(April 22, 2009 at 4:24 pm)Rizzo Wrote: Yeah, that's part of it. Time and the universe are both infinate so, yeah, when you think of infinity, anything is possible. Heck, if you ask me, when I think about infinity, it's more likely some of these bizarre and crazy things actually DO exist.... even if I don't have proof. That's kinda the nature of infinity, ain't it?
I don't know if there's any evidence that the universe is indeed infinitely infinite, or if it's finite - or if there's a disagreement.
But altogether, the way I understand the concept of infinity, an infinite existence, an infinite universe - is that indeed 'everything exists somewhere' because everything IS, it's infinity.
I do not know if this is necessarily a correct implication though and I do not know of any evidence that the universe is beyond any reasonable doubt definitely either infinite OR finite.
Quote:Yeah, it kinda comes down to that. Logic 101: you can't absolutly prove a negative. Really, it is kinda hard to absolutly prove that God/Magic/Spirits/Ghosts don't exist and if they don't, I don't think it can absolutly be proven that they don't.indeed, you can't prove a negative. But I'm sure as you are aware, that is no reason to believe they DO exist (barring the whole infinity concept, I mean in this reality at least).
Because (once again, barring this whole infinity concept we are speaking of - that EVERYTHING exists 'somewhere') the fact you cannot disprove the Zeus, the Flying Spaghetti monster or Santa Claus doesn't add anything to the likelihood exists.
Quote:Maybe it's my way of saying that I have an open mind, I dunno. I'm still figuring myself out quite a bit right now, so trying to figure out the nature of the universe will kinda be taking a back seat.figuring out is good. Open minded freethinking, scepticism and good old plain doubt often go hand in hand with inquisitiveness - a healthy curiosity - I say.
All good things in my opinion.
Quote:And maybe it's just hopeful thinking. Part of the reason I believe in supernatural (even though, granted, I don't have proof) is because I want to believe there's more. This world and my life (now) is wonderful and it hurts to think that in a few decades it will be over and nothing will be left of me. I want to believe there's some kind of after life, even though I don't have any proof of it.
I understand that you could want to believe this things...but wanting to believe them doesn't make it more likely of course....and...
...and what I'm wondering is - if you WANT to believe something I would have thought that would imply that you don't believe it - I mean you don't go around desiring things you already have, you desire things you don't have. So how could you WANT to believe if you already do?
Unless it's like fear of losing? You want to carry on believing what belief you still have perhaps...? You wouldn't want to lose a positive belief - you want to believe that what you do believe (however vaguely) is indeed, true?
Just wondering and making some suggestions/asking questions here. I am no means speaking for you

Quote:Yeah, I think that's kinda the fine line I'm walking here. I don't believe in any supernatural creator of the universe (or, at very least, I can't believe in the Judeo/Christian/Muslim version of God), but other realms of supernatural.... yeah, they might exist. Might not. Can't say one way or the other.
While I think that it could be argued that the theist Gods such as the 3 abrahamic ones are more absurd and have a lot more added to them to a desit God, along with all the intervening makes the theist God a lot more improbable...I still think a deist creator of the universe would be complex and improbable certainly... - and I certainly know of no evidence of a deist God either anyway.
Quote:Actually, even there, I could believe in an all powerful God who created the universe and the laws of physics that govern it and simply left it to itself. However, if such a God did exist, does it really matter that he does? It would obviously not be a God that wants us to worship him or to write laws based on his holy book let alone kill people in his name.
Indeed in practical terms I know of no real difference....it's just that in principle if we are living in a universe designed by a God then what would it be like if the universe WASN'T created...? Would it be MORE chaotic?! If this universe hypothetically speaking is a universe with a God in it.
And if (as I believe we are of course) living in a universe without a God then what would the universe be like if it was designed? Different I think - less of a mess if the God was 'Good' and not lazy I would think!
But that's in principle. In practice, in practical terms - it makes no real difference to our life whether it was set up by a "God" and then left alone entirely without any intervening whatsoever than if there simply isn't; and never was, a God.
And finally, I know of no evidence of a deist God.
If you don't particularly have a problem believing in a deist God then is it possible you could, at least potentially be a borderline deist? Maybe? Seen as you are not sure.
Or are you still more likely to be an atheist on that matter too - although you don't rule deism out?
Sorry if I'm vague. Or too vague at some points and much more specific at others! My writing style seems to change up a lot over the months, the weeks - even the days at times.
EvF