(June 25, 2015 at 9:59 pm)Louis Chérubin Wrote: Hi everyone!
I'm not sure whether this is the right place to post this, but I'd really appreciate some answers to some/all of the following questions. I'm interested in how an average atheist thinks about these topics. It would be great if you could give some explanation for your answers. I'm coming from a protestant worldview.
1. Does God exist?
2. Where did the universe come from?
3. Does my life have a purpose?
4. Why do people suffer?
5. Is there life after death?
6. Can I distinguish right from wrong?
7. Can people know truth?
Sorry for being point form.
1) Not an existence that we can prove, therefore it's only natural to say no.
2) Processes that are or soon will be described by proper scientific models.
3) Yes, the meanings that we create for ourselves. In complete liberty. And that is actually more beautiful than having to follow a strictly defined meaning in a given scripture.
4) That's just the way the universe works. Sometimes we inflict it upon ourselves, in the case of poverty in the United States or warfare. Other times its nature. But what I find hopeful is the fact that good-hearted citizens can come together to fight these forces using altruism and scientific research.
5) No, per lack of evidence.
6) Yes. In my view, there are strictly right and wrong things in the world. Denying women and LGBT people their fundamental rights will never be right, and no sound philosophical system should attempt to defend "cultural relativism." Murder outside of war or self-defense is wrong. Stealing outside of physical emergency is wrong. Denying health care to people just because they can't afford it is wrong. However, I understand that there are no objective reasons for me to defend these beliefs. But I created my vision in a way that lines up with ideals dating back to the Enlightenment.
7) Their own truth. And that's OK.
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