should take the time to recognize its weaknesses and whatever counterarguments exist.  Then we can have a meaningful discussion.

Oh well said, Sir. It's that absurd assumption of certainty that is so hard to cope with, whether adopted by Christian, atheist, or Cheese worshipper. Your posts are like a breath of fresh air in this discussion. Indeed, you make a real discussion possible. Thank you.

[Florestan]

Quoted for truth.

That's the spirit, caro amico!  

[Elgarian]

The doorway to wisdom opens when we can honestly approach every question with the attitude that we just might not know everything; then we can enter with the idea of discovering what there might be for us to learn instead of "proving" that we already know it all. 
Nothing presents as great an obstacle to learning as thinking that we already know.

Hey, I like this. I go away for a bit, and come back, and then spend my time paying compliments to other posters on the wisdom of their posts, and playing with colours to highlight their most valuable statements!

[Elgarian]

Well, no one does, really.

Even the Great Cheese At The End of The World has a rind, you know.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Elgarian,

It's that absurd assumption of certainty that is so hard to cope with, whether adopted by Christian, atheist, or Cheese worshipper.

But how do you personally determine whether a belief is tenable or not ?

For instance, are you able to respect the beliefs of, say, Orthodox Judaism ?  And why ?

[Catison]

Eric is always watching his threads, making sure people don't get too nice.

When all else fails, bring up Jews.

[Elgarian]

But how do you personally determine whether a belief is tenable or not ?

Tenable for whom? I don't need to determine whether a belief is tenable for someone else. That's up to them. Tenable for me, then? Well, if we're talking specifically about religious belief, then my views on this have been developing all through my life, and I see no reason to suppose that they're going to stop changing any time soon. So my own approach is to accept the uncertainty of the present and proceed with cautious curiosity about what might happen next.

For instance, are you able to respect the beliefs of, say, Orthodox Judaism ?

If they will respect my right to differ, then of course.

And why ?

Because I don't have a monopoly on wisdom.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Eric is always watching his threads, making sure people don't get too nice.

When all else fails, bring up Jews.

Please don't malign me... That is NOT my intention at all.

[greg]

Eric is always watching his threads, making sure people don't get too nice.

When all else fails, bring up Jews.

[DavidRoss]

The emperor has no clothes, has he? 

Bare-nekkid...and needing a bath!

Yes, agreed --- but not everyone pretends to be an emperor... 

Hallelujah!

Eric is like a clever bot, with a limited number of responses but expressed in a deceptive variety of ways, so that sometimes a newbie might not recognize that he's dealing with a closed loop until the second or third time around the same well-worn turf.

[Homo Aestheticus]

If they will respect my right to differ, then of course.

Because I don't have a monopoly on wisdom.

Really ?

The pronouncements and commandments of the Jewish God, Yahweh, do not give you pause ?

[snyprrr]

Jewish God, Yahweh,

...interesting...

[Fëanor]

Is that Russell's Celestial Teapot? 

[Bulldog]

Elgarian,

But how do you personally determine whether a belief is tenable or not ?

You make up your own mind based on whatever criteria you wish to use.  Why you so frequently ask others to answer questions that need to be answered by yourself boggles my mind.

[Bulldog]

Really ?

The pronouncements and commandments of the Jewish God, Yahweh, do not give you pause ?

I don't give them much attention, so I generally zip past them.

Every religion has its fair share of commandments.  Are you going to contemplate each of them?  You'll be one very busy man.

[karlhenning]

You make up your own mind based on whatever criteria you wish to use.  Why you so frequently ask others to answer questions that need to be answered by yourself boggles my mind.

Poor chap has too much time on his hands