RE: One thing I find encouraging on here!
August 28, 2014 at 6:51 pm
(This post was last modified: August 28, 2014 at 7:00 pm by Simon Moon.)
(August 28, 2014 at 5:55 pm)Statler Waldorf Wrote: *Sigh* Circular reasoning is not actually logically invalid (something is invalid in logic if the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises). In circular reasoning the conclusion is simply a restatement of a premise so it does not prove anything, but it is not logically invalid. Of course none of my premises are restated in my conclusion so this is not an example of circular reasoning. My syllogism is valid because if the premises are true then the conclusion must also be true.
I’ll give you another one…
P1 If Yahweh exists, then no other gods exist
P2 Yahweh exists
C. Therefore, no other gods exist.
Even Wikipedia-which is beloved by atheists on here- agrees with me.
“The components of a circular argument are often logically valid because if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. Circular reasoning is not a formal logical fallacy but a pragmatic defect in an argument whereby the premises are just as much in need of proof or evidence as the conclusion, and as a consequence the argument fails to persuade.”- Wikipedia, “Circular Reasoning”
P1 is not true according to the Old Testament, since there are other gods mentioned. The Hebrew bible is henotheistic, not monotheistic.
[Elohim] stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders judgment (Ps. 82:1).
For [Jehovah] is the great God, and the great King above all gods (Ps. 95:3).
All the gods bow down before [Jehovah] (Ps. 97:7).
I know [Jehovah] is great, and our Lord is superior to all gods. (Ps. 135:5)
Prove P2.
Your syllogism is guilty of affirming the consequent. Your conclusion is stated in the premises.
P2 is what is in contention, numbnuts. That's what you are trying to prove.
Quote:By definition all atheists claim to know that god/gods do not exist. See the definitions of the term I provided above.
Not according to Oxford:
Atheist - One who denies or disbelieves the existence of a God.
Atheism and theism are positions of belief. Not knowledge.
Me thinks you do not know the difference between 'belief' and 'knowledge'.
Quote:No, the fact that atheists claim to know God does not exist but then proceed to waste countless hours whining about how He’s a big meanie face.
I do not claim to know that a god or gods do not exist.
It's the real world, negative consequences that theism causes that I speak out against, not the belief itself.
I think most pagan beliefs are as ridiculous as Christian, Muslim and Hindu beliefs. I don't care about their beliefs because they have no negative effects on society.
Quote:To be read, not destroyed. One of my atheist teammates when I was in University took home a Gideon Bible and shot it.
So.
It's Bronze and Iron age texts written by superstitious goat herders.
But you claimed that the Bibles in hotel rooms were being stolen, but at least you admit you were incorrect about that, since they are meant to be taken. Progress!
Quote:
That’s not how He’s portrayed, that’s Dawkins opinion of Him and it’s hatred.
He is portrayed as ordering the mass the murder of several towns, babies being bashed against rocks, killing women in their wedding night if they're not virgins, etc. Sounds pretty horrible to me.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
