Hey vehn, What shoddy crap coming out of the mouth of such a devout atheist believer and compulsive preacher like you. We found out for a long time already that "science" isn't your strong point. You wisely don't babble too much about that anymore in preaching about atheist dogma. Primary school logic though also seems to give you some problems. In fact, Blaise Pascal might help you if you would start reading a bit beyond Wiki's one-liners.
I'm a deeply committed Christian and a trader. Someone earlier said truly devout Christians wouldn't trade (maybe a crude joke,) but that simply isn't true. We have money that would otherwise be in the bank that we'd like to put to work just like any other trader/investor. I recall the parable of the 'good steward' that Jesus told--and although the point of the story wasn't trading of course--the one praised was the man who earned income off his money instead of the man who hid it until his master came back to receive it. Does religion help your trading? If I may be so bold, I really think it does, or atleast can. First, there is less pressure and thus emotional interference in trading (and all other things in life) when I remember that I'm just trying to do my best, that money ultimately doesn't matter, and that whatever is in God's will (whether I should become the next Larry Williams or lose my entire stake next year) will happen. Second, the demand for humility help keep your from becoming too proud (downdraws do an excellent job too ). I may be among the few Christians who feel this way, but I don't believe that just because I've been blessed with the ability to reap good money that I deserve to spend it carelessly on my various whims; I live frugally and don't have dreams of material grandeur (well... I wont act on them anyways ) which help me to not materialize gains or losses to some extent. I should say that I don't pray for a trade to keep the trend, or pray to avoid being stopped out. Infact, I think its wrong in certain circumstances (atleast if they should know better.) You're opening yourself up to risk, and God isn't a magic genie. Imagine if God led us through the markets completely successful: we'd be proud and dependent to the point of not maturing. Christian or not, everyone needs to be kicked around now and again to stay humble, and if everything came to us for free I don't think we'd truly appreciate the gifts that we all (Christian and otherwise) are given. Hard work and integrity seem to feed off each other: not much came easy for Jesus or St. Paul. I've been more pampered than they, but I'm greatful for the odd kick in the butt to help keep me honest.
"A more logical question would be as to why one should believe one or the other, which can't be answered, since logic ends where faith begins." I don't want to hijack the thread so I'll be quick. Many religious people, including myself, don't view our faith as "blind faith" or out of the circle/level/field of logic. Assumptions must be made about the unseeable past or future in any worldview, but arguments can and are widely presented in the form of logic for many worldviews. The trick is to figure out which worldview produces a set of assumptions between the gaps of knowledge that are the most straightforward and then place your bet (soul and/or lifestyle) on it.
Personally, I think that vhehn made an excellent, well reasoned comment and that you responded flippantly. Therein lies the difference between critical thinking and just "knowing." Just my opinion.
I agree, only I would go further considering the contention was between starving children and some sort of imaginary conjecture, I would say volente_00 's response is insensible and contemptuous. I think religion is clearly inducing the inclination for him to defend his negligent viewpoint by goading-on the overbearing pious self-righteousness he displays and has the same shortcomings as the arrogance which inevitably ends up getting its own a$$ handed back by the markets.
Talk about insensible and contemptuous...why don't your reread your post....write to express...not impress.
So you don't want me to believe everything I read, but you do want me to believe everything you see or read in the media is true. Did you personally count the 25,000 kids, or are you relying on something you read or saw on TV ? Christianity is not perfect and I will not try to force my religion on anyone. Take the crusades for example, how many people were slaughtered ? You are a truly narrow minded person if you do not believe that there is a higher power out there. Neither side can shows facts to prove existence or not , so it is pointless to argue about it.