In the past I viewed the Hindu view of God as the same as the Ancient Egyptian gods, the ancient Greek gods, the Roman gods and the Norse gods. A group of beings in the sky playing out their own dramas. But when they point out that all their gods are the incarnations of the same god, I change it to the idea of a shape-shifting god who appears in different forms depending on the context of a situation. You are asking for the blessing of rain? He will shift into his rain god persona. You have sinned? He will shift into his destroyer persona. Or a better visualization would be a multiple personality god.
You’re dodging the question. When any god is claimed, am I under the obligation to have faith it does not exist when there is zero demonstrable evidence for the claim?
You're a sensitive little fella, ain'tcha? No kid, not dodging the question and, no, you aren't obligated to believe anything.
Me too, if such exists. I am open to the possibility, but as I have said many times, I just do not know, and that is being honest. I wish I did know, one way or the other. For I like to know things which are true. And to know things which are false. But clearly at least on the level of the intellect, no one knows. We have opinions, nothing more. Wisdom lies in recognizing that simple and self evident fact. And that position should leave one with an open mind as to the possibilities.
You appear to be equating lack of belief in others claims as a belief/faith. This is not the case. As an atheist, I’m making no positive claim to have faith in.
Do you deny there is anything beyond the physical? If so, based on what evidence? Do you advocate to others that there is nothing beyond the physical? What is the difference between you and an ambulatory, meat computer which only responds to biochemical programming?
Exactly expressing what my statement means. If you don't agree with him and his terms, stay out. No discussion allowed. This is called censorship and suppression of debate. Learn from your mistakes.
No, you are saying that only those that agree with your conditions can comment here, no others are welcome. Not to mention insulting all others who do not partake of your particular bigotry.
There may very well be a "God" (whatever that is) but, the things we humans made up over the years are definitely not it.
He is the Creator of all existance and He thrives on "relationship" with those He created in His image. (Our choice). I have that relationship and it grows everyday. That relationship will never forsake me while all others just might. He knows me like no other and accepts me as I am. If I learn to follow His lead, (and I don't always) I will be extremely blessed. There is a lot to learn.
I don’t advocate for or against the unknown. I do make judgments based on reason and evidence concerning unsubstantiated claims. I can’t say either way if there is a soul and afterlife or not, but that there is no evidence for it, IMO. Beyond our natural brain capacity, I have no idea. What is evident is that when then brain changes, we change.
I only had one condition: be open minded. When I said 'this thread is not for you', I meant anyone who has already made up their mind 100% that there is no creator/higher power most likely has nothing to add except maybe tell everyone what a wasteful exercise this is. And what bigotry?
But I think you are underestimating the philosophical elements in the other forms of polytheism. For example, even before the Christian scriptures came along, there were Greeks who saw Zeus as the logos of the universe, rather than a sky being. There are similarly complex concepts in Egyptian and Roman religion.
You had one demand, if you have a different mind set do not post. That is bigotry against those who can think for themselves. The only wasteful exercise is trying to hide your intentions to only have those that agree with you post. Fail.
your snide statement does not diminish a thing I said. What is the godless doing responding to this OP anyway? You just can't leave it alone can you. Go find something you can support.....perhaps baby killing.
Maat appears on any thread on the subject with the intent of diminshing those of faith. If he were truly agnostic....he would leave it alone and offer respect to those of faith. Instead, he is continually on the attack which portrays the attitude that...."he knows". He is a devout atheist!
I've never heard maat claim to know for a fact that there are no gods, but maybe. There are plenty of theist who seem just as convinced that God exists without claiming to be able to prove it.
As an Agnostic/Atheist allow me to state that simply replying to many Christians (such as yourself) is usually considered an attack by those replied to, this tends to become irritating and you are often dismissed as unworthy of comment and deeply suffering from persecution complex. I almost did not bother with this commentary and understand you will probably think I just attacked you by doing so. We "Bother" because we feel the need to defend against the actual attacks you folks regularly supply.