I'm not sure one should dismiss God anymore

[Heraclitus]

I think I should try and repair my relationship with God. My life and mental health really has turned to a ****ed up direction since abandoning HIM. I'll try praying today for the first time after a long while.

[KrazyHorse]

Does this mean that your previous rejection of God was emotional/psychological/spiritual rather than intellectual?

If not, then why is it helpful to turn to a being you honestly believe doesn't exist?

[Heraclitus]

Does this mean that your previous rejection of God was emotional/psychological/spiritual rather than intellectual?

No it was intellectual.

If not, then why is it helpful to turn to a being you honestly believe doesn't exist?

Opinions and beliefs do change don't they?

[KrazyHorse]

It just seems relatively fortuitous that your intellectual beliefs changed at the same time that your opinion on what your emotional/spiritual/psychological needs are did.

EDIT: yes, that sentence parses properly. It is just a bit awkward.

[Heraclitus]

It just seems relatively fortuitous that your intellectual beliefs changed at the same time that your opinion on what your emotional/spiritual/psychological needs are did.

Perhaps, but if one reassessed one's approximation of a utility function why not follow it? Also the primary change is not in needs but introspection and a changed perspective on what my ultimate values are, a pruning of secondary goals that have spiralled out of control and a reassessment of which course of action and state of being embodies my values best.

EDIT: yes, that sentence parses properly. It is just a bit awkward.

It parses fine.

[Jon Miller]

An intellectual recognition that you need God due to emotional/psychological/spiritual/mental reasons is still an intellectual reason.

Many people who intellectually dismiss God due so from the standpoint of "I don't need to believe in God to believe that the universe exists, so I don't believe in God". I don't agree with the standpoint, but it isn't incompatible with believing in God for the other reasons (which are the strongest reasons).

I would say that my primary reasons are emotional/psychological/spiritual in nature.

JM

[SlowwHand]

I think I should try and repair my relationship with God. My life and mental health really has turned to a ****ed up direction since abandoning HIM. I'll try praying today for the first time after a long while.

I think that's a very good idea. I've pointed it out before to these atheists. If they're right, so what? I'll never know. If I'm right, they have to deal with the consequences.

[Hauldren Collider]

That's a false dichotomy.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I would say that my primary reasons are emotional/psychological/spiritual in nature.

I would argue that that is required for a true belief in God. To attempt to just intellectualize a need for God doesn't really get you there. While, Hera, I think you may be going about it somewhat strangely, I wish you the best of luck and find whatever it is you are looking for.

[Zevico]

I think that's a very good idea. I've pointed it out before to these atheists. If they're right, so what? I'll never know. If I'm right, they have to deal with the consequences.

If the Flying Spaghetti Monster is right then I suppose you'll be spending eternity in a plate of exquisite freshly made bolognese. Is that heaven or hell? You decide.

[SlowwHand]

That's a false dichotomy.

No, it's not.

And Zevico, that statement is stupid. Again, think what you want. I'm not concerned about your soul. I have plenty of things to fix about myself. You're on your own.

[KrazyHorse]

Yes, it is. It presumes that the God and the rules YOU believe in are the only ones which might help you when you die.

For example, what if God exists and damns to hell all those who believe in him, while admitting only atheists and Wiccans to heaven?

[SlowwHand]

Zevico needs to be less concerned about what I believe. If I don't care what he believes, he can care less about what I believe. It's none of his business.

KH, your illustration is interesting, even if it's strange.

[KrazyHorse]

In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that an omnipotent being who is responsible for all creation will choose to punish nonbelief with eternal damnation, so the standard Christian belief is a bit strange to me...

[Kitschum]