@bshankar @cbontenbal

Matt Dillahunty also stresses the importance of believing in true things, and not believing claims that don't have convincing evidence.

But yeah, if you don't hurt others, as the saying goes, "No harm, no foul."

In addition to pragmatism, some hold onto belief because it comforts them. But I must ask: How valuable is false comfort?

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@cbontenbal @Barebower

If cbontenbal isn't insulted, then it's okay with me. (Although if someone said that they could lead me to facts but couldn't make me think, I might be a tad put off.)

I appreciate the explanation, Recurver. Personally, I feel that questions work better than fact-statements. The sticking point is getting people to answer when the questions become uncomfortable. Some give up at the first sign of cognitive dissonance.

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@wordofthehour
“Manifest truth” is carrying a lot of baggage here…

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@Barebower @cbontenbal

I appreciate the input, but it's counter-productive to my discussion to start by insulting my interlocutor.

As for what religion relies on, I think that leaves out the most important reason: childhood indoctrination. You can't sustain or grow the business without getting new customers when they're young and credulous.

We should never underestimate the power of indoctrination.

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@cbontenbal

In my view, the time to believe a claim is when there's convincing evidence for it. One problem I see is the need for "a more convincing idea." When faced with mysteries such as a god's existence, or what led to the big bang, the only intellectually honest answer is "We don't know yet." Claiming "God did it" has no explanatory power and attempts to answer a mystery by presenting a larger mystery.

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*Submission to the Authorities

*For because of this you also pay taxes!*for the authorities are ministers of God!*attending to this very thing!*Pay to all what is owed to them!*taxes to whom taxes are owed!*revenue to whom revenue is owed!*respect to whom respect is owed!*honor to whom honor is owed!

@cbontenbal

Well, if you like watching debates, you can try one of Matt Dillahunty's debates against apologists on YouTube.

The "Thinking Atheist" podcast features non-confrontational, reasonable takes on faith issues.

For books, the old standbys are Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion", Christopher Hitchens's "God Is Not Great," Sam Harris's "Letter To a Christian Nation." There are other books related to faith by all three. If you're of a more philosophical bent, you can also explore Daniel Dennett's work.

There's alos a website, https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com, wherein you can explore the logical falliacies that theists engage in.

That's enough of a starter pack, I think. Good luck on your journey!

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@cbontenbal

Thanks for replying. Actually, my main issue is *faith* more than specific beliefs or religions.

Which leads me to this question:
How did you come to the conclusion that a god exists?

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