RE: Quotes acceptance
February 28, 2011 at 3:46 pm
(This post was last modified: February 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm by Emporion.)
(February 28, 2011 at 11:51 am)corndog36 Wrote: To answer your question, there is no such thing as scientific fact. We accept scientific theories as true when we find the evidence to be overwhelmingly conclusive. But even in those cases we sometimes find that we were wrong. Religions were created to provide answers to questions that couldn't be explained by the evidence of our eyes, because we don't see the "real" nature of the universe. Science has provided much more plausible answers to many of those questions, but not all. Until we can answer all of those questions, I think you will have a hard time convincing people of your point of view by saying, "I am right, and you are wrong."
Well, then why did I learn about the term "scientific fact" in a science textbook?
(February 28, 2011 at 11:51 am)corndog36 Wrote: One of my favorite quotes from Albert Einstein is: "I want to know God's thoughts, all else is details." The purpose of that statement is to inspire people to think. Perhaps a quotable statement needs to be less diatribe and more inspiration.
Maybe, but Einstein was still religious. He also apparently didn't think rationally enough to avoid religion entirely.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: Dude, you are waaaay too condescending. Did you ever actually had a conversation with a theist who knows his stuff ?
Religion = Poison.
Yes, and she is a christian and she refused to consider my side of the discussion, although nicely.
The point is to trap them so that the only way to escape means to commit logical fallacies which doesn't get them out. If they are smart enough, they will find that they are beaten.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: Theists have very smart people on their side, people who spend a lifetime making apologetics, excuses and rationalizations about their God.
Good for them! Should we give them a medal for they're hard work of irrationality? I think not.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: So acting like it is this simple to disprove God is simply laughable.
Why not? Its so simple to dispel religion. Trap it.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: For example, your argument about inspired-by-God texts. Assuming Jesus is the Messiah (i know, its bullshit, but still) then he recognized the Old Testament as true and his disciples, being chosen by him, are also inspired by the Holy Spirit. So now you have to prove that Jesus is not the Messiah for your argument to be true. And to prove that, you have to prove he didn't exist. So then you have to prove that the authors mentionning him, and the Apostles who we knew existed, were either wrong or lying. Etc etc etc. It takes a LONG time, and some skill that you get from experience, to get a theist all the way to the end of his excuses and then bash him with your arguments until you make a slight, tiny crack into one of his ideas. It's not as simple as you seem to think it is.
Okay, I've only talked on one theist other than 2 Jehovah witnesses long ago.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: It just doesn't flow really well. I mean thinking of religion as a "building" doesn't really work. Maybe if you use "Christianity" instead for example it works better because then you get not a concept (religion), but something that is tangible (Christianity)
Okay. Critical thinking dies at the gate of religion. So what if it is abstract?
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: Now that is some really condescending speech right there. Because i am tolerant of some theists (without explaining to what extent in any way) you assume i'm "fine with the way things are". I'm not, but i know that generalizing the superstitious as stupid ignorant bigots like you do is simplistic and untrue. You are the one that seems a little narrow-minded i'm afraid :/
I didn't say they were stupid. I only said that they accept narrow-mindedness.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: Also, we are pretty much ALL irrational in one way or another. Many believe in True Love, many hope that their dreams can come true even in the face of overwhelming data against them. A fuckton of people play Lotto. Some people have lucky shirts. Do you think this is wrong and humanity should get rid of all that ?
I know someone who lost their wife of 23 years last year. Despite never usually going to Church or anything like that, he tried going to a prayer group for comfort. He openly admits that this idea, however unlikely, of seeing his wife again in the afterlife is the only thing that kept him able to keep his life from falling apart. Do you really want to blame people like that for this ?
No, just the narrow-mindedness. It weakens the strength of brain security.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: Religious and/or superstitious thinking is perfectly fine as long as you keep them to yourself and don't make decisions based on those beliefs.
It weaken's brain security.
(February 28, 2011 at 11:44 am)Rwandrall Wrote: you assume i'm "fine with the way things are". I'm not
Well, then what else are you doing about it besides postmg in an atheist forum?