(December 10, 2009 at 8:20 am)theVOID Wrote:Valid point then by God I mean any of the aforementioned monotheistic Gods(December 10, 2009 at 6:39 am)tackattack Wrote: Ive stated that previously. I don't believe in santa claus but I can ask most atheist what image pops in their head and it's of a white guy in a red suit with flying reindeer breaking into houses.
That's because there is only specific guy called Santa Claus out of a range of characters in Christmas myths, so you have already specified in a meaningful. When it comes to god it's more of a category of ideas, similar to the category of characters in Christmas myths, that's why the two are incomparable.
When you talk about god are you talking of a theistic god or a deistic god? is it monotheistic? polytheistic? If monotheistic, which monotheistic god is it? Allah? YHWH? What is it's polytheistic? What are your specific gods defined as? You see, it's not nearly as simple in dealing with god. I can have conceptions about the gods in question but i can't say i have a preconceived god at all, i have many ideas how it could work if at all and i have heard many many many other ideas from different people.
That's why the only way to get forward in discussion is to know what the specific beliefs of each person are, so you can assess the individuals ideas rather than arguing from your own preconceived ideas.
(December 10, 2009 at 8:20 am)theVOID Wrote:I don't expect, coming to an atheist forum, to get get agreeable answers. If my questions aren't clear you've done a wonderful job of narrowing them down to something answerable.(December 9, 2009 at 6:52 pm)tackattack Wrote: that's predisposing that I am here to argue my point, discuss my views or argue; all of which is counter to my statements of seeking other opinions.
And you aren't always going to get responses you agree with, it's an essential part of any discussion from which you want answers.
(December 10, 2009 at 8:20 am)theVOID Wrote:not harsh(December 9, 2009 at 6:52 pm)tackattack Wrote: serious opinions
I gave you mine, it was seriously what i thought of your idea. I'm sorry if you felt it was harsh criticism but everyone gets it, just part of life. Don't take it personally.
(December 10, 2009 at 8:20 am)theVOID Wrote:you were noting and marking differences in my arguaments and other christian arguements. While I wouldn't really consider it as the conotation of discrimination; I was using to address the distinction between varying degrees of belief.Quote:perhaps it was a little over the top. perhaps it doesn't matter what the level of discrimination is the definition is :
1. The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences. [1913 Webster]
But if the level of discrimination matters to you the level of evidentiary proof required for belief matters to me. I'm just trying to get a good gauge of your perspective so you'll forgive the methods I'm sure. I do appreciate you honest critiqe though and I'm glad you have no problems telling me what you think of it.
I was critical of your idea, that is not discrimination in any way.
Well now that we know what your god is and you know why we don't have a preconception of god, maybe we can have a real discussion instead of delving off-topic.
The definition is the topic of this discussion. I wanted an atheist perspective on what a monotheistic diety sometimes reffered to as God, Allah, YHWY, mother earth, etc. brings to mind. Define if you would the characteristics of said non-existant being. Something as simple as A creator, George Burns, or a big tittied monster would be great.I do appreciate the answers given al ready btw.
