27 Aug 06
1 edit
Originally posted by googlefudgeOne could scour the heavens to determine if there were any orbiting teapots around Mars. We could eventually know the answer with 100% certainty. But the existence of a god is inherently untestable and unverifiable and therefore can never be answered 'true' or 'false.' The most that can be said is that it is more likely to be false than true. We can treat the question as though it were false, but we can never know for certain if it really is false. Especially if the definition of god is left open, which is why I asked for a clarification from Dr. S as to what he meant by 'god.'
False. (any god) this is akin to asking 'true or false, is there a teapot orbiting mars?' The only sensible answer is false.
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by googlefudgeI have a piece of wood that was carved up that some could call
False. (any god) this is akin to asking 'true or false, is there a teapot orbiting mars?' The only sensible answer is false.
a god, you can touch it, weight it, throw it against the wall, I'd
call that real. You blanket statement is wrong.
Kelly
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by rwingettI agree with you, what are we talking about, or better said, who?
One could scour the heavens to determine if there were any orbiting teapots around Mars. We could eventually know the answer with 100% certainty. But the existence of a god is inherently untestable and unverifiable and therefore can never be answered 'true' or 'false.' The most that can be said is that it is more likely to be false than true. We can treat t ...[text shortened]... ft open, which is why I asked for a clarification from Dr. S as to what he meant by 'god.'
Kelly
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by dottewellNot all gods are defined that way, you have God in mind, which is not
If god is defined as omnipotent, omniscient, "perfect", etc, I find I can attach little or no meaning to the concept of god (and consequently to sentences asserting or denying the existence of god).
the same thing as god.
Kelly
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by KellyJayA piece of wood is not a god, despite you calling it so. A piece of wood is a piece of wood. It could be carved into a representation of a god, but it is not a god itself.
I have a piece of wood that was carved up that some could call
a god, you can touch it, weight it, throw it against the wall, I'd
call that real. You blanket statement is wrong.
Kelly
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by dottewellIf a god is specifically defined, you could point out logical contradictions within the definition which would render it either impossible or incoherant. This goes a long way to casting doubt on the existence of that particular god, but will ultimately only get you so far. In the end the most you can conclude is that the person making the definition doesn't know what he's talking about. A god with a different definition could still exist.
If god is defined as omnipotent, omniscient, "perfect", etc, I find I can attach little or no meaning to the concept of god (and consequently to sentences asserting or denying the existence of god).
27 Aug 06
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettSo, having something defined as a god does not make it a god?
A piece of wood is not a god, despite you calling it so. A piece of wood is a piece of wood. It could be carved into a representation of a god, but it is not a god itself.
That then takes us back to what is a god, or what is God does it not?
Which was our origional question to begin with.
Kelly
27 Aug 06
Originally posted by rwingettok, so a piece of wood is not a god just because thats what you call it, then what is a piece of wood? obviously its not a piece of wood just because thats what we call it.
A piece of wood is not a god, despite you calling it so. A piece of wood is a piece of wood. It could be carved into a representation of a god, but it is not a god itself.
you contradicted yourself.
27 Aug 06
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettYou are right in that the piece of wood is not a god in and of itself. However, it can become a god in the mind of a particular person. This perception then gives this lifeless piece of wood some power over us. In the minds of men, perception becomes reality.
A piece of wood is not a god, despite you calling it so. A piece of wood is a piece of wood. It could be carved into a representation of a god, but it is not a god itself.