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Rather than posting his own thread, a theist poster chose to rudely attempt to hijack an existing one with an unrelated post. So I thought I'd help him out by starting the thread he was too spineless to start himself. His point (paraphrased) was:
Quote:
Since no one can prove or disprove God exists, atheists are wrong to assert their disbelief as truth.
The response is painfully simple. While his point was technically true, it doesn't mean atheism doesn't remain a superior assertion over any theistic one.
[b]
Since no one can know the unknowable, theism remains entirely incoherent, by definition.
So, until a theist exists who can demonstrate God, rather than simply making excuses why this can't be accomplished, ANY other assertion -- including the atheist one -- remains decidedly more plausible.
Thoughts? Disagreements?
Last edited by june 7th; 03-09-2014 at 03:27 PM..
Reason: Red is reserved for mod cuts within posts. Using any other color is okay. Thanks!
Isn't this revisiting the atheist/agnostic distinctions? We have staged this debate several times and there is such a thread on the front page at this moment.
I am actually confident that God does not exist and, if there were not so many believers ready to jump on me, I would have to admit there is a fair bit of bias in there.
I would however, say that my views are reasonable and justified, bearing in mind that 'God' can mean a lot of things.
let me see..
(1) god... a cosmic mind controlling, quite likely originating, the universe, and having a degree of control amounting to intelligence (the God of Einstein) or what I call 'Sortagod. A god quite unlike humans and having no interest in religions or indeed sorting out people for hell or heaven.
Degree of possibility...50% really. Degree of probability (and that's a big difference of view). 5% Really.
Because the former is based on what could possibly exist and the other on what I would credit as being likely. On this basis Disbelief is logically mandatory.
(2) "God"...a being somewhat like us in thought and ideas. Very likely our creator and probably of everything. Contacts us mentally but doesn't (often) intervene in human affairs. Deist - god. Having no particular support for any particular religion of resemblance to any of the personal gods...but perhaps the 'God' described in the parable of the elephant, in that everyone perceives it differently.
And 'It' is correct, though one easily slips into the 'He' habit.
Possibility...30% ...probability, 1.5 % based on the sheer lack of evidence for any such thing and probability of natural causes for all that stuff.
(3) God..The god (or gods) of various religions and nearly always the God of Christianity when the term in used on the boards. Having thoughts and intents familiar to our own and having gender (in some way I can't fathom) and definitely our creator and having a hands -on involvement in our daily lives - often having one or more assistant or gofor in accomplishing its (read 'His') wishes. Accessible mentally and emotionally (often the same thing) definite likes and dislikes and having a vote or veto on all our afterlife options. Described pretty much correctly in Holy Books.
Possibility...0.5%...probability..about the same, I suppose.
N.B I am not assigning empirical, let alone scientific probabilities, but am giving my credibility - percentages and indicating why.
Last edited by TRANSPONDER; 03-09-2014 at 01:37 PM..
Isn't this revisiting the atheist/agnostic distinctions? We have staged this debate several times and there is such a thread on the front page at this moment.
No, its revisiting (perhaps just as tired a topic) the "why theism is incoherent" idea -- making both atheism and agnosticism and even a belief in, say, fruit bats as the magical creator of everything, ALL superior assertions to the generic mystical theistic belief that asserts something unknowable is even worth considering, let alone calling it "God"....
Moderator cut: delete...But I have little doubt that the I'm "Agnostic...not an Atheist" thread also likely touches upon this idea as well. That thread is so large now, there are likely few topics not addressed in there somewhere ).
Last edited by Miss Blue; 03-09-2014 at 04:20 PM..
Reason: talking about another poster is considered "chatroom type posts" and are not allower
Rather than posting his own thread, a theist poster chose to rudely attempt to hijack an existing one with an unrelated post. So I thought I'd help him out by starting the thread he was too spineless to start himself. His point (paraphrased) was:
The response is painfully simple. While his point was technically true, it doesn't mean atheism doesn't remain a superior assertion over any theistic one.
[b]
Since no one can know the unknowable, theism remains entirely incoherent, by definition.
So, until a theist exists who can demonstrate God, rather than simply making excuses why this can't be accomplished, ANY other assertion -- including the atheist one -- remains decidedly more plausible.
Thoughts? Disagreements?
Pop, If I'm not mistaken this seems to bother you, more than it does us? Let's agree you're comfortable believing in fictional books and YOUR god right? I'm comfortable in believing in MYSELF, instead of mythical beings who have been dead for centuries and have nothing to do with me. I was dead for a tad over two minutes, years ago due to a accident. Trust me, not a damn thing is waiting for you on the other side.
No, its revisiting (perhaps just as tired a topic) the "why theism is incoherent" idea -- making both atheism and agnosticism and even a belief in, say, fruit bats as the magical creator of everything, ALL superior assertions to the generic mystical theistic belief that asserts something unknowable is even worth considering, let alone calling it "God"....
And yet you have no problem considering reality worth considering and calling it Nature . . . despite the fact we haven't the vaguest idea what it is or why it is . . . and that is likely to remain unknowable. Why the double standard?
Pop, If I'm not mistaken this seems to bother you, more than it does us? Let's agree you're comfortable believing in fictional books and YOUR god right? I'm comfortable in believing in MYSELF, instead of mythical beings who have been dead for centuries and have nothing to do with me. I was dead for a tad over two minutes, years ago due to a accident. Trust me, not a damn thing is waiting for you on the other side.
Huh? Did I just step through a looking glass? You got no argument from me! I don't have any mythical books, beings, frogs, bacteria or even really small rocks in my life. I'm here for the usual reasons as everyone else.
What did I say that gave of the vibe that I am theist?
The idea behind this thread is Mystics, not mine -- I merely opened it.
(....I suddenly feel like I have been walking around all day with my fly open....)
And yet you have no problem considering reality worth considering and calling it Nature . . . despite the fact we haven't the vaguest idea what it is or why it is . . . and that is likely to remain unknowable. Why the double standard?
I have no idea what "considering reality worth considering" means, so I can't really answer your question.
Huh? Did I just step through a looking glass? You got no argument from me! I don't have any mythical books, beings, frogs, bacteria or even really small rocks in my life. I'm here for the usual reasons as everyone else.
What did I say that gave of the vibe that I am theist?
(....I suddenly feel like I have been walking around all day with my fly open....)
I guess your opening statement is what gave me that impression, sorry if I mistook you? "Why atheists can be confident that God doesn't exist..."
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I would have to admit there is a fair bit of bias in there. 
really. Degree of probability (and that's a big difference of view). 5% Really. 
