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Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:37 am
(This post was last modified: February 13, 2012 at 9:37 am by Phil.)
A while ago I came across a question by Sam Harris...
Sam Harris Wrote:I would challenge anyone here to think of a question upon which we once had a scientific answer, however inadequate, but for which now the best answer is a religious one.
and I am totally stumped for an answer (consider best to mean closest to reality). Do any of you guys have any ideas that I might be missing or does the absence of an answer here conclusively show that religion (all of them) are totally bankrupt?
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am
(This post was last modified: February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am by KichigaiNeko.)
I am leaning to religious bankruptcy Phil.
The more they (the religious) struggle the more convincing is their argument for a non-deity...they just haven't woken up to the fact that this is what they are doing.
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am
No, I'd go with what Sam says.
Since a Scientific answer will usually be based on verifiable experimentation and the religious alternative will always be based on wishful thinking.....
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If you're not supposed to ride faster than your guardian angel can fly then mine had better get a bloody SR-71.
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:44 am
I'm sure one of our resident theists has a platitude to peddle in this regard.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:44 am
(This post was last modified: February 13, 2012 at 9:46 am by Phil.)
(February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: I am leaning to religious bankruptcy Phil.
The more they (the religious) struggle the more convincing is their argument for a non-deity...they just haven't woken up to the fact that this is what they are doing.
Don't lean too hard cause nothing is there and you might fall and break something 
(February 13, 2012 at 9:44 am)Rhythm Wrote: I'm sure one of our resident theists has a platitude to peddle in this regard.
I doubt our resident theist could define platitude. Stop teasing them
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:47 am
I have been religious free for a great many years now.
Science in all it's beauty and wonder far outstrips the pathetic imaginings of primitive (Iron Age) goat herders.
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:49 am
(February 13, 2012 at 9:47 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: goat herders. At least they had that right. Fresh goat meat is quite tasty.
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:57 am
Even in philosophical fields like morality and purpose, I find secular thinking offers a much clearer view and provides more satisfying answers than religious thinking.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
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RE: Sam Harris Question
February 13, 2012 at 9:58 am
Because "religious thinking" has become an oxymoron.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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