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would you prefer God to exist?

I have been reading about Christopher Hitchens' view of God recently. The Wikipedia article about him says:

"You could be an atheist and wish that the belief was true," he told CBC. "An antitheist, a term I’m trying to get into circulation, is someone who’s very relieved that there’s no evidence for this proposition. He argues that the concept of God or a supreme being is a totalitarian belief that destroys individual freedom."

While reading this, it occurred to me that I am exactly the kind of atheist that Christopher Hitchens is not. I would very much like there to be a benevolent powerful God to look after me and guide my life. I only reluctantly yield to the evidence that there isn't such a being.

What are peoples' views about this?

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Permalink Reply by paul babcock on March 9, 2012 at 2:43pm

I wish things were better. But even if there were a benevelent god to make it so, and he did so, then would not that make us less responsible and just less overall?

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on March 9, 2012 at 3:09pm

I've seen the word, "benevolent" thrown around here a bit, and I suspect said word is going to be problematic the second anyone starts talking about a being with supernatural powers. I mean, don't we all know the old phrase?

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Judging from the bible, that particular deity had no problem not only throwing his weight around but acting very much as Robert Heinlein described him, having "the manners and morals of a spoiled child." I don't care how "benevolent" whatever god we propose starts out. I care what happens downstream, and I remain dubious of any being with extraordinary powers ... PERIOD.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on March 9, 2012 at 3:15pm

Or, as the old standby bumper sticker says, QUESTION AUTHORITY

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Permalink Reply by Michael OL on March 9, 2012 at 9:18pm

If only Jesus and his daddy followed their own advice, as dispensed in the Sermon on the Mount!

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Permalink Reply by Richard ∑wald on March 9, 2012 at 9:35pm

Wait, it's the same guy, WAIT! Which came first? or last, …both?

Well, that doesn't make any sense...

…Wait!

I finally understand the Christian circle of reasoning...

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Permalink Reply by Daniel PD on March 20, 2012 at 4:58pm

NO. NEGATIVE. NEIN. NO. нет. NIE. NON. those are the only no's i know. If a god exists, then well everything else is pointless. some people say atheism is bleak and hopeless, religion is worse.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on March 25, 2012 at 6:16pm

No. A God means I must follow his rules and agree with him.

I don't like anybody controlling me. I like to think for myself.

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Permalink Reply by ChrisC on May 3, 2012 at 4:57am

Although it would be cool to live in an "Elder Scrolls" or "D&D" style world with their magic and deities, I'm more than happy that in the real world there are no gods. We seem to be the only species which does not seek to "stand on it's own two feet". How ironic.