Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Liam S. on December 30, 2011 at 1:42pm

The assumption that "doing things on your own" or rebelling as learning mechanism, as the only path to knowledge, growth, manliness, doesn't seem that well supported to me. It is one path, certainly... but not the only one, and not even necessarily the best one... especially as we must coexist in societies where rarely is anything accomplished entirely on your own.

But since we have no evidence whatsoever that a god exists, much less which one or which rules we should follow - this is moot. Especially since it could hypothetically be that a hypothetical god would want us to rebel, or grow on our own... without specific instances of what god and what rules we would be rebelling against, such advice is meaningless. 

I understand your point. I just don't know that it really is either necessary or well supported.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Moore on December 30, 2011 at 2:32pm

"without specific instances of what god and what rules we would be rebelling against, such advice is meaningless. "

My point is it doesn't matter what god or what rules existed, having big brother always there is the problem. As Hitchens says "...the impermeable faith that can't give way is a promise of something not worth having".  Also just to clarify, by rebel i don't mean do the opposite of what this god says just out of spite. 

Permalink Reply by Liam S. on December 30, 2011 at 4:18pm

I guess my point is two fold.

1. If it is demonstrated that there actually is a god, rejecting him outright, without knowing what, if anything he wants from us, is foolish. For one, he could want you to reject him. Hitchens was talking about living hobbled lives on the basis of faith and promises, not facts. In your hypothetical, it is a fact. Rejecting a fact, is usually unwise. 

2. You are also assuming that the god would take a "big brother" aspect, and second, that anything you did was really your choice to make... depending on our understanding of hypothetical god X's power - that may not be your choice. 

It's all still moot. Reject faith claims and vague promises... sure. I'm with you there. Reject what is demonstrated to be true in order to man up? No. Poorly framed hypothetical if that's what you are after. 

Permalink Reply by Christopher Moore on December 30, 2011 at 9:44pm

no you misunderstand my point. I don't mean deny or reject the existence of god as in deny the fact that, he is. I mean to say if a god exists fine accept that but reject his authority over (sorry I didn't make that clear) us even if its Big Brother or a kindhearted deity. I contend that what the god wants does not matter. We must live our own lives based on our own terms. That's my point.

I'm sure you studied your Sinatra ..."I did it my way"

Permalink Reply by Liam S. on January 27, 2013 at 4:34pm

I do not think that "always rebel against authority - no matter who, what they ask of you, or their power over you" is a good policy. 

 

It may actually be that obeying IS the best way. Doing it your way is irrelevant if it does not serve your own needs. 

 

That is to say, rebelling, for the sake of rebelling, is a ridiculous reason to rebel.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Bridges on December 30, 2011 at 1:56pm

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”    ― Marcus Aurelius    

 

now, while i agree with both you and uncle Mark, there, let me play god's advocate here, just for yuks.

the possibility you don't consider in your post, Christopher, is that through knowing and worshiping a diety, we become fuller and better people, better men.  Conan's prayer to Krom comes to mind.  by comparing ourselves to a perfect being, we are driven to aspire, to become better ourselves.

 

yeah, i don't buy it either.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Moore on December 30, 2011 at 2:42pm

through knowing a perfect being it is possible to use its example as a measuring stick to judge ones self, I'll grant that. However, i'm sure you'll agree that doesn't make one worth of worship.

I don't know who said it but "Any god worthy of worship would not want it"

That's a great Marcus Aurelius quote btw.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Bridges on January 4, 2012 at 2:49pm

the christian appologists i've read have countered the "god doesn't need worship" line by saying of course he doesn't; we do.  i don't buy that, though it is neat to feel something larger than oneself.

something your discussion with Liam brought to mind: IF there was a creator god and IF we could know what he wants from us and IF we were sure he was benevelant...it would be pretty wise to at least see what he has to say.  it's not unmanly to seek advice from wiser beings, whether they are men or aliens or gods or what have you.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Moore on January 4, 2012 at 9:17pm

I totally agree with you its not unmanly to seek advice but there is huge difference between asking for advice and worship.

Permalink Reply by Subgenius on November 22, 2012 at 12:46pm

There are some minds which need to feel inferior to something else.  I do not know why.

______________
"...Also, he was smoking a cigar, and when a man is smoking a cigar,
wearing a hat, he has an advantage:
it is harder to find out how he feels."
― Saul Bellow, Seize the Day

Permalink Reply by Subgenius on January 27, 2013 at 5:13pm

it's better to compare ourselves to a perfect non-being. if you find a perfect being, you're bound to be disappointed.

Permalink Reply by Subgenius on November 22, 2012 at 12:42pm

Very simply put: No gods, no masters.

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