The danger of a morality based on religion

@secondson said
That your mind is closed to the supernatural, you are confined to the natural and subject to the vagaries of the influences of the natural only, making you a product of a religious-like think mode.

On the contrary, my mind is open to the possibility of supernatural causality. I must have told you this a dozen times in the last couple of years.

@secondson said
To speculate that the only knowledge available is by the natural is as religious as it gets

It is literally just about as non-religious as one can get.

@secondson said
speculate that the only knowledge available is by the natural is as religious as it gets, and is indicative of a closed mind bent on explaining man's existence based on a closed system contained within the natural and material.

I do not rule out supernatural causality. You have settled for one particular package of religious folklore and doctrines. I think I am probably more open minded than you.

@fmf said
It wasn't "metaphorical". You don't seem to know what the word metaphorical means. It was just repetitive, redundant.

What is repetitive and redundant are your assertions about your stance.

We've heard them thousands of times. It's your default mode when the discussion goes beyond your natural capacity.

You crunch all concepts relative to the supernatural into your closed box of idiosyncratic speculations, subsequently squelching discourse whenever it goes beyond your natural abilities.

Apparently the supernatural scares the bologna out of you, forcing you to face the reality of your own existence, and its impending demise, which your natural explanations cannot answer aside from speculation. It must not be true that I will give an account of my life to my maker after death because then everything I think I know based on speculation will be proven wrong.

@secondson said
What is repetitive and redundant are your assertions about your stance.

We've heard them thousands of times. It's your default mode when the discussion goes beyond your natural capacity.

It's interesting that you say you have heard about what I believe "thousands of times" and yet you often seem unable to remember it.

@secondson said
You crunch all concepts relative to the supernatural into your closed box of idiosyncratic speculations, subsequently squelching discourse whenever it goes beyond your natural abilities.

We are just sharing our perspectives, that's all.

@fmf said
I believe the human mind can imagine and contemplate "the supernatural", for the reasons I gave.

But if, like you think, there is no supernatural, then it's a waste of the mind and the imagination to "contemplate" on that which doesn't exist.

The rationale you're using to support your assertions is illogical.

"I believe the human mind can imagine and contemplate "the supernatural", for the reasons I gave."

If that's what you believe, then you should be open to the idea that man can "imagine and contemplate" in error, including imagining something that's not there.

So which is it? Is God there or not?

@secondson said
Apparently the supernatural scares the bologna out of you, forcing you to face the reality of your own existence, and its impending demise, which your natural explanations cannot answer aside from speculation.

No, I am not "scared" at all. Nor am I "scared" of the threats of supernatural torment in burning flames for eternity that some Christians here propagate.

@secondson said
But if, like you think, there is no supernatural, then it's a waste of the mind and the imagination to "contemplate" on that which doesn't exist.

Like I say, I am open to the possibility of supernatural causality.

@secondson said
But if, like you think, there is no supernatural, then it's a waste of the mind and the imagination to "contemplate" on that which doesn't exist.

Religions give billions and billions of people meaning, purpose and solace. I would not describe it as "a waste of the mind".

@secondson said
So which is it? Is God there or not?

I describe myself as an agnostic atheist.

@secondson said
"I believe the human mind can imagine and contemplate "the supernatural", for the reasons I gave."

If that's what you believe, then you should be open to the idea that man can "imagine and contemplate" in error, including imagining something that's not there.

Sure. Yeah. I'm open to the idea.

@secondson said
Apparently the supernatural scares the bologna out of you, forcing you to face the reality of your own existence, and its impending demise, which your natural explanations cannot answer aside from speculation.

I do not have any difficulty facing the reality of my own existence. If believing in everlasting life helps you face the reality of your own existence, then that's OK. It's your prerogative.

@fmf said
I think it is you who is thinking inside your box.

True. I am. The boundaries of which are only limited by my faith in the truth of God's Word.

While your box is bounded by the knowledge of man, which exists in a closed system of endless speculation.

At this rate I'll catch up by page 27. That is if I stay up all night while everyone else is sleeping.

@secondson said
True. I am. The boundaries of which are only limited by my faith in the truth of God's Word.

While your box is bounded by the knowledge of man, which exists in a closed system of endless speculation.

I think open-mindedness comprises capacity for abstraction, and speculation, and scepticism and doubt, rather than settling for the "boundaries" of this religion or that religion. Bear in mind that I personally don't believe you have anything credible to tell me about a creator being.