*click* *click* *click* *click* *click*
There are not enough superlatives in all the languages in the world to describe the absolute perfection of this monument to stupidity.

You don't "believe in god", you're cheating.

God has sent you an application form for the afterlife, and you're not answering the questions honestly - you're just giving the answers you think you're supposed to give. Do you think that an omniscient being won't know? Do you know what omniscience is?

And that's even assuming that the two options aren't an over-simplification that invalidates the whole concept, which of course they are. There are thousands of religions, and choosing the wrong one is as good as not choosing one at all by all accounts, so that's thousands of options.

Still don't see how ridiculous this is? Here's an analogy: You're at a job interview. You're asked "what qualifications do you have?". You reply "all of them", and you're completely and utterly serious about the answer.

Do you not think that that's ridiculous? Do you think the interviewer would accept that answer? Do you think you'd get the job? And this is something as trivial as a job interview - if you don't get the job, you can try for another one. You're talking about your one and only chance to be rewarded eternal bliss instead of being condemned to eternal torment!

( ...and breeeaaatthhhh. I think I need an outlet of some kind for my atheism... )
(misanthrope is so adjective he's verbing nouns!, Sun 22 Mar 2009, 14:42, 1 reply)

You can *make* yourself believe
It took me a long time to cotton on to this idea... All this hanging about in somewhat scary looking buildings, listening to a guy in a dress and chanting ancient drivel is essentially self-hypnosis. You can actually sit down and decide what you'd like to be true and then convince yourself that it's actually the case. I think believing a bit in the first place helps.
( Ennui loves you, Sun 22 Mar 2009, 18:17, closed)

.
Consciously? No, that's just "being in denial" and it ain't the same as actually believing something... and neither is it healthy.

Subconsciously, on the other hand, we do it constantly. It's hard-wired into the brain. www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html
(misanthrope is so adjective he's verbing nouns!, Mon 23 Mar 2009, 2:00, closed)

well, to be fair
I think childhood indoctrination has a lot to answer for there. even children of non-church/whatevergoing parents tend to absorb a bit of wishful thinking about there being a Higher Power of some sort, and you can build a lot on that.

Personally I do not have a problem with people who actively CHOOSE to believe despite knowing there is no evidence, provided they are not dicks about it. If it gives them comfort/helps them live a better life that is good for them. Just because I'm a terrible liar is no reason to get pissy about it.
(Lieutenant Colonel Oblivious brought to you by intravenous sugar, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 11:43, closed)