1 edit
Originally posted by DeepThoughtI'm not aware of any strong claim that aliens must exist.
I'm not aware of any strong claim that aliens must exist. There are estimates of the number of civilizations per galaxy at any one time, but they are all based on handwavium. We know of one civilization in this galaxy and there are such a huge number of galaxies that it is simply implausible to believe that we are the only intelligent entities in the entire universe. This does not constitute proof that aliens exist, but it is compelling.
I am aware of scientists who have literally said it is "arrogant" to believe aliens don't exist... which imo is just another way of saying it's arrogant to not believe in the existence of aliens. Morgan Freeman repeated this line on one of the Nova programs he was narrating.
Edit: I'm not sure if it was a Nova program or not. It was called Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman
Originally posted by lemon limeI think that the arrogance that they are referring to is the same arrogance that had a cosmology with the earth in the centre of the universe. So the arrogance would be a collective, rather than an individual one.
It must be true, because if you don't believe it you are being arrogant.
Originally posted by lemon limeYou can now call your false claim ironic if you want, but it doesn't alter the fact that it is nothing but a clumsy straw man. The only target getting parodied by what you said ~ and what you are now saying about it ~ is yourself.
Well of course it's false. So why would anyone say (or even imply) that it's arrogant to not believe aliens exist? Am I supposed to believe in the existence of aliens so that no one will think I'm being arrogant?
Originally posted by lemon limeThat the serpent is allegorical is the most plausible explanation and the story-is-an-allegory explanation does not damage the theological or spiritual message at all. The story-is-literally-true explanation comes across as an almost hysterical demonstration of 'sincerity' ~ in some respects perhaps a manifestation of holier-than-thou vanity. [Bump]
Take the serpent for example, the story doesn't say the serpent is a snake. All snakes are serpents but not all serpents are snakes. The story also doesn't specify the serpents home of origin. So for all we know it could be a reptilian alien species from outer space, and capable of telepathic communication... this would explain how the serpent was able to communicate with Eve.
Originally posted by FMFWhat would you say if someone told you it was arrogant to not believe in the existence of God? Or at the very least, you would be arrogant for not acknowledging the possible existence of God.
You can now call your false claim ironic if you want, but it doesn't alter the fact that it is nothing but a clumsy straw man. The only target getting parodied by what you said ~ and what you are now saying about it ~ is yourself.
The operative word here is 'arrogant'.
Originally posted by lemon limeUnlike you, I am unaffected by the use of the word "arrogant" by someone like Morgan Freeman in a TV documentary. Not being an atheist, I am similarly unaffected by someone saying I "would be arrogant for not acknowledging the possible existence of God". They would simply have the wrong end of the stick. Even if I were an atheist, the word "arrogant" would not affect me and would not make the arguments or perspectives of the people calling me "arrogant" any more persuasive. If such rhetorical devices can influence or have meaning to you, then that is your prerogative.
What would you say if someone told you it was arrogant to not believe in the existence of God? Or at the very least, you would be arrogant for not acknowledging the possible existence of God.
The operative word here is 'arrogant'.
Originally posted by lemon limeOur existence is evidence for the possible existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Our existence is not evidence for the existence of God. There's far more of an extrapolation in the latter than there is in the former. I'm not saying God doesn't exist, just that our existence doesn't demonstrate anything in that regard. Whereas with extra-terrestrials we at least know that life is possible here, so there is no good reason why it should not be possible elsewhere, especially in view of the fact that planetary systems appear to be quite common.
What would you say if someone told you it was arrogant to not believe in the existence of God? Or at the very least, you would be arrogant for not acknowledging the possible existence of God.
The operative word here is 'arrogant'.
Originally posted by FMFWhat false claim? I'm not the one who thinks you are being arrogant. I'm trying to help you out here so don't shoot the messenger.
You can now call your false claim ironic if you want, but it doesn't alter the fact that it is nothing but a clumsy straw man. The only target getting parodied by what you said ~ and what you are now saying about it ~ is yourself.
Recant and take back what you said about science not proving anything about aliens, or you shall forever be judged by the Science gods for your arrogance! They are the ones who will be judging you, not me.
Originally posted by lemon limeThis false claim: you stated "Science has proven aliens exist". Now I am fully aware that you are trying to be funny, but the fact that you are using a straw man is clear to see. Even if someone called you "arrogant" and it hurt your feelings, you should not expect that you can turn it into a 'debating point' that has much mileage.
What false claim? I'm not the one who thinks you are being arrogant. I'm trying to help you out here so don't shoot the messenger.
Originally posted by lemon limeScience has not proven that aliens exist and does not claim to have proven
Recant and take back what you said about science not proving anything about aliens, or you shall forever be judged by the Science gods for your arrogance! They are the ones who will be judging you, not me.
that aliens exist. You appear to be counter attacking your own waffle.