tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post4647763080842840788..comments2024-03-22T06:22:08.010+00:00Comments on Stephen Law: Five morals on how the religious and atheists should approach each other in discussionsStephen Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-23629775634424588562015-12-25T13:56:03.653+00:002015-12-25T13:56:03.653+00:00Hi,
I've just read your article on Aeon and ...Hi, <br /><br />I've just read your article on Aeon and it made me think of Mircea Eliade, a Romanian historian of religion. I think one particular book of his might be of interest for you, as it talks about the human need for the sacred (which is what grounds religion, according to him): http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Dreams-Mysteries-Encounter-Contemporary/dp/0061319430 .<br /><br />Best,<br />Adina<br />Adina Covacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749667699293919609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-2501807660316907122015-12-17T05:16:56.429+00:002015-12-17T05:16:56.429+00:00I have friends who live in the same street as me, ...I have friends who live in the same street as me, who believe I will go to hell, yet they are the first people I will turn to if I need help and vice versa.<br /><br />I'm not sure how they deal with the cognitive dissonance, but it would seem to me that if I was to go to hell or something like it while I was still alive they'd have a different view. The fact that it doesn't affect our relationship suggests to me that at a subconscious level it's a fantasy. What's more, like all good Christians they are very pro-Israel, Jews are God's chosen people, yet they will also all go to hell. It goes without saying that we have very robust discussions but I think one can only do that with people whom you are on good terms with.<br /><br />Regards, Paul.Paul P. Mealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14573615711151742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-31472875705660212132015-12-17T04:42:14.914+00:002015-12-17T04:42:14.914+00:00The difference to believing in ghosts and fairies ...The difference to believing in ghosts and fairies is that people see religion as part of their cultural identity, which is fundamental to many people if not most. Also MRI scans show that there are neurological changes in people's brains when they think of God. In particular, they perceive it as something independent of their self. Now, we can feel smug and call it a delusion, but the point I'd make is that it is completely subjective, like colour. The difference is that one can test for colour perception (even in animals) but there is no test for God, except what people report. This is not evidence of God, by the way, it's evidence that people think of God as something special and different to other perceptions.<br /><br />I read the text in your link and some of the discussion taking place - I didn't want to intrude, which is why I'm commenting here. I'll write another comment on belief in eternal damnation based on interactions I have with friends.<br /><br />Regards, Paul.Paul P. Mealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14573615711151742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-23845938430184962972015-12-16T14:44:04.130+00:002015-12-16T14:44:04.130+00:00Your most recent article on AEON "Why are we ...Your most recent article on AEON "Why are we humans so prone to believing spooky nonsense?" Should it not be "Why are we humans so prone to believing religious nonsense?"? V Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09670249223515291965noreply@blogger.com