Benefit of doubt

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
Post Reply
User avatar
Vihinsagar
New Trial Member
Posts: 1
Joined: November 30th, 2016, 12:44 am

Benefit of doubt

Post by Vihinsagar »

There is only one truth from these two hypothesis. (1) Either my god is truth or (2) your god. But there is no cross religion fora to find out the truth. Thus, do I stick to my religion and my god only under the principle of benefit of doubt to my god?
Dark Matter
Posts: 1366
Joined: August 18th, 2016, 11:29 am
Favorite Philosopher: Paul Tillich

Re: Benefit of doubt

Post by Dark Matter »

It's a false dichotomy. Truths can be relative to the actual.
User avatar
Alan Jones
Posts: 72
Joined: May 7th, 2013, 2:33 pm
Favorite Philosopher: J. Dewey W.T. Rockwell
Location: Emyn Mar, the Otter Lake Moraine, Michigan

Re: Benefit of doubt

Post by Alan Jones »

Does it matter (except to other True believers) what god or gods you choose to worship? If I were a supernaturalist, I'd likely make up my own Cosmic Muffin and/or Hairy Thunderer. One that I could get along with, even be happy with.
"Beliefs are what divide people. Doubt unites them." - Peter Ustinov "Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority." - Thomas Huxley
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Benefit of doubt

Post by Burning ghost »

I was under the impression most religions are referring to the same God and that the problems arrive in interpretation and who represents Gods will on Earth.

In Islam, Christianity and Judaism they centre on the same "God" model (so to speak). I think in other "religions" around the world they are still essentially referring to the same thing only with relatively alien perspectives on the general.idea of god/supreme power.

This then reduces your question to whether or not the view you hold is better than that taught by others. My advice to someone in this position is to come to try and understand the history and institutions that have built up your view and the views of others and then hopefully gain a fuller and more meaningful understand of what "God" means notnonly to yourself, but to other people (also worth including those non-believers too probably because they may have a sense of "spirituality" just not the religious baggage that is attached to such ideas).

What do you think?
AKA badgerjelly
User avatar
Renee
Posts: 327
Joined: May 3rd, 2015, 10:39 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Frigyes Karinthy

Re: Benefit of doubt

Post by Renee »

Monotheist religions by force de rigeur have to assume there is only one god, therefore if another religion worships one god, it must be the same one god.

As there would be two gods if the one gods of either religion were different from each other, but there are not two gods, but one.

Islam is the most tolerant (yes, I ain't joking) on this issue. In its spiritual context, which was the guiding beacon in cross-religious studies, the Islam accepted the Jewish and Christian faiths as equivalent to Islam inasmuch as they represented the worship of the same god as that of Islam in a more basic, unevolved form.

This view was first skewed in the time of the crusades, when Christians proposed to slaughter Muslims, and it was secondly skewed by the Ottoman Empire's expansionist policies, and finally skewed by the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel.

Jewish and Christian faiths are not so inclusive. They believe their god is separate from the other two, and the other two worship false idols.

How many gods are out there if there is one god, but this one god is different from itself in one faith by the other faith? I know that this is your basic question, Burning Ghost, and believe me, this I have thought about many times before, with no fruitful answer ensuing.

One can't be different from itself. Yet it is, in practice. Islam tried to put a cork on that. Christianity and Judaism wouldn't hear of that.
Ignorance is power.
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Religion, Theism and Mythology”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021