alt Hacker News> That for all religious people there is only a single factor, that factor being God.
I think you're just getting hung up on phrasing here. No one is stating this literally -- it's obviously easily disproven.
Change 1-2 words and you'll see what people really believe (and it's true):
> For many religious people there is always a specific factor that is present, that factor being God.
You are basically saying that while the surgeon did have a hand in the outcome, some god intervened in the process and allowed/enabled it to occur. You have to understand that to the rest of us, this belief is absurd and hard to take seriously.
> No one is stating this literally -- it's obviously easily disproven.
I can easily disprove you.
Here it is:
> For religious people there is always the single factor
Once again that line is:
> there is always the single factor
Lets zoom in
> always the single factor
Continue zooming in
> single factor
> while the surgeon did have a hand in the outcome, some god intervened in the process and allowed/enabled it to occur
Yes, as in multiple factors, enabled by God. Note, you mention the surgeon having a hand in the outcome. How could that then be a single factor?
> You have to understand that to the rest of us, this belief is absurd and hard to take seriously.
Ok, but don't argue that I'm stating its a single factor as if I don't give a shit about the fact the doctor spent a lot of effort to be trained and all the thousands of years of healthcare led to that knowledge being given. I can absolutely still respect and acknowledge that...meaning...not a single factor.