06 Mar 22
@fmf saidYou’re misrepresenting my position. I’m a believer. In my case, and in the case of all believers, I don’t think it’s pointless at all.
I don't think I do.
The fact that I would NOT think trying to reconcile with a spouse, with the only two days we have left, was "pointless", reflects on my character.
And the fact that you WOULD think trying to reconcile with a spouse during those last two days was "pointless", reflects on yours.
I’m asking you, as an atheist, what the point is.
So far you have not given an answer.
06 Mar 22
@pb1022 saidA final hour of peace that surpasses all understanding, and being reconciled to one’s wife in the last hour of one’s life, seems to me to be a highly desirable state in which to die, even if there is no afterdeath.
Now who’s moving the goalposts?
I originally said for a believer *who did not have the hope of eternal life* but did have God’s help in daily living and the peace that passes all understanding to ask for God’s help in repairing a broken marriage would seem pointless because that believer could die an hour later.
That somehow morphed into me dehumanizing atheists.
06 Mar 22
@moonbus saidI personally don’t think it’s possible for an atheist to have or attain a peace that surpasses all understanding because such peace is supernatural and not dependent on circumstances.
A final hour of peace that surpasses all understanding, and being reconciled to one’s wife in the last hour of one’s life, seems to me to be a highly desirable state in which to die, even if there is no afterdeath.
But I get and appreciate your other point.
@pb1022 saidYou just haven't met the right person yet. You are quite right that this state is not dependent on circumstances; it is attained through hard work. Of all the people I have ever known in my life, the only ones who attained genuine and steady (not momentary) peace were Buddhist monks. (I spent some time in a monastery.) I have read some Christian authors who may have attained it (Thomas Merton, for example).
I personally don’t think it’s possible for an atheist to have or attain a peace that surpasses all understanding because such peace is supernatural and not dependent on circumstances.
But I get and appreciate your other point.