What evidence would convince you of God’s existence?
A valid and sound logical argument.
You see the words, “I love you” written in the sand at the beach. Is this man-made? If so, how do you know?
I don't know if it is man-made or not, as I take it from your question that I did not see the words being written. It could be that some other non-human animal that inadvertently made the words as it walked through the sand, it could be that some non-human aliens landed and wrote the message, it could be any one of an infinite number of explanations. However, I could form a belief based on the likelihood of these explanations, and I'd rank the writing being man-made as quite high (since I've seen humans doing it before, and I understand the language). Thus I'd believe the most likely explanation would be that it was man-made. Do I know this to be true? No. The existence of other possible explanations which I cannot disprove prohibits me from doing this.
If the God of the Bible were real, would He set the rules or would man set the rules?
It is my understanding that God set some rules, and that man sets other ones. It's been a long time since I've read the Bible, but I do not recall there being any substantial sections on the rules for handling criminal trials (unless we are going to bring back stoning).
Do moral laws exist? If so, do they exist independent of humans? How do you know what they are?
No, all morals are subjective, and change over time based on people reasoning them out. This is clearly the case for all morals I can think of.
If everyone on earth believed that rape were morally right, would it still be morally wrong?
No. As Shell B stated, if this were true, then even rape victims would believe it were morally right.
What is the most dangerous religion on Earth?
Most religions in themselves aren't dangerous; the danger often comes from followers who take what they personally believe and try to apply it to other people (often through force), or by not contemplating other points of view. That said, some of the more fundamentalist sects of religions like Christianity (e.g. faith healing groups), and Islam (followers of Al-Qaeda) scare and appall me. Those and Scientology...
Where did the laws of logic come from?
The "laws" of logic are simply the backbone of the way we think, or have to think due to the makeup of the human brain. Just as how most organisms have some kind of instinct for things, we have an instinct for thinking, and we use the laws of logic to reason.
How did non-rational events and processes lead to a rational human mind?
How do otherwise chaotic events create perfectly stable systems? Nature is epic, that's how.
Why do some atheists such as Carl Wieland and Alister McGrath become Christians?
Ask them. I don't see what it has to do with me. Their belief, their decision.
How do beliefs and thoughts differ?
Thoughts in general can be anything that goes through your mind at any time. Beliefs are thoughts that you accept as "true"; i.e. they accurately reflect that which you observe as "reality".
Do you believe that God does not exist?
Yes, although I wouldn't call it an active belief that I cling to and try to bring into my everyday life. I simply don't believe in a God.
Do you think that God does not exist?
Often. I also often think that God does exist, but I haven't heard a valid and sound argument that supports the thought yet.
How do you think life began on Earth?
I think many different things; none of which are relevant to the actual fact that we currently don't know (and may never know). I think (and believe) it was by some kind of natural event, simply because I have not seen any evidence or reasoning to believe in supernatural events.
A valid and sound logical argument.
You see the words, “I love you” written in the sand at the beach. Is this man-made? If so, how do you know?
I don't know if it is man-made or not, as I take it from your question that I did not see the words being written. It could be that some other non-human animal that inadvertently made the words as it walked through the sand, it could be that some non-human aliens landed and wrote the message, it could be any one of an infinite number of explanations. However, I could form a belief based on the likelihood of these explanations, and I'd rank the writing being man-made as quite high (since I've seen humans doing it before, and I understand the language). Thus I'd believe the most likely explanation would be that it was man-made. Do I know this to be true? No. The existence of other possible explanations which I cannot disprove prohibits me from doing this.
If the God of the Bible were real, would He set the rules or would man set the rules?
It is my understanding that God set some rules, and that man sets other ones. It's been a long time since I've read the Bible, but I do not recall there being any substantial sections on the rules for handling criminal trials (unless we are going to bring back stoning).
Do moral laws exist? If so, do they exist independent of humans? How do you know what they are?
No, all morals are subjective, and change over time based on people reasoning them out. This is clearly the case for all morals I can think of.
If everyone on earth believed that rape were morally right, would it still be morally wrong?
No. As Shell B stated, if this were true, then even rape victims would believe it were morally right.
What is the most dangerous religion on Earth?
Most religions in themselves aren't dangerous; the danger often comes from followers who take what they personally believe and try to apply it to other people (often through force), or by not contemplating other points of view. That said, some of the more fundamentalist sects of religions like Christianity (e.g. faith healing groups), and Islam (followers of Al-Qaeda) scare and appall me. Those and Scientology...
Where did the laws of logic come from?
The "laws" of logic are simply the backbone of the way we think, or have to think due to the makeup of the human brain. Just as how most organisms have some kind of instinct for things, we have an instinct for thinking, and we use the laws of logic to reason.
How did non-rational events and processes lead to a rational human mind?
How do otherwise chaotic events create perfectly stable systems? Nature is epic, that's how.
Why do some atheists such as Carl Wieland and Alister McGrath become Christians?
Ask them. I don't see what it has to do with me. Their belief, their decision.
How do beliefs and thoughts differ?
Thoughts in general can be anything that goes through your mind at any time. Beliefs are thoughts that you accept as "true"; i.e. they accurately reflect that which you observe as "reality".
Do you believe that God does not exist?
Yes, although I wouldn't call it an active belief that I cling to and try to bring into my everyday life. I simply don't believe in a God.
Do you think that God does not exist?
Often. I also often think that God does exist, but I haven't heard a valid and sound argument that supports the thought yet.
How do you think life began on Earth?
I think many different things; none of which are relevant to the actual fact that we currently don't know (and may never know). I think (and believe) it was by some kind of natural event, simply because I have not seen any evidence or reasoning to believe in supernatural events.
