From: Steve Peterson (peterson.steve@verizon.net)
Date: Sun Mar 21 2004 - 14:29:59 GMT
Hi Platt, DM, Matt K, all
> Platt: IMHO, the MOQ is atheistic to the core.
>
Here is my Matt K inspired approach to the atheist question:
Theistius: Are you an atheist?
Moqist: An atheist is one that asserts that there is no God. I make no
such assertion and do not accept being labeled "atheist."
Theistius: Yes, but do you believe that God exists?
Moqist: Such a concept certainly exists. Otherwise, what have we been
talking about? Many people find God to be a useful idea for explaining
their experience.
Theistius: I want to know whether God actually exists. Not whether such
an idea exists.
Moqist: Before I answer, can you tell me why I should participate in
this God/no God distinction that you've created?
Theistius: You are begging the question. You are assuming that God is
merely an idea that I've invented.
Moqist: Indeed. But can you tell me why it is good to believe that
there is a God without doing the same?
Theistius: I guess not. I want to that you must believe in God and
accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior who died for your sins and
repent for the end is near or otherwise you will burn in the raging
fires of hell for all eternity, but I suppose you would not accept that
answer since it presupposes that there is a God.
Moqist: You are right. I would not. Since you cannot answer, I see no
reason why I should play the "god/no God" game and accept your label of
"atheist" with its connotations of immorality. Now we were discussing
whether or not God exists, but you just said that I "must believe in
God." Is there is a difference between believing or not believing in
God and believing or not believing that God exists?
Theistius: I would say belief that God exists is a statement of fact
while believing in God is to have a conviction of the goodness of
asserting that fact.
Moqist: Since I have not been convinced that it is good to believe
that God is other than a concept, I have no conviction of the goodness
of God, so it seems correct to say that I don't believe in God, so long
as you don't call me an atheist or a wishy-washy agnostic who can't
make up his mind. Such labels are unfair and beg the question of God's
existence. After all, I only believe in one fewer god than you do.
Thanks,
Steve
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