(June 8, 2009 at 3:10 am)scameter Wrote: 1. Do you think it is possible to know why the universe exists?
I think it is possible, but only if the universe has an objective purpose (and I honestly don't see one). If the universe had an objective purpose, then there must have been a "creator" to give that objective purpose to it, and so if it were possible to contact that creator we could find out the "why". However I do think the "creator" poses more problems that it solves.
Quote:2. How do you think morality can exist without objective authority or verification?
The same way our legs can exist without objective authority or verification. It evolved to serve the purpose of us living together as a group, the same way it has evolved for other packs of animals.
Quote:3. If there is no afterlife, what motivation would/should anyone have for living any particular way, such as trying to live ethically, civilly, healthily, or any specific way?
It gives us more reason. We have only one chance at life, so we shouldn't mess it up. Given that society punishes people who do not live ethically, I don't see how committing a crime and ending up in jail would benefit my life.
Quote:4. If there is no afterlife and no essential or ultimate meaning to existence, why should an atheist care if someone believes in a religion and, indeed, if believing in a religion would make their life easier, would that bother you as an atheist?
Have you seen the things that religions get up to these days? They rape children (Catholic/Islam), they ostracise people (Gay/Abortion, etc), and they preach violence and hate (Islam...actually pretty much all religions do this). If you have a religion and it makes you feel better, then that is fine by me, you are welcome to it.
However if you use this religion to interfere with other people's lives then I have a MASSIVE problem with you. We shouldn't have organised religion, we should have privatized religion.
Quote:5. Can you be absolutely certain, without a doubt, that God or something supernatural does not exist?
It depends on which "certainty" you are talking about. If you are being objective, then the answer is no. We cannot know for certain that there are no gods. However your question was in the subjective form, which is based on a person's mental state. In regards to this, I would answer yes. I am (personally) 100% certain there are no gods, just as I am 100% certain that it is light outside if I drew my curtains back. The difference with this kind of certainty is that it can be completely wrong, hence why I am an agnostic atheist. I don't claim to know anything about the existence of gods, but I don't believe in them either.
