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Author | Topic: Does God Really Exist??? | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mammuthus Member (Idle past 6506 days) Posts: 3085 From: Munich, Germany Joined: |
quote: If you can only feel him in your personal relation to him, that makes him useless for me. In addition, anecdote or personal preferences hardly answer the question of the title of this thread.
quote:There are millions of people who believe in other god/gods or diety like beings (Buddhists for example)..millions do not believe in your god..millions of people believe in really strange superstitious things. That hardly makes them right. quote: Smart people make mistakes to ..in any case, that is hardly evidence of a god either...smart people put their money in stocks that tank. Mr.Hambre is smart yet he thinks Kid Rock can sing..go figure
quote: but you did anyway...the bible saying the bible is correct is circular reasoning and not evidence.
quote:You have no way to support or refute that statement..maybe if you don't pray you will find out that I am right..or maybe you will personally discover that Vishnu is the true god..it is completely devoid of evidence, testability or falsifiablity...so why should I care? quote: It is fine with me what you believe. I am not trying to change your beliefs in your god...however, your personal beliefs still do not really addresss "Does god really exist???" or why I should care. cheers,M
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Darwin's Terrier Inactive Member |
I think we also should look from how people that don't believe in God point of view.. Erm, that’s what most of us do do...
not just only arguing and attacking from how people who believe in GOD. Well, if I’m understanding your mangled sentence correctly, what we generally do is take the theists’ claims at face value, and subject them (where possible) to reality-comparison testing. That means understanding the other POV.
If you don't believe that God created us I don’t believe we evolved either. I have seen more than enough evidence that we have, and none at all that we were created.
then you must believe that we are here by chance of random process, right? Depends on what you mean by us being here. If you mean that, were we to re-run earth’s history again, Homo sapiens would be an outcome again, then I’m with S J Gould in thinking ‘no way’. There’s far too many contingent factors involved, not least umpteen bloody great rocks smashing into the planet annoyingly frequently. But that doesn’t seem to be what you’re saying. We’re here by chance of a random process? Which random process did you have in mind?
I just want to add something I got from a website: (
Answers in Genesis
) Oh dear. That doesn’t exactly bode well...
1. A young man approached me at a seminar and stated, ‘Well, I still believe in the big bang, and that we arrived here by chance random processes. I don’t believe in God.’ Then he is very ill-informed. Cosmologists do not ‘believe’ in the Big Bang -- they have quite a bit of evidence for it. Little things like the fact that the universe is expanding, and the fact of the cosmic background radiation, as predicted by the theory. And evolution by natural selection is in no way a random process. So the guy’s a twit.
I answered him, ‘Well, then obviously your brain, and your thought processes, are also the product of randomness. Correct. The straw man is nicely demolished.
So you don’t know whether it evolved the right way, or even what right would mean in that context. Young man, you don’t know if you’re making correct statements or even whether you’re asking me the right questions.’ Irrelevant flummery.
The young man looked at me and blurted out, ‘What was that book you recommended?’ He finally realized that his belief undercut its own foundations such ‘reasoning’ destroys the very basis for reason. And if this tale isn’t apocryphal, I’m a banana.
2. On another occasion, a man came to me after a seminar and said, ‘Actually, I’m an atheist. Because I don’t believe in God, I don’t believe in absolutes, so I recognize that I can’t even be sure of reality.’ Another idiot. Or rather, another straw man. Whilst it is true that there is no absolute certainty in science, this ignores the fact that we can still rule some -- many -- possible options out. And we can formulate hypotheses and test them. What we are left with, after ruling some options out by testing, and being unable to demolish the others, is an approximation to the truth, to reality. There is no absolute certainty, no ‘proof’, in science, because, as with mathematics, proof is only possible if you define the universe you’re talking about at the start. As they say, 2+2=4, but only for certain values of 2. But with science, we cannot define the universe at the start, because what it is like is precisely what we’re trying to find out. So one cannot be absolutely sure of reality, because new information may still turn up. However, we can still be pretty damned sure, can be pretty confident that some things are too unlikely. The man in this tale would have us believe that, since we cannot be absolutely certain that a well-constructed bridge will stay up, there’s no point in building it at all.
I responded, ‘Then how do you know you’re really here making this statement?’ ‘Good point,’ he replied. Solipsistic crap, I’d reply.
‘What point?’ I asked. The man looked at me, smiled, and said, ‘Maybe I should go home.’ I stated, ‘Maybe it won’t be there.’ ‘Good point,’ the man said. ‘What point?’ I replied. < sigh > It is not a good point at all, and saying ‘what point’ doesn’t get him out of the accusation of sophistry. Sure, his home might not be there. But barring very unusual events, he has every reason to assume it will be. The universe does seem to operate to regular rules... like things being where you left them (with the possible exception of car keys and pens ). If I hold my pen thus... and let go of it... maybe I should pick it up, said the man. Maybe it won’t fall, our anally retentive friend stated. Good point, said the poor chap, unversed in rhetorical bullshit.
This young man certainly got the message. If there is no God, ultimately, philosophically, how can one talk about reality? If there is no Invisible Pink Unicorn (pbuh, may her hooves never be shod), ultimately, philosophically, how can one talk about reality? If there are no ravenous bugblatter beasts on Traal, ultimately, philosophically, how can one talk about reality? If there are no egg-laying mammals, ultimately, philosophically, how can one talk about reality? Uh, by checking to see? By seeing what predictions the idea makes, and finding out whether they are right... or whether the opposite is the case? Just a thought.
How can one even rationally believe that there is such a thing as truth, let alone decide what it is? ‘How the universe is’ is how I’d define ‘the truth’. And I decide what that is by taking a look-see. Personally, I tend to look at the world, rather than up my own rectum, but that’s just me I guess. TTFN, DT {Fixed (closed) one qs box. This also fixed the shading in the following quote boxes - Adminnemooseus} [This message has been edited by Adminnemooseus, 02-18-2004]
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Chris Inactive Member |
Well, the conversation I put is not from me. I put that just for an addition so people can read maybe some will think differently, some don't. I told you I just want to add something from a website. If you want to give replies.. give it to the website, I put the links also.
And until now, no actuall truth saying which one is right or wrong. Cause this kind of discussion is still exist. Actually we can't discuss anything.. because what I believe or my reasoning is from the Bible which most people don't believe.But I have a ground, which lots of people don't.. it's enough for me and I just want to share it with other people. But if people don't want it.. what can I do? It also written in the Bible. To know these things we need more informations or technology which we still can't able to provide it until now. Or maybe we will never see the evidence until we die. (Because nobody can actually give prove or evidence).So we are not in the position to say God does not exist. Can we also say GOD doesn't exist?Don't think so... because lots of people feel and believe in HIM. And (again) the Bible saying that you can't know Him if you don't really try with your heart, people who tried with all their heart felt Him already. So you can't say that God doesn't exist.. the prove or the evidence is from your heart.. It's the same like this: (Just an example)I'm in a tropical island where there is a fruit called papaya. Then.. I told my friend in Europe there's a fruit called papaya. But He doesn't believe it.. "Where is the papaya? I don't see it!! I don't believe papaya exists." While others that have eaten papaya know that papaya does exist. One can easily take a picture of the fruit and show it. But GOD can only be reach by your heart, like I told you. About which God? I do feel and believe that Jesus is The GOD.
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Dan Carroll Inactive Member |
quote: Between this, and the "Darwinist Ideology" thread, I wonder if I should bother posting. Nobody reads them, anyway. For the last time... you are right. We can not know for certain whether or not there is a God. We also can not know for certain whether or not there is a 20,000 year-old telepathic robot living under the surface of the moon. We also can not know for certain whether or not the ghosts of dead baboons haunt our urinary tracts. So who. freakin. cares. As far as what is in front of us, we see no God. "Perhaps you should take your furs and your literal interpretations to the other side of the river." -Anya
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Darwin's Terrier Inactive Member |
So we are not in the position to say God does not exist. Actually, we are entirely in a position to say that certain varieties of god do not exist. One is a highly-intelligent single creator-designer, operating always at the height of its powers. Another is one that is omni-benevolent, omniscient and omnipotent. In short, we can be sure that there is no literal Biblical creator. So please define this god of yours! TTFN, DT
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Chris Inactive Member |
To tell you the truth, Darwin's Terrier...
I have never seen my God, I only have read about Him and know things about him from the Bible. And I can feel He's care about me and others. If you want to know more about my God.. read the Bible. Best wishes. [This message has been edited by Chris, 02-18-2004]
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Chris Inactive Member |
But what if GOD really exist? Will you care about Him?
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Dan Carroll Inactive Member |
Dan writes: I wonder if I should bother posting. Nobody reads them, anyway. Chris writes: But what if GOD really exist? [This message has been edited by Dan Carroll, 02-18-2004] "Perhaps you should take your furs and your literal interpretations to the other side of the river." -Anya
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Darwin's Terrier Inactive Member |
Thanks, I have (well, large chunks of it at least). And I guess you are justified in your beliefs, for the biblical god does indeed seem to be a sadistic bastard, just as he would be if he created living things! And that Jesus wasn't much better: not a jot or tittle from the old laws to be ignored? Things like Leviticus, presumably.
Say, having read your bible, am I right in thinking you would have people stoned to death? Jesus was okay with it... so you must be too, yeah?
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Chris Inactive Member |
Say, having read your bible, am I right in thinking you would have people stoned to death? Jesus was okay with it... so you must be too, yeah?
--- Could you please tell me the verses which tell about that? And what I believe about judging is on... (Mat 7:1-5): Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.... etc.
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CreationMan Inactive Member |
And if Jesus or God were on trial in a court of law, and if the evidence that proved their existance was "Christians" would the evidence be enough to prove the existance or would the evidence be thrown out? Thrown out, because all their testimony would be hearsay.Otherwise you could confirm the legal existence of Santa Claus based on the testimony of children. But I don't see anyone booking flights to the North Pole. I disagree, no one has ever seen a Fat red man with a white beard in a suit climb down chimneys all over the world and leave presents under Christmas Trees. Bt the Disciples of Christs (and other SECULAR) historians DID see Jesus, and they SAW him perform miracles, including his own ressurection from the dead. So yes there testimony would be considered eyewitness accounts. "The Fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" Creation Man
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crashfrog Member (Idle past 1498 days) Posts: 19762 From: Silver Spring, MD Joined: |
Bt the Disciples of Christs (and other SECULAR) historians DID see Jesus, and they SAW him perform miracles, including his own ressurection from the dead. Right, but unfortunately, nobody saw them, either. They penned no historical record. The Bible was written entirely by people who could not have been eyewitnesses to the events chronicled. Hence, hearsay.
So yes there testimony would be considered eyewitness accounts. It would, if we had their testimony. But we don't. We have testimony about them, not from them.
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CreationMan Inactive Member |
...you are right. We can not know for certain whether or not there is a God. We also can not know for certain whether or not there is a 20,000 year-old telepathic robot living under the surface of the moon. We also can not know for certain whether or not the ghosts of dead baboons haunt our urinary tracts. Dan you need to stop making me laugh so hard! You are personally invading MY urinary tract!! Let's look at basic bio. We have never observed life being created "ex nihlio," (out of nothing). From a biological stand point it would be impossible. Life can only come from pre-existing life. So something somewhere, somehow, must have been the original cause. Now you say,
We [...] can not know for certain whether or not the ghosts of dead baboons haunt our urinary tracts. True, but from a biolocial stand point we have NO reason to beileve that they do. Why? Because we know that urinary tracts can function without the Ghosts of Baboons. However, we also know that life is NOT like our urinary tract, it could not have originated without an ORIGINATOR. It NEEDS one. Even our urinary tract needs one! "The Fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" Creation Man
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CreationMan Inactive Member |
Right, but unfortunately, nobody saw them, either. They penned no historical record. The Bible was written entirely by people who could not have been eyewitnesses to the events chronicled. Hence, hearsay. It would, if we had their testimony. But we don't. We have testimony about them, not from them. Huh?? Who do you think wrote the scriptures? My Aunt Sady from Jersey? Why do you think the four Gospels are called "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John" because those are the names of the people who wrote them! Straight testimony from the eyewitnesses themselves. It's not second hand. IT'S FIRST HAND! "The Fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" Creation Man
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CreationMan Inactive Member |
Wow that was a long reply...
Cosmologists do not ‘believe’ in the Big Bang -- they have quite a bit of evidence for it. Little things like the fact that the universe is expanding, and the fact of the cosmic background radiation, as predicted by the theory. First, all scientist who "believe" in the big bang BELIEVE in the big bang. Simply because the event is not replicable in any laboratory model. Second, they do BELIEVE in the big bang because none of us were there to see it happen, and we don't have a video or DVD of it happening. I work with Biologists all day (myself being one of them) many of them are my friends and they are evolutionists, a few of us laugh at the idea of evolution (never at our fellow biologists), but I have never heard any of my evolutionary friends EVER say that they did NOT "BELIEVE" in evolution or "BELIEVE" in the big bang. In fact they use the term "Believe" quite freely. Thirdly, ever hear of the law of Conservation of Angular Momentum? This scientific LAW doesn't fit very well with the big bang "Theory." [This message has been edited by CreationMan, 02-18-2004] "The Fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" Creation Man
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