13 Questions

[simplychris]

1. What evidence would convince you of God’s existence?

I don't have a model of god to gather proof for, but going by the traditional bearded wixard in the sky model, you could start with that. This one is more difficult for me to answer than you might imagine because it's not my issue. The real question is how much absence of proof will a theist put up with before abandoning their beliefs?

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?

Of course it is. For one, it's in English, and the probability that those grains of sand would move themselves out of the way by way of the tide, or even by becoming sentient, in order to create a pattern which by itself is unique to the phrase in our language is statistically very, very improbable indeed.

3. If the God of the Bible were real, would He set the rules or would man set the rules?

Taking the first account to be true: if the god of the Bible were real, then yes. Have you never played a god sim game before? But you're leading me into stating that morality comes from religion, and I don't like the way you're doing that. Humankind eventually developed civilisation, and with that came empathy and morality. There are groups of people for whom morality doesn't depend on the threat of eternal damnation, but just altruism

"I have something you need; be nice to me and we can both share in each others' fortunes"

4. Do moral laws exist? If so, do they exist independent of humans? How do you know what they are?

Morality exists. I wouldn't state it as a law, rather than a side effect of the empathy and altruism I stated earlier. Not everyone subscribes to it, and that's when you get people breaking the judicial laws we've created based on those morals. We have our own modern-day version of hell, the prison system. Can't say it seems to be 100% effective, however. I wonder how effective 'Thou Shalt Not Steal or Thou Wilst Burn in the Inferno for All Time' was back in the day. Obviously in Latin

5. If everyone on earth believed that rape were morally right, would it still be morally wrong?

If it hurts somebody, it's wrong. I don't care what set of beliefs you subscribe to where it's ok. Some dude advertises that he wants to be eaten by a cannibal. Some cannibal takes him up on the offer. Both are mutually happy with the exchange. Doesn't make it any less wrong; victim has forgone his 'victimship' by consenting that he wants to be killed and eaten but such victim status is extended to his family and loved ones who will feel the systems in place to prevent this sort of behaviour have failed them.

6. What is the most dangerous religion on Earth?

Any which are followed by misguided fools, with power to harm. This includes televangelists conning the elderly out of their pensions in exchange for health, wellbeing and apparent salvation; muslim extremists that themselves were conned into believing a life of eternal luxury awaits them for glory killing; etc.

7. Where did the laws of logic come from?

Logic is a beautiful interpretation of how 1 plus 1 equals 2, at its most basic form. It's always been there for as long as there has been a material universe, it's just our interpretation of it which makes it outstanding and compelling.

8. How did non-rational events and processes lead to a rational human mind?

I'm not sure I understand 'non-rational events and processes', but my theory of how (nb. Not necessarily intelligent) life came about is that over time the various chemicals swirling around the cosmos and the Earth in particular meld with each other to create simple, single cells. These evolve (OH YEH!) over much, much time to create mutliple-celled organisms. It's still much longer before we get the first plants and then sentient creatures. Even longer still until intelligent life evolved. There are some who say we're still waiting.

9. Why do some atheists such as Carl Wieland and Alister McGrath become Christians?

I can only imagine they weren't ready to dismiss their beliefs for whatever reason. NB. I'm not familiar with these two names.

I'm the only atheist in my family. I'm 'out' about it and often dismissed as if I'm somehow less of a person for my lack of a belief. I could never revert to having a belief system based on a god, without proof, as the realisation that gradually turned me atheist is so profound; I'd need something equally as compelling to entice me into a religion and I can't see that happening.

But what works for some doesn't work for others. My sister is obsessed with horoscopes, spirituality and psychic mediums. I can't understand that, and she can't understand my critical thinking processes when it comes to debunking these almost cultish things which have her fooled.

10. How do beliefs and thoughts differ?

Your beliefs are what in a sense make you. It takes many thoughts to agree on a belief; you'll often have many thoughts crossing your neural pathways at once in order to come to a decision when critically analysing something like a cold reading psychic, for instance - but it's the convergence of those thoughts on a conclusion which leads to a belief.

11. Do you believe that God does not exist?

I am an atheist. I lack the belief in the existence of a god or gods.

12. Do you think that God does not exist?

Changing one word in your question does not make another question and I shan't repeat the same answer.

13. How do you think life began on Earth?

Oh, lucky me. I've already answered this question by proxy of question #8. And, as I said, I shan't repeat the same answer.Caveat: I just did