"GOD"--the biggest conspiracy theory of all

[butters]

any and all religions

the human mind is consummately adept at formulating conspiracy theories to "explain" those things hard to understand; just look at 9/11, just look at kennedy's murder, diana's death.

a lot of it is the mind's way to try and fill in the blanks, create an ending to an unfinished story. maybe most of it is the human way of trying to cope with loss.

given all this, isn't it fair to say that the unprovable concept of GOD (and, i stress, this goes across all religious creeds since man was able to consider the topic) is the biggest conspiracy theory of all?

after all, what's the biggest loss a person can conceive of? their life? the lives of their loved ones? their 'soul'? their status as a human being?

discuss

 

[rae121452]

when you finally free yourself from the indoctrination of religion and stop fearing 'god' anything is possible in your life. of course, you're going to burn in a lake of fire in hell for all eternity afterward.

 

[Dribble]

Good
Orderly
Direction

God exists for those that choose for it to exist. How? Through the implementation of spiritual principles. Things like

Honesty
Openmindedness
Willingness

Look at those that struggle with the concept of spirituality. They force their beliefs on others...or try to denigrate others that do believe...with what goal?

Why does it matter what others believe? What matters is what you believe. Those comfortable with their beliefs, don't need justifications. They don't need to convince others. Topics worded in this manner, aren't meant to create discussion.

The concept of God is not the conspiracy. Humans are the problem. By their choice.

 

[LLCox]

I am agnostic so... over and out.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Maybe we can get Laurel to purge all the religious people off the GB too.

 

[Counselor706]

If there is no God

So, while it is not possible to prove (or disprove) God’s existence, what is provable is what happens when people stop believing in God.

1. Without God there is no good and evil; there are only subjective opinions that we then label “good” and “evil.” This does not mean that an atheist cannot be a good person. Nor does it mean that all those who believe in God are good; there are good atheists and there are bad believers in God. It simply means that unless there is a moral authority that transcends humans from which emanates an objective right and wrong, “right” and “wrong” no more objectively exist than do “beautiful” and “ugly.”

2. Without God, there is no objective meaning to life. We are all merely random creations of natural selection whose existence has no more intrinsic purpose or meaning than that of a pebble equally randomly produced.

3. Life is ultimately a tragic fare if there is no God. We live, we suffer, we die — some horrifically, many prematurely — and there is only oblivion afterward.

Link for entire list

 

[Biggs_Darklighter]

Link for entire list

The person who wrote that doesn't seem to understand his own question.

 

[Liar]

The difference between religion, when done right, and conpiracy theories, when done... erm... "right", is that religion should have no need to prove itself.

Conspiracy theory relies on the Nefarious Lie axiom. The basis lies in the knowable real world. The earth is flat. The Government is hiding aliens. A cabal of jews run a secret world government. A cabal of satanic liberals are kidnapping and eating kids. Covid vaccination will come with tracking chips from Bill Gates. Things that you can, at least in theory, find out. So the common conception of the real world which they oppose, that all of that is bullshit, must be based based on deception that the powers that be are forcing upon you. Because reasons.

Religion's basis lies in the metaphysical. The ultimately unknowable omnipotent, omnipresent creator, and an order of the universe somehow behind and beyond the putely physical domain of science. So you've scientifically proven the earth is round? And that species evolve through natural selection? Oh well, the creation of Almighty Jahve must be more wondrous than we thought.

Faith is to say "this thing is unknowable, but I believe". So in a sense, a devoted atheist also have faith. If you feel the need to scientifically prove (or disprove) God, you've missed the point. Conpiracy theorists miss the point. They say "this IS provable and I would, if The Lie and The Powers That Be wasn't keeping me down".

That said, religion is often done wrong. Creationism is getting close to conspiracy, for instance. But it skirts it by saying: Oh well, God must be tricking the scientists to test our faith.

 

[Saint_Ann]

These days religion is totally elective. You arent going to be tortured if you are a disbeliver Believe in God or dont. Looking down your buttery nose at those that do is just another example of the narrow minds that currently inhabit the GB.

 

[Saint_Ann]

At least the "good" religions.

 

[Dribble]

These days religion is totally elective. You arent going to be tortured if you are a disbeliver Believe in God or dont. Looking down your buttery nose at those that do is just another example of the narrow minds that currently inhabit the GB.

Until it crosses that path where Judges and Legislators say differently

 

[God_Above]

I hath succeeded in driving ye into insanity.

 

[Lazaran]

.
God (or religion)is the cheapest antipsychotic medication on the market. The universe is a crazy place, and the fact that a fantastical,ridiculous concept has provided solace to billions of crazy people and kept them from completely losing their shit for millennia is a miracle in itself. Of course no drug is 100% effective, and people will misuse it, or exploit others addiction to it. God can also have some nasty side effects, but the alternative is dosing billions of people with pharmaceuticals and that really isn't practicable. Another alternative iwould be giving people a large dose of honesty about the realities of life and death, though I'm not sure that would yield better results.

Santa Claus is the recommended non-pharmaceutical antipsychotic for children, and can keep them under control and pacified, but it is only effective up to a point. Like most medications, over time, Santa Claus becomes less effective and a stronger antipsychotic (God) is required.

Those that prescribe God appropriately for the purpose of instilling morality and empathy in another person are reasonably harmless, but those that prescribe God as a means to control others through fear are dangerous. "True believers" are even more dangerous because they don't want any other" Gods" on the market, and are willing to kill or persecute others to gain a monopoly for their "one true God" drug.

That's my analogy.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Until it crosses that path where Judges and Legislators say differently

You honestly believe that will happen? I assume you mean your "right" to murder babies whenever you want to. We can only hope.

 

[Dribble]

You honestly believe that will happen? I assume you mean your "right" to murder babies whenever you want to. We can only hope.

Thank you for proving my point. It shouldn't be this easy...but it is. Weird...killing old is ok...babies not ok. Wear a mask

 

[Dribble]

Que...where the fuck are you? Time to report another thread for the politics forum. We need you....

 

[Biggs_Darklighter]

Dante's hell was cold not hot. At least the part with Satan in it. I think I'd prefer hot. Being cold sucks.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Thank you for proving my point. It shouldn't be this easy...but it is. Weird...killing old is ok...babies not ok. Wear a mask

Killing old? WTF are you talking about?

 

[butters]

when you finally free yourself from the indoctrination of religion and stop fearing 'god' anything is possible in your life. of course, you're going to burn in a lake of fire in hell for all eternity afterward.

a belief in a god based on fear, seems all kinds of wrong to me

Good
Orderly
Direction
isn't this something we can achieve as humans individually? it's a struggle, but living by the tenets of decency should go a long way towards achieving good orderly (self-)direction

God exists for those that choose for it to exist. How? Through the implementation of spiritual principles. Things like

Honesty
Openmindedness
Willingness
through a choice to believe. faith

one can implement those spiritual principles and not believe in any 'god'. it's about striving to live as the best human you can be.

Look at those that struggle with the concept of spirituality. They force their beliefs on others...or try to denigrate others that do believe...with what goal?
i would say, given your proposed spiritual principals above, i am a spiritual person, but i choose not to confuse spirituality with religious doctrines.
i don't try to force my beliefs on anyone, and resent those who try to force theirs on me. worship/believe in/have faith in who/what you like so long as it's kept as a personal belief, harms no one else, isn't a crux for political manipulation, and adheres to the above 'spiritual tenets'. Too many spiritual beliefs are used as a means of control over others.

Why does it matter what others believe? What matters is what you believe. Those comfortable with their beliefs, don't need justifications. They don't need to convince others. Topics worded in this manner, aren't meant to create discussion.
i am very open to 'each to their own'; the why's of it mattering are when individual belief-systems are broadened to encompass others, others who may be ostracised for not accepting those belief-systems. I agree that those comfortable with their personal beliefs don't need to justify them; unfortunately, in many religions the 'need to convince others' is part and parcel... proselytising. belonging. joining a group-belief in order to be accepted by a society.
I respectfully disagree that THIS topic, worded exactly the way i have chosen to present it, is entirely about promoting discussion... and not just the religious aspects of it. It's about the nature of the human mind, the 'god concept' just being the pinnacle of what might well be considered a conspiracy theory. It's intended to get people to consider the topic, and discuss their reactions; it is not an attack on any religion, certainly not an attack on spirituality. It's about extrapolations to be considered and played with.

The concept of God is not the conspiracy. Humans are the problem. By their choice.

care to elaborate on this last?

 

[Saint_Ann]

a belief in a god based on fear, seems all kinds of wrong to me

care to elaborate on this last?

You certainly are an intolerant old fart.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

God is dead.

 

[butters]

The difference between religion, when done right, and conpiracy theories, when done... erm... "right", is that religion should have no need to prove itself.
i take your point

Conspiracy theory relies on the Nefarious Lie axiom. The basis lies in the knowable real world. The earth is flat. The Government is hiding aliens. A cabal of jews run a secret world government. A cabal of satanic liberals are kidnapping and eating kids. Covid vaccination will come with tracking chips from Bill Gates. Things that you can, at least in theory, find out. So the common conception of the real world which they oppose, that all of that is bullshit, must be based based on deception that the powers that be are forcing upon you. Because reasons.
and as you're aware, no matter of genuine evidence showing a 'real world' conspiracy theory is wrong will prevent it from taking on a life of its own... with new people buying into the 'fables'. Just take the whole 9/11 bull, Sandy Hook, even the kind of crap like certain films being cursed because of tragic deaths amongst those working on them. Once established, no matter how wrong they are, they will have their believers. Education goes a long way to lessen the numbers of the faithful but will never fully eradicate them.

Religion's basis lies in the metaphysical. The ultimately unknowable omnipotent, omnipresent creator, and an order of the universe somehow behind and beyond the putely physical domain of science. So you've scientifically proven the earth is round? And that species evolve through natural selection? Oh well, the creation of Almighty Jahve must be more wondrous than we thought.exploration of the metaphysical is an important part of the human psyche, for sure. Religion's 'power' lies in its ability to remain 'the great mystery', a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Faith is to say "this thing is unknowable, but I believe". So in a sense, a devoted atheist also have faith. If you feel the need to scientifically prove (or disprove) God, you've missed the point. Conpiracy theorists miss the point. They say "this IS provable and I would, if The Lie and The Powers That Be wasn't keeping me down".quite so

That said, religion is often done wrong. Creationism is getting close to conspiracy, for instance. But it skirts it by saying: Oh well, God must be tricking the scientists to test our faith.

so you see no merit in the concept that a religious afterlife (valhalla, heaven, paradise, moksha, nirvana) that promises eternal life/peace/happiness as constituting a balm/salve/succour/explanation for the inexplicable, isn't part of a conspiracy theory? Evil-personified across religions is supposed to be responsible (along with human hubris) for a person not making the kinds of choices that will help them attain their place in the afterlife.
As I mentioned earlier, I am simply following and encouraging extrapolation. Weather's shitty and a passing thought became a thread.

Until it crosses that path where Judges and Legislators say differently

and there's that *nods*

i see mann's attributing positions (yet again) to me i don't take. liars gonna lie and his lies are simply projections.

 

[butters]

I am agnostic so... over and out.

short and sweet, but not promoting much discussion

I hath succeeded in driving ye into insanity.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

.
God (or religion)is the cheapest antipsychotic medication on the market. The universe is a crazy place, and the fact that a fantastical,ridiculous concept has provided solace to billions of crazy people and kept them from completely losing their shit for millennia is a miracle in itself. Of course no drug is 100% effective, and people will misuse it, or exploit others addiction to it. God can also have some nasty side effects, but the alternative is dosing billions of people with pharmaceuticals and that really isn't practicable. Another alternative iwould be giving people a large dose of honesty about the realities of life and death, though I'm not sure that would yield better results.

Santa Claus is the recommended non-pharmaceutical antipsychotic for children, and can keep them under control and pacified, but it is only effective up to a point. Like most medications, over time, Santa Claus becomes less effective and a stronger antipsychotic (God) is required.

Those that prescribe God appropriately for the purpose of instilling morality and empathy in another person are reasonably harmless, but those that prescribe God as a means to control others through fear are dangerous. "True believers" are even more dangerous because they don't want any other" Gods" on the market, and are willing to kill or persecute others to gain a monopoly for their "one true God" drug.

That's my analogy.

pretty much my thinking on the topic. if only people were brought up believing in the inherent goodness of people while being aware of their own ability to act badly and the simple need to choose balance, without any need to conjure up an afterlife of punishments to behave decently. most people need other people to survive, even if sometimes they don't want to be around others.
punishments for grevious anti-social behaviours should be in the human realms of education/medical intervention (in the case of medically-addressable mental health issues)/imprisonment; having said that, though, i quite accept it's too much to currently hope for that people will ultimately choose to behave the best at all times without this indoctrinated fear of not attaining a specific religious 'heaven' and potential everlasting physical torment! hell, the religious houses are filled with the genuine believers who err and a whole lot of lip-servicers who hide behind their religions even as they wreak abominable acts on others.

Dante's hell was cold not hot. At least the part with Satan in it. I think I'd prefer hot. Being cold sucks.

well, if you're cold you can always dress warmer. once you're too hot, unless there's a.c or a pool you're fucked

 

[butters]

God is dead.

https://encrypted-tbn0.***********/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSA8BKZ8N7YC79lmfpWgRy6jbESwoMlTk8mgA&usqp=CAU

 

[God_Above]

a belief in a god based on fear,

God Fearing people.