Which Philosophical belief frightens you the most?

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Now I dont want answers based on what you logically think is more likely, instead, ONLY choose what you would find more frightening if you were to commit to the belief wholeheartedly, understanding all the implications that come with it.

Yes, its a very vague question and has almost infinite angles that which you could qualify your answer, but just for curiosity sake choose one or the other and explain why.

 

[Drakkon]

what about there is a god/creator and consequentally, your actions and merits are irrelevant, ultimately pointless in the grand scheme of the universe?

 

[6StringSamurai]

This thread will end up burning in the fires of FlameFest 2006. Personally, I would like to contribute my cup of gasoline. I chose the most correct one, option b.

 

[nakedfrog]

I find neither belief frightening. What is to be gained from fearing the inevitable end that all of us come to?

 

[HN]

i'm not too fond of that one about killing someone of another religion in order to get into your afterlife paradise.

(is that what you meant?)

 

[Gibsons]

Neither philosophy scares me. Some followers of certain philosophies do scare me.

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
Neither philosophy scares me. Some followers of certain philosophies do scare me.

QFT!

 

[Murphy Durphy]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
what about there is a god/creator and consequentally, your actions and merits are irrelevant, ultimately pointless in the grand scheme of the universe?

:thumbsup:

Edit: Pre-destiny FTL

 

[JulesMaximus]

Nice loaded question...:roll:

 

[mchammer]

What scares me is Fools posting P&N topics in OT. I pity these Fools by calling for a temporary ban rather then a permaban.

 

[crystal]

Believe or not believe in God will not scare as much as this belief.

your actions and merits are irrelevant, ultimately pointless in the grand scheme of the universe?

 

[zoiks]

I pity the fool.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Neither. I don't understand why Christians believe that other peoples lives have no purpose. If there's no heaven, does that mean that Mother Teresa's life work was worthless? If you're only good so that you can go to heaven, you are actually not good at all.

 

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Nice loaded question...:roll:

Not intended to be loaded. Let me explain.

I for one, at some times, am frightened that my bad actions, or my lack of good actions, will, in the face of a creator, come back to haunt me. That the times ive lied, ignored someone in need, struck out in wrath or anything else that most people would consider "bad" I will be held accountable for. That can be a frightening concept, being caught.

Conversely, I at times am frightned(perhaps depressed) that when I do good, like tell the truth, help somone in need or hold my temper that, in the grand scheme of the universe as a whole, it means nothing, and only hold value in some nebulous, arbitrary, irrational value system imposed by humanity on itself.

Also, I realize there are many many other options to put on the poll, such as the above mentioned "There is a creator, but that it doesnt ascribe any value to human actions at all".

Its a difficult question to answer, but I by no means am looking for a particular answer. Im sure for most of us, both options, at times, can be seen as frightening.

 

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Neither. I don't understand why Christians believe that other peoples lives have no purpose. If there's no heaven, does that mean that Mother Teresa's life work was worthless? If you're only good so that you can go to heaven, you are actually not good at all.

I by no means mentioned Christianity, I only used the word "God" for the sake of simplicity. I tried to qualify it by saying Creator as well. You can substitute any word you like for the question, such as Yaweh, Allah, Buddha, Shiva, Gaia, Nature or whatever.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Neither. I don't understand why Christians believe that other peoples lives have no purpose. If there's no heaven, does that mean that Mother Teresa's life work was worthless? If you're only good so that you can go to heaven, you are actually not good at all.

Exactly. Our actions mean something, even in the event that there is no god. They mean something to mankind, to the people around you. Relevance is a human notion - and only holds value to humans. We are neither relevant or irrelevant in the universe - we just are.

 

[Kwaipie]

No sense in being frightened by the unknowable.

 

[randay]

your actions and merits are irrelevant, ultimately pointless in the grand scheme of the universe?

= true for both options.

This question really shoudl say,

a) Are you afraid that there is a god?
b) Are you afraid that there is no god?

I chose a), since I enjoy my free will.

 

[Praxis1452]

option b.

If judged on option A I think we as an individual are all good. Judging as a whole we should all be "obliterated"

 

[SoftwareEng]

NO SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE

 

[SoftwareEng]

"actions are pointless" will make you lose your mind if you think about that long enough. That's why I'm so messed up.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Neither frighten me at all. If there's a God, then I expect I shouldn't have to worry because I live a good and just life. If there is no God or afterlife, then I won't have the conscience to know it. I really don't care about how what I do in my day-to-day like affects the afterlife. I care about how it affects me, my morals and my loved ones.

 

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
"actions are pointless" will make you lose your mind if you think about that long enough. That's why I'm so messed up.

Yeah, many people think thats why Nietzsche went batsh!t crazy. He took the "actions are pointless" and Nihlism to its logical end.

Though, belief in a Creator can drive people into religous fervor and madness as well.

 

[Pastore]

I chose the belief in God because I would DEFINITELY go to hell.