08 Dec '07 23:19>
Originally posted by rwingettAre you sure? I've got some good stuff.
My immediate material existence must be far more fulfilling than your's.
Originally posted by SquelchbelchMy childhood indoctrination was mainly hedonistic. I received little religious instruction.
I don't understand the dogma of atheism.
How can anyone prove to themselves (let alone anyone else) the non-existence of God?
From a logical point of view the agnostic standpoint makes much more sense.
My own opinion - there may possibly be a God (or Gods etc) but Him/Her/it/they would most likely be nothing like anything conceived of by organised re ...[text shortened]... are so strong.
The only system that makes any rational sense to me is sceptical agnosticism.
Originally posted by doodinthemoodReligion is shameful in many ways. You won't find me in support of it.
Atheism upsets you, so rather than showing an actual logical argument against it, you use this as an argument for god?
The first time my dummy (pacifier in American I think) was taken off me, I apparently cried for two days. Is that a good argument for me to be walking around in public with a dummy nowadays? No, that's shameful, just like religion should be.
Originally posted by josephwI think you're smoking some serious crack, friend.
That's the point! Atheism has nothing to offer. It's a negative. It give one no hope. It is therefore an illusion.
Eternal life, on the other hand, is a positive. It has meaning. It is therefore very real indeed.
Originally posted by josephwAtheism is an argument for the non-existance of god. That's all.
Go beyond linguistics. Atheism is an argument for nonexistence.
I must go now. It may be a day or two, but I will check back.
Originally posted by josephwWell your flag suggests you are American.
My childhood indoctrination was mainly hedonistic. I received little religious instruction.
Keep searching friend.
Originally posted by josephwAtheism has no independant content. It is, as you say, purely a negation. But it does not follow that atheists therefore believe in nothing. They can, and do, believe in a great variety of things. Humanism, for example, is a positive belief IN something.
Go beyond linguistics. Atheism is an argument for nonexistence.
I must go now. It may be a day or two, but I will check back.
Originally posted by josephwI really laughed.
That's the point! Atheism has nothing to offer. It's a negative. It give one no hope. It is therefore an illusion.
Eternal life, on the other hand, is a positive. It has meaning. It is therefore very real indeed.
Originally posted by AsgarthHmm & I'd like josephw to explain something to me:
I really laughed.
negative thing = illusion
positive thing = real
You, my friend, seem to be completely unaware of the world you are living in and in a sad way you are supporting my view of religious people. I honestly pity you.
Originally posted by josephwBladder dash! The assertion "...no god" obviously has no "meaning" for you because you are infected by magical, supernatural thinking. There is no credible evidence for a creator. LIFE is full of life. Open your eyes and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
The argument that says "there is no God" is void of meaning. Whereas the argument for a creator is full of life and gives us purpose.
God is a life giving spirit. The message from God to us is one of hope and love for all who accept his gift.
If one believes that there is no eternal life, then that one has nothing to live for beyond his or her immediate material existence.
What a drag!
Originally posted by SquelchbelchNow that you are acquainted with the concepts of 'hard' and 'weak' atheism, and since you are obviously familiar with the 'problem of evil', I have a question for you:
Hmm & I'd like josephw to explain something to me:
1)God must be 100% omnipotent, all-knowing & benevolent, correct?
(after all you keep going on about how all-powerful & how His love is eternal etc...)
2)I assume you believe in the existence of evil?
3)God has the power to eliminate evil (from 1)
4)Evil still exists (from 2)
5)God ha ...[text shortened]... s to eradicate evil but is powerless to act & is therefore not omnipotent
Care to comment?