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Unlikely since a demon is just as much a part of superstition as is a god. But, I do believe in trolls, why else would you pose this question in the Atheist and Agnostic forums.
Jesus got our brian and heart and spirit, just maybe most don't got Him but think they do. But a real one, you can tell, it is really different. Not going to be popular, but going to stand up for what is right and love his enemies.
No, his is not necessarily a "conviction". What is a conviction? It is an unshakable belief/faith that a particular concept is in fact "the truth."
An athiest may have a "belief" that there is no God but it certainly isn't a "conviction". Why? Because the "belief" that there is no god does not require "faith".
Faith is required for a "conviction" because faith requires one to "believe" something and as a mental exercise, not allow competing/conflicting beliefs to be in consideration.
Thus, we have the concept of "enough" or levels of faith. One who holds a belief and who ponders other competing thoughts is considered to have "little faith" whereas others who do NOT ponder these competing ideas are considered to have "deep faith."
Firstborn888 may believe something but feel free to consider the alternative view(s) and therefore is not bound to having a "conviction."
And to bring this around, if you have "little faith" then you wouldn't want to get around any demon possessed people because the demon might leave that person and take up residence in YOU. However, if you have "deep faith" you can run the demon off somewhere. In fact, you can do like Jesus did in the bible and run the demons into a herd of pigs. I don't think pigs have "enough faith" to ward off demons.
An athiest may have a "belief" that there is no God but it certainly isn't a "conviction". Why? Because the "belief" that there is no god does not require "faith".
Faith is required for a "conviction" because faith requires one to "believe" something and as a mental exercise, not allow competing/conflicting beliefs to be in consideration.
Thus, we have the concept of "enough" or levels of faith. One who holds a belief and who ponders other competing thoughts is considered to have "little faith" whereas others who do NOT ponder these competing ideas are considered to have "deep faith."
In biblical Greek and Hebrew the word "faith" simply denotes "confidence". For example: If I have had numerous business transactions with someone, and they ALL turned out great and the person conducted his/her self with utmost integrity I would probably have faith (ie: confidence) that in the next business transaction we were entering into the person would exhibit the same traits.
Then - this would NOT constitute a lack of evidence, only a lack of physical (ie: seen) evidence. This becomes intangible but "real" evidence - even in a court of law. That is: if, let's say, 5 people testify that the person on trial has always been a peaceful, non-violent person this DOES constitute real evidence that the person is peaceful/non-violent. Yet -though it cannot be tested in a laboratory, it is a belief , that is, a conviction that something is true. Biblically (as opposed to English language tradition) the word FAITH simply means a conviction that something is true. In fact - the Hebrew word AMEN comes from the same root word. When you say "amen" you are saying "I agree that what was just said STANDS as something that is true".
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddie gein
Firstborn888 may believe something but feel free to consider the alternative view(s) and therefore is not bound to having a "conviction."
I do have a "conviction" that ancient and modern superstitions are shadows rather than reality. I also have a conviction that they do exist in the mind of those who believe them.
Also - a real "conviction" IS subject to change when a new understanding or new information appears, correct?
Last edited by firstborn888; 05-01-2011 at 03:16 PM..
LOL!! you are posing the question to the wrong folks. I am a proudly devout Atheist, I equally disbelieve in any and all of the gods and...all of those imaginary underlings that gods are supposed to have, If I do not believe in their god, which I do not, I will equally not believe in their mythological demon.
We still have to apply the intellect to come to a conclusion...we have the Word of God...
Does. Not. Compute.
Irony meter pegged.
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Yep, it burns, all right!
