Does it matter if God exists? (Introduction)

by dhw, Monday, March 28, 2016, 13:22 (3161 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: Another essay with a similar point of view:-http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/god-is-a-question-not-an-answer/?emc=ed...-QUOTE: "We can and should expand that dialogue to include atheists and agnostics, to recognize our common humanity and to stop seeing one another as enemy combatants in a spiritual or intellectual war. Rather than seeking the security of an answer, perhaps we should collectively celebrate the uncertainty of the question.
"This is not to say that we should cease attempts to convince others of our views. Far from it. We should try to unsettle others as we remain open to being unsettled ourselves. In a spirit of tolerance and intellectual humility, we should see ourselves as partners in a continuing conversation, addressing an enduring question."-I would like to think that this forum epitomizes the spirit advocated by the author, and although many contributors have come and gone, there has never been any intention to alienate. I too see all of us as partners and not as combatants. -dhw: My thanks to David for raising a subject which makes us take a good look at ourselves. It would be interesting to get other responses to the question.-DAVID: I've given one. My thanks to you for offering a venue which allows me an opportunity to debate a subject about which I feel strongly, despite the ultimate doubt.-I am very happy that the forum has been so productive, though in all honesty it would almost certainly have faded away without the huge range of subject matter and research that you have brought to it. Even if my agnostic fence may sometimes seem to you more like a brick wall, the discussions are important to me. Yep, they matter!