Religion
In reply to the discussion: Brian Zahnd: No, God didnt command genocide in the Old Testament [View all]MineralMan
(146,248 posts)We all make hundreds, if not thousands, of choices each day. My dog makes choices, too. Yesterday, for some unknown reason, he chose to lift his leg and pee on a microwave cart in the kitchen. For his trouble, he got scolded and sent outdoors.
That we can make choices is evidence of nothing more than the fact that we make choices. That fact is obvious to anyone. No deity is required to explain the fact that we are presented constantly with situations which require such choices. If we were incapable of choice, we would not be capable of surviving. Every animal makes choices, and we are animals, just like the rest of them, if a bit smarter.
Choice is simply part of our existence. We begin making choices very early in life and continue until we die. Our ability to choose our actions is not proof of deities in any way. No deity is needed to explain that living beings need to make choices.
Again, the logic is circular and illogical. If you believe that a deity exists, you can assign that deity to the job of creating choice. If you do not so believe, you will still have that ability, just as my dog has. He doesn't believe that deities exist, and yet he chooses his actions, just as I do.
For my dog, peeing on the microwave cart was a choice. He is housetrained, and has never done that before. Did he commit evil? Certainly not. It was just a poor choice on his part. I didn't like cleaning it up, and made my displeasure known to him. But, it was his choice to make. Perhaps the next time he thinks that peeing on the microwave cart is a good idea, he will remember that I scolded him for it and go outside to pee. I certainly hope so. Does my dog think I am a deity? Nah. I'm just the creature with thumbs that lets him eat without hunting.