RE: 13 Questions
May 11, 2011 at 7:07 pm
(This post was last modified: May 11, 2011 at 7:09 pm by prayforme.)
1. What evidence would convince you of God’s existence?
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. It would have to be indisputable, really. Something shocking and out-of-place that is predicted (in detail) and comes to pass where there's simply no other possible explanation. If it was proven that God does in fact exist, it would be very strange thing. Why the hell would an all-knowing, all-perfect infinite being that resides outside of space and time feel the need to create something, give it a choice, and observe the inevitable (that we would make the wrong choice) anyways? What purpose could that possibly serve? Indeed, my sense of reality would be turned upside down if God did exist.
2. You see the words, “I love you” written in the sand at the beach. Is this man-made? If so, how do you know?
Because what else has the cognitive ability for written language? It is man-made because that is the most simple and logical explanation.
3. If the God of the Bible were real, would He set the rules or would man set the rules?
It is my understanding that the biblical God set rules but also afforded humans their own. “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” comes to mind.
4. Do moral laws exist? If so, do they exist independent of humans? How do you know what they are?
Our (human) ability to empathize is key to what we call "moral" behavior. For this reason, no, our sense of "morality" does not exist independent of humans.
5. If everyone on earth believed that rape were morally right, would it still be morally wrong?
Obviously, if everyone thought rape to be a good thing, then no. If we wished to be raped just the same as everyone else did, then there would be no problem. As a general rule, however, most folks don't want to be raped (for good reason), so therefore it is considered immoral.
6. What is the most dangerous religion on Earth?
Any and all that promotes harm (both physical and psychological) in it's name.
7. Where did the laws of logic come from?
Our complex brains afford us the ability to reason, and thus logic is a product of the brain.
8. How did non-rational events and processes lead to a rational human mind?
It must have been God-magic.
9. Why do some atheists such as Carl Wieland and Alister McGrath become Christians?
Or any other religion for that matter? Perhaps they were atheists for the wrong reasons. Maybe they stopped caring and joined hands with Christians for the hell of it. Absurdity and philosophical suicide. I don't know. You tell me, or better yet, what do they say?
10. How do beliefs and thoughts differ?
Depends on their usage. In the most common use of both terms, they are equivalent. Ex. "I believe you are correct." "I think you are correct." In other uses, beliefs can be said to hold more weight than thoughts. Beliefs can contain hopes and dreams for the future as opposed to mere thoughts which may be perceived as shallow and fleeting in comparison. Just depends.
11. Do you believe that God does not exist?
No. I don't believe that God exists. Absence of =/ belief.
12. Do you think that God does not exist?
I don't think that God exists. You're trying hard here aren't you.
13. How do you think life began on Earth?
Better question asked to biologists.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. It would have to be indisputable, really. Something shocking and out-of-place that is predicted (in detail) and comes to pass where there's simply no other possible explanation. If it was proven that God does in fact exist, it would be very strange thing. Why the hell would an all-knowing, all-perfect infinite being that resides outside of space and time feel the need to create something, give it a choice, and observe the inevitable (that we would make the wrong choice) anyways? What purpose could that possibly serve? Indeed, my sense of reality would be turned upside down if God did exist.
2. You see the words, “I love you” written in the sand at the beach. Is this man-made? If so, how do you know?
Because what else has the cognitive ability for written language? It is man-made because that is the most simple and logical explanation.
3. If the God of the Bible were real, would He set the rules or would man set the rules?
It is my understanding that the biblical God set rules but also afforded humans their own. “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” comes to mind.
4. Do moral laws exist? If so, do they exist independent of humans? How do you know what they are?
Our (human) ability to empathize is key to what we call "moral" behavior. For this reason, no, our sense of "morality" does not exist independent of humans.
5. If everyone on earth believed that rape were morally right, would it still be morally wrong?
Obviously, if everyone thought rape to be a good thing, then no. If we wished to be raped just the same as everyone else did, then there would be no problem. As a general rule, however, most folks don't want to be raped (for good reason), so therefore it is considered immoral.
6. What is the most dangerous religion on Earth?
Any and all that promotes harm (both physical and psychological) in it's name.
7. Where did the laws of logic come from?
Our complex brains afford us the ability to reason, and thus logic is a product of the brain.
8. How did non-rational events and processes lead to a rational human mind?
It must have been God-magic.
9. Why do some atheists such as Carl Wieland and Alister McGrath become Christians?
Or any other religion for that matter? Perhaps they were atheists for the wrong reasons. Maybe they stopped caring and joined hands with Christians for the hell of it. Absurdity and philosophical suicide. I don't know. You tell me, or better yet, what do they say?
10. How do beliefs and thoughts differ?
Depends on their usage. In the most common use of both terms, they are equivalent. Ex. "I believe you are correct." "I think you are correct." In other uses, beliefs can be said to hold more weight than thoughts. Beliefs can contain hopes and dreams for the future as opposed to mere thoughts which may be perceived as shallow and fleeting in comparison. Just depends.
11. Do you believe that God does not exist?
No. I don't believe that God exists. Absence of =/ belief.
12. Do you think that God does not exist?
I don't think that God exists. You're trying hard here aren't you.
13. How do you think life began on Earth?
Better question asked to biologists.
