Aethist or Religious?

[IndiReloaded]

I wonder when ppl started making this distinction b/t 'God' and 'Personal God'.

Not that I really care, but it seems to me that the former can be interchanged: God = Universe = The Force (be with you) = Physical Principles that drive what IS.

Anyway, Einstein seemed to be in this^ camp. Not the sort of God that takes a personal interest in human activities.

As you all know, the confusion this causes bothers me.

I got a pamphlet in the mail the other day asking whether I knew the 'difference' b/t Natural Selection and Evolution. From some creationist society. It was filled with all kinds of misleading & incorrect information, but with just enough fact to make it confusing. It was very sad to read.

[shh!]

I wonder when ppl started making this distinction b/t 'God' and 'Personal God'..

Probably about the same time they figured out that good people suffer while bad people don't. For thinking people, gross injustice forces you to re-evaluate your beliefs in the nature of god or give up belief all together.

Actually, this is a rather common distinction for non-Christians, at least in my experience.

[Only-virgins]

Oh, and he came from Germany. Like Einstein. ...the intelligences of whom any two civilized monkeys from America couldn't come up with together.

What do you expect from a Nation that has a 90% religious population? How pathetic that ignorance is still dominant.

I got a pamphlet in the mail the other day asking whether I knew the 'difference' b/t Natural Selection and Evolution. From some creationist society. It was filled with all kinds of misleading & incorrect information, but with just enough fact to make it confusing. It was very sad to read.

You at least only got a pamphlet. I had a man stop at our door and I opened it. He proceeded to try to explain to me about his god and creationism and after saying twice "no thanks" I was forced to just close the door on him while he was talking. Some of the things he was saying was absolutely insane.

[doppelgaenger]

What do you expect from a Nation that has a 90% religious population? How pathetic that ignorance is still dominant.

It is not the population, but the individual.

[Lipp]

Which is another funny thing. I wish that in the census of countries showing what religion people belong to it would be more accurate and interesting if they included what part of the population is non-religious. Otherwise it always looks as if everyone is in one way or another.

And I also bet that there are so so many who are religious just for convenience and don't actually believe.

Okay, this website didn't look too professional, but at least it includes a chunk of people that are atheist/agnostic/spiritual.

[url]http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html[/url]

[IndiReloaded]

You at least only got a pamphlet. I had a man stop at our door and I opened it. He proceeded to try to explain to me about his god and creationism and after saying twice "no thanks" I was forced to just close the door on him while he was talking. Some of the things he was saying was absolutely insane.

I would *love* for someone like this to come to our house. I'd invite them in. Can you imagine the fun we'd have?

The best one we have is when Morons (sic) or JWs visit. Its usually on a weekend, so we thank them for coming but then remind them they are taking away from our precious family time. It leaves them in an amusing conundrum & they usually leave somewhat confused as to how we managed to 'escape' so cleanly.

[IndiReloaded]

Probably about the same time they figured out that good people suffer while bad people don't. For thinking people, gross injustice forces you to re-evaluate your beliefs in the nature of god or give up belief all together.

Actually, this is a rather common distinction for non-Christians, at least in my experience.

I was wondering more when it started appearing in writing. It seems to be a fairly recent thing, only in the last few years. I don't remember hearing or reading about 'God' and 'Personal God' when I was growing up. It was only the former.

[Gribble]

I just don't answer the door for them.

What really used to piss me off was when I'd be on campus studying or something and some nitwit would come by with pamphlets. They were all pretty good about leaving me alone when I said I wasn't interested, though.

[IndiReloaded]

I just don't answer the door for them.

We believe in counter-terrorism, tho, so we do. If we can wear them out & waste their time so they go home instead of to a neighbour, then we consider it a job well done.

[shh!]

I was wondering more when it started appearing in writing. It seems to be a fairly recent thing, only in the last few years. I don't remember hearing or reading about 'God' and 'Personal God' when I was growing up. It was only the former.

I'm not sure of an exact date, but I know Maimonides (for one) didn't believe in a personal god, and he was from the medieval age.

[Only-virgins]

It is not the population, but the individual.

Ok than, to put it for you in other words...90% of the American population of "INDIVIDUALS" is theist. Better?

I would *love* for someone like this to come to our house. I'd invite them in. Can you imagine the fun we'd have?

Not really, considering I find debating religion about as much fun as debating the existence of a werewolf and boogieman with an 8 year old.

[IndiReloaded]

Well, I haven't yet had the opportunity to discuss things with a creationist, but as we know a lot about evolution I think they would find it hard-going.

I've had lovely conversations with Mormons, they come around every summer. As 'respectable married folk' they don't find fault with us, and we completely agree with their views on the decline of the family unit/values. We just disagree that organized religion is the way to restore these values & we state clearly why we think so. When they start quoting the bible as the source for their logic, it becomes quite easy to poke holes in their argument. They leave politely shortly after that but by then we've usually managed to suck up about 30 minutes or so.

Hey, come to think, I should keep copies of The God Delusion to hand out to them. Turnabout is fair play, afterall.

[Lipp]

Reminds me of a quote a friend of mine used to tell about from an encounter with a same-aged mormon :

"YOU CAN DROP THE F BOMB ANYTIME, BUT DON'T YOU EVER SAY G DAMNIT!".

And yes, the caps are intentional for effect.

[IndiReloaded]

This is for Gribble & OV (and whoever else likes Pat Condell). It just seemed topical. His quip about 'selling an invisible car' is hilarious.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M114bK4qaiM"]YouTube - Take your god and shove him[/ame]

[IndiReloaded]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urlTBBKTO68&NR=1"]YouTube - An Atheist Meets God[/ame]