Anonymous survey

[mad4u689]

1. In your opinion, what is truth?

 

 

 

Truth is the socially constructed set of statements about the world that have been explicitly or implicitly agreed upon as facts about the world, by some given society or set of conscious individuals.

 

 

 

That is, truth is subjective [there is not necessarily any one objective truth], and must be consciously experienced, but relies upon a social body consisting of many conscious individuals, not just one person. Thus it takes on an existence outside of any one person's subjective experience.

 

 

 

2. Do you believe in God or Allah or Buddha or any other deity or higher force, power, or being?

 

 

 

No. I do not believe in God, Allah, or any other deity or higher force, power, or being. However, I am culturally Jewish.

 

 

 

3. Can you give any reasons for why you believe/disbelieve in the above?

 

 

 

That there is no higher power is simply a belief I have always held, and a belief I take on faith. I have seen no reason to believe otherwise.

[malo2]

1. a fact

 

 

 

2. no

 

 

 

3. dont need to

[ugafan_2009]

1. Honesty

 

 

 

2. Yes

 

 

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

4. Not really sure

[Nadril]

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

Just clearing it up but it wasn't an explosion par-say, it just marked the period in which the universe started expanding outward.

[BlueLancer]

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

When I was a kid and found out why people murder, loot, rape, let children starve to death and violate each other in masses was the day I realized I had been brought up in a fairytale world. Humans are just like any other animals, they'll do anything for resources (such as money, oil, gold, diamonds, mines, political power)

 

 

 

What still astonishes me is that people make the assumption "I'm having a good life, therefore God must have blessed me". And they keep praying for divine help in trivial matters, not to insult her, but my grandmother would ask for 'God's help' in deciding what gifts to give as a present? -.-

 

 

 

If there is an infinitely wise God, he'd probably first find a way to feed the 30,000 children who die every day (including today) of HUNGER and thirst. Yes, while western pigs (such as myself, I wont be embarrassed to admit) have more to eat than is necessary, some kids age 5 with no parents can't find a grain of rice for nutrition.

 

 

 

But yeah, whatever positive things are happening in your life, "God" must've caused it. He probably also cares more about you winning the lottery and spending it on cars and booze, than helping people who really need aid. :lol:

 

 

 

You're free to believe whatever you want though... Remember there are thousands of religions, people generally need something comforting or reassuring.

[warri0r45]

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

When I was a kid and found out why people murder, loot, rape, let children starve to death and violate each other in masses was the day I realized I had been brought up in a fairytale world. Humans are just like any other animals, they'll do anything for resources (such as money, oil, gold, diamonds, mines, political power)

 

 

 

What still astonishes me is that people make the assumption "I'm having a good life, therefore God must have blessed me". And they keep praying for divine help in trivial matters, not to insult her, but my grandmother would ask for 'God's help' in deciding what gifts to give as a present? -.-

 

 

 

If there is an infinitely wise God, he'd probably first find a way to feed the 30,000 children who die every day (including today) of HUNGER and thirst. Yes, while western pigs (such as myself, I wont be embarrassed to admit) have more to eat than is necessary, some kids age 5 with no parents can't find a grain of rice for nutrition.

 

 

 

But yeah, whatever positive things are happening in your life, "God" must've caused it. He probably also cares more about you winning the lottery and spending it on cars and booze, than helping people who really need aid. :lol:

 

 

 

You're free to believe whatever you want though... Remember there are thousands of religions, people generally need something comforting or reassuring.

 

 

 

Anyone ever seen that show 'Deadliest Catch'? I was dumbfounded when the dude thanked god for helping him fish crab... as if that's what god goes around doing all day. I don't mean just a 'thanks', I mean the actual attitude that calls on this infinite, all powerful, all wise, all knowing being to help you physically fish crab. Each to his own I suppose. :?

[Aneron]

1. In your opinion, what is truth?

 

 

 

That which is absolutely correct.

 

 

 

2. Do you believe in God or Allah or Buddha or any other deity or higher force, power, or being?

 

 

 

 

I believe it is impossible to know O:) (Buddha was just an ordinary man who taught a certain philosophy btw)

 

 

 

3. Can you give any reasons for why you believe/disbelieve in the above?

 

 

 

Well I think that truth is a pretty indisputable notion, with a widely agreed upon definition.

 

 

 

In regard to God, I believe that science in its current form is capable of explaining everything that has happened since the big bang. What caused the big bang itself (or the answer to the question "why is there something instead of nothing?") is literally impossible to know in my opinion however. Those who chose to believe that a higher power is responsible for it do so entirely out of their own faith - there is no more evidence that this happened than anything else (and also leaves the question that if God created the universe, what created God?). I think the question really depends on how you define "God". Personally you never know, so I go to church just in case :wink:

 

 

 

4. How would you describe this being etc(the answer to number 2)? (If "yes to 2")

 

 

 

I define God as being the force that created the universe, whatever it may be, as well as the rules that govern it.

 

 

 

Lol @ warrior btw. :lol:

[ugafan_2009]

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

When I was a kid and found out why people murder, loot, rape, let children starve to death and violate each other in masses was the day I realized I had been brought up in a fairytale world. Humans are just like any other animals, they'll do anything for resources (such as money, oil, gold, diamonds, mines, political power)

 

 

 

What still astonishes me is that people make the assumption "I'm having a good life, therefore God must have blessed me". And they keep praying for divine help in trivial matters, not to insult her, but my grandmother would ask for 'God's help' in deciding what gifts to give as a present? -.-

 

 

 

If there is an infinitely wise God, he'd probably first find a way to feed the 30,000 children who die every day (including today) of HUNGER and thirst. Yes, while western pigs (such as myself, I wont be embarrassed to admit) have more to eat than is necessary, some kids age 5 with no parents can't find a grain of rice for nutrition.

 

 

 

But yeah, whatever positive things are happening in your life, "God" must've caused it. He probably also cares more about you winning the lottery and spending it on cars and booze, than helping people who really need aid. :lol:

 

 

 

You're free to believe whatever you want though... Remember there are thousands of religions, people generally need something comforting or reassuring.

Thank you for giving me my freedom to believe whatever I want. :roll:

[gun_hippy]

 

 

 

1. In your opinion, what is truth?

 

 

 

2. Do you believe in God or Allah or Buddha or any other deity or higher force, power, or being?

 

 

 

3. Can you give any reasons for why you believe/disbelieve in the above?

 

 

 

4. How would you describe this being etc(the answer to number 2)? (If "yes to 3")

 

 

 

 

1 - Conformity with fact, the actual state of affairs in the world as they are.

 

2 - no

 

3 - I really tried, i did, i just don't see any reason to, the justifications i have met for belief have always been horrible, and i don't think it would affect me much if it turned out there was. I could talk for hours about this, but in short, i really wish i could believe in a god, there's just nothing remotely convincing to make me do so. "God of the gaps" justifications piss me off. I am aware there is no evidence for gods in-existance but, the only evendince FOR him that holds any water with me is historical documents, but that doesn't neccessarly have anything to do with what happened, just what people wrote. Therefore, due to lack of evidence the only logical conclusion is to assume there is nothing out there, but be willing to accept anything new that comes up.

 

 

 

4 - If there is a god, we're talking, a being that cannot be described. We can only describe things using our senses - "it smells like _" "it looks yellow" "it is cold to touch", but i don't think any god would neccessarily have ny of these. And besides, most philosophers idea of god is an infinate timeless being would make it so he is not the traditional "matter" substance, and since he can't "die" that makes sense - so we wouldn't be able to describe him in any direct way, only the influence he has upon things. (Using He just for simplicity, presumably it would be genderless, since it has no need to reproduce).

[Errdoth]

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

When I was a kid and found out why people murder, loot, rape, let children starve to death and violate each other in masses was the day I realized I had been brought up in a fairytale world. Humans are just like any other animals, they'll do anything for resources (such as money, oil, gold, diamonds, mines, political power)

 

 

 

What still astonishes me is that people make the assumption "I'm having a good life, therefore God must have blessed me". And they keep praying for divine help in trivial matters, not to insult her, but my grandmother would ask for 'God's help' in deciding what gifts to give as a present? -.-

 

 

 

If there is an infinitely wise God, he'd probably first find a way to feed the 30,000 children who die every day (including today) of HUNGER and thirst. Yes, while western pigs (such as myself, I wont be embarrassed to admit) have more to eat than is necessary, some kids age 5 with no parents can't find a grain of rice for nutrition.

 

 

 

But yeah, whatever positive things are happening in your life, "God" must've caused it. He probably also cares more about you winning the lottery and spending it on cars and booze, than helping people who really need aid. :lol:

 

 

 

You're free to believe whatever you want though... Remember there are thousands of religions, people generally need something comforting or reassuring.

 

 

 

Anyone ever seen that show 'Deadliest Catch'? I was dumbfounded when the dude thanked god for helping him fish crab... as if that's what god goes around doing all day. I don't mean just a 'thanks', I mean the actual attitude that calls on this infinite, all powerful, all wise, all knowing being to help you physically fish crab. Each to his own I suppose. :?

 

 

 

Going to a catholic school, we get all of these random prayers. My social studies teacher, the other day, prayed that her daughter would make it to her connecting flight on time. I was tempted to ask her if she expected that god would stop time for her daughter to let her get on the flight or something.

[Rebdragon]

Personally you never know, so I go to church just in case :wink:

 

:|

 

 

 

Korskin, can you chastise this guy for me? Me being not religious, berating wouldn't do much in the contexts of this topic.

 

 

 

 

3. I believe that the world is too complex to have been created by an explosion. Also, I like to think that I have a greater purpose in life.

 

 

 

When I was a kid and found out why people murder, loot, rape, let children starve to death and violate each other in masses was the day I realized I had been brought up in a fairytale world. Humans are just like any other animals, they'll do anything for resources (such as money, oil, gold, diamonds, mines, political power)

 

 

 

[...]

 

 

 

You're free to believe whatever you want though... Remember there are thousands of religions, people generally need something comforting or reassuring.

Thank you for giving me my freedom to believe whatever I want. :roll:

 

What about his post took away any freedom to believe what you want :-s ?

 

 

 

I side with Lancer and warri0r on this (as well as Nadril's point), but that doesn't mean you aren't free to believe what you choose in this matter :-s .

[Aneron]

Going to a catholic school, we get all of these random prayers. My social studies teacher, the other day, prayed that her daughter would make it to her connecting flight on time. I was tempted to ask her if she expected that god would stop time for her daughter to let her get on the flight or something.

 

 

 

One thing I definetely don't believe in is a God who changes the plans for the world that he, in his infinite wisdom, made according to whatever a few mortals happen to be thinking out loud at him.

 

 

 

Personally you never know, so I go to church just in case :wink:

 

:|

 

 

 

Korskin, can you chastise this guy for me? Me being not religious, berating wouldn't do much in the contexts of this topic.

 

 

 

I've got to say that doesn't leave much room for a response :|

[gun_hippy]

^ One thing I definetely don't believe in is a God who changes the plans for the world that he, in his infinite wisdom, made according to whatever a few mortals happen to be thinking out loud at him.

 

 

 

Can omniscient God, who

 

Knows the future, find

 

The omnipotence to

 

Change His future mind?

 

 

 

It's a logical impossibility for him to do so ;p

[Nitramosma]

1) That which is real. It cannot simply be the absence of lies, because often there are statements which are not lies, but at the same time not true. The truth is the ultimate "good" in the philosophical sense, at least to me.

 

 

 

2) Yes

 

 

 

3) Nope, other than blind faith

 

 

 

4) God is omniscient and omnipotent. He is not anything physically unless he chooses to be so (Jesus). Beyond that I cannot say because as He is not physical any terms I could use to describe him beyond that would be based on senses, which are used to interpret physical entities.

[Rebdragon]

I've got to say that doesn't leave much room for a response :|

 

What's the point in going to church if you don't believe in it at all, nor plan to? [At least in matters religious- not talkin' 'bout charity here]

[meol]

I'm not religious myself, but I'd answer that the point would be that you get the chance to increase your faith, and you can eventually convert and follow the right path.

[warri0r45]

 

1. In your opinion, what is truth?

 

 

 

2. Do you believe in God or Allah or Buddha or any other deity or higher force, power, or being?

 

 

 

3. Can you give any reasons for why you believe/disbelieve in the above?

 

 

 

4. How would you describe this being etc(the answer to number 2)? (If "yes to 3")

 

 

 

 

1. Anti-lies, not a false statement, etc

 

 

 

2. God and Buddha

 

 

 

3. God - No evidence for or against him, so why not give him a shot? Maybe he's real, maybe he's not. But we'll never know.

 

 

 

Buddha - Buddhism is just the religion that speaks to me. There's something about it that just seems right in my mind.

 

 

 

4. What?

 

 

 

Flying Spaghetti Monster, Allah, The Great Juju up the mountain, Quetzalcoatl - no evidence for or against them, so why not give them a shot?

 

 

 

The answer to this is simple. It's because they are not the cultural norm in Western nations. If they were, you'd have the same sentiment towards them and I don't think something is worthy of belief or more likely true just because of a cultural preferance.

[Nitramosma]

This is not meant as an attack, but it will probably come off as one anyway. Why is it so important to so many atheists that everyone believe what they believe?

[Rebdragon]

This is not meant as an attack, but it will probably come off as one anyway. Why is it so important to so many atheists that everyone believe what they believe?

 

Why is it important to so many Christians that everyone believe what they believe :P ?

 

 

 

[Not that I get the reason why you say this- no atheistic attacks have been made; merely logical questioning is all I've seen thusfar].

[warri0r45]

This is not meant as an attack, but it will probably come off as one anyway. Why is it so important to so many atheists that everyone believe what they believe?

 

 

 

Atheists don't 'believe' which kind of makes that impossible. Either way you can believe whatever you like. I don't care in the slightest and in fact I love the idea of seperation of church and state. That we can believe whatever we like is an indicator of a healthy democracy to me. I have the right to question what I like, as do you, and if someone interprets that as me trying to 'convert' them or change (or even attack) their views then I can only say they mustn't be too strong in their faith.

 

 

 

Besides that I doubt atheists actually try to 'convert' people. You never see anyone prosthelytizing atheism on the streets or at overseas countries, only people of faith. The simple reason for that is likely that atheism is the absence of something, not an actual position or 'religion' to be sold to people.

 

 

 

The idea that people (not directing this at you, Nitramosma, this is more of a general comment) will get offended to the point of saying you're attacking their views when questioning them and putting forward challenges to those views is just rediculous to me and I could only put it down to being born out of insecurity.

[Nadril]

I have to back up warrior on this one, we aren't necessarily trying to get you to change your views. However, a lot of us enjoy a good debate/conversation over the matter -- this being a forums and all. It's good to question things, you learn a lot during the process.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you don't get the idea that I run up to people in real life and question them about their religion, I don't. I have a friend who is quite religious and I don't question her. If it makes her happy thats good, I save the debate and any possibly controversy for a forums. :P

[hiimben]

I have to back up warrior on this one, we aren't necessarily trying to get you to change your views. However, a lot of us enjoy a good debate/conversation over the matter -- this being a forums and all. It's good to question things, you learn a lot during the process.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you don't get the idea that I run up to people in real life and question them about their religion, I don't. I have a friend who is quite religious and I don't question her. If it makes her happy thats good, I save the debate and any possibly controversy for a forums. :P

 

 

 

I'm fine with athiests having debates about religion with theists, providing they both want to debate it. There are several athiests I know, such as my brother, who constantly listen to podcasts on philosophy and bashing religion, and he constantly debates with me and my mother about our beliefs, fair enough, but he continues debating even after the point where we tell him to bugger off because he's annoying us (He's 17). I think the reason the debates don't go anywhere is that we're both too stubborn with our views. But oh well, I'm fine with athiesm as a whole, just certain athiests really grind my gears.

[Nadril]

I have to back up warrior on this one, we aren't necessarily trying to get you to change your views. However, a lot of us enjoy a good debate/conversation over the matter -- this being a forums and all. It's good to question things, you learn a lot during the process.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you don't get the idea that I run up to people in real life and question them about their religion, I don't. I have a friend who is quite religious and I don't question her. If it makes her happy thats good, I save the debate and any possibly controversy for a forums. :P

 

 

 

I'm fine with athiests having debates about religion with theists, providing they both want to debate it. There are several athiests I know, such as my brother, who constantly listen to podcasts on philosophy and bashing religion, and he constantly debates with me and my mother about our beliefs, fair enough, but he continues debating even after the point where we tell him to bugger off because he's annoying us (He's 17). I think the reason the debates don't go anywhere is that we're both too stubborn with our views. But oh well, I'm fine with athiesm as a whole, just certain athiests really grind my gears.

 

 

 

Oh I agree fully, people who just pick out fights (on both sides of the fence) are rather annoying. However obviously if you're posting in a thread which is bound to have debates that is pretty much opening yourself up to question, if you kind of get what I'm saying.

[warri0r45]

I have to back up warrior on this one, we aren't necessarily trying to get you to change your views. However, a lot of us enjoy a good debate/conversation over the matter -- this being a forums and all. It's good to question things, you learn a lot during the process.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you don't get the idea that I run up to people in real life and question them about their religion, I don't. I have a friend who is quite religious and I don't question her. If it makes her happy thats good, I save the debate and any possibly controversy for a forums. :P

 

 

 

I'm fine with athiests having debates about religion with theists, providing they both want to debate it. There are several athiests I know, such as my brother, who constantly listen to podcasts on philosophy and bashing religion, and he constantly debates with me and my mother about our beliefs, fair enough, but he continues debating even after the point where we tell him to bugger off because he's annoying us (He's 17). I think the reason the debates don't go anywhere is that we're both too stubborn with our views. But oh well, I'm fine with athiesm as a whole, just certain athiests really grind my gears.

 

 

 

Oh I agree fully, people who just pick out fights (on both sides of the fence) are rather annoying. However obviously if you're posting in a thread which is bound to have debates that is pretty much opening yourself up to question, if you kind of get what I'm saying.

 

 

 

Agreed. In this kind of form of communication there's bound to be debate and challenge because people will want to and that's more or less what you'd expect. But if anyone honestly dosen't wan't to debate, you don't have to. Just ignore it or say you don't want to and I doubt anyone will labor the point.

 

 

 

@ Hiimben, posting on a forum is one thing but constantly verbally hounding people you have to see everyday is another. I sympathise with your situation regarding your uncompassionate brother.

[hiimben]

Yeah, na I fully understand posting a topic on it on a forum. If you do that you (should) pretty much expect a debate, thus consenting to the debate, so yeah. As for the questions -

 

 

 

1. In your opinion, what is truth?

 

Something that is 100% proven to be true.

 

 

 

2. Do you believe in God or Allah or Buddha or any other deity or higher force, power, or being? Yes, that I do

 

 

 

3. Can you give any reasons for why you believe/disbelieve in the above?

 

Gives me an added support for the offchance when I need it, apart from that, nothing much. I don't follow any religion, but I believe in God, I don't believe that certain restrictions religions can require are sort of needless, but hey, if they want to, I'm fine with that.

 

 

 

4. How would you describe this being etc(the answer to number 2)? (If "yes to 3")

 

Don't really think about the physical attributes, It doesn't worry too much to be totally honest.

 

 

 

:)