I find it odd that when filling out a form that asked me what my religion is one of the choices is Atheist.
What now? That is the that opposite of religion.
I find it odd that when filling out a form that asked me what my religion is one of the choices is Atheist.
What now? That is the that opposite of religion.
Fair enough, I have been using them interchangeably. I suppose given your position that’s inaccurate. Our positions differ quite a bit, I’m an antitheist and materialist/physicalist.
My point here is just the opposite. It isn’t inferences or guesses, we can tell from brain activity that what’s going on falls within a certain range. We have yet to refine this ability to tell detailed specifics but we’re not guessing A * B = G, we can use our modern tools and understanding to determine that G is within the range of D through J. Prior to the development of the current tools and methods we had a wider range and prior to the development of any such tools we were guessing and making inferences.
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle would be an example I’d agree to of something unknownable: the set of both the precise location and momentum of a particle. However as of yet I am unaware of any reason or mechanism by which this unknowable is impactful to any sapient entity… except those specifically studying it.
As-is I find the unknowables that I am aware of, the Uncertainty Principle, whether or not we’re in a simulation, and so on so be inconsequential on the scale we operate on. We have a perceived reality that behaves according to rules that are determinable and practical utility can be derived from determining them.
I don’t think I can contest this. At least not at the moment after having had a long day. In any case I think this point is where we likely differ quite a lot; I strive to take nothing on faith. To whichever extent that I do I want it to be less or at least driven past the point of functional irrelevance to the operation of my life.
I suppose the authors of their scripture would count even though they have limited relation to living leaders of their religion.
The uncertainty principle is a fantastic example! I don’t necessarily disagree that these unknowables are largely irrelevant to every day life. They’re the minutiae that help an individual understand their ‘place’ in the vastness of the universe, but they don’t really tell us anything about the things that… Well, matter.
The biggest thing I think my world view has helped me with is, if I can accept some things are just inherently outside of my grasp as an individual, I don’t have to try to justify or explain why we’re here. We just are. Whatever the reason, let’s make it the best time we can. It lets me focus on things that matter to me. And, for you, the thing that matters is resolving all of those things as logically as possible.
And, as far as scripture goes, there are myriad interpretations for the meanings of the actual words written in the scriptures, at least Christian ones. They’ve gone through so many translations, rewrites, omissions, and blatant changes. It’s… Well, unknowable what the original intentions of the authors were, but what we see now, the scriptures used to preach hate, are absolutely the result of millennia of people in places of power pushing agendas. Blind faith in something like a church is exactly what I meant when I said that about faith making you do something you wouldn’t otherwise. Fuck that, form your own opinions on the things that matter, don’t just take the ones from someone who swears they want the best for you.