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If you find yourself constantly entertaining idiotic notions about the nature of god, then it may be helpful to identify as athiest, at least for awhile. If you should ever form a reasonably well thought out concept of god, then you'll see no need to deny, or state that you remain unconvinced of gods existence, you would instead busy yourself with trying to make further improvements to your understanding of god. If you constantly find yourself busy attacking what you see as other people's ideas of god, it's because this is more comfortable for you than admitting your understanding of god could be improved upon.
Hidden by the fog of differences in semantics, and taste in metaphors, there is a much greater unity of religious belief among people than is ordinarily percieved.
Either try to come up with your own, post someone else's, or your favorite dictionary's, then upvote the best one(s) you see posted so far...
Definitions voted highest will be edited into this debate description.
Religion:
1) X) a: The human habit of forming ideological alliances with one another, regarding issues commonly accepted as being of highest importance. b: An institution,organization, or group based on such alliances
2) pending
3) pending
If you have a logical basis for your personal philosophy or ideology, that you live by, and you are atheist, explain it or help prove the affirmative side of this debate.
This is from another debate. I am posting it to check and see if anyone, Atheist or Theist, will disagree...
"Immature notions of god imbue individuals with a certainty where curiosity should remain. A mature notion encourages the opposite."
1. The term god refers to a worshiped being2. A being that does not exist cannot be worshiped3. Gods exist as long as worship exists
--Old debate description is below--
God is a title/label for a being or group of beings that are unwaveringly trusted.
(I would say in many cases excessively trusted)
Only beings who communicate can be trusted.
A non existent being cannot communicate.
The initially posted debate description was edited as follows :
1. "metaphor" was changed to "Title/Label"
2. "most" was changed to "unwaveringly"
Those who are openly critical of specific practices, of a specific religious sect, as a member of that sect, are the most potent activists. Non-members, who think their criticism from outside will be well understood, are deluding themselves. Then we have these idiots who think that being against religion or religious groups in general is somehow an intelligent and logically rational position.
"Pointing the finger away from oneself is the coward's favorite form of activism" ~atypican
I created this debate Thinking of the questions: What percentage of the teachings attributed to Christ must one accept to be a Christian? Can someone be somewhat Christian or is it an all or nothing deal?
The word god is a term that gets used quite a bit in certain circles. Is god a word whose meaning is so poorly defined as to be practically useless, or can you use the word god with good confidence that most everyone will understand what you mean ?
Regardless of whether they fancy themselves religious or secular, people in general cetainly are inclined to point the finger at others as opposed to themselves. Each group considers the other to be more susceptible to profound folly, while (mistakenly imo) thinking themselves somehow immune.
Everyone prides themselves in their ability to criticize others, while the tradition of self-criticism and collective self-criticism are woefully neglected.
That's one of the things I like about Jesus. He was openly critical of the very tradition he was part of. I'm Christian in that sense at least.
Is there a myth that is universal enough that everyone remains susceptible to it?
Something like: "Because of my superior understanding, I no longer need to be concerned about the problems that beset only those of inferior understanding"
I am inclined to think that imagining an afterlife in one sort or another can be a great source of hope. On the other hand I think people who really do think that they are in essence immortal can't be trusted to hold life as sacred.
Word it in a way that you think is easily understandable and practically acceptable by the broadest demographic.
Include separate usage definitions. Let's see which articulation gets voted to the top.
Quick example:
Religion:
1. An individuals system of beliefs/values
2. Devotional practice
3. Ecclestiastical institution - Denomination