RE: Can you still be an atheist after this?
September 26, 2011 at 10:15 pm
(This post was last modified: September 26, 2011 at 10:27 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
You always feel as though someone has given you the reins of any given conversation that you're in don't you?
I've always loved the historical jesus crowd. In the end, whether you decide to think of jesus as a historical person sans magic or a literary device used to promote a system of social order the practical effect would be the same wouldn't it. It's only when you introduce claims of godliness and all that go with them that problems begin to arise. As an Aesop type of character jesus absolutely works. Takes a lot less mental contortion to make amends between his moments of insight and his moments of fiery indignation and threats of torture. Thing is we don't have any actual evidence that he existed. We always hear from apologists that like to cite some common agreement about the historical accuracy of the idea of Jesus of Nazareth, but when asked upon what evidence those scholars based their conclusions (and there would be something wouldn't there, if the claim had any weight) we get the "are you doubting your own men of science" bullshit instead of what we ask for.
"No, I'm doubting that you understand how any of this actually works, specifically how to distinguish between the opinion of an educated person and the things they are prepared to demonstrate by evidence."
One of the many posters who contribute much more to this website in the way of actual content recently posted a video describing the results of human genetic sequencing and specifically the predictions that happened to pan out as a consequence of this little data mining excursion. The man was a Catholic, he believed in god. He was also an evolutionary biologist. A better example of this concept could not be asked for.
I've always loved the historical jesus crowd. In the end, whether you decide to think of jesus as a historical person sans magic or a literary device used to promote a system of social order the practical effect would be the same wouldn't it. It's only when you introduce claims of godliness and all that go with them that problems begin to arise. As an Aesop type of character jesus absolutely works. Takes a lot less mental contortion to make amends between his moments of insight and his moments of fiery indignation and threats of torture. Thing is we don't have any actual evidence that he existed. We always hear from apologists that like to cite some common agreement about the historical accuracy of the idea of Jesus of Nazareth, but when asked upon what evidence those scholars based their conclusions (and there would be something wouldn't there, if the claim had any weight) we get the "are you doubting your own men of science" bullshit instead of what we ask for.
"No, I'm doubting that you understand how any of this actually works, specifically how to distinguish between the opinion of an educated person and the things they are prepared to demonstrate by evidence."
One of the many posters who contribute much more to this website in the way of actual content recently posted a video describing the results of human genetic sequencing and specifically the predictions that happened to pan out as a consequence of this little data mining excursion. The man was a Catholic, he believed in god. He was also an evolutionary biologist. A better example of this concept could not be asked for.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
