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To: reasonisfaith
“Non belief in Odin” involves two things. The meaning itself and the associated symbol or word which may or may not have been assigned to it.

Well it would have to. Just like any word to describe specifically non-belief in the God of Abraham.

I was trying to get you to find one word that describes non-belief in all of the gods that have ever been worshipped since the beginning of man as well as non-belief in the veracity of any religious text, and then combine it with the word for non-belief in the supernatural. If you were still able to call that a "religion", then I think you would render the word "religion" essentially meaningless.

Does it makes sense for me to say, "My favorite hobby is not playing golf."

Traditionally, religion has always meant some form of belief and set of customs based around the supernatural.

But if now NOT believing in the supernatural is also a religion, then the word religion simply becomes a word for any set of beliefs, opinions, deductions, and inductions. It becomes a word of no consequence.

You might as well call Constitutionalism, a belief in limited government, or a preference for the NFL over NCAA football a "religion".

If that's the case, then I have a whole bunch of religions that not only include non-belief in the supernatural, but a preference for infused cigars, spending time with my family, a good work ethic, the NFL, Texas style BBQ, and tropical beaches.

359 posted on 02/09/2014 8:51:30 AM PST by GunRunner
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To: GunRunner

GunRunner, may the Good Lord bless you and your family, and I hope you find all the enjoyment of those things you mention, to the fullest extent possible in this life.

As for your comments, I must say I can’t see any way around the impossibility of rendering a word meaningless.

As for belief, it’s broader and deeper than simple preference or inclination. Belief, the way I’m using it here, is world view.

And it seems to me that when you’re not playing golf, you’re doing something else. You’re doing those things you prefer over playing golf.


360 posted on 02/09/2014 9:14:42 AM PST by reasonisfaith ("...because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians))
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To: GunRunner

It’s your preference for infused cigars that causes the most concern.


367 posted on 02/09/2014 2:54:32 PM PST by Fuzz
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