[quote=flyer]I find it amusing that “nonbelievers” think their opinion is more valid than “believers.”

A “nonbeliever” stating that something doesn’t exist is nothing more than another “opinion.”–nothing more, and, believe me, it means absolutely nothing to a “believer.” I’m certain a “nonbeliever” feels likewise–and neither cares what the other thinks.

So, in the meantime, until the truth becomes evident, or never does, we can spend our time making our millions and enjoying our lives with family and friends. At least, that’s what I’m doing.
Cheers![/quote]

i dont think my belief is more valid than yours. just more firmly held, as it’s not a “belief”. I KNOW for certain that wearing certain underwear will not get you into heaven, as some mormons hold, and I KNOW with the same degree of certainty that G-ds son was not nailed to a cross to die for our sins, and I KNOW that G-d does not care about us. I am not saying that you may not know, differently, but I think you just kind of hope, or try to believe, or have faith, or are wishing (as all humans must do in these types of systems of religion). That’s fine, not less valid, just less firm. It’s a “faith”…something which cannot be known…just sort of held on to, as firmly as one possibly can, given the absurdity of life and the explanation for all that absurdity given by that particular religion’s explanation of it all…

I will not yield on this point. I will hold it until my dying breath.

I also KNOW (not believe), KNOW that all of those beliefs, the cross, the underwear, the praying, all have important social functions, and produce certain effects in people they find beneficial. For these reasons, they are worthy of respect…not because they are true in the sense of having any independent existence aside from the meaning they have in a social structure…but because they somehow give meaning to people in a world where our full time job is searching for meaning.

I would never say, hey wait till it’s all over, then you’ll see I’m right…because I know that’s an absurd statement (from my point of view). from the point of view of a faith-adherent, who in the end is someone who has taken up pascals wager, with varying degrees of certainty, it does make sense to say it will all become clear later. and it’s valid. just way less firm…Firm is “I know now.”