I think this is an issue like a man or woman being single or for a woman saying she doesn't want kids, people view it as unnatural. There is definately a stigma attached to being an athiest. Right or wrong. It is like a guy declaring he is gay. There is something weird about it like the person spends there time practicing devil worship.
Ultimately, faith is such a personal thing. Striving to perfect, or find a perfect church, is seemingly pointless.
You keep refering to scientific facts as something less, or shaky, or not solid enough...I've yet to met a scientist that speaks and refers to scientific facts as absolutes and exacts in life. You're going off on tangents that have no bearing whatsoever when dealing with an atheist who believes in something FACT based, not absolute facts, not exact facts... Why can't you grasp the idea that it is perfectly ok for facts to change? Why this insane notion that i'm refering to something finite and cannot be changed? I have no problem with facts changing, i also have no issue with faith changing either... Scientific facts aren't anymore absurd than religious or spiritual based faith. I'll tell you why...but it won't matter Simply because YOU don't agree or can't comprehend. Why would you even question how i don't see science based facts as you do? Am i supposed to view them the same as you? The inability to accept differences and ideologies from other people denotes fear and insecurity. God is NOT different than religion, The faith in God is the by product of said monotheistic religion, regardless of the religion in question. If this wasn't the case, then you could trade gods at a whim, and call yourself a christian yet worship Tiamat, Buddha, or Marduk. God as the creator...(sigh)...once again, please stop passing off your beliefs as FACTS. I'm perfectly fine with your belief on this, just own your statement, state that YOU believe that God is the creator, not just a blanket statement generalizing the rest of us.
Faith is intensely personal, but it's not a personal journey. How we bond and act with others has as much to contribute to our spiritual selves as self introspection or meditation. I mean, we can cheat the social aspect by grouping with like-minded people so all the challenges or differences are tucked away. But it's much easier to cheat ourselves and get away with it than to have others challenge you. Me, I would think too much to stive for a goal called perfection, but I think the journey itself would earn my respect and admiration.
No, I don't. In between your hideous grammar and spelling is a complete misunderstanding of the scientific method - to the point that one gets the impression it borders on deceitful intent. Scientific facts are observations. Observations provide rationale to support theories. New observations cause the theory to adapt and change. You seem to view that as a weakness, which really only portrays your own ignorance of the process and its intent. Perhaps you did not read my previous post? I find it absolutely hysterical that you would think scientific facts exist only to make the seer feel warm and fuzzy. Apparently, in your world, seeking out evidence of one's ideology is "warm and fuzzy", but blind faith is somehow intellectually admirable. I find your posts utterly useless and, frankly, counterproductive to the aim you are apparently shooting for. I've debated this before, and won't waste my time anymore on you.
LOL, you certainly don't understand what I am saying. Let me say it another wa: in one sense you are perfectly find with a method of reasoning which could at one point validate a science as accepted truth and the next minute be shown to be hogwash, this, you believe, is a strength. Yet you are perfectly find believing in the big bang theory or whatever theory as long as it has this "infalliable" method to back up the claim. My point is with so much evidence to at least question if these "scientists" method who came up with such a funny theory, to you it still better than a school of thought called religion which doesn't follow the same practices. Maybe I could understand, if science was fullproof. But it is not. So the fact that you believe ANYTHING that scientists says strikes me as funny, and extremely ironic. I am not sure how one could justify believing in the big bang or evolution or anything for that matter, without a serious measure of skeptisim. But to then use it in place of religion, is halarious. I guess my point is that if scentific method floats your boat, don't let me stand in your way, but please to act like it is a higher intelligence. I'll say it can't be because science is so exact, but at least it makes you "feel" as if you are using your powers of reasoning.
Observation with limited Knowledge is simply deductive hogwash. Unless you know everything that could every will be known you are simply the best of the wrong information. And let me clue you in, everything to some degree or less is a stab in the very very dark.
Isn't he cute? He actually said "science, as you are using the term..." when I had never even said the word in this thread up to that point. He scolded me for thinking I'd "won" an argument when I never said I thought I did. He scolded me for my total disbelief in god based on science, when I quite clearly stated I was on the fence. Three strikes... aaaaand you're out. He's in his own little dream world arguing with himself. I'm enjoying it.
That too irks me whenever I get into conversations about beliefs with religious people. I really respect people with a firm religious belief and lead a good way of life, but the assumption that non-believers need to be salvaged really bothers me. I always thought lots of good values preached by religion are fundamental core values of human being and one without religion is capable of having them too. It just that Atheists are not convinced by the deterministic view of this world designed by a super nature. That to me is not really a fundamental difference like the difference between evil and good. I always a good Christian and a good Atheist are 90% the same and the 10% difference doesn't really matter in terms of leading a good way of life.
I use to get annoyed, but now I try to be very patient, very direct, and never ever try to change their mind. "Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins?" -I think he probably believed he was sacrificing his life for the betterment of humanity. "Wait, you know he is the son of god?" -We may all be sons of gods "There is only one son of god, and that is Jesus Christ" -I respect your point of view. And there at last, is the statement they can't respond to. "I respect your point of view". You can keep saying that...it's totally disarming. Never argue, never disagree, and never agree. Simply say you respect their point of view and they won't have much of a response and will look for easier prey. I've had them ask me, "What's your point of view" my response might be, "I don't wish to discuss this now, but I appreciate your interest" or "I have a different one which brings me peace of mind and contentment" if they say you might go to hell, you can respond, "so be it, i accept that end. if that is what comes, i will not have any complaints" i have said all of these things and have found that most people will give up pretty quickly, but pleasantly as well. If you get angry, show irritation, or try to argue, you'll just embolden them. It's human nature.
Well, I am usually very up front with my views. I always get a few raised eyebrows and popped eyes. I used to argue with people on topics such as God's existence, but I came to realize that it was something that can never be settled easily. I think there is nothing wrong with having a firm belief, but forcing it onto other people is annoying. And for that reason I don't preach what I believe and not believe, and respect what others believe, be it Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, as long as it does no harm to his/her/other's safety.
Yes, you've made this absurd redundant statement on multiple posts, please feel free at any time to explain in any type of rational and logical detail what it exactly you feel i don't understand. how exactly does reasoning validate a science? Science is the following: a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws. That's it, stop trying to IMPLY and ADD words and meaning to my post...I'll break it down for you in basic english since your levels of density have reach epic proportions... First, IF one understands science, which (loosely i might add) I assume you do, then you would already know how science works. Science is ever changing, always adapting, adding new and more precise information while older outdated information is discarded along the roadside. There is no need for validation, why? Because I am not you... I need not any validation as to why i might believe in science or a higher being, why i might find solace walking thru the forest, or peace of mind sleeping on a park bench. You're trying to deal in absolutes: weakness and strength, fear and happiness, right and wrong...I need none of those things validated for myself. Obviously you do, hence why you've tried so desperately to enforce a non-existent point. You have no foundation, you keep deflecting your own inadequacies towards me, when nothing of the sort could be further from the truth. Show me where I stated in a specific quote that this was about strength or weakness...i never did, YOU did, because YOU need to validate that for yourself...Once again, fear and insecurity rear their ugly little heads... Who said i believe in such?...Assuming again yes? ROTFLMAO Always the hilarious read when one reaches and scratches at random pointless ideas. Touched a nerve have I? You still keep touching on science as if it is some sort of religion, why is that? WOW, you just can't stop assuming about me and my beliefs can you? I bet you're just itching to find out what i believe in...lol Umm, sorry to inform you kiddo, Religion is exactly like science, it evolves and grows, takes in new information, and passes down older information(old testament, heh)...You can reach and stab in the dark all you like, but you will never win an argument or a debate with judgmental generalized statements, and an unwillingness to accept other peoples beliefs. Neither is religion, square peg, round hole...ironic heh? All comes back down to your faith. I fixed it for you... Since you keep telling what i feel and believe, please in detail tell me what my beliefs are... Where exactly are getting a higher intelligence from? Are you Tom Cruise? We are talking SCIENCE, not scientology...there is a slight difference there man. Please look at the definition i posted, it says nothing about religikon, or dogma, or creed or scripture...So why this emphatic point of telling me, that i'm using science as a religion? Besides, i don't need science to dismantle your theories on mankind...
He definitely has the "ignorant and confused, yet totally arrogant" schtick down, that's for sure. It is humorous, in a "stare at the train wreck" sort of way.
what: You could switch "science" and "God" in all of your posts and it would be valid for unbelievers. I think your arrogance is turning everyone off.
This is all true and can be verified by the simple fact that I went to see Coldplay last night and freaking loved it. I'm all for setting up the kids wrasslin' match, though. What could possibly go wrong?
