Six Questions to Ask An Atheist

last SG · 2012-04-05T16:15:24+00:00

This is a very entertaining and logically sound read- unlike our Thread Starter. Introductory note: Russell delivered this lecture on March 6, 1927 to the Na...

BroInChrist SG

What twisting? Dawkins rejected creation. For him life has no purpose but only pitiless indifference. Having said that, what's wrong with me asking why he bothered to get up in the morning? What difference does it make? Who cares?

Of course he rejected creation. Why are you bringing this up?

Having God intend a meaning for your life is different from finding a meaning that drives you to get up in the morning.

But trying to find meaning when it is pitiliess indifference? That's not being consistent at all. Which means there is something wrong with the belief system.

BroInChrist SG

to say God was made from nothing still implies God was created...but just as infinity cannot be valued, eternity cannot be timed, God cannot be made...but the universe is not eternal and humans are still uncertain if the universe is infinite...the natural laws that govern the universe are neither infinite nor eternal so its not wrong to say such laws and the universe need to be made...

my pt is the words ''made'' and ''created'' suggest limitations, finity, and boundaries. every matter even according to evolution will decay, rust, rot etc...every matter is limited within the realm of time and limitation...so to ask who created matter is valid but to ask who created God is not simply cos its tantamount to asking whats the value of infinity, or who limited eternity? this is the last time i am responding on this issue...Over to u, BIC!!! :)

Good point! Unfortunately the point would be lost on our atheist opponents here.

despondent SG

BIC,

i just posted abt 4mins ago in reply to tcmc...lets seen wad he says...i will help u out if i see a need but do take note i wun reply anymore to qns concerning who created God and God being made out of nothing cos these have been answered countless times alredi...

alize SG

Then Buddhism should not be called a religion, but it is.

Then secular humanism should not be called a religion, but it is. See http://vftonline.org/Patriarchy/definitions/humanism_religion.htm

So the problem has to do with the definition of religion. It should not be defined narrowly anymore. A better way to determine whether a worldview is a religion is to look for certain characteristics that religions have in common. The framework set forth by Ninian Smart, commonly known as the Seven Dimensions of Religion, is widely accepted by anthropologists and researchers of religion as broadly covering the various aspects of religion, without focusing on things unique to specific religions.

The seven dimensions proposed by Smart are narrative, experiential, social, ethical, doctrinal, ritual and material. Not every religion has every dimension, nor are they all equally important within an individual religion. Smart even argues that the “secularisation” of western society is actually a shift of focus from the doctrinal and ritual to the experiential.

See the rest here http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion

What's your problem?

If you think atheism is a religion without certain characteristics of a religion, go and find another word for it. It's just a definition. I suggest you use "worldview" or "philosophy".

Why force Atheism into the category of religions for your own agenda?

alize SG

Of course if you are trying to show that atheism is a "faith" and is "no better than" your religion, then this fact discredits all religions and Christianity ncluded.

I welcome it.

Tcmc SG

What's your problem?

If you think atheism is a religion without certain characteristics of a religion, go and find another word for it. It's just a definition. I suggest you use "worldview" or "philosophy".

Why force Atheism into the category of religions for your own agenda?

Alize

Like what I told BIC, he doesnt know buddhism well because buddhism has many supernatural elements in it and is a religion in fact.

He doesnt know his stuff.

Aneslayer SG

Of course if you are trying to show that atheism is a "faith" and is "no better than" your religion, then this fact discredits all religions and Christianity ncluded.

I welcome it.

Atheism is faith based, fairly speaking... as in the absence of prove is prove of absence. Which is an argument from ignorance...

BroInChrist SG

"I don't need you to tell me that the Bible is not a science textbook. Creationists by and large already know that."

But you just told me that the bible is not a science textbook before I clarify that I posted such before in this particular thread... Double standard much? You can tell me and I don't need say the same to you even if I had the 1st say?

Creationist you say... fasle attribution...

"Of course I can accept facts. But since when does "chewing the cud" can only mean the narrow sense as in modern day scientific understanding? It's like you telling me that if the word "gay" appears in the Bible it must refer to homosexuals because that's what it's meant today. That would be absurd. Like I said, Scripture writers employ the language of appearance. Even Linneaus classified the rabbit as one that "chews the cud" based on OBSERVATION of physical characteristics and behaviour."

Let me help you by repeating my simple question:

Can you accept that the badger/ coney is neither a ruminant nor practises refection? Lev 11:5

P.S: Can you see the strawman in red... that your good self have set? Strawmaning is a right in the interwedz...

Count of illogical fallacy in your post: 2

What double standards are you talking about? That the Bible is not a science textbook is something I have held to for years, and which I have mentioned before to many atheists I've debated in this forum and in other forums. It's nothing to do with WHEN you said it first here.

And what false attribution are you harping about?

Can you accept the fact that to the Hebrews the phrase "chewing the cud" has a broader meaning rather than the limited scientific meaning it has today? And how is my "gay" analogy a strawman? I'm simply illustrating the point that words today may take on a more limited meaning, and perhaps for words like "gay" it may even take on a new meaning!

Tcmc SG

Atheism is faith based, fairly speaking... as in the absence of prove is prove of absence. Which is an argument from ignorance...

So lack of belief in elves and unicorns is also faith based?

We lack belief in unicorns and big giant fairies because of lack of evidence, similar to gods.

So are you telling me that lack of belief in fairies is faith based?

BroInChrist SG

What's your problem?

If you think atheism is a religion without certain characteristics of a religion, go and find another word for it. It's just a definition. I suggest you use "worldview" or "philosophy".

Why force Atheism into the category of religions for your own agenda?

Why not say that atheists are trying to deny the religious nature of atheism for their own agenda? Dictionary definitions are not cast in stone.

Tcmc SG

BIC,

Lack of belief in gods is the same as lack of belief in elves due to lack of evidence.

Like gods, elves and fairies are mentioned in books, believed by people and even worshipped by people.

But we lack belief in them because there is lack of empirical evidence,even though many people believe in them or books mentioned them

BroInChrist SG

BIC,

You are displaying your serious lack of knowledge of other religions, AS USUAL.

Buddhism incorporates MANY supernatural elements, spirits and deities, depending on its sect or denomination.

So fairly speaking, Buddhism IS a religion in practice.

Fair enough, Buddhism is not a good example to use. In any case I have no qualms in accepting that Buddhism is a religion.

Aneslayer SG

And what false attribution are you harping about?

Are you going to answer my simple question? If you recall, about the badger/ coney thingy?

I'm not into arguments... actually. But I love the challenge

Just for fun...

"What double standards are you talking about?" - You can post what you like but its not needed when other post the same to you.

"And what false attribution are you harping about?" - False attribution to the creationist, if you can recall.

"Can you accept the fact that to the Hebrews the phrase "chewing the cud" has a broader meaning rather than the limited scientific meaning it has today?" - So can you use your unlimited meaning to explain coneys, finally?

"And how is my "gay" analogy a strawman? I'm simply illustrating the point that words today may take on a more limited meaning, and perhaps for words like "gay" it may even take on a new meaning!" - Your actual words " It's like you telling me that if the word "gay" appears in the Bible..." when I did not say that and both of us know that the word "gay" did not appear in the bible... originally.

P.S. You illogical fallacies count still stands at 2.

despondent SG

I dun even have qualms accepting tat Buddha did exist as a person...

Aneslayer SG

So lack of belief in elves and unicorns is also faith based?

We lack belief in unicorns and big giant fairies because of lack of evidence, similar to gods.

So are you telling me that lack of belief in fairies is faith based?

Bingo! Untill someone shows the prove of absence...

BroInChrist SG

BIC,

religion by proper definition is a belief in deities or gods.

Atheism lacks the essence of what religion is.....

Your pastors teach you lies to spread hate.

Wrong again dude. Ninian Smart is not my pastor. LOL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninian_Smart

despondent SG

x2...cos we cun prove that fairies indeed dun exist...

Tcmc SG

x2...cos we cun prove that fairies indeed dun exist...

Sorry i dont get you?

BroInChrist SG

Of course if you are trying to show that atheism is a "faith" and is "no better than" your religion, then this fact discredits all religions and Christianity ncluded.

I welcome it.

Why would showing that atheism is a faith, just like Christianity (note that I never said it is no better than Christianity), be discrediting to Christianity? So long as atheists recognise and concede the faith nature of their beliefs that's good progress made!

Aneslayer SG

Sorry i dont get you?

des was agreeing wif moi...

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