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Imagine No Religion.....
The Phoenix ^ | 4/4/2002 | DAN KENNEDY

Posted on 04/05/2002 1:05:07 PM PST by JediGirl

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Comment #301 Removed by Moderator

Comment #302 Removed by Moderator

To: Surfin
If you don't have proof of point (A) then point (B) has evidence against it?

Yes, don't you think so?

For instance, if you assert that gold is radioactive, and I put a geiger counter up to it and detect NO decays -- wouldn't that constitute evidence AGAINST gold's radioactivity?

303 posted on 04/09/2002 7:08:47 AM PDT by jlogajan
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Comment #304 Removed by Moderator

Comment #305 Removed by Moderator

To: jlogajan
And of course, physicist John C. Polkinghome, is a moron compared to the more logical and rational atheists on this thread.

John C. Polkinghorne is one of the best-known figures in the field of science and religion. After a distinguished career in physics, where he made important contributions to quark theory, he studied for ordination and became an Anglican priest. After a few years as a parish priest, he moved, essentially full-time, into science and religion

306 posted on 04/09/2002 7:45:34 AM PDT by freebilly
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To: freebilly
And of course, physicist John C. Polkinghome, is a moron compared to the more logical and rational atheists on this thread.

In matters philosophical, yes he is. You realize, of course, that many very smart physiscists are atheists too. What do you make of that?

307 posted on 04/09/2002 8:47:22 AM PDT by jlogajan
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To: Surfin
"put a geiger counter" to gravity and what do you read?

Putting statistical evaluation to altered outcomes is very sensible. What is your objection to same?

308 posted on 04/09/2002 8:48:45 AM PDT by jlogajan
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To: Surfin
Gravity isn't so much a proven belief as it is an observed belief. I can't look at nature without seeing a Creator. I can't look at nature and see random, meaningless coincidence.

I think you're getting tripped up inside your analogy.

We observe the fact of gravity as a self-evident fact. We observe intricate relationships & regularities in a lot of what we see in the universe, as a self-evident fact. In both cases, it's the explanation of those observed facts that requires "belief".

Now, you can come to a belief by way of the scientific method, or by faith unconnected to any real supporting data, or a combination of the two. Most people live their lives with such a combination, perfectly willing to demand relevant evidence & valid logical inferences for their non-religous beliefs. (I'd say "most people have a remarkable ability to compartmentalize their contradictory beliefs".)

As comforting as it is to believe there's an overarching all-powerful father figure in charge of it all, I don't think there's any supporting data for that hypothesis apart from our desire to see things that way.

309 posted on 04/09/2002 10:33:01 AM PDT by jennyp
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To: jlogajan
I'm an atheist because the arguments in favor of God are laughable. There's no reason to hold an agnostic position on the rantings of a bunch of ancient goat herders. Should I take an agnostic position on Athena or Thor? Come on! Get off the fence. :-)

I'm progressing, lol. Let me take my time, I was a hard-core conservative Christian less than a year ago.

310 posted on 04/09/2002 10:36:03 AM PDT by JediGirl
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To: JediGirl
I'm progressing, lol. Let me take my time, I was a hard-core conservative Christian less than a year ago.

Really, I kid. It is far more gratifying to me that you lean libertarian -- a real live and let live philosophy, than whatever spirituality you ultimately choose (which to me is about as important as the color of foot wear you prefer -- hmm, I suppose that would have more significance to a foot-fetishest -- but anywho ...:-)

Stalin was, of course, an atheist and a mass murderer. You'd never see that from a libertarian though -- regardless of their spiritual leanings. I think the lesson there is pretty obvious. :-)

311 posted on 04/09/2002 11:03:28 AM PDT by jlogajan
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To: jlogajan
See #188. Also, could I interest you in reading the The New Testament? Salvation lies within.
312 posted on 04/09/2002 11:43:13 AM PDT by rdb3
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To: JediGirl
As an example, she cited the crucifix. "It's a picture of a guy being tortured to death," she said.

I am reminded of the Lenny Bruce line that if Jesus had arrived in the 20th century, later generations of Christians would wear little electric chairs.

313 posted on 04/09/2002 12:00:29 PM PDT by steve-b
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To: rdb3
If someone preached a perverted faith, the illiterate couldn't prove otherwise. We don't have this problem today.

BWAAHAAHAA!! Yeah, that's why nobody pays any attention to the tiny minority of cranks who assert that the federal government has wide-ranging jurisdiction over most aspects of daily life. After all, anyone can pick up a printed copy of the Constitution and prove otherwise!

Charles Darwin, the "Father of Racism"

I must been out sick the day my history teacher explained that everybody prior to the mid-19th century believed in racial equality.

314 posted on 04/09/2002 12:06:52 PM PDT by steve-b
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To: BruceS
Maybe an organized group of anarchists?

Did you hear the one about the anarchist convention that revoked somebody's membership for disorderly conduct?

315 posted on 04/09/2002 12:11:44 PM PDT by steve-b
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To: Surfin
Actually, "In God We Trust" is rather apropos for a fiat currency that has to be taken on faith....
316 posted on 04/09/2002 12:18:09 PM PDT by steve-b
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Comment #317 Removed by Moderator

To: steve-b
I'm glad you're amused.

But you made a comparison of faith and the reading of the Constitution. Why does the term "non-sequitur" keep popping up in my mind? Oh, well.

Also, I never made the assertion that racial equality existed before Darwin's time. This is all on you, not me since I didn't say that.

God bless.

318 posted on 04/09/2002 12:24:00 PM PDT by rdb3
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Comment #319 Removed by Moderator

To: ColdSteelTalon
Most atheists can give you a very detailed description of the God they don't believe in -- in some cases, much more detailed than those who do believe in God.

Wasn't Ayn Rand an atheist? There is still much that is good in Rand.

320 posted on 04/09/2002 12:33:09 PM PDT by TBP
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