(July 22, 2020 at 8:43 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: What are your thoughts on this?

That you’re the typical misguided theist.

@Shazzalovesnovels

Keep being you. See where it leads. And learn and grow. That's my advice in a nutshell. And don't fight anxiety. But don't fight fighting it either. You are not in control.

(July 22, 2020 at 7:33 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: 1) Do atheists believe in a heaven or hell? 2) A good place or bad place? 3) If not, then what's the purpose of the distinction between good and evil?. 4) I'd like to have a respectful conversation about this.

1) I do not see anything to indicate such environs exist. I also identify as a 'Non-theist' just as a minor point of clarification.

2) A 'Good' place or a 'bad' place? As in a nice home or a smelly swamp? I'm not quite sure what you're asking here.

3) A distinction between 'Good' and 'Evil'? They are descriptors of things that Humans like or dislike. That are of benefit or detriment.

3) I hope I've fulfilled your wishe with my reply.

Cheers.

Not at work.

(July 22, 2020 at 8:43 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 8:27 am)Lawz Wrote: Shazza is female FM ; )

---

What evidence do you have that Jehova is any less fictional than the rest?

I'm only 19 and still seeking answers but so far I've got this.

1. Hope (that he's real)
2. It makes a LOT of sense that he would exist, meaning I find it plausible based on the Bible 
3. Too many coincidences
4. The Big Bang DOESN'T make sense 
5. There is a limitation to man's knowledge. We don't even have the cure for cancer, how can we be so sure that's not all we don't know about? If we don't even have definitive answers on religion vs the big bang and the Genesis and end of mankind, it means there's a that we're not aware of certain things.

What are your thoughts on this?

1. Hope does not imply True. To believe because of hope is self-delusion.

2. taking the Bible as the authority is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

3. Such as?

4. How deeply have you studied it? How much physics have you had? how much cosmology? Do you know anything about General Relativity? What makes you competent to say anything about this?

5. And you the same about the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Not knowing does not imply we should engae is self-delusion just to get by.

If anything, it means that we need to be more skeptical because the easiest person to fool is ourself.

(July 22, 2020 at 8:32 am)The Grand Nudger Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 8:19 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: But the Bible does have some pretty good ideas don't you think?

You know, "thou shalt not kill" and "love thy neighbour"  

What do you disagree with?

Neither of those two things is strictly coherent with the idea of vicarious redemption, or of divine command - the two overriding ethical narratives of the old and new testaments.  

In the old testament, you absolutely must kill whomever god tells you to kill, and more often than not, god is telling his chosen people to kill their neighbors.  It's a moral imperative, and failure is actionable.  In the new testament, the neighbor that we're told to love is strung up to satisfy our debts, and that neighbor had a very low view of his fellow man.

Consider the ethical and existential predicament that a non believer may find themselves in, with respect to the abrahamic god.  If we refuse to follow the divine commands, and utterly reject the notion that our misdeeds can be paid for with another persons blood, we will be condemned to hell for the immutable goodness of our being.  

Why, then...should we be good?

In your world, is there any instance where taking another life is justifiable?

Here's a fun one. Assume that your numbered items are all valid arguments formed out of true observations. That you have evidence and/or good reasons to believe in a god, and that this god does..in fact, exist. All of our work is still ahead of us.

What do you do when a gods demands or requirements violate an ethical principle? You may desire entry to heaven - but is it possible to do or accept a bad thing in order to achieve some desired end or good?

(we live in the same world)

(July 22, 2020 at 8:49 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: In your world, is there any instance where taking another life is justifiable?

Only in self defense.

Which does not include war, the death penalty, or god’s command.

(July 22, 2020 at 8:43 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: (A) I'm only 19 and still seeking answers but so far I've got this.

1. Hope (that he's real)
2. It makes a LOT of sense that he would exist, meaning I find it plausible based on the Bible 
3. Too many coincidences
4. The Big Bang DOESN'T make sense 
5. There is a limitation to man's knowledge. We don't even have the cure for cancer, how can we be so sure that's not all we don't know about? If we don't even have definitive answers on religion vs the big bang and the Genesis and end of mankind, it means there's a that we're not aware of certain things.

What are your thoughts on this?

(A)

 *A, the halcyon days of youth. 

1) That's great. Good for you.
Though a small part of me now types "Hope is but the first step upon the road to disappointment".
Sorry for the Warhammer 40K quote.  

2) Well... such propositions make sense to you now. You'll read more and learn more and your ideas may change.  

3) Uhm. Coincidences of what, perchance?

4) Things don't have to make sense to be true. Also, I'm sure that people here will help you with your understanding of the principle/concepts about the Univers' possible early phase.

5) INdeed. We do not currently have a panacea for cancer. We do, however, have many treatments for many of the types of cancer that pop uip in humans. Actually... we're also pretty good at helping other critters that have cancer pop up in them.

Wait? Religion Vs the big bang? The two ideas aren't mutually exclusingve, you know?
As for the 'Gensis' of Humanity? Sure we do. Our early homind ancestors survived, multiplied and spread across the world. Leading to a few species that shared our spaces. Sadly, Homosapien Sapiens is the only extant species about today.
The end of our species is yet to be written.
(Wait? Are you Sarah Connor?   )

Cheers.

Not at work.

(July 22, 2020 at 7:57 am)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 7:53 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: You’re a very bright fellow - you know as well as anyone that their script never changes. In fact, I’d be willing to bet money that we’re rocketing to Pascal’s Wager.

Boru

You're wagering on Pascal's Wager? "Ouroboros Arguments" for $50, please.

I'm glad you named that (theory?) @BrianSoddingBoru4 
I didn't know it was an actual thing. I looked it up just now. I've thought about it for a while but I didn't know there was a name for it. I'm learning a lot.

Personally I'm going into a surgical theatre, having my organs removed for donation, then into a morgue drawer until what's left can be barbequed (extra crispy).

All of this only if I can't arrange a proper Viking funeral.

Am I afraid? No.

I don't believe in any form of afterlife.

And we should be good to each other.