TED Conversations

Peter Emer

Hinder

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Is God Real?

Its human nature to seek superiority and its human nature to seek an authoritative entity to take responsibility and control of one's life. So i often wonder if God is just that idea. The idea of a god that is all powerful and all knowing and just superior in everyday than any human being, is the very idea that makes me question the legitimacy of a God. We tend to subscribe to a divine command or an authoritative figure. The creator of the universe gets to set the rules and do anything it likes with its creations like sending them for eternal punishment.

And lastly, everyone that believes in a divine command gets the same satisfaction from believing in something that everyone else gets no matter what they believe in.

I am just interested in the TED community's input on this. I am a student of life, so i take no biases even if it sounds like it sometimes. :)

Related Talks:
Topics: Cognitive philosophy Existence of God freedom of choice religion
+2
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+

    • 0
    TED Translator
    Feb 21 2013: I've always encountered these sort of questions before and the outcome of such conversations are not always pretty as one might say.We all believe in something.That something could be anything.Whose to say whether that something exists or not. Personally, I believe in the existence of a supreme being.I am a Muslim.

    However, my question would be : Why does it matter so much that it becomes a subject of vigorous debates, wars even.Can't we just get along? extremists are everywhere, I won't deny that.Why don't we all just stop discussing unnecessary topics and start to cooperate to build a more peaceful world.

    Trust me, my experiences tell me that discussing this topic wouldn't give us a solution that would satisfy all.
    • thumb

      Obey No1kinobe 50+

      • 0
      Feb 25 2013: Good point. I suggest intellectual discussion on the topic is not mutually exclusive to working for a more peaceful world.
    • thumb

      Rustam Eynaliyev

      • 0
      Feb 25 2013: there is reason for discussion.

      That reason is children. Namely indoctrination. I don't care what an adult believes or why s/he believes it as long as that choice is consciously made. Religions have figured out a way to make people think that it's the default state to be a believer if they're born in some place rather than another. I was born and raised as a muslim. I would've probably stayed that way if it wasn't for my travelling and seeing different cultures. I don't mind a person being muslim or anything else as long as they chose it...not because someone said it or they were brought up that way because of societal norms. If religions were treated the same way as everything else - treated is disbelief and required a reason to believe in them, then I bet they'd be far less popular. Religious organizations have huge impact on societies and disregarding them or keeping quiet about them is just making it easier for them to do whatever they want. We've had enough of that (Crusades, wars, indulgence, tax exemption and many more). No more.
      • thumb

        Obey No1kinobe 50+

        • 0
        Feb 25 2013: I agree. With my daughter we have been careful not to brainwash her, to discuss the different points of view. My wife believes in a god, so she can hear different sides.

        But I can understand if you believe in hell or there are social expectations its a big ask to expect a theist not to indoctrinate the child. Its a bit sad but I don't think you can make it illegal to teach whatever values or religion parents want. But you can keep religion out of government, public schools etc.
      • thumb

        Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+

        • 0
        TED Translator
        Feb 26 2013: At the end of the day, our cultures, experiences and upbringing are all going to differ from one another.It is a fact that we all must accept to live together harmoniously.The only way I can view this conversation positively is that it might teach us our differences and that we might accept them as it is.I sincerely doubt it would give a final solution to all regarding the question of whether God exists or not .My travelling and seeing other cultures made me choose Islam as my way of life.My view is that we do not have to be similar to be treated equally.You can think or be whatever you like as long as you don't cause anyone trouble.
        • thumb

          Rustam Eynaliyev

          • 0
          Feb 26 2013: It'll be unchanged if everyone accepts it. I refuse to accept indoctrination as some kind of unavoidable path. The best solution imo, is to expose children to other cultures and let them decide. I agree, we won't know for sure whether God exists or not, and that's not the issue. The issue is, that parents, who don't know themselves, for some reason think they know it well enough to have their children identify with the religion of their choice.
        • thumb

          Obey No1kinobe 50+

          • 0
          Feb 26 2013: I suggest there are strong arguments for the separation of church and state, along with personal freedom of and from religion, freedom of speech, equal treatment of sexes and sexual orientations, races etc.

          I agree broadening experiences is generally positive. Let people come up with their own conclusions, but let human rights and secular government take precedent and not force people to believe or indoctrinate, keep religion out of schools and other state institutions.

          I agree with your last two sentences.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.