(September 19, 2009 at 2:33 am)Retorth Wrote: For belief in something of your magnitude, I would need proof of equal magnitude.
That does not answer the question. What is "infallible" evidence or "irrefutable" proof? You see, my fear is that you don't even know what you are talking about, which could be evidenced by your inability to describe what such things are in the first place. So let's test it.
Describe for me what "infallible" evidence is.
(September 19, 2009 at 2:33 am)Retorth Wrote: Well it's like Loch Ness, isn't it? ... as far as science is concerned, it doesn't exist. Same with God, in my opinion.
Since I have serious doubts about your authority to speak for science, perhaps you could cite a peer-reviewed scientific journal that says Loch Ness "doesn't exist." I am pretty confident that the scientific literature on the subject will support what I said earlier.
(September 19, 2009 at 2:33 am)Retorth Wrote: [God] simply doesn't exist unless there is proof otherwise.
According to logic, classic argumentum ad ignorantiam. According to science... well, could you perhaps cite scientific support from any peer-reviewed journal on this point? Logic stands against you here, and I'm willing to bet science won't come to your aid either. Is there perhaps some other ground besides logic or science that you base this on?
(September 19, 2009 at 2:33 am)Retorth Wrote: Nothing you have said thus far has convinced me in the least [that God exists].
That may be related to the fact that I've made no attempt to convince you. I am critically analyzing your statements and arguments, not proselytizing.
(September 19, 2009 at 2:33 am)Retorth Wrote: I believe in gravity, friction and pressure. Science has proven it without a doubt. Hence, irrefutable. God, not so much.
Contrary to your vigorous and passionate zeal, scientific enterprise does not do business in absolutes or certainties. Scientific enterprise is always tentative and provisional, dealing in probabilities and committed to the principle of falsifiability, always open to the arrival of new evidence. If scientific enterprise shared your attitude, we would probably still be talking about the "irrefutable" truth of phlogiston proven by the "infallible" evidence of calx.
Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when
called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.
(Oscar Wilde)
called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.
(Oscar Wilde)