Do mimsy atheists gyre and gimble in the wabe?

[fr0d0]

There's a significant difference between those subjects Dotard. The difference is key. The effect of theology can be significant and positive. The opposite is true of numenrology and astrology. This forum exists to discuss theological issues yet non theists here deny it's existence. Very odd don't you think?

Why is there a "significant" difference? To most of us here there is no difference at all (they're all pie in the sky, fairy gah gah land rubbish) so justify that point please.

Not all PsOV are worthy of respect and I see no particular reason to suspect a belief in an invisible man in the sky over a belief that the stars dictate some aspect of our personalities ... in fact I'd actually say that I lean a little in favour of the astrology inasmuch as I can envisage that gravity, fields, and so on could have some marginal effect on us (I don't actually believe it).

Kyu

That you see no difference is extremely worrying, although I'd be glad you gave none attention rather than any (as I know you personally despise superstition as much as I do).

So superstition (which is exactly what numerology and astrology are) I believe you and I can agree on. Theology concerns non validatable assumptions but the purpose is completely opposite. As you don't accept the raison detre of theology it completely disarms you in this area. You have no developed thought (although I believe you do, you just deny it. moral choices for example.) to differentiate harmful superstition from beneficial theology. You may adopt reasoned standpoint entirely by chance, because the contemplation of a component part of human nature is off limits to you. Science proves itself to be an inadequate comfort blanket when confronted with such problems. Perhaps that is why this forum exists. There's a vacuum to be filled.

[Purple Rabbit]

You really are ill informed Rabbit

Can't handle a little word joke, Fro? helaas pindakaas!

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The definition of the god of numerology is that his existence cannot be proved. QED
It's that easy!!

[fr0d0]

You really are ill informed Rabbit

Can't handle a little word joke, Fro? helaas pindakaas!

---

The definition of the god of numerology is that his existence cannot be proved. QED
It's that easy!!

I guess comedy along with theology is something else you need to brush up on

[Dotard]

Science proves itself to be an inadequate comfort blanket when confronted with such problems.

And your christianity is nothing more than that comfort blanket.

It's like you see this, yet you don't.

[Purple Rabbit]

You have no developed thought (although I believe you do, you just deny it. moral choices for example.) to differentiate harmful superstition from beneficial theology. You may adopt reasoned standpoint entirely by chance, because the contemplation of a component part of human nature is off limits to you. Science proves itself to be an inadequate comfort blanket when confronted with such problems. Perhaps that is why this forum exists. There's a vacuum to be filled.

That's your problem (one of them, anyway), you see a monopoly for christianity as the keeper of impeccable moral dogma. I do not deny that christianity has shown to be able to converge morally beneficial actions. It has been a container for such. But you cannot claim it to be the only source of good. Buddhism and humanism provide that also. And on the other hand christianity has been a container for the morally abject (inquisition, HIV policy, silent condonement of holocaust in WWII). There is no basis to claim monopoly on good moral by christianity or by theology. So what are these uniquely theologian benefits you suggest? Can you name a few? What has theology done for society?

[fr0d0]

Quick point: I don't claim that Christianity is the only source of good at all. That's very gracious of you to credit it as you do.

[Purple Rabbit]

Quick point: I don't claim that Christianity is the only source of good at all. That's very gracious of you to credit it as you do.

Somewhat too quick, it seems. You forgot to read. Never mind, just take your time.

That theology is not beneficial in any way, stands unrefuted.

[Pippy]

Hey,

I have known very well many, many people that had an improved quality of life, and decision making process because of their personal relationship with theology. I don't think you can win the argument that in every situation, for every other person, theology has no benefit. May be to yourself, but that is not the statement you seem to be making.

For me to claim that nothing good can possibly come from agnosticism would be far from the truth, and demonstrably wrong. Just because Agnosticism holds no value to me does not make it hold no value for others. I assure you, without doubt I have seen good come of theology. I have had good results personally. There is a bad side, but that is not its totality.

I think it is foolish to forward that no benefit as ever come from theology. That is just my opinion.
Thanks,
-Pip

[LEDO]

Hey,

I have known very well many, many people that had an improved quality of life, and decision making process because of their personal relationship with theology. I don't think you can win the argument that in every situation, for every other person, theology has no benefit. May be to yourself, but that is not the statement you seem to be making.

For me to claim that nothing good can possibly come from agnosticism would be far from the truth, and demonstrably wrong. Just because Agnosticism holds no value to me does not make it hold no value for others. I assure you, without doubt I have seen good come of theology. I have had good results personally. There is a bad side, but that is not its totality.

I think it is foolish to forward that no benefit as ever come from theology. That is just my opinion.
Thanks,
-Pip

People don't find Jesus on prom night. It is only after they have fucked their lives up so bad that no one will talk to them that they find "Jesus" and turn it around.

[Kyuuketsuki]

Why is there a "significant" difference? To most of us here there is no difference at all (they're all pie in the sky, fairy gah gah land rubbish) so justify that point please.

Not all PsOV are worthy of respect and I see no particular reason to suspect a belief in an invisible man in the sky over a belief that the stars dictate some aspect of our personalities ... in fact I'd actually say that I lean a little in favour of the astrology inasmuch as I can envisage that gravity, fields, and so on could have some marginal effect on us (I don't actually believe it).

That you see no difference is extremely worrying, although I'd be glad you gave none attention rather than any (as I know you personally despise superstition as much as I do).

Oh indeed ... but let us be clear here, that includes YOUR superstitions.

So superstition (which is exactly what numerology and astrology are) I believe you and I can agree on.

I agree they are superstitions ...

Theology concerns non validatable assumptions but the purpose is completely opposite. As you don't accept the raison detre of theology it completely disarms you in this area. You have no developed thought (although I believe you do, you just deny it. moral choices for example.) to differentiate harmful superstition from beneficial theology.

... but that's just pure [expletive deleted]s! Again you advance the NTS argument i.e. that you have to be one to be able to validly critique.

You may adopt reasoned standpoint entirely by chance, because the contemplation of a component part of human nature is off limits to you. Science proves itself to be an inadequate comfort blanket when confronted with such problems. Perhaps that is why this forum exists. There's a vacuum to be filled.

There is no reason to suspect that science, at least potentially, is unable to answer questions about any aspect of our universe. You are doing exactly what Dawkins says you and your kind do ... claiming religion has a get-out-of-jail-free card ... I do not accept that any religious POV deserves that and you have yet to justify that it does.

Kyu

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I think it is foolish to forward that no benefit as ever come from theology. That is just my opinion.

I think there is benefit from religion in a societal sense in that it can make groups of people strong (united) in various ways and that sense of community is something atheists seem unable to achieve (although other secular ideals can). But I don't believe religion has any specific strength beyond that of a comfort blanket.

Kyu