(September 5, 2024 at 11:09 am)h311inac311 Wrote:

(September 5, 2024 at 3:07 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: I'll bet you a shiny shilling that you don't know what Voltaire meant by that.

Boru

What is the weight of Thy shilling?

5.65g.

Boru

I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. --Thomas Jefferson

“Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.” (Thomas Jefferson) 

Okay Boru,

Personally I think that Voltaire's quote is actually pointing towards the existence of God rather than away from it.

The first part, "If God were not real."
Implies that God is real. But the quote also can be used by an atheist to explain why God exists.

"It would have been necessary to create him."

God acts as a unifying belief system which is often necessary to keep the people united under one court system as well as providing a basis for a shared system of values.

"There is no God, but don’t tell that to my servant, lest he murder me at night."

What metal is this shilling made from?

(September 6, 2024 at 9:09 am)h311inac311 Wrote: Okay Boru,

Personally I think that Voltaire's quote is actually pointing towards the existence of God rather than away from it.

The first part, "If God were not real."
Implies that God is real. But the quote also can be used by an atheist to explain why God exists.

"It would have been necessary to create him."

God acts as a unifying belief system which is often necessary to keep the people united under one court system as well as providing a basis for a shared system of values.

"There is no God, but don’t tell that to my servant, lest he murder me at night."

What metal is this shilling made from?

Close but no cigar.

Silver.

Boru

"Memory is like a Wikipedia article. You can go in and edit it, but so can other people."

Elizabeth Loftus

“The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. It is not a creed. Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of paradise and the dread of hell. Life on earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: We stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.” (Christopher Hitchens) 

(September 6, 2024 at 12:55 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(September 6, 2024 at 9:09 am)h311inac311 Wrote: Okay Boru,

Personally I think that Voltaire's quote is actually pointing towards the existence of God rather than away from it.

The first part, "If God were not real."
Implies that God is real. But the quote also can be used by an atheist to explain why God exists.

"It would have been necessary to create him."

God acts as a unifying belief system which is often necessary to keep the people united under one court system as well as providing a basis for a shared system of values.

"There is no God, but don’t tell that to my servant, lest he murder me at night."

What metal is this shilling made from?

Close but no cigar.

Silver.

Boru

Fair enough Brian, would you care to explain your answer?

"Now now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies."

“The Bible. That is what fools have written, what imbeciles command, what rogues teach, and young children are made to learn by heart.” (Voltaire) 

“I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.”
― Richard Dawkins