Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Let Your Heart Lead the Way

I have debated a long list of Christians. Some of the debates took place through e-mails, others were on Facebook and more recently they have been on Twitter. The debates can be as short as a few Twitter messages or as long as a few months of lengthy e-mails. While the beginning and middle of the debates vary the end is usually the same. They will explain to me that they understood my points, but that they know in their heart that God is real.

The idea of letting your feelings make big decisions is crazy. A scientist couldn't get his new medication pass the FDA by only saying, "I know in my heart that his medication will work great and isn't dangerous." The FDA would ask for evidence to back up this statement. A lawyer couldn't free his client by simply stating, "I know my client is not guilty because I can feel it in my heart." The judge, like the FDA in the previous example, would also require evidence. Our lives should be based on evidence not the warm and fuzzy feelings that we experience.

When the Bible was written people didn't know much about the brain which is why the Bible is filled with the idea that you think and believe things with your heart. This lack of knowledge has also lead to phrases like "I love you with all of my heart" to be part of our language. An all knowing god would have known about the brain and would not have misled his followers about the body he created. Although, there are so many things wrong with our bodies I can see why an all-powerful god wouldn't want to brag.

I know that many Christians say that everything around us proves God exists. However, through scientific discoveries we can explain how our earth came to be and shows that God isn't necessary for any of it. I know this doesn't mean that we can say with 100% certainty that there is not a god. However, there is enough evidence to feel comfortable living as if there isn't. Just as Christians live as if the all the other gods don't exist.

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours" -- Stephen Roberts

8 comments:

hiloecho said...

I think people cling to religion because of the what if fear. Approached rationally the idea of a creator being holds no water. I like Dawkins idea in the God Theory about the 6 constants of the universe being knobs and god's the divine knob-twiddler. I also recently read the Average American IQ is 98. Combine that with fear and superstition becomes reality for many.

Godless Woman said...

Thanks for your comment. It is sad to think that the US has an average IQ of 98. If American students were taught critical thinking skills starting in Kindergarten. The average IQ could climb and the hold that religion has on people could break. Again, thanks for your comments. I enjoy reading what others have to say.

Duncan said...

What bothers me about the God-botherers is the energy they expend, looking for and identifying The Devil. I suspect, with far less effort, they could go around seeking the Good, and have much more fun. It could even be Heavenly...

justyns35@hotmail.com said...

If you told me that your dream was to be an engineer and I told you to follow your heart.....I am using a metaphor right?

When the Bible says to "trust God with all your heart" it's the same thing.

I am not an English major, but you seriously don't know when someone says "I love you with all my heart" they mean with everything they have, etc. They aren't saying I love you with my organ that pumps blood so I can live.

Think before you blog.

clips4sale said...

I totally agree. The idea of go wanting us to decide using our emotions doesn't make sense. He creates us, then wants use to be foolish half the time? Don't think so.

Cheryl Ensom Dack said...

Funny...

After 30 years in Christianity the truth is my real feelings indicate God is not real. Not in the way Christianity describes God, anyway. I was fighting this feeling for decades. So with me, the debate is about head-knowledge, not feelings! I feel AND know that Christianity is not truth, though.

Just found you and responded to your top post but will keep reading! :)

Anonymous said...

I´m step further. I was atheist until I realized that I´m God. :D

Godless Woman said...

@nickpol Thanks for the comment. You are too funny.