₦airaland Forum

dalaman:
Now to address the OP

People tend to accept these mythical stories because they were indoctrinated with then and made to accept them at very early ages when they couldn't reason very well and they had no reason to dismiss them.because they were told to accept them as special and previlaged facts by authorities they trusted and had no reason not to. Failure to accept these myths are laced with certain threats and talks of damnation or doom.

Societal acceptance also plays a great role as well. That's why a Muslim will read the bible and mock Christians for accepting certain tales but will read the Koran and defend similar tales.

i quite agree. after our discussion, she agreed of having not really given a thought to most of the things i said and then playfully said she was going home to think.

A little seed of skepticism just as like Jesus' parable on mustard seed is all that is needed to develop a full huge tree of doubt.

Acepen:
Op Johnydon22 Ur Threads Tickles My Thinking Faculty.
What We Have Here Is Perceptual Ascentuation. People Hold On To Belief And Opinion Despite Rational Evidence Against It

To me it shows faith off as a dishonest position. it entails the insertion of stoic conviction without reason and often defended against reason.

I have the position that if we get to the point of having to believe something sorely on faith then we do not really have any rational reason to believe it in the first place.

budaatum:
You all heard him. When you are ill, don't bother going to the doctors. They are "a scam".

(You got to wonder why the likes of Buhari bother travelling abroad for healthcare though!)

Is there really any need to reply that fuckery of a comment?

"The idea started through noticing that, in public discourse, despite both the conservative/religious groups and liberal/secular groups showing strong animosity towards the opposite ideological side, somehow it was mostly the former who were often labeled as ‘'closed-minded'," Uzarevic explained. "Moreover, such view of the secular being more tolerant and open seemed to be dominant in the psychological literature. Being interested in this topic, we started to discuss whether this is necessarily and always the case: Are the religious indeed generally more closed-minded, or would it perhaps be worthy of investigating the different aspects of closed-mindedness and their relationship with (non)religion."

I agree with this. the liberal/secular end can be dogmatic and frankly ldiotic in their conviction

oooh!!! That explains why more religious people are becoming atheist than the other way round. I have always suspected this. Anyway let's try to open as much minds as we can on either side of the spectrum.

Deprofessional:
I have seen enough in this life to make me believe in the existence of GOD.

1.Belief in God is not a bad thing, i happen to think it is in fact a profound conviction.

2.But regarding your comment, elucidate the connection between what you have seen in this life and its validation on the existence of God?

3. The post was not really referring to the existence of God but rather question whether most of the stories that form the basis of religious beliefs are in fact truth or myth.

Last Thursday, the heat of the Otedola bridge tanker explosion was still very much felt throughout Nigerian cyber-space. What further aggravated the problem was the pray for Nigeria campaign it sparked off.

As expected there was mixed feelings about the whole campaign and i was one of the persons that spoke against such clueless campaign. We have been praying times and again after every tragedy yet another even deadlier tragedy occurs just after. This should be a call for more practical solution and not prayer.

Anyway that is not the point of this thread. Let me proceed with my story.

So, i made some posts on my WhatsApp status against the #PrayForNigeria campaign and ordinarily my friends reacted. Some felt the need to affirm that prayers worked which i did not argue against, some agreed with me, a particular friend of mine (female) whom i have not seen before, we just chat online argued against the premise and we got talking. I later made my intentions of not arguing on whatsapp known and she proposed that we met that day to sit and talk, i agreed.

In the afternoon she was at my house and we got a bit familiar with ourselves before proceeding with the discussion. The following lines highlights the premise of this topic.

After a few discussions about God, religion, prayer and all.

She asked me to explain to her, that she wanted to understand my perspective on Christianity, God and biblical positions.

"I want to tell you a story" I said. She smiled and paid apt attention to my impending story, so i began. "long ago when the world was still new, Chukwu (God) created humanity and everything was ok but it wasn't determined yet if man were to live forever or not" She adjusted herself and paid even closer attention.
"So God called the tortoise and the dog" Immediately i mentioned this line she lifted her face up and gave me that WTF look. I smiled and told her to relax, i wasn't finished with my story then proceeded.
"God gave the dog a package of immortality and the tortoise he gave a package of mortality, whoever delivers his first affects the turnout of man's reality on mortality. The dog is much faster than the tortoise so it sets out immediately with bullet speed, but on its way, it saw a pile of bones and thought to itself, let me eat and enjoy some bones, the tortoise cannot ever catch up. After the bones, he was tired and decided to take a little nap. He was still sleeping when the tortoise walked past him and thus delivered his package to mankind first and that is why mankind is prone to die"

She laughed.
I asked "You don't believe that right?"
She nodded in affirmation.
"Why?"

"Dogs and tortoise?, common, thats folklore" she replied.

I laughed and agreed. "But do you know that, that is the Igbo traditional story of what happened?"
She just laughed.

"All right, i will tell you another story" I said.
"So long ago, after God created heaven and earth, he created two humans and put them in a garden. Then he planted a tree and told them not to eat that particular tree but they can eat every other fruit there. Then the woman was taking a walk one day and the snake told her. "You know you won't die if you eat this fruit right?, God just doesn't want you to be like him" then the woman took the fruit and ate it, gave some to her husband and he ate it. and that is why snakes do not have legs today and humans are prone to die and women have pains during labour"

"do you believe this one?" i asked.
She paused for a while and burst into laughter.

How come you don't believe the former but you believe the later, they both had the same motif, style and theme?

She laughed again and kept quiet for a minute. After that i knew she had no much defense to muster up anymore, i just proposed we watch some african magic.

* * * * * * *

This story up there represents the point this thread presents. "Myth or truth' Most Christians or Muslims that'd read this almost certainly won't believe my story on dog and tortoise determining whether we live forever or not but they obviously believe stories that are just as ridiculous as mine.

A muslim would laugh at the Greek myth of Perseus riding a flying horse but they actually believe Muhammed rode a flying horse named baruq.

Evaluation of myths found in most religious books betrays a motif that is most certainly folklore, apparently myth but today, people believe these as truth and defend these beliefs against reason.

As i have always affirmed, such application of faith is grossly dishonest by default.

So is this not a time to ask yourself the most necessary question towards your belief. The most daring approach that affirms our courage to seek the truth.

Why do i believe this story and not that story?

If you could understand the why? of your belief, i think this simplifies your position better and shows your belief does not necessary form myth into truth.

ScienceWatch:
Thank you for attempting to explain why you are a much better thinker than Nigerians.
But be fair to us and explain what you did and how you did it. Educate Nigerians on how to produce thoughts that can truly be proven to be unique and the exclusive production of an individual thinker.

It will help if you can show Nigerians a short list of 7 thoughts that you own.

We are waiting with fingers crossed.

Lol. This is a valid question

Organism000:
The Creator of Gods and Humans is what runs the show, it is not an entity, it is a living intelligence ever present.

k

Organism000:
First off, Atheism is not a permanent title, at least should not be taken as such. In dealing with parents' and friends' issues, there is no point telling them that you do not believe in God or that you believe in one.

The best thing to say, is that that though you do not believe in God that you believe there is a Creator of Energy,

Can you elucidate details about this creator of energy?

which forms the basis of all matter, both living and non-living. And I understand that in the Physical Universe, Energy can not be created nor destroyed, but then, one must know that Energy had to come from somewhere and that 'somewhere' is not the physical plane within the universe.

That itself in sincerity will make the position of atheism very unstable, cos I know where you are on the journey cos I have been there. Energy had to come from somewhere. You know where it comes from, but you have forgotten.

You just need assistance being reminded.

energy needs to come from somewhere. Ok good.

What about this creator of energy, does it need to come from somewhere too?

Acidosis:
I have a few questions for you;

What exactly is atheism to you?
The nonexistence of gods/God? Spirits? Mystical powers? Which?

The non-existence of God

If you experienced this (just one of the many experiences from the thread you 'ignored');
Would you change your belief?

She was wearing white. I'm wondering why she was not holding a phone too.

Faust77:
I've come a long way after that and it's shocking when u realize that most Nigerians can't think for themselves I've come a long way after that and it's shocking when u realize that most Nigerians can't think for themselves

it might shock you to be shown many of the things you don't think for yourself

Faust77:
I don't know how long it might take buh all I know is no one can shake my resolve

No one can shake your resolve regarding God not existing?

Can it be done through good discussion then?

If not

Isnt that dogmatic?

Heathen777:
I told my parents I dont believe in god and they were (as expected) not cool with it, it didn't go to the extreme of not paying my school fees, but they told me not to talk about my unbelief again, otherwise I wouldn't be sent abroad for study , they also fear that this may lead me to debauchery and I may even start saying I'm gay -_-

I told them also I was vegan and that didn't really settle well with them either, for some reason it annoys them that I don't want killed innocent animals as food.

The bolded got my attention. Mind if I ask, innocent as in what way?

Hakeem12:
lol
...the guy takes himself real serious. Like his opinion must trump others. Never gonna let you have the last words on argument.

As in eeehn but the problem is not even that. The problem is that his replies are always off from the point your post is making

...

rottennaija:
Bros, even if I be boss, I would consider her. This her son not her brother or sister. Guy, life is more important than all those. Life is more important

Sitting there and doing nothing is just as important as not being there at all.

I think working and earning some money actually helps the child better here

xana101:
I'm enjoying this debate. Initially I was angry with d boss but look at it factually, the woman may be wrong.

Your usage of "factual" and " maybe" in one sentence is amazing though

rottennaija:
The man can have the luxury of going to work while his son or daughter is sick. Because the wife will be there. But not so with the woman... It is completely different.

Why do you assume the man (in your post) will have a wife but the woman doesn't have a husband?

OLAADEGBU:
How did you know?

You know, like a girl is hot

OLAADEGBU:
What's cool about spending an eternity in hell fire?

It's hot

Hakeem12:
You sing praise and worship here on earth to make heaven. And when you do, you sing it for all eternity. There's not gonna be FIFA world cup no more. no more PlayStations, grand theft auto, latest movie releases, cool rides. Man... heavens gonna be boring.

God literally wants to be praised forever and ever.

For something perfect, omnipotent, omnibenovelent, omniscient. God is quite too needy and its hurtful to think

clefstone:
heaven is not a physical place like earth, it cannot be. Your analysis is smart but it would only make complete sense if heaven is another earth. The yin and yang concept may suffice for our earthly existence but heaven is a state we cannot comprehend, we only know that it is eternally good, an eternal yang without a yin

My quantification is based on the information about heaven available to us in religious texts, scriptures and doctrines.

The book of revelation for example

CAPSLOCKED:

REASON WHY I'VE PRE-BOOKED MY PLACE IN HELL ALREADY.

Heaven or hell. One is meaningless the other the peak of cruelty

RuthlessLeader:
Which thread was that where you busted him liking his own posts?

That's pathetic. What are you doing with the likes?

Here.

https://www.nairaland.com/4068154/argument-design-replying-olaadegbus-thread/3

Help yourself

Riofidelio:
Go and assemble them,tell them a REAL Christian is here and let's hear what they've got upstairs in their brains. Let them try all the experience and information within the circumference of your faculty if there is anything of ridicule they could pinpoint regarding FAITH and i will enlighten them that faith is a general phenomenon, it only depends on how energetic it is because that's what determines whether it's a "living FAITH" that's efficient as in having the ability "to work" or "dead FAITH" that's lifeless just disguising having no REAL impact at all in life!

Lol. Ok

superhumanist:
I feel your pain and frustration from atheists


www.nairaland.com/attachments/7350206_2d95f9_jpeg96d4dd8b9fadbde60af8d200fd770e79

cc Johnydon22

I knew the guy was going to break down sooner or later, tired and worn out.

He took the whole thing tad too serious and personal. Had several psychological issues due to it.

He had attention seeking disorder - Quoting anyone and everyone.

He was desperate to appear brilliant.

Developed cognitive dissonance.

Approval seeking went highroad - he even devolved to creating alternate monikers to like his own posts as soon as he makes them

Inability to grasp or comprehend opposing argument.

He came so very obsessed and engrossed in that hostile virtual world and that's a recipe to get messed up in the head.

I noticed all these things just few weeks after becoming very active again and that was why I voted to ignore him.

I knew he was a walking egg about to break any minute. And frankly I pitied him, still do.

The mental strain he incurred from his activities here could be damaging.

And the type of human he was, the type who revelled attention, didn't make it better for him, he became caught up in his own demons. Tucked in over and over again.

I knew it was a matter of time. People started to ignore him, few people replied when he quoted them, even fewer took him serious. it was enough to make him drop.

I think he is just tired, he needs a break and deservedly so.

I have advised people on this board to watch their mental healthy, especially those who take things too personal and serious.

The day I busted him liking his own post with several alternate accounts was the day I figured out how desperate, lonely and banked up his mental state was.

And honestly, I still pity him.

paranoia. LOL.. HappyPagan come and see

OLAADEGBU:
Either you like it or not there is eternity after death.

Ok. That's cool

Riofidelio:
The title Pastor(spiritual TEACHER of a congregation) is unchristian so whenever you hear or see a group calling someone a pastor, know they are simply Atheists like you claiming Christians! As they'll choose the one whose utterances sounds pleasing to them,they're not interested in knowing exactly what everyone must do for lasting peace and security! Helloooooo you guys aren't asking any questions about "the aliens",are you feeling intimidated to come out publicly? Well i want you to know that i'm not a genius, i learnt whatever i'm saying from the Bible and i can prove to all you atheists that you're missing a lot by ignoring the Bible (God's word)

Ok wooow...

Riofidelio:
I knew you never asked me but i only threw the "rubbish" in my mind perhaps you'll consider having a second thought,however you can continue with your fruitless arguments you and your colleagues farewell!

Ok. Bye.

RuthlessLeader:
You may need the help.


You are wrong. There are only 1.3 billion atheists worldwide. That means 84% of the human population still have faith in something.


True right. I made an addition so don't vex.



This doesn't make sense. From the way you say professor you mean pastor. Science is not a religion oga. Besides I don't treat professors like godsent supermen who are infallible.Before you say you are not, see the below



Name one that does this or I report you for posting false info. And because they don't bath doesn't mean I should copy them.


Jonnydon22 hopefullandord come o. So you are saying that because you follow God's instructions you don't do the above!! . That's unhygienic and people won't associate with you. Besides all the christians I know do the above and advice their children to follow it. What is your own doctrine sef?


Mention who they are. I do things that are beneficial for my health. I don't care what you do so far as it doesn't harm you and you take necessary precautions.


Who are they?


You are the only confused person here.


Which fruitless arguments. You are just saying bullshit with no proof. Honestly, it's hilarious.


Well gravity is only a theory, yet everyone even the religious accept it.


Not a true scotsman fallacy.


Which denomination out of the almost 40,000 are they in.


Are you a REAL christian? If so can you give me those words of wisdom that will cause me to have the aforementioned sleepless nights?

First reply from the guy, I knew it was futile to try and engage. The nonsense is too much.