Alternate Universe

Originally posted by wolfgang59
well you gave it to the theists on a plate.
I wanted them to think for themselves!
😞

Somehow I find this funny... can't think why....


I am sorry for spoiling your thread, better luck next time.

Originally posted by VoidSpirit
you mean like in genesis?

ROFL!

I found this funny.

Originally posted by googlefudge
That is irrelevant.

The point of a thought experiment is to do a 'what if' scenario that enables conclusions to be drawn about reality.

It is a common thing to do in science to imagine what the world were different (in a specified way) and use that
as a comparison with how the world is.
It's also useful in criminal investigation (unsurprising as ...[text shortened]... tangible difference then that would tend to suggest the non-existence of god in this reality.

It's also useful in criminal investigation (unsurprising as done properly this utilises the scientific method) for trying
to determine what kind of evidence should exist if a particular version of events (your own hypothesis or a witness
or suspects version of events) was true and whether that matches reality.

That can't be science. It sounds too much like Intelligent Design detection.

the weakness of the thought experiment is that it requires thinking.........

Originally posted by wolfgang59
the weakness of the thought experiment is that it requires thinking.........

Yes, and theists are taught not to do that.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Consider if you can a universe very similar to our own ... the only difference being that God does [b]not exist. (and all atheist theories are fact)

What would be the test to distinguish our universe from the Godless one?[/b]

The Godless universe would not have a spirituality forum.

Originally posted by Rajk999
If there were no God then there would be no such thing as atheism.
Atheism derives its existance from God.

No, Atheism derives its existance from the existence of belief in God.

--- Penguin

Originally posted by HandyAndy
The Godless universe would not have a spirituality forum.

Why? What do you mean by spirituality?
Do you think spirituality requires belief in a deity?
Do you think the belief in a deity only occurs if that deity exists?
Why could the universe with no god not have anyone who believes in god/s?

Originally posted by HandyAndy
The Godless universe would not have a spirituality forum.

The Spirituality Forum exists therefore god exists. Brilliant!

(This is as least as strong as any other theist argument I have seen.)

Originally posted by Penguin
No, Atheism derives its existance from the existence of [b]belief in God.

--- Penguin[/b]

not quite.

You are saying without theism there would be no atheism.

Therefore if everyone became atheists overnight we would all disappear! (Or at least no longer be atheists!)

😉

Originally posted by wolfgang59
not quite.

You are saying without theism there would be no atheism.

Therefore if [b]everyone became atheists overnight we would all disappear! (Or at least no longer be atheists!)

😉[/b]

We would all be atheists, but the need for the term might disappear.

In the same way as we don't have a term for people who don't believe in the existence of fairies, unicorns,
or floral teapots orbiting Neptune.

We have the word atheist because there is a need to distinguish people by whether or not they believe in god.
If everyone were an atheist then as we move into a post theist society their would perhaps no longer be the
need for the label.

Originally posted by googlefudge
We would all be atheists, but the need for the term might disappear.

In the same way as we don't have a term for people who don't believe in the existence of fairies, unicorns,
or floral teapots orbiting Neptune.

We have the word atheist because there is a need to distinguish people by whether or not they believe in god.
If everyone were an athe ...[text shortened]... we move into a post theist society their would perhaps no longer be the
need for the label.

Ah yes the word would not be required but the concept would still exist, as would the need for winking smileys.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Ah yes the word would not be required but the concept would still exist, as would the need for winking smileys.

Hmmm, yes, I was agreeing with you, was that not clear ;-)

Originally posted by googlefudge
Hmmm, yes, I was agreeing with you, was that not clear ;-)

Of course. We always agree!
My partner reckons I spend 10 hours less on the net since you started posting!

(Keep up the good work)

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Of course. We always agree!
My partner reckons I spend 10 hours less on the net since you started posting!

(Keep up the good work)

Well I aim to please :-)