"...Someone's will and that makes it worth it for me. If I at least sow seeds of doubt and skepticism in some people's minds, it's worth it to me. AR282

You might ask yourself just why "it is worth it" to you. Why does it matter to you?

The true atheist is not threatened by anyone else's beliefs. If the atheist truly believes that when he dies he has lost all consciousness forever then surely he feels only pity with just a touch of amusement at the idea that someone else holds on to the idea that his life will continue.

By the way, judging by my own experience, I imagine that many people don't so much debate the earthly existence of Jesus on the basis of Biblical recounting as that they are trying to find some tangible, concrete explanations for the many, many spiritual events and 'coincidences' everyone encounters in life. Things such as love and hope and dreams, synchronicity, moments of epiphany and the mysterious connections that we all make. Remmber the 'five senses of man'? Well, it doesn't take much living to discover that you have far more senses than that.


"To realize this level of credulity...to recognize and admit it in onself as well as in others...is to gain a measure of compassion and tolerance for the many differing beliefs that other people hold.

"To not do so is to become a zealot, a fanatic, an evangelist, a pest...on an endless mission to convert others to one's own belief. Such people may be dangerous in extreme cases. Usually, though, they are just an annoyance." Little Hawk

I agree. I'd say that anyone who has lost all doubt in his conclusions is already dangerous. That person may not take a vow to exterminate anyone or be a physical threat to any group of people but if push came to shove he may well feel free to sacrifice others - whose beliefs don't matter because he has already discounted them.

In the past, AR, I've enjoyed some of your posts. I suspect that that is over. Pity.