This is quite possibly the most absurd thing I've read on this forum, and that's taking into consideration the conspiracy theory section. Why don't you go ahead and back this claim of yours up. I realize who I'm talking to and that instead of substantiation, I'll likely get substance-less snark and condescension, but I can't let an absurd statement go unchallenged.
A supposed "connection to god" is virtually indistinguishable from insanity. The only difference is the being that is alleged to be on the other side, and in some cases there isn't any difference at all between the two. You can't demonstrate the validity of your claim, to my satisfaction or anyone else's, because there isn't any objective validity to your claim.
so ... only potential xtians have a conscience? wow. that's very special ignorance, that is. if you stick your fingers in your ears and shut your eyes very very tight, the rest of the world (wherever that is .. and as if it mattered) will go away.
So everyone with a conscience is insane. Have I got that about right? Actually my claim is objectively true, and you bloody well know it. Who said anything about Christians, Brainiac?
People who claim their conscience comes from a "connection to god" are virtually indistinguishable from any other person who claims a connection to a being he/she is unable to show exists. Pretty much any time the latter claims the being is something other than god, society deems them mentally ill. God somehow warrants some special pleading. I'm sure you think it's objectively true. If it actually was, though, you'd be able to come up with some pretty convincing evidence rather than try to denigrate everyone who challenges you on it.
that so wasn't the point ... but I see by your inclusion of an insult that you're not big on grown up talk
excellent rebuttal. post of the day! there is precisely zero difference between a number of quantifiable mental illnesses and key practical elements of religious faith. you could say it's a case of the paranoid, delusional schizophrenic demanding that we act on his/her delusions.
Of course they are, to people who would rather die than honestly consider the possibility of His existence for a microsecond. You don't have to "think" when you know - unless of course the knowledge in question is odious to one's soul, in which case thinking is an effective means of obliterating it from one's consciousness, at least temporarily. Do I really need to explain why that's a non sequitur? Really?? I haven't denigrated you, just born witness to the fact that you denigrate yourself by your dishonesty. Well then I'd say you did a pretty crappy job of making the point. Wouldn't you?
And to those who have given it plenty of consideration, only to find no evidence to support a belief in a higher power. Nice hyperbole, though. That's a pretty convoluted way of saying that critical thinking is the enemy of religion. I whole-heartedly agree. How can you know if something is an objective truth if you don't have evidence for it? Oh, the numerous insinuations that those who challenge you are dishonest, ignorant, and dimwitted isn't denigration? Your idea of what "denigrating" is seems to be vastly different from that of the rest of the world.
Indeed, there is certainly no other purpose to such "consideration". Actually I said nothing about religion - not that there isn't a connection, but since you don't understand what religion is there is no point going there. As for critical thinking, its only legitimate application is to propositions which are not clearly true; otherwise it has no other purpose than to obscure the truth, as you are attempting to do now. Self-evident truth is a new concept to you, evidently. I haven't insinuated that anyone is dimwitted, only that some post as if they were; and I don't consider ignorance a shortcoming. As for dishonesty, I haven't insinuated it, I've said it outright because it's true; and if you find the truth denigrating, it's only because you have denigrated yourself by believing patent nonsense.
What truth am I attempting to obscure? It's hilarious that you would make claims about my own knowledge without being able to properly demonstrate your own. Saying something is self-evident doesn't make it so. Hell, you haven't even really stated what your supposed self-evident truth is. You can't even bring yourself to provide your belief as evidence, it would seem. There's some great irony in what you've posted here.
The existence of the Creator, of course. And no, it's not enough for people like you to keep your disbelief to yourselves, because anyone who clearly knows to be true what you claim to be false is a threat to your delusion. Damn, it's tough to slip anything by you. So you're complaining that I haven't provided evidence for a claim I haven't made. Have I got that about right? Why would I do that?