What difference does it make?

[RIS]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

 

[Elixir]

To whom?
To me? None whatsoever beyond the annoyance of godders’ ignorant pronouncements.
But there’s a whole universe of god threads here, so someone must give a shit.
To me, the question is exactly as germane to any aspect of my life, as is whether there’s a purple unicorn in my garage that only comes out when I’m not there.
There are enough miracles* in my life that gods are superfluous, should any exist.

* feel free to tell me whether I use the word colloquially or literally.

 

[TomC]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

It doesn't matter to me.

I have a god image I prefer to believe in. There's no real evidence on the subject, I just prefer to believe in it. That's why it's a Faith based belief.

If it weren't for religious people demanding that I live by their primitive moral and ethical codes I would not care at all.
Tom

 

[Elixir]

How about you, RIS?
What difference does it make to you?

 

[RIS]

It doesn't matter to me.

Okay. That's a good answer. But I doubt the veracity of it because it seems contrary to the evidence. If it doesn't matter why would you be here yammering on and on about it as is our want? It could be you find it ridiculously fascinating. That's part of the reason I do it. I think your apathetic statement is true, but incomplete.

I have a god image I prefer to believe in.

Is that a statement on the existence of this god you have an image of?

There's no real evidence on the subject, I just prefer to believe in it. That's why it's a Faith based belief.

That makes sense. I've said it myself here. Except for the evidence part. By evidence do you mean data for or against the existence of God? Sorry, we have to talk about just one, not your image. Too bad.

If it weren't for religious people demanding that I live by their primitive moral and ethical codes I would not care at all.

There!! That's it! That's the answer to my question of what difference it makes. It doesn't matter if God exists or not, the only thing that really matters is the control, is that a fair statement?

ETA: See how simple that was, folks. Let's give Tom here a round of applause. And me as well, of course, but I've already had a great deal of that. My cup runneth over.

 

[Rhea]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

To the extent that people *believe* that god(dess)(es) exist, why, it still doesn’t matter if they actually exist if there is absolutely no discernable effect on us from the god(dess)(es) themselves. And there is, indeed, no discernable effect on us from any theorized god(dess)(es).

However, discussing whether or not they exist does help us to understand the thought processes and likely reactions of people who think that they have a mandate from a god(dess)(es) to try to control others.

So in the end, the discussion is about people, not god(dess)(es).

 

[RIS]

To whom?
To me? None whatsoever beyond the annoyance of godders’ ignorant pronouncements.
But there’s a whole universe of god threads here, so someone must give a shit.
To me, the question is exactly as germane to any aspect of my life, as is whether there’s a purple unicorn in my garage that only comes out when I’m not there.
There are enough miracles* in my life that gods are superfluous, should any exist.

* feel free to tell me whether I use the word colloquially or literally.

What, you mean return the favor? Nah. Tisn't necessary. Anyway, either way, I thought this was a very good answer. It makes sense no matter how I look at it. I would only say to anyone and everyone when you asked to whom?

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

The gods make a huge difference. Money, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kim Jong Un have a significant impact on our lives. Don't understand the confusion.

 

[lostone]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

It's an amusing topic to discuss.

OTOH, people who involve religion in politics make a lot of difference with punitive laws based on those religious ideas. Women and sexual issues, for example. I really don't care what you or anyone else believes, if they leave me alone and don't let their ideas restrict anyone else's rights.

 

[Rhea]

It doesn't matter to me.

Okay. That's a good answer. But I doubt the veracity of it because

Because you have a propensity to make claims before you understand the answers people give you. So you tend toward impugning their honor out loud before you finish listening.

it seems contrary to the evidence.

Only if you draw conclusions before hearing all the evidence…

If it doesn't matter why would you be here yammering on and on about it as is our want? It could be you find it ridiculously fascinating.

It turns out that it is ridiculously fascinating to ponder how people believe things. And this discussion board was built to facilitate such engagements for understanding of each other. That’s why it’s our wont here.

That's part of the reason I do it. I think your apathetic statement is true, but incomplete.

I have a god image I prefer to believe in.

Is that a statement on the existence of this god you have an image of?

There's no real evidence on the subject, I just prefer to believe in it. That's why it's a Faith based belief.

That makes sense. I've said it myself here. Except for the evidence part. By evidence do you mean data for or against the existence of God? Sorry, we have to talk about just one, not your image. Too bad.

If it weren't for religious people demanding that I live by their primitive moral and ethical codes I would not care at all.

There!! That's it! That's the answer to my question of what difference it makes.

And you could have just listened patiently until you got to this prt and you wouldn’t have had to type all that embarrassing pre-judgment stuff that turned out to be (predictably) wrong about his thoughts that you put above.

It doesn't matter if God exists or not, the only thing that really matters is the control, is that a fair statement?

It’s incomplete. What matters is the damaging and harmful manifestations of control that other people exert on him.

Don’t be confused into thinking it’s about Tom wanting control. He’s been clear over the years that it’s not a desire to be in control (aka to “want to be god-like” as the religionists mistakenly assume), it is a desire to not be harmed by the prejudices of others.

ETA: See how simple that was, folks. Let's give Tom here a round of applause. And me as well, of course, but I've already had a great deal of that. My cup runneth over.

You cup of derision runneth over. Tom didn’t do anything to earn snark from you. He didn’t reach some epiphany that you nurtured. It’s what he’s said all along. It’s you who finally caught up.


This entire board is absolutely full of evidence for the relatively universal opinion that if religionists, cultists and believers didn’t try to harm us so regularly, we wouldn’t give a care what fantasies they indulge.

 

[RIS]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

To the extent that people *believe* that god(dess)(es) exist, why, it still doesn’t matter if they actually exist if there is absolutely no discernable effect on us from the god(dess)(es) themselves. And there is, indeed, no discernable effect on us from any theorized god(dess)(es).

However, discussing whether or not they exist does help us to understand the thought processes and likely reactions of people who think that they have a mandate from a god(dess)(es) to try to control others.

So in the end, the discussion is about people, not god(dess)(es).

Would you agree that if it wasn't gods in question, if it was some other means of control, the effect would be the same? I think that's what you are saying but HEY - I wouldn't want to presume anything.

 

[RIS]

SIMPLY

What difference does it make whether OR NOT gods exist?

It's an amusing topic to discuss.

OTOH, people who involve religion in politics make a lot of difference with punitive laws based on those religious ideas. Women and sexual issues, for example. I really don't care what you or anyone else believes, if they leave me alone and don't let their ideas restrict anyone else's rights.

I agree. On one hand. On the other hand (OTOH if you insist) there's a lot problematic there unless you are absolute. Let people believe what they want to believe is an illusion in a democracy. Mob rules. Sorry. In a rupublic on the other hand the rights of the individual eclipse the right of a group, or mob, if you will. Jesus said he was no part of the world and his followers would be no part of the world. When they tried to make him king, he fled. When Satan, the ruler of the world, tried to tempt him with all of the kingdoms of all time, he refused.

His alleged followers? Not so much, but on the other hand they have democracy.

 

[RIS]

How about you, RIS?
What difference does it make to you?

All the difference in the world, Elixir. All the difference in the world.

 

[RIS]

Because you have a propensity to make claims before you understand the answers people give you.

Correct.

So you tend toward impugning their honor out loud before you finish listening.

Here we go again. Hell hath no fury. YAY! Another thread about me! For a recluse you certainly are obsessed with what others think of your presentation.

 

[RIS]

It’s incomplete. What matters is the damaging and harmful manifestations of control that other people exert on him.

But the control isn't dependent upon the existence of God. If the God didn't exist something else could be used. Like science.

Don’t be confused into thinking it’s about Tom wanting control.

It isn't about Tom wanting to control his own life without the interference of anyone else for any reason?

He’s been clear over the years that it’s not a desire to be in control (aka to “want to be god-like” as the religionists mistakenly assume), it is a desire to not be harmed by the prejudices of others.

I didn't think it would take long for you to do what every other ideologue always does. What you say I'm doing. Let Tom speak for himself. Let the religionists speak for themselves. Put away your fragile dented mask.

You cup of derision runneth over. Tom didn’t do anything to earn snark from you. He didn’t reach some epiphany that you nurtured. It’s what he’s said all along. It’s you who finally caught up.

Do please be quiet.

This entire board is absolutely full of evidence for the relatively universal opinion that if religionists, cultists and believers didn’t try to harm us so regularly, we wouldn’t give a care what fantasies they indulge.

Bullshit.

 

[pood]

“Hell hath no fury …” “Do please be quiet … Yes, all of us and especially the Wimmins need to sit down and shut up while RIS manplains/religionsplains the facts of reality to us. But before that maybe he will learn to spell “fabulous,” “wont,” and “hazard.”

 

[RIS]

“Hell hath no fury …” “Do please be quiet … Yes, all of us and especially the Wimmins need to sit down and shut up while RIS manplains/religionsplains the facts of reality to us. But before that maybe he will learn to spell “fabulous,” “wont,” and “hazard.”

Maybe you'll stop checking the spellcheck to see if I've spelled wright.

 

[Elixir]

How about you, RIS?
What difference does it make to you?

All the difference in the world, Elixir. All the difference in the world.

Why?

 

[RIS]

The gods make a huge difference. Money, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kim Jong Un have a significant impact on our lives. Don't understand the confusion.

Exactly. Not all of those have an impact on all of us, but all of them have an impact on some of us. That's why Paul said their God is their belly. That's why Jehovah said to Moses, you will be God to Aaron and Pharaoh.

 

[RIS]

Why?

Because the world is about to be destroyed. Again.