New here...just sayin' Hello.

[Brian37]

Thank you all for the welcomes. 

Gonna figure out the protocols here...and how to navigate. Then I hope to become an active member.

I'll look over some recent posts and see if I have any replies that will get me started.

As we say here in New Jersey...see youse around.

I found the full version of this Bugs Bunny cartoon in which near the end he mentions Hoboken NJ. 

[Goosebump]

I see atheists and theists are welcome...and I am hoping that people with an agnostic perspective are at least tolerated, if not welcome. 

My take on the "Do any gods exist" is:

I do not know if any "gods"** exist or not;

I see no reason to suspect gods CANNOT EXIST...that the existence of gods is impossible;

I see no reason to suspect that gods MUST EXIST...that gods are needed to explain existence;

I do not see enough unambiguous evidence upon which to base a meaningful guess in either direction...

...so I don't.

**When I use the word "god" I mean "The entity (or entities) responsible for the creation of what we humans call 'the physical universe'...IF THERE IS SUCH AN ENTITY."

Yah man, you got it. Critical thinking all the way. See a light in the sky and your first thought isn't "aliens!" it's more like "that was a light in the sky, wonder what caused it?"

I think the fundamental difference between atheists, agnostics and those that hold a belief in something is that willingness to ask the question. If I'm of a religion than that light in the sky is god's will. I never even get to ask the question. I think that's the only difference without getting into the semantics.

But once somebody says they know what the light in the sky is, we diverge. I don't think they get to say that. Not without evidence. IF somebody says the light in the sky is aliens that also brought back some dude that says to do a thing. I'm going to ask you to prove it. If you cannot prove it. Than your a liar and a con-man or somebody who has been duped by them.

---

I see atheists and theists are welcome...and I am hoping that people with an agnostic perspective are at least tolerated, if not welcome. 

My take on the "Do any gods exist" is:

I do not know if any "gods"** exist or not;

I see no reason to suspect gods CANNOT EXIST...that the existence of gods is impossible;

I see no reason to suspect that gods MUST EXIST...that gods are needed to explain existence;

I do not see enough unambiguous evidence upon which to base a meaningful guess in either direction...

...so I don't.

**When I use the word "god" I mean "The entity (or entities) responsible for the creation of what we humans call 'the physical universe'...IF THERE IS SUCH AN ENTITY."

Yah man, you got it. Critical thinking all the way. See a light in the sky and your first thought isn't "aliens!" it's more like "that was a light in the sky, wonder what caused it?"

I think the fundamental difference between atheists, agnostics and those that hold a belief in something is that willingness to ask the question. If I'm of a religion than that light in the sky is god's will. I never even get to ask the question. I think that's the only difference without getting into the semantics.

But once somebody says they know what the light in the sky is, we diverge. I don't think they get to say that. Not without evidence. IF somebody says the light in the sky is aliens that also brought back some dude that says to do a thing. I'm going to ask you to prove it. If you cannot prove it. Than your a liar and a con-man or somebody who has been duped by them.

IF you can prove it, sweet. I'll believe the evidence.

[Frank Apisa]

I see atheists and theists are welcome...and I am hoping that people with an agnostic perspective are at least tolerated, if not welcome. 

My take on the "Do any gods exist" is:

I do not know if any "gods"** exist or not;

I see no reason to suspect gods CANNOT EXIST...that the existence of gods is impossible;

I see no reason to suspect that gods MUST EXIST...that gods are needed to explain existence;

I do not see enough unambiguous evidence upon which to base a meaningful guess in either direction...

...so I don't.

**When I use the word "god" I mean "The entity (or entities) responsible for the creation of what we humans call 'the physical universe'...IF THERE IS SUCH AN ENTITY."

Yah man, you got it. Critical thinking all the way. See a light in the sky and your first thought isn't "aliens!" it's more like "that was a light in the sky, wonder what caused it?"

I think the fundamental difference between atheists, agnostics and those that hold a belief in something is that willingness to ask the question. If I'm of a religion than that light in the sky is god's will. I never even get to ask the question. I think that's the only difference without getting into the semantics.

But once somebody says they know what the light in the sky is, we diverge. I don't think they get to say that. Not without evidence. IF somebody says the light in the sky is aliens that also brought back some dude that says to do a thing. I'm going to ask you to prove it. If you cannot prove it. Than your a liar and a con-man or somebody who has been duped by them.

---

Yah man, you got it. Critical thinking all the way. See a light in the sky and your first thought isn't "aliens!" it's more like "that was a light in the sky, wonder what caused it?"

I think the fundamental difference between atheists, agnostics and those that hold a belief in something is that willingness to ask the question. If I'm of a religion than that light in the sky is god's will. I never even get to ask the question. I think that's the only difference without getting into the semantics.

But once somebody says they know what the light in the sky is, we diverge. I don't think they get to say that. Not without evidence. IF somebody says the light in the sky is aliens that also brought back some dude that says to do a thing. I'm going to ask you to prove it. If you cannot prove it. Than your a liar and a con-man or somebody who has been duped by them.

IF you can prove it, sweet. I'll believe the evidence.

Prove what?

That I do not know if gods exist or not?

How would I prove that I do not know if gods exist or not?

What would you accept as proof that I do not know if gods exist or not?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Moderator Notice
Speedbump. This is an Introductions thread and is not the place for debate. For anyone.

[Frank Apisa]

Moderator Notice
Speedbump. This is an Introductions thread and is not the place for debate. For anyone.

Thank you, Boru. I apologize for responding to that post here.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Moderator Notice
Speedbump. This is an Introductions thread and is not the place for debate. For anyone.

Thank you, Boru. I apologize for responding to that post here.

No worries. Speed bumps aren’t generally directed at individuals, they’re more used to stop a thread from spiraling out of control.

In others words, it wasn’t just you.

Boru