Fine tuning specifics: Reasons for God (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Monday, May 01, 2017, 21:28 (2763 days ago) @ David Turell

dhw: To blame atheism for the slaughter of the Jews seems to me as destructive a distortion as to blame theism for the jihad. You were defending Olasky’s article, and in my view such distortions can only foster prejudice and conflict. I don’t know what you are referring to when you accuse me of “prejudice about religion”.
DAVID: It is my distinct impression that you are highly prejudiced against religion in general.

dhw: I join you in not recognizing the authority of the bible and in not following any organized religion, but I have the utmost respect for people with religious beliefs, provided those beliefs are not harmful. And so if by “religion” you mean dogma and ritual, I agree that like yourself I am anti (call us both prejudiced if you like).

David: You have described my meaning exactly.

Harmful is a funny topic. Harmful to whom and under what circumstances? If the bible is to be believed, Armageddon would likely destroy millions of people, topple governments, and generally destroy society as we know it, much as the flood did in Noah's time. However, in the long term, if it would mean an end to the evils that plague mankind, would you still consider it harmful?

dhw: "No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it."

Neither the bible nor the wise people who give us their personal interpretations of the bible, nor the scientists, nor the philosophers - theistic and atheistic - with their unproven and probably unprovable theories can comprehend what goes on, even to the extent that nobody knows if there is any meaning beyond the meaning we as individuals give it. Some of the many authors of the bible were indeed extremely wise, and as an agnostic I can only applaud this unknown author’s insight.

David: There were two or more writers of Genesis according to scholars.

There were undoubtedly many writers that contributed to the bible. However, they are considered divinely inspired writings (by those that believe in them), and as such are considered to have one author: God. Much like a single author using multiple publishers. It doesn't matter who does the printing, the author hasn't changed.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.