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Originally Posted by snapshot
I could just say, "That's the way the Universe is. If it wasn't that way, it would be different," and I wouldn't need to attempt to disprove the notion of a creator.
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This is a narrowed way of looking at things, you're using the "Because I said so argument" I'm not sure of your background, I understand something (maybe a chain of events) led you to believe (Yes, it's a belief) that there is no God. You don't know, you think you do, but you don't. You have no idea and to say you do is arrogant. You have faith. I've stated before that I leave room for error and if disproved I'll change my belief system, but saying,"That's the way it is" isn't enough for me, it isn't enough for 99.99% of the world. WHY? I want to know why. What is the logic? Explain to me your theory behind the universe (from your logic though it wouldn't be a theory, it seems as if you have the answer but aren't providing it). There are many options and routes of choice in this world, with your belief being the minority you need to disprove the notion of a creator to credit your belief. If you can do this I will become an atheist again. I'm not understanding your reasoning at all and from your quoted statement, you don't have any. I'll repeat myself for the millionth time... I came to my belief through reason, through the pursuit of knowledge, time spent studying as many belief systems as I could. To not do this and not take the major population's opinion into account is a very uneducated way of thinking about things. The majority can be wrong, but you need to provide why. What I gather from your comments is that you really haven't spent much time at all learning about anything but your own beleif. You use stereotypes and hearsay and maybe a short reading here or there to defend your belief. When you bring your belief to the table for debate, you need to come prepared. Saying, "That's the way it is" is dangerous. All of the worst accounts of history came because there weren't enough people questioning. Yes, religion has accounted for many brutal deaths in history... In the middle east they aren't allowed to read their holy book or question, they can only learn what is spoon fed. Most of the time true doctrine isn't taught, it's skewed to benefit mankind, economy, and that's all the people know-this comes with the imperfections of humanity. Hitler did the same, stalin, etc. These rulers prevented people from questioning.
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Originally Posted by snapshot
Are you at all opposed to the idea that Jesus broke the laws of physics? Is that a part of your belief? What is it within your methodology which would make such beliefs possible? What makes Jesus different from other people?
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There are things today that defy physics. Look them up, research it, it's there. However, doctrine is always up for interpretation and a lot of Jesus miracles can be explained through physics- like the healers of todays world (yes there are people that heal, it's not instant, but they increase the rate of healing enough, where the standard error shows these statistics are relevant). There are many NASA associates researching this and other notable sources. So please tell me, why do these things defy physics? How do you explain the things in science that can't be explained? There are so many simple things that we just don't know or can't do. I'm not talking about complex concepts that take time and technology I'm talking about the concepts that scientists just say, "Sorry, this doesn't make sense- we can't find out why" Look them up, it's there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by snapshot
That we can only answer these questions through reasons and not through opinion or faith. Answering questions without reason may satisfy us emotionally, but our opinions, hopes, desires, and wishes have no bearing on what is true. I believe in truth and that we can only discover it by using reason.
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We both have reason, opinion, and faith. I'm not sure why you can't grasp this concept. You don't know everything there is to know about the universe, you only have a set of data that leads you to a point. What about the other data? What about the data that you don't have? are you assuming you have all the data? Explain the universe for me. How do you know the truth? How do you know your reason is correct? Do you know your reason is correct or is it just the best fit answer for you? Reason leads to latter, but your picking and choosing your reasoning so I'm not sure.
Would you except change? I'm trying to understand some things about your arguments, but you keep asking questions I've answered and running loops. If you want to be an atheist I hope it brings the best for you, but keep it to yourself if you wont except atheism as a faith and opinion. You're doing the same thing that the radical Fundamental Christians (and others) do, you're just not realizing it. You're refusing to be wrong- I want to know why you think I'm wrong- If you open up and realize you don't know everything this discussion would be less repetitive.
Atheism is a faith and opinion. It cannot be proved, only discussed. It is a belief believed in from those that were brought to believe in it through reason. So is every other spiritual/religious (there is a difference) group. I don't understand why you can't understand this. This is viewed as common knowledge in philosophy and science.