How many millennia of no evidence does one need before they discard the fantasy?

They never will. They'll look you square in the eyes and tell you you're ignoring the evidence, and then show you a singular case of someone in their faith recovering from cancer because of "prayer and intercession" even though their religious mother died of the same condition.

I honestly think that's on them, not on the world. People can believe in all sorts of harmful things, but I see belief as just like fire or water - some of what they do is very good and makes the world and humanity better; some of what they do is destructive and uncaring.

Nah. It’s not neutral, because at its core, it requires you to relinquish your rational thinking. Even if there’s some good that might come from it, that good could have still happened.

It's a mixed bag. It is exceptionally rare to be born without fear, but roughly 2% of people are born with diminished empathy. Absent an internal locus, fear of damnation can give an external reason to behave amicably, but many religions also absolve people even if they act on their worst impulses.

I remember an old Jewish story (surprise!) that I love: A dying man asked his rabbi, "How can I die like a good Jew?" The rabbi answered, "The only way to die like a good Jew is to have lived like one." Life and the here and now are what is important.

I was very rational for a very long time. I rationalized anything that I couldn't see, touch, or explain. It harmed me in a great many ways. I am endlessly grateful that I'm not like that any longer. I am not like those whose rationality is a gift to them,

and I am glad they are not being hurt by it. My rational mind is better for me when tempered with mystery. Humanity needs the rationalists. Everyone walks their own path. I wish only good things for you.

Don’t wish. Do things to make the world good for me.

Believe me, please. I am trying to. But may I have your permission to wish, too? You ae a good person to interact with, and I want good people to live and be well.

I mean, your first amendment right to declare a wish is not in danger, but you could also try an incantation over a cauldron of boiled mandrake root, by the light of a full moon, and get the same effect, but look cooler doing it.

I'm afraid I haven't done that kind of thing since I was in high school. I am too badly out of practice to attempt it.

So much this. It baffles me.

For many, faith can only exist in the absence of evidence. Franz Werfel wrote: "For those who believe, no evidence is necessary. For those who do not believe, no evidence is possible." That impossibility of evidence may well be behind the far-right's refusal to accept what we see as fact.

Exactly!! Religion is a MLM scam for the ignorant!! There is no god! Period!!! And I always end it with "Prove me wrong" and I get blocked 🤣🤣

Literally asked a rabi how he knew "God" exists and he replied "how do you know he doesn't?" I swear they are braindead and afraid. They need someone to tell them what to do, feel, think, and believe. Not a shred of free will. It's so idiotic.

It's only recently that Jewish seminaries have started recognizing that it might be worth a lot to teach something about pastoral care in addition to Torah, Mechilta, and Talmud. So some rabbis are the modern Sadducees, and I really do try to stay away from Sadducees.

Most of what you said made no sense to me because I don't know what pastoral care entails nor what sadducees are. But this convo with a rabi was about 20 years ago so not sure if what you said qualifies.

Pastoral care involves nourishing the spirit of those who come, not telling them what tradition or ritual or the text says. Sadducees were the opponents of the Pharisees in the Temple in Jesus' day. Everything the Sadducees believed have been mistakenly attributed to the Pharisees by

Christianity, which was an original error that never got questioned or researched over the centuries and became canon for the church

This is another reason why I stay away from religion. None of this shit makes sense or works and it's far too ridiculous for me to understand, like, or care about. 😵‍💫

Living the lives we want to live is important. I just hope that more people will want to make the world a better place for everyone and every living thing on the planet for having lived in it, and that seems a very unpopular attitude for all too many these days.

Yes, they are selfish, ignorant, and horribly indoctrinated to believe very stupid things. I hope there is some problem solving skills in their heads but I have yet to see it and I am losing hope. The human race is a fucking disaster.

In general, proof can be antithetical to belief, kind of like how perfection is the enemy of good.

There is evil and there is good. Without either one of these the other has no meaning.

That is one of the most meaningless platitudes I've ever heard. Right up there with, "it is what it is."

Not to be too calloused, practically speaking that is exactly what it has been. Kind of tired of the same playbook.

It’s just stupid. Good is good, even in the absence of any evil.

Okay, have it your way.

It’s not “my way.” It’s just the way it is.

The way it is for you. You are unique. So forgive me for thinking that you have a unique way to be who you are. Another old Jewish story (of course) is about Rabbi Zusya, who was asked if he was worried that when he died, God would ask him why he was not Moses." He said, "No,

You know what's Crazy? Every time I read your statements, I hear it in Alex Skarsgard's voice from MurderBot 🤣🤣

😂

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I love that Guy!

It’s funny, I read all the audiobooks, and in my head, that narrator is Murderbot, and he is profoundly different from Skarsgård, so it took me a bit to get used to.

Most people think they can have good without bad.

Most religious people insist you cannot be good unless you follow their god. Paving the way in their minds to make it okay to kill you. Just waiting for someone to push them down that path.

Religious people might, but spiritual people never would. I truly believe that anyone who thinks their religion is the only way there is, has no idea what nourishing a soul feels like. Everyone's way is unique to them, the only way for each of them.

Spiritual people are the reeds in which the crazy religious people hide in. Passive camo from which the religious will use to shelter from criticism while the Reeds elect them into office, then step passively asside as they come for our throats.

I'm so sorry you seem to have had the kinds of experiences that caused you to feel that way. My stepmother's family died in Auschwitz, and for me, the spiritual people were the ones like Miep Gies, Princess Alice, and the others who could only save a few, but did not step aside.

What kind of experiences do you think would drive one to feel this way? Listening to the 'Spiritual' wave away women's rape and child mutilation because everyone is a sinner? Because it's not that bad?

Exclusivity is always a trap. It's the foundation of cults. Religion is fast food spirituality.

I think humanity will keep that from being a problem.

You are so correct. Regrettably.