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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 12:44 pm
(November 18, 2012 at 6:50 am)Daniel Wrote: By that same logic all the atheists have to say "we currently don't know" to the existence of God.
Sure. And, most of us do, understanding that the chance of God's existence is so astronomically unlikely that it is not a possibility worth considering.
If we all subscribed to the same logic which gives you the concession that atheists admitted agnosticism, then there would be no theists.
What a wonderful world that would be.
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm
(November 18, 2012 at 6:50 am)Daniel Wrote: Actually, all laws of physics break as soon as you move out of their field of reference.
Since all laws of physics govern the whole Universe - at least as far as we can tell (how's that for arrogance?) - you would have to step outside to be out of their frame of reference. Even then that's not a complete guarantee - we have no way of knowing what, if anything can even exist beyond the Universe or even if such a concept even makes sense. It may be that, like Truman Burbank's life in a dome, there may be another even larger one outside. Or nothing whatsoever. Whatever the case, the only way to entertain such notions as moving beyond physics is mathematically or philosophically; unless these approaches can map onto anything in the reality on the level at which we relate to the Universe, which by definition they can't, it's little more than masturbation. Entertaining, definitely, but hardly world-altering.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 12:58 pm
(November 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm)Stimbo Wrote: (November 18, 2012 at 6:50 am)Daniel Wrote: Actually, all laws of physics break as soon as you move out of their field of reference.
Since all laws of physics govern the whole Universe - at least as far as we can tell (how's that for arrogance?) - you would have to step outside to be out of their frame of reference. Even then that's not a complete guarantee - we have no way of knowing what, if anything can even exist beyond the Universe or even if such a concept even makes sense. It may be that, like Truman Burbank's life in a dome, there may be another even larger one outside. Or nothing whatsoever. Whatever the case, the only way to entertain such notions as moving beyond physics is mathematically or philosophically; unless these approaches can map onto anything in the reality on the level at which we relate to the Universe, which by definition they can't, it's little more than masturbation. Entertaining, definitely, but hardly world-altering.
Very well put Stimbo, but i'm afraid it's like explaining the color blue to a blind person ....
"Jesus is like an unpaid babysitter "
R. Gervais
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Yes, I fear I'm only pissing into the wind. Sure it gets my point out and unburdens me of a pressing concern, but all it does is come right back.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 1:47 pm
(This post was last modified: November 18, 2012 at 1:53 pm by Faith No More.)
Undeceived Wrote:Basically your question is "Why, Creator, did you shape us this way and not any of the other infinite ways?" And the funny thing is, we would ask the same question no matter what universe we found ourselves in.
So, essentially you're saying that no matter what the universe looked like, you would assume fine tuning?
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Quote:By that same logic all the atheists have to say "we currently don't know" to the existence of God.
I can go further and say there is no evidence for your god...or any of the other thousands of gods that men have invented through the years.
I know you think your god is different.
(It isn't.)
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Ingersoll time again: "The agnostic does not simply say, "l do not know." He goes another step, and he says, with great emphasis, that you do not know." (Reply To Dr. Lyman Abbott, 1890). Don't be misled by his use of the word 'agnostic' here - 1890 was a vastly different era to today.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 1:59 pm
(November 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Quote:By that same logic all the atheists have to say "we currently don't know" to the existence of God.
I can go further and say there is no evidence for your god...or any of the other thousands of gods that men have invented through the years.
I know you think your god is different.
(It isn't.)
Aww poor Daniel, such a disappointment he has to face now ... i really feel for him.
Maybe this will cheer him up a bit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ
"Jesus is like an unpaid babysitter "
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 2:16 pm
(November 18, 2012 at 1:55 pm)Stimbo Wrote: Ingersoll time again: "The agnostic does not simply say, "l do not know." He goes another step, and he says, with great emphasis, that you do not know." (Reply To Dr. Lyman Abbott, 1890). Don't be misled by his use of the word 'agnostic' here - 1890 was a vastly different era to today.
Mr. Ingersoll doesn't speak for me. I would only say, "I don't know and gawd only knows what you know, but I won't accept it or pay much attention to what you claim without good reason." I won't over-reach epistemologically but that won't prevent my harboring suspicions regarding your intentions or mental soundness.
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RE: A Simple Question...or 3!
November 18, 2012 at 2:19 pm
(This post was last modified: November 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm by Cyberman.)
This is why atheists and similar heretics are likened to a herd of cats. In the nicest possible way, of course.
Incidentally, that would be Colonel Ingersoll, not Mr, as I'm sure he'd point out if he could.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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