[bluesbassman]

[ QUOTE ]

Point #1: This is probably the best response I've seen. Remaining true to your beliefs is, in its own way, a virtue. Outside of this, I fail to see a positive consequence for steadfastly maintaining atheism to death.


[/ QUOTE ]

Since "god" does not exist, there is no consequence "outside" of betraying my fundamental values. That is sufficient reason. And in any case, any attempt to "hedge my bets" will be viewed negatively by a just, rational "god."

[ QUOTE ]

Point #2: This is certainly a preposterous statement. Your thoughts seem to be: "Dear God. You do not exist. But if you exist in the Christian sense, you are evil." Since all Christian thought and theory fall are derived from the principle teaching of "Love God with your whole heart, mind, body, and soul; and Love your neighbor as yourself." This is truly the antithesis of evil. Nonetheless, I'm curious about what inspires these feelings in you, and would be happy to address any grievances you feel towards the Christian God.


[/ QUOTE ]

I have no grievance towards a meaningless concept. I was merely pointing out that to the extent that the Christian "god" is described by (some versions of) Christianity, he/she/it is, by my definition, evil -- regardless or whether Christianity supposedly also teaches to love thy neighbor and whatnot.

I don't mean this to degrade into yet another thread about how the Christian "god" is evil. I suppose if you really want, I can start (yet another) thread that lists all these reasons, as there are many.

[ QUOTE ]

Point #3: Though there is marginal benefit to the virtue I acknowledge in #1, I cannot see how God would value your perceived rationality over belief.

[/ QUOTE ]

1. If "god" is good (and therefore rational), he will value rational men. (But not necessarily punish irrational men either, as he presumably knowingly created them that way as well.)

2. If "god" values belief over rationality, he is, by definition, irrational and evil.