Atheists Commenting On Theology!

[fr0d0]

I think you provide the answer for me PR. Theology precisely provides zero benefit to our scientific (apologies for the weak description) understanding of the universe.

[Purple Rabbit]

I think you provide the answer for me PR. Theology precisely provides zero benefit to our scientific (apologies for the weak description) understanding of the universe.

I am happy that you've reached that conclusion. But you might be somewhat dissapointed to find that I did not imply that it stops there.

[fr0d0]

Haha! - well certainly, of course you do.

[Edwardo Piet]

Ok. So why should I believe theology is a genuine subject of study? What substance does it have?

In order to prove the force of padraic's point, answer the following question: "If you do not see that theology has any real substance, what does that do to its status as a genuine subject of study?"

Umm.....not really anything? How do I effect the so-called 'subject' of theology. [/b]I[/b] don't yet believe it's a proper subject, because I am yet to know of any reason to believe it is a genuine subject of study, with any real substance to it, and that it's not all made up...

The stress is on the 'I'. I don't personally believe it's not nonsense until I know of any reason to believe it has any substance to it, and that there is any way you can really study it.

What on earth does that do to it's status/non-status? I never said it did do anything to it.

My whole response to Padriac is that I'm not claiming to know that it's a nonsense...I'm saying I see no reason to believe that it isn't. Where's the substance?

I don't believe theology is a genuine 'subject' of study until given evidence to believe it is, that is all. I never said that I know it is, and that's why I wasn't displaying the argument from personal incredulity, and why Padraic was mistaken in saying so, as I explained.

I just am yet to have a reason to believe it's genuine, that's it.

EvF

[Demonaura]

Here is an aspect of theology I don't think has come up. While I agree that theology cannot advance our species in any real way (due mainly to the lack of evidence that any deities even exist) I contend that knowing existing theology, keeping up with it and understanding it can be a strong field of study.

I say this for the same reason that I think the study of the bible is important during a language class. In the same way that the bible has influenced our language theology has influenced the growth of our society. Whether for good or bad it is a part of our history and society.

To repear my first paragraph however, we can learn nothing of the future or world from theology, we can learn only of history and gain some understanding of the present.

[Edwardo Piet]

I'm saying I'm not at all bothered with it until I have a reason to believe.

You continually ask questions of a theological nature.

So asking for evidence for theology having any support in the first place is a theological question eh? Bloody hell! I didn't know that!

Here is an aspect of theology I don't think has come up. While I agree that theology cannot advance our species in any real way (due mainly to the lack of evidence that any deities even exist) I contend that knowing existing theology, keeping up with it and understanding it can be a strong field of study.

I say this for the same reason that I think the study of the bible is important during a language class. In the same way that the bible has influenced our language theology has influenced the growth of our society. Whether for good or bad it is a part of our history and society.

That sounds to me more like studying the (what I believe to be a non-subject) subject of theology itself. Not theology as a subject of study - which itself as you rightly say, has nothing to offer. Well as far as I know I mean! (I'm not being absolutist here) - Until I know of any evidence that it itself does have anything to offer I shall continue to believe that it doesn't.

EvF

[Anto Kennedy]

I was gonna join the priesthood, untill I found out I'd need to study theology and western philosophy.

And to be honest I don't know which is worse. I'd kill myself if I had to read Aristotle.

[Ryft]

EvidenceVsFaith,

So you would never claim or suggest that theology isn't a proper area of study. All right then.

[Kyuuketsuki]

I reckon theology must have been something someone dreamt up whilst drunk!

Kyu

[LEDO]

Basically it is the two Ivory Tower argument. Scientist look stupid when they comment on theology and theologists look stupid when they try to comment on science. The towers will forever be separate and at odds.