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Scientific society is starting to believe there is only 50-50 chance of this world to be real.
Chris_aka_C2 comments on Feb 28, 2018:
Where do I enter the cheat codes? This grinding thing is getting really old.
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
Ask the billionaires. I think they have it.
Chris_aka_C2 comments on Feb 28, 2018:
Where do I enter the cheat codes? This grinding thing is getting really old.
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
Ask the billionaires. I think they have it.
If matter/energy can't travel faster than the speed of light how did something the size of an atom ...
josmi6699 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Light moves within space. When we talk about the expansion of the universe, we talk about the expansion of space itself not the movement of anything within space. The speed of light limit does not apply to the expansion of space. We know that there are objects in the universe which move away from ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
@josmi6699 -Please correct me if I'm misinterpreting what you're explaining. Are you saying that the expansion of space essentially dragged matter and antimatter outward as it expanded out to the size of a universe in the femtosecond after it occurred?
josmi6699 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Light moves within space. When we talk about the expansion of the universe, we talk about the expansion of space itself not the movement of anything within space. The speed of light limit does not apply to the expansion of space. We know that there are objects in the universe which move away from ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
@josmi6699 -Please correct me if I'm misinterpreting what you're explaining. Are you saying that the expansion of space essentially dragged matter and antimatter outward as it expanded out to the size of a universe in the femtosecond after it occurred?
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
Coffeo comments on Feb 28, 2018:
If I knew any flat-earthers, I'd want to ask them "Where is the edge? Why can't you show it to us?"
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
You would laugh at their response. According to most, the edge is a protected government secret, because just beyond the edge is a land of natural resources.
Coffeo comments on Feb 28, 2018:
If I knew any flat-earthers, I'd want to ask them "Where is the edge? Why can't you show it to us?"
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
You would laugh at their response. According to most, the edge is a protected government secret, because just beyond the edge is a land of natural resources.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
Casey07 comments on Feb 28, 2018:
I can't believe there are any F.E.B. anywhere. It has to be a hoax. Right? Right? Please tell me I'm right, just a hoax. Thank you. Now I can get back to the Alien Autopsy.
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
The evidence used to convince people of things like a flat earth is always irrelevant nonsense and misinformation. What it takes to show them they're wrong is irrational. I get things like send me to space, and when I see it, I'll believe. Even when presented with perfectly valid evidence that makes it clear that flat earth is unsustainable, they refuse to accept reality. Yet, they think it's flat because this other clown said so with absolutely no evidence.
Casey07 comments on Feb 28, 2018:
I can't believe there are any F.E.B. anywhere. It has to be a hoax. Right? Right? Please tell me I'm right, just a hoax. Thank you. Now I can get back to the Alien Autopsy.
paul1967 replies on Feb 28, 2018:
The evidence used to convince people of things like a flat earth is always irrelevant nonsense and misinformation. What it takes to show them they're wrong is irrational. I get things like send me to space, and when I see it, I'll believe. Even when presented with perfectly valid evidence that makes it clear that flat earth is unsustainable, they refuse to accept reality. Yet, they think it's flat because this other clown said so with absolutely no evidence.
If matter/energy can't travel faster than the speed of light how did something the size of an atom ...
josmi6699 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Light moves within space. When we talk about the expansion of the universe, we talk about the expansion of space itself not the movement of anything within space. The speed of light limit does not apply to the expansion of space. We know that there are objects in the universe which move away from ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 27, 2018:
I've been reading @ScienceBiker blog and it's very informative. Most of what he explains I already understand. But my question is probably worded so poorly that I'm not being understood. I understand everything you said, it makes sense and I understood it going into the question. My question is, at the time of the big bang explosion the energy/matter being expelled was traveling at some velocity. I'm not talking about the expansion of the universe (at least I don't think I am) I'm talking about the matter, antimatter, and the heat energy. I'm still not asking this right. I need time to think about how to ask the question and I'll get back to you.
josmi6699 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Light moves within space. When we talk about the expansion of the universe, we talk about the expansion of space itself not the movement of anything within space. The speed of light limit does not apply to the expansion of space. We know that there are objects in the universe which move away from ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 27, 2018:
I've been reading @ScienceBiker blog and it's very informative. Most of what he explains I already understand. But my question is probably worded so poorly that I'm not being understood. I understand everything you said, it makes sense and I understood it going into the question. My question is, at the time of the big bang explosion the energy/matter being expelled was traveling at some velocity. I'm not talking about the expansion of the universe (at least I don't think I am) I'm talking about the matter, antimatter, and the heat energy. I'm still not asking this right. I need time to think about how to ask the question and I'll get back to you.
The Supernatural. What could it be?
walklightly comments on Feb 25, 2018:
i seem to be with you on this one, so i can only give my reason for being incapable of coming up with anything one might consider "supernatural".
to me Nature is everything. the physical world most certainly, & i enjoy it very much. energy, which gives the physical life, also allows for feelings...
paul1967 replies on Feb 27, 2018:
I know you don't buy into the supernatural mumbo-jumbo anymore than I do, but I have a debate scheduled March 3rd, and it's centered around the supernatural. I'm regretting my decision to take this on because I don't even understand the first thing about how theist view this magical place. I feel like I'm going into this ill-prepared.
A lot of what I have read talks about the supernatural being above nature and since you touched on this, I was wondering if you might have a better sense of what it means.
These are a few question, and I understand if you don't have time to answer this or if your answer would be I don't have a clue either lol. But I'll ask anyway.
I don't understand what above nature would be. Is something that is natural but above nature, supernatural? And how are we determining that anything is above or below or to the right or left of nature?
Everything requires some form of energy, so assuming we accept that energy is a requirement for anything, would energy be a natural thing that could exist in a supernatural realm? And if energy is natural and E=MC2 shows us that energy can convert into mass and those two things are both natural what part of the supernatural is supernatural?
This will be pretty much my approach at the debate, asking these questions to point out the absurdity of the supernatural and it's a hazardous approach if I'm missing something
walklightly comments on Feb 25, 2018:
i seem to be with you on this one, so i can only give my reason for being incapable of coming up with anything one might consider "supernatural".
to me Nature is everything. the physical world most certainly, & i enjoy it very much. energy, which gives the physical life, also allows for feelings...
paul1967 replies on Feb 27, 2018:
I know you don't buy into the supernatural mumbo-jumbo anymore than I do, but I have a debate scheduled March 3rd, and it's centered around the supernatural. I'm regretting my decision to take this on because I don't even understand the first thing about how theist view this magical place. I feel like I'm going into this ill-prepared.
A lot of what I have read talks about the supernatural being above nature and since you touched on this, I was wondering if you might have a better sense of what it means.
These are a few question, and I understand if you don't have time to answer this or if your answer would be I don't have a clue either lol. But I'll ask anyway.
I don't understand what above nature would be. Is something that is natural but above nature, supernatural? And how are we determining that anything is above or below or to the right or left of nature?
Everything requires some form of energy, so assuming we accept that energy is a requirement for anything, would energy be a natural thing that could exist in a supernatural realm? And if energy is natural and E=MC2 shows us that energy can convert into mass and those two things are both natural what part of the supernatural is supernatural?
This will be pretty much my approach at the debate, asking these questions to point out the absurdity of the supernatural and it's a hazardous approach if I'm missing something
Would you want a Christian God to be real?
AnneWimsey comments on Feb 26, 2018:
So i could kick his ass as i screamed at him? Oh hell yes!
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
That is extremely funny because it's true.
AnneWimsey comments on Feb 26, 2018:
So i could kick his ass as i screamed at him? Oh hell yes!
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
That is extremely funny because it's true.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
marga comments on Feb 26, 2018:
If there were flat earth believers here, they would not last long.......
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
I suspect you're right.
marga comments on Feb 26, 2018:
If there were flat earth believers here, they would not last long.......
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
I suspect you're right.
How would you feel if you found out that the person you have feeling for was transgender?
BillNyeIsMyGod comments on Feb 26, 2018:
I would be fine with the person themselves! However, this has happened to me and oh boy does it confuse the hell out of me, sexuality wise haha. I've definitely been attracted to both trans-women and trans-men and I don't mind but as a lesbian it's like fuck if I dated a trans-man would that make me...
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
Well everyone labels themselves whatever feels right, but in the end, does it matter? You love who you love, and that's the way it goes no matter what label we apply.
BillNyeIsMyGod comments on Feb 26, 2018:
I would be fine with the person themselves! However, this has happened to me and oh boy does it confuse the hell out of me, sexuality wise haha. I've definitely been attracted to both trans-women and trans-men and I don't mind but as a lesbian it's like fuck if I dated a trans-man would that make me...
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
Well everyone labels themselves whatever feels right, but in the end, does it matter? You love who you love, and that's the way it goes no matter what label we apply.
Should religion be taught in schools?
Gwendolyn2018 comments on Feb 26, 2018:
It depends upon what "teaching religion" entails. If it is a general class about world religions, yes. If this means teaching students to adhere to a specific religion, no. In other words, teaching about religions, yes: teaching religion, no.
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
Very well worded.
Gwendolyn2018 comments on Feb 26, 2018:
It depends upon what "teaching religion" entails. If it is a general class about world religions, yes. If this means teaching students to adhere to a specific religion, no. In other words, teaching about religions, yes: teaching religion, no.
paul1967 replies on Feb 26, 2018:
Very well worded.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@Druvius Thank you for taking the time, and I will reconsider my position based on your well thought out post and the information you shared. I'm never afraid of being wrong.
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@Druvius Thank you for taking the time, and I will reconsider my position based on your well thought out post and the information you shared. I'm never afraid of being wrong.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@Druvius So, I'm just asking in a noncombative way. Is it just because God isn't physically holding them hostage. Mentally holding someone hostage by threatening them with eternal damnation if they don't comply isn't the same even if the net result is a love of that diety out of fear for their survival. Is the distinction merely the presence of a physical capture vs. a mental capture?
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@Druvius So, I'm just asking in a noncombative way. Is it just because God isn't physically holding them hostage. Mentally holding someone hostage by threatening them with eternal damnation if they don't comply isn't the same even if the net result is a love of that diety out of fear for their survival. Is the distinction merely the presence of a physical capture vs. a mental capture?
Incest: Immoral or Moral?
Gwendolyn2018 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
It is not a matter of being "moral or immoral" (religious connotations) but rather "ethical vs. unethical" behavior (non religious connotations). We might find the idea of such sexual liaisons "gross" because of religion, but religions established laws against incest because of cultural standards,...
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Lot's daughters got him drunk and raped their father Genesis 19:30-38. Incest is a big part of the Bible and God is just fine with it. The excuse given by Christians is once the population was large enough God made it immoral. Please, what a joke.
Gwendolyn2018 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
It is not a matter of being "moral or immoral" (religious connotations) but rather "ethical vs. unethical" behavior (non religious connotations). We might find the idea of such sexual liaisons "gross" because of religion, but religions established laws against incest because of cultural standards,...
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Lot's daughters got him drunk and raped their father Genesis 19:30-38. Incest is a big part of the Bible and God is just fine with it. The excuse given by Christians is once the population was large enough God made it immoral. Please, what a joke.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
Vickylyn comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I hear the flat earthers say we have been duped into believing the earth is round. It is just a big NASA and government conspiracy. I just want to know which government and why? What is the point?
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
It has got to be that they just want it to be true. Its got to be that their lives are so empty without the evil empire tricking them. I don't have a clue what its got to be honest but they can believe whatever crap they want to believe and I won't bother them until they stand up as an authoritative source
Vickylyn comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I hear the flat earthers say we have been duped into believing the earth is round. It is just a big NASA and government conspiracy. I just want to know which government and why? What is the point?
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
It has got to be that they just want it to be true. Its got to be that their lives are so empty without the evil empire tricking them. I don't have a clue what its got to be honest but they can believe whatever crap they want to believe and I won't bother them until they stand up as an authoritative source
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
obtusethevague1 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
*nervously checks responses to make sure no one I'm following raises their hand*
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
LMAO
obtusethevague1 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
*nervously checks responses to make sure no one I'm following raises their hand*
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
LMAO
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
I thought the earth was flat until I saw the sun set.......like when I was a day old!
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@ipdg77 LMFAO so true, so true
ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
I thought the earth was flat until I saw the sun set.......like when I was a day old!
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
@ipdg77 LMFAO so true, so true
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
DJVJ311 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Flat Earth believers don't exist. They are round world deniers.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Well, I'm a round Earth denier too because it's not round it's oblong. :)
DJVJ311 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
Flat Earth believers don't exist. They are round world deniers.
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Well, I'm a round Earth denier too because it's not round it's oblong. :)
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
I thought the earth was flat until I saw the sun set.......like when I was a day old!
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Which brings me to a little experiment anyone can do who happens to be at the beach where the sun sets over the ocean. At sunset lay down on your stomach, just as the sun sets completely over the horizon stand up and you will see the top crevice of the sun reappeared. This happens because the Earth is curved and something as small as standing up, changes your perspective enough to see it. I learned this trick from Niel Degrasse Tyson.
ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:
I thought the earth was flat until I saw the sun set.......like when I was a day old!
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
Which brings me to a little experiment anyone can do who happens to be at the beach where the sun sets over the ocean. At sunset lay down on your stomach, just as the sun sets completely over the horizon stand up and you will see the top crevice of the sun reappeared. This happens because the Earth is curved and something as small as standing up, changes your perspective enough to see it. I learned this trick from Niel Degrasse Tyson.
Does God exist? - Neil deGrasse Tyson and Michio Kaku Debate
[youtube.com]
NicoleCadmium comments on Feb 25, 2018:
An oldie, but a classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMQLhf7N4Q
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
That's hilarious!
NicoleCadmium comments on Feb 25, 2018:
An oldie, but a classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMQLhf7N4Q
paul1967 replies on Feb 25, 2018:
That's hilarious!
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I'm good with no, but I would like to know why you say no.
Druvius comments on Feb 24, 2018:
No.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I'm good with no, but I would like to know why you say no.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
pnullifidian comments on Feb 24, 2018:
If the world were flat, wouldn't everyone want to live on the edge?
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Well, yeah looking out over a trillion more stars as we watch the Oceans drift off the edge of the planet into outer space or wherever.
pnullifidian comments on Feb 24, 2018:
If the world were flat, wouldn't everyone want to live on the edge?
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Well, yeah looking out over a trillion more stars as we watch the Oceans drift off the edge of the planet into outer space or wherever.
In case you guys thought otherwise, Webster classifies us as pagan.
Ori89 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I used to be Wiccan, and now I consider myself to be an Agnostic Pagan. So I like this. (For the record, I still consider myself Pagan not because of deities, but because I love the planet we happen to be on, and that is one of the main tenets of the branch of Paganism I belonged to. A reverence for...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Just curious, what made you leave the Wiccan community? Why did you stop believing in Gods?
Ori89 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I used to be Wiccan, and now I consider myself to be an Agnostic Pagan. So I like this. (For the record, I still consider myself Pagan not because of deities, but because I love the planet we happen to be on, and that is one of the main tenets of the branch of Paganism I belonged to. A reverence for...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Just curious, what made you leave the Wiccan community? Why did you stop believing in Gods?
People that don't believe in God... why do some of them believe in ghosts or supernatural?
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman Well, all I can say and I will leave it at this, I think the point your missing is that it has nothing to do with how much or how little science knows. It has to do with how we go about trusting what is valid to believe and what is what we want to believe. Is there a good reason to accept aliens are flying around Earths atmosphere? Do we have any examples of aliens or their spacecraft? Finally, I'll ask, is this something I want to be true? Or is it true for valid reasons? I see no reason to conclude that it is, even though I would very much like it to be true. I really think this is the fundamental difference between people who believe in a God and people who don't. Faith is a poison for the mind, and it cripples our ability to reason. I thank you for the conversation and if you have anything you want to add I'm here.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman Well, all I can say and I will leave it at this, I think the point your missing is that it has nothing to do with how much or how little science knows. It has to do with how we go about trusting what is valid to believe and what is what we want to believe. Is there a good reason to accept aliens are flying around Earths atmosphere? Do we have any examples of aliens or their spacecraft? Finally, I'll ask, is this something I want to be true? Or is it true for valid reasons? I see no reason to conclude that it is, even though I would very much like it to be true. I really think this is the fundamental difference between people who believe in a God and people who don't. Faith is a poison for the mind, and it cripples our ability to reason. I thank you for the conversation and if you have anything you want to add I'm here.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
ReturnAgain comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I am an oblong Earth believer. It's like compromising. ;)
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
LMFAO I think I can accept an oblong compromise......let's just keep the fact that it is oblong our little secret.
ReturnAgain comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I am an oblong Earth believer. It's like compromising. ;)
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
LMFAO I think I can accept an oblong compromise......let's just keep the fact that it is oblong our little secret.
Does God exist? - Neil deGrasse Tyson and Michio Kaku Debate
[youtube.com]
geeky1965 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
How very interesting! Neil deGrasse Tyson is brilliant!
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
He has a unique ability to organize his mind and say the things I think to say only hours later when it's too late or I wish I could have conceived of but never would have on my own. He is the best replacement for Carl Sagan I could have ever hoped for, and he's inspired me to learn more and do better.
geeky1965 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
How very interesting! Neil deGrasse Tyson is brilliant!
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
He has a unique ability to organize his mind and say the things I think to say only hours later when it's too late or I wish I could have conceived of but never would have on my own. He is the best replacement for Carl Sagan I could have ever hoped for, and he's inspired me to learn more and do better.
Asking for prayers....?
geeky1965 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
My question is if they believe in heaven and god, why do they fight to live? Why do they try all the chemo, medications, and surgery to stay alive when "god is calling them home"?
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
That's a question I have brought to them over and over. The most common answer is because they want to live, which is saying they have their doubts they just don't ever allow themselves to admit it.
geeky1965 comments on Feb 24, 2018:
My question is if they believe in heaven and god, why do they fight to live? Why do they try all the chemo, medications, and surgery to stay alive when "god is calling them home"?
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
That's a question I have brought to them over and over. The most common answer is because they want to live, which is saying they have their doubts they just don't ever allow themselves to admit it.
Do science documentaries overstate what is understood?
ScienceBiker comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I agree with you. Early on I absorbed everything that came on Discovery, Science Channel, History Channel and accepted much of it at face value. Because of my location and my connections I even got to meet many of the interviewed scientists.
These documentaries are only designed to be ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I like that, Discovery Channel PhDs. Here is my issue. I'm 50, and I barely graduated from high school. I went to community college and stopped after two years of what felt like worthless information. I got a job, and it wasn't really until I was in my 30's that I caught the knowledge bug. I don't use documentaries as a reliable source of scientific knowledge, but I do watch them. Those documentaries cause me to ask questions, and then I go looking for the answers. Sometimes I understand, and sometimes I just have more questions.
ScienceBiker comments on Feb 24, 2018:
I agree with you. Early on I absorbed everything that came on Discovery, Science Channel, History Channel and accepted much of it at face value. Because of my location and my connections I even got to meet many of the interviewed scientists.
These documentaries are only designed to be ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I like that, Discovery Channel PhDs. Here is my issue. I'm 50, and I barely graduated from high school. I went to community college and stopped after two years of what felt like worthless information. I got a job, and it wasn't really until I was in my 30's that I caught the knowledge bug. I don't use documentaries as a reliable source of scientific knowledge, but I do watch them. Those documentaries cause me to ask questions, and then I go looking for the answers. Sometimes I understand, and sometimes I just have more questions.
People that don't believe in God... why do some of them believe in ghosts or supernatural?
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman I swear I'm not trying to harass you at all I just don't understand what you mean by Yes.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman I swear I'm not trying to harass you at all I just don't understand what you mean by Yes.
Are there any flat Earth believers among us?
d_day comments on Feb 24, 2018:
Of course the earth is flat, just like this basketball!
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Exactly!
d_day comments on Feb 24, 2018:
Of course the earth is flat, just like this basketball!
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
Exactly!
People that don't believe in God... why do some of them believe in ghosts or supernatural?
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman No, I agree that they're not paid actors. You talk about being open-minded and I want you to open your mind to this and let me know how you feel about what I'm saying. There is a big a leap from saying not human to Alien spacecraft. People are prone to making fallacious statements, and this one is called the argument from ignorance. Basically, it's saying it must be "this" because I can't think of anything else it could be. Something is traveling in a way we can't explain. It appears to be traveling in a manner that can't be explained by human technology. What is it? Ask yourself, does an object that can move faster than human technology mean aliens are aboard flying around in our airspace? Have all other known and unknown possibilities been examined? Maybe it is space aliens, I'm not saying it's not, What I am saying is, I have no reason to believe it is. I don't know what it is because I have nothing to base that on. I don't believe in God for the same reason.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman No, I agree that they're not paid actors. You talk about being open-minded and I want you to open your mind to this and let me know how you feel about what I'm saying. There is a big a leap from saying not human to Alien spacecraft. People are prone to making fallacious statements, and this one is called the argument from ignorance. Basically, it's saying it must be "this" because I can't think of anything else it could be. Something is traveling in a way we can't explain. It appears to be traveling in a manner that can't be explained by human technology. What is it? Ask yourself, does an object that can move faster than human technology mean aliens are aboard flying around in our airspace? Have all other known and unknown possibilities been examined? Maybe it is space aliens, I'm not saying it's not, What I am saying is, I have no reason to believe it is. I don't know what it is because I have nothing to base that on. I don't believe in God for the same reason.
If matter/energy can't travel faster than the speed of light how did something the size of an atom ...
Akfishlady comments on Feb 24, 2018:
Dark matter... it's unexplained like the black holes. I saw something recently about black holes that can bend light and therefore it cannot escape. It's something to do with gravitational pull.
They have sensed gravitational waves with the new equipment. Interesting stuff.
...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I don't understand dark matter so I can't expand on that, but black holes is a subject I feel comfortable discussing. Black holes are something that science predicted to exist even before we could detect them. When Albert Einstien developed the General theory of relativity, it took him about ten years to work out the math using mathematics called tensor calculus, (something way above my education level.) On his own Einstien was only able to approximate the solutions to his equations and the math still puzzled even the best scientific brains. However, a theoretical physicist named Karl Schwarzschild realized the escape velocity from the surface of an object depends on both its mass and radius. For example, the escape velocity of the Earth is about 7 miles per second- this is the speed anything must attain before it can depart the Earth. If you kept the mass of the Earth the same but shrunk it's radius in half that would increase your escape velocity. So, if nature can make the radius of a given mass small enough, the escape velocity will increase until it reaches the speed of light (186,000 miles) per second. At that point, neither matter nor radiation can escape from the object's surface, and the atomic or subatomic forces become inadequate to hold the object up against its own weight. Therefore, the object collapses into a tiny point (the mass has remained the same, but the radius has collapsed into almost nothing. Anything visible would disappear from view because light can no longer win out over gravity and only its gravity would remain, and that is the black hole. As a result, it creates a bottomless pit in the fabric of space-time. What you see when you look at a black hole is the lack of light. We only know it's there because we can identify the gravitational effect it has on nearby objects. I have no formal education, this is simply my laypersons understanding of the subject, but I hope it helps.
Akfishlady comments on Feb 24, 2018:
Dark matter... it's unexplained like the black holes. I saw something recently about black holes that can bend light and therefore it cannot escape. It's something to do with gravitational pull.
They have sensed gravitational waves with the new equipment. Interesting stuff.
...
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I don't understand dark matter so I can't expand on that, but black holes is a subject I feel comfortable discussing. Black holes are something that science predicted to exist even before we could detect them. When Albert Einstien developed the General theory of relativity, it took him about ten years to work out the math using mathematics called tensor calculus, (something way above my education level.) On his own Einstien was only able to approximate the solutions to his equations and the math still puzzled even the best scientific brains. However, a theoretical physicist named Karl Schwarzschild realized the escape velocity from the surface of an object depends on both its mass and radius. For example, the escape velocity of the Earth is about 7 miles per second- this is the speed anything must attain before it can depart the Earth. If you kept the mass of the Earth the same but shrunk it's radius in half that would increase your escape velocity. So, if nature can make the radius of a given mass small enough, the escape velocity will increase until it reaches the speed of light (186,000 miles) per second. At that point, neither matter nor radiation can escape from the object's surface, and the atomic or subatomic forces become inadequate to hold the object up against its own weight. Therefore, the object collapses into a tiny point (the mass has remained the same, but the radius has collapsed into almost nothing. Anything visible would disappear from view because light can no longer win out over gravity and only its gravity would remain, and that is the black hole. As a result, it creates a bottomless pit in the fabric of space-time. What you see when you look at a black hole is the lack of light. We only know it's there because we can identify the gravitational effect it has on nearby objects. I have no formal education, this is simply my laypersons understanding of the subject, but I hope it helps.
People that don't believe in God... why do some of them believe in ghosts or supernatural?
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman Not to be critical but you said "often the thing turns out to be something entirely normal, but I would say it's always something perfectly normal. Sometimes we fail to ascertain what the natural answer is, but when that happens, we should say something occurred, I just don't know what it was, and stop at I don't know, instead of adding to it with so that was a ghost or demon or Alien spacecraft.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
@ZebZaman Not to be critical but you said "often the thing turns out to be something entirely normal, but I would say it's always something perfectly normal. Sometimes we fail to ascertain what the natural answer is, but when that happens, we should say something occurred, I just don't know what it was, and stop at I don't know, instead of adding to it with so that was a ghost or demon or Alien spacecraft.
People that don't believe in God... why do some of them believe in ghosts or supernatural?
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I've seen a few things in my life I couldn't explain including something most people would call a ghostly apparition. Our brains are surprisingly bad at processing information it doesn't understand. Sometimes you just need to be willing to investigate closer because the ghost I briefly saw turned out to be a shadow cast from a tree that resembled a human form and my brain saw a man wearing a hat and a trenchcoat standing over my bed.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 8, 2018:
Because some have seen them.
paul1967 replies on Feb 24, 2018:
I've seen a few things in my life I couldn't explain including something most people would call a ghostly apparition. Our brains are surprisingly bad at processing information it doesn't understand. Sometimes you just need to be willing to investigate closer because the ghost I briefly saw turned out to be a shadow cast from a tree that resembled a human form and my brain saw a man wearing a hat and a trenchcoat standing over my bed.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
TheMiddleWay comments on Feb 23, 2018:
I think anytime one tries to assert a psychological condition corresponds to a belief system without the experts in the field of psychology making that same assertion, then it's safe to dismiss said assertion.
As such, AFAIK psychologists do not consider love of the Abrahamic God as an example ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Why? To both of your statements
TheMiddleWay comments on Feb 23, 2018:
I think anytime one tries to assert a psychological condition corresponds to a belief system without the experts in the field of psychology making that same assertion, then it's safe to dismiss said assertion.
As such, AFAIK psychologists do not consider love of the Abrahamic God as an example ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Why? To both of your statements
The Supernatural. What could it be?
NerdyOkieDude comments on Feb 23, 2018:
You know what we call the supernatural that we can falsify and test? We call it "natural".
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Exactly.
NerdyOkieDude comments on Feb 23, 2018:
You know what we call the supernatural that we can falsify and test? We call it "natural".
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Exactly.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
engineer_in_nj comments on Feb 23, 2018:
The thing about stockholm syndrome is holding the gun is only half of it, the other half is that they are taking care of you.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Isn't that what believers believe God does for them?
engineer_in_nj comments on Feb 23, 2018:
The thing about stockholm syndrome is holding the gun is only half of it, the other half is that they are taking care of you.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Isn't that what believers believe God does for them?
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
Lysistrata comments on Feb 23, 2018:
For women, I think so.
For men, I think it's a trade. They submit to their religions and their religions grant them dominion over their partners, children, and home.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Yes, but God is still holding the detonator ready and willing to blow men into oblivion.
Lysistrata comments on Feb 23, 2018:
For women, I think so.
For men, I think it's a trade. They submit to their religions and their religions grant them dominion over their partners, children, and home.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Yes, but God is still holding the detonator ready and willing to blow men into oblivion.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
Vvvv comments on Feb 23, 2018:
No its a cargo cult
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
I don't know what that means, so I Googled it. This is what it said: (in the Melanesian Islands) a system of belief based on the expected arrival of ancestral spirits in ships bringing cargoes of food and other goods. Is that what you meant?
Vvvv comments on Feb 23, 2018:
No its a cargo cult
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
I don't know what that means, so I Googled it. This is what it said: (in the Melanesian Islands) a system of belief based on the expected arrival of ancestral spirits in ships bringing cargoes of food and other goods. Is that what you meant?
The Supernatural. What could it be?
LeighShelton comments on Feb 23, 2018:
With space going on forever there are infinitive possibilities.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Is there? I agree, infinite possibilities within the parameters of the physical universe, but basically what your doing is saying since space is infinitely large (which we don't know if that's true, but we'll say it is) then all things are possible and eventually probable. I don't think that's true.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 23, 2018:
With space going on forever there are infinitive possibilities.
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Is there? I agree, infinite possibilities within the parameters of the physical universe, but basically what your doing is saying since space is infinitely large (which we don't know if that's true, but we'll say it is) then all things are possible and eventually probable. I don't think that's true.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
TheMiddleWay comments on Feb 23, 2018:
"Isn't it strange that the Abrahamic notion of God gained more traction than did some of the more benevolent Gods?"
What are some of these more benevolent gods from biblical times of which you speak of?
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Freya: Norse Mythology
Freya is famous for her fondness of love, fertility, beauty, and fine material possessions – and, because of these predilections, she’s considered to be something of the “party girl” of the Aesir.
Dionysus: Greek Mythology
In Greek lore, Dionysus is the God who oversees booze, being responsible for a good grape harvest, and making wine in general. He is also considered the God of Ecstasy. More interestingly, he had a human mother and was the only Greek God in such a position who was ever allowed into Mt. Olympus. Many credit the booze festivals celebrated in his name as helping create the Greek theater. Also, he was destroyed by the Titans but returned to life later, which has made him an example in legend of death and rebirth.
Anemoi: Greek Mythology
The Anemoi is one of the coolest sets of Gods in Greek mythology. The Greeks believed that all of the winds had a distinct personality, and assigned each of them a separate God. The Gods are Zephyros of the west wind, Euros of the east, Boreas of the north, and Notos of the south wind. Sometimes in the stories, the Anemoi look like men with enormous wingspans; other times, they are shown in the form of incredible horses of breathtaking majesty. Sometimes the Anemoi were represented as being controlled by Aiolos, who was known as the “Horse Reiner” and could control the wind Gods to unleash horrible storms whenever the Gods wanted him to. The God Euros, associated with the East wind, was often believed to be a sign of bad luck.
There are more and all seem to have one human characteristic, a lack of self-control as if finding pleasure is still a requirement for Gods.
TheMiddleWay comments on Feb 23, 2018:
"Isn't it strange that the Abrahamic notion of God gained more traction than did some of the more benevolent Gods?"
What are some of these more benevolent gods from biblical times of which you speak of?
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Freya: Norse Mythology
Freya is famous for her fondness of love, fertility, beauty, and fine material possessions – and, because of these predilections, she’s considered to be something of the “party girl” of the Aesir.
Dionysus: Greek Mythology
In Greek lore, Dionysus is the God who oversees booze, being responsible for a good grape harvest, and making wine in general. He is also considered the God of Ecstasy. More interestingly, he had a human mother and was the only Greek God in such a position who was ever allowed into Mt. Olympus. Many credit the booze festivals celebrated in his name as helping create the Greek theater. Also, he was destroyed by the Titans but returned to life later, which has made him an example in legend of death and rebirth.
Anemoi: Greek Mythology
The Anemoi is one of the coolest sets of Gods in Greek mythology. The Greeks believed that all of the winds had a distinct personality, and assigned each of them a separate God. The Gods are Zephyros of the west wind, Euros of the east, Boreas of the north, and Notos of the south wind. Sometimes in the stories, the Anemoi look like men with enormous wingspans; other times, they are shown in the form of incredible horses of breathtaking majesty. Sometimes the Anemoi were represented as being controlled by Aiolos, who was known as the “Horse Reiner” and could control the wind Gods to unleash horrible storms whenever the Gods wanted him to. The God Euros, associated with the East wind, was often believed to be a sign of bad luck.
There are more and all seem to have one human characteristic, a lack of self-control as if finding pleasure is still a requirement for Gods.
Is the love of the Abrahamic God an example of Stockholm syndrome?
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 23, 2018:
It certainly seems that way within certain sects of the Abrahamic faiths, especially where children are concerned. Published in the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, psychologist Marlene Winell stated:
*"There are many individuals needing and deserving recognition...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Agree! And yes I'm on board with you and Marlene Winell.
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 23, 2018:
It certainly seems that way within certain sects of the Abrahamic faiths, especially where children are concerned. Published in the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, psychologist Marlene Winell stated:
*"There are many individuals needing and deserving recognition...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
Agree! And yes I'm on board with you and Marlene Winell.
The Supernatural. What could it be?
pnullifidian comments on Feb 23, 2018:
Something that exists outside of the physical universe, yet can interact with it; it's an entity or phenomenon that remains hidden (or undetected) and is not beholden to natural laws, including the linearity of time, and is able to, according to the religionist, change or interfere with the steady ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
I've heard that same description offered up before, but it's still an empty description. What indication do we have that anything exists outside the physical universe, and if you can spot anything that would be an indication of the supernatural, wouldn't the essence of that thing need to be natural? Don't get me wrong, I know you don't accept it either, I'm just adding to your objection.
pnullifidian comments on Feb 23, 2018:
Something that exists outside of the physical universe, yet can interact with it; it's an entity or phenomenon that remains hidden (or undetected) and is not beholden to natural laws, including the linearity of time, and is able to, according to the religionist, change or interfere with the steady ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 23, 2018:
I've heard that same description offered up before, but it's still an empty description. What indication do we have that anything exists outside the physical universe, and if you can spot anything that would be an indication of the supernatural, wouldn't the essence of that thing need to be natural? Don't get me wrong, I know you don't accept it either, I'm just adding to your objection.
This is a comment I replied on.
paul1967 comments on Feb 22, 2018:
I have a different opinion than you regarding what is better for this site. However, your opinions and your reply was very well thought out and presented with a level head. I've heard stories of people getting their accounts banned, like Harleyman and other people getting their post pulled. I'm ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
@walklightly I agree, I view anyone who feels so insecure about their position that they resort to profanity or vulgar speech should be booted off the site. So far I haven't had to deal with it myself, but I'm sure that's because I don't post as much as you.
paul1967 comments on Feb 22, 2018:
I have a different opinion than you regarding what is better for this site. However, your opinions and your reply was very well thought out and presented with a level head. I've heard stories of people getting their accounts banned, like Harleyman and other people getting their post pulled. I'm ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
@walklightly I agree, I view anyone who feels so insecure about their position that they resort to profanity or vulgar speech should be booted off the site. So far I haven't had to deal with it myself, but I'm sure that's because I don't post as much as you.
Should religion be taught in schools?
NothinnXpreVails comments on Feb 22, 2018:
Duh, no....
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
What about teaching about religions in a way that informs. A wise man once said, present just one faith, and I'll give you a believer, present all faiths, and I'll give you a skeptic. I don't know if this a perfect quote or even who said it. It's one of those vague memories, but if it's not an exact quote, I think you get the meaning behind it.
NothinnXpreVails comments on Feb 22, 2018:
Duh, no....
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
What about teaching about religions in a way that informs. A wise man once said, present just one faith, and I'll give you a believer, present all faiths, and I'll give you a skeptic. I don't know if this a perfect quote or even who said it. It's one of those vague memories, but if it's not an exact quote, I think you get the meaning behind it.
WTF does "spiritual" mean?
mordant comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Whatever anyone wants it to mean.
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
@mordant Yes, much. And I apologize that I presented my comment in that manner. I can be rude when I'm not careful, and after rereading my response to you, I can see that I wasn't careful.
mordant comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Whatever anyone wants it to mean.
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
@mordant Yes, much. And I apologize that I presented my comment in that manner. I can be rude when I'm not careful, and after rereading my response to you, I can see that I wasn't careful.
WTF does "spiritual" mean?
pnullifidian comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Humility? A recognition that we are part of something much larger? An appreciation of the elegance in nature? An emotional reaction to art? A uniquely deep connection with another human being? Introspection without self-absorption? Peak experience, as described by Maslow? Understanding something ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
Your description of what it means uses perfectly good descriptive and more precise words.why muddy the water calling those things spiritual since that word alludes to a thing, "a spirit" that would leave me thinking you believe in an afterlife.
pnullifidian comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Humility? A recognition that we are part of something much larger? An appreciation of the elegance in nature? An emotional reaction to art? A uniquely deep connection with another human being? Introspection without self-absorption? Peak experience, as described by Maslow? Understanding something ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
Your description of what it means uses perfectly good descriptive and more precise words.why muddy the water calling those things spiritual since that word alludes to a thing, "a spirit" that would leave me thinking you believe in an afterlife.
WTF does "spiritual" mean?
mordant comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Whatever anyone wants it to mean.
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
I want it to mean rocky road ice cream but that doesn't make any sense. All I'm saying is that your reply isn't an answer. I think a better, more accurate response would be, the question doesn't interest me enough to warrant an investment of my time considering and forming a response.
mordant comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Whatever anyone wants it to mean.
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
I want it to mean rocky road ice cream but that doesn't make any sense. All I'm saying is that your reply isn't an answer. I think a better, more accurate response would be, the question doesn't interest me enough to warrant an investment of my time considering and forming a response.
Ooo he's got the look..
kmdskit3 comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Mid to late sixties?
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
I looked that up on Pinterest, and it said, fashion of the 70's
kmdskit3 comments on Feb 21, 2018:
Mid to late sixties?
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
I looked that up on Pinterest, and it said, fashion of the 70's
Incest: Immoral or Moral?
JohnnyMiller comments on Feb 22, 2018:
In this exact circumstance I'm going to have to go with moral. The only reason why is because it is a scenario pertaining to two consenting adults practicing safe sex. There's no real health issue, no taking advantage of one party or another and no exploitation that I see. And my personal view on ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
Truly a better way to have worded that question. I wish I had worded this question that way because it is a far more interesting question with a better foundation and less confusing.
JohnnyMiller comments on Feb 22, 2018:
In this exact circumstance I'm going to have to go with moral. The only reason why is because it is a scenario pertaining to two consenting adults practicing safe sex. There's no real health issue, no taking advantage of one party or another and no exploitation that I see. And my personal view on ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 22, 2018:
Truly a better way to have worded that question. I wish I had worded this question that way because it is a far more interesting question with a better foundation and less confusing.
What would make you believe in a God?
Marcos_Angelos comments on Feb 20, 2018:
I don't believe in god period.
paul1967 replies on Feb 20, 2018:
I'm sure during your life something you were sure wasn't true, turned out to be true and it was an event that revealed that to you. I agree that the God thing is on the fringe of the most unlikely things to be true but I would say that I don't know what it would take to convince me but if a God is real and wants to convince me he knows what to do.
Marcos_Angelos comments on Feb 20, 2018:
I don't believe in god period.
paul1967 replies on Feb 20, 2018:
I'm sure during your life something you were sure wasn't true, turned out to be true and it was an event that revealed that to you. I agree that the God thing is on the fringe of the most unlikely things to be true but I would say that I don't know what it would take to convince me but if a God is real and wants to convince me he knows what to do.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@AxeElf I'm going to end this with a simple fact, my unalterable faith. The belief in a God has negatively impacted science, and far more evil has come from faith than good. Trust in an ancient text written by backward people has left you with less appreciation for equality, and unfortunatly you're not alone. Let's not keep posting on this thread. I'll give you the last word.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@AxeElf I'm going to end this with a simple fact, my unalterable faith. The belief in a God has negatively impacted science, and far more evil has come from faith than good. Trust in an ancient text written by backward people has left you with less appreciation for equality, and unfortunatly you're not alone. Let's not keep posting on this thread. I'll give you the last word.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
NaturalBornCynic comments on Feb 15, 2018:
My ex-wife's Father use to say... "You can wish in one hand, and shit in the other and see what you get first." This is how I equate faith to.
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
If I could add to that, I would say, and shit is at the very least more useful.
NaturalBornCynic comments on Feb 15, 2018:
My ex-wife's Father use to say... "You can wish in one hand, and shit in the other and see what you get first." This is how I equate faith to.
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
If I could add to that, I would say, and shit is at the very least more useful.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
NaturalBornCynic comments on Feb 15, 2018:
"Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions." - Frater Ravus
I also like this quote.
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Well said
NaturalBornCynic comments on Feb 15, 2018:
"Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions." - Frater Ravus
I also like this quote.
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Well said
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@AxeElf you're still talking about the parallel lines as if it were the same as religious faith. Do I accept that in normal space and time two parallel lines will never intersect? Yes, I believe that based on all the testable evidence I have seen. Could I be wrong? Sure it's possible, and I'm open to anyone who can show me that I'm wrong. How is this different than religious faith? The primary difference is I'm not beholden to that belief. When I point out that the bulk of your religious views are the words of ancient men telling tales that are verifiably untrue you ignore or rationalize it. When I point out that God (an all loving, all forgiving all-knowing being conflicts with his actions, you justify it, and by doing that you betray your humanity.
My "faith" (which is actually just acceptance, but for the sake of this argument I'll agree to call it faith) formed by verifiable facts that I can examine and experiment with. Your faith in God is based solely on superstition and the supernatural which is untestable and often unsupported by observation found in nature. My "faith" in the parallel lines not intersecting is open to being challenged, and I am happy to change my mind if it can be shown not to be true. Your faith is in the supernatural, which opens the door to endless excuses. Any system designed in circular reasoning is useless to the rational mind. God is all good, so if God inflicts pain for no apparent purpose it's righteous, we just don't understand. You start with the premise that God is all good so any action done is therefore right regardless of its impact in the natural world. You have no real evidence God exists yet you accept that he does. You grant God a title of all good which you have no evidence he deserves. You trust that if you believe you will go to heaven and you have no way to verify this, yet it's God, so it's all true. You feel justified in this unalterable faith because all evidence to the contrary gets excused with endless justifications and because you already accept the premiss, all you need to do is accept the rationale behind any counter evidence. You can make up anything you want to fit the criteria to modify and mitigate the objections, proposed by the opposition.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@AxeElf you're still talking about the parallel lines as if it were the same as religious faith. Do I accept that in normal space and time two parallel lines will never intersect? Yes, I believe that based on all the testable evidence I have seen. Could I be wrong? Sure it's possible, and I'm open to anyone who can show me that I'm wrong. How is this different than religious faith? The primary difference is I'm not beholden to that belief. When I point out that the bulk of your religious views are the words of ancient men telling tales that are verifiably untrue you ignore or rationalize it. When I point out that God (an all loving, all forgiving all-knowing being conflicts with his actions, you justify it, and by doing that you betray your humanity.
My "faith" (which is actually just acceptance, but for the sake of this argument I'll agree to call it faith) formed by verifiable facts that I can examine and experiment with. Your faith in God is based solely on superstition and the supernatural which is untestable and often unsupported by observation found in nature. My "faith" in the parallel lines not intersecting is open to being challenged, and I am happy to change my mind if it can be shown not to be true. Your faith is in the supernatural, which opens the door to endless excuses. Any system designed in circular reasoning is useless to the rational mind. God is all good, so if God inflicts pain for no apparent purpose it's righteous, we just don't understand. You start with the premise that God is all good so any action done is therefore right regardless of its impact in the natural world. You have no real evidence God exists yet you accept that he does. You grant God a title of all good which you have no evidence he deserves. You trust that if you believe you will go to heaven and you have no way to verify this, yet it's God, so it's all true. You feel justified in this unalterable faith because all evidence to the contrary gets excused with endless justifications and because you already accept the premiss, all you need to do is accept the rationale behind any counter evidence. You can make up anything you want to fit the criteria to modify and mitigate the objections, proposed by the opposition.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf no. Evidence is the only way to establish something is a fact.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf no. Evidence is the only way to establish something is a fact.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf People who want to feel justified in believing in supernatural superheroes who offer them a happier life after they die will do it based on faith. Now faith is easy to attack attacked because it's a flawed way for anyone to accept anything. So here comes the Christian apologist to muddy the water. It's a smokescreen created to make faith look acceptable.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf People who want to feel justified in believing in supernatural superheroes who offer them a happier life after they die will do it based on faith. Now faith is easy to attack attacked because it's a flawed way for anyone to accept anything. So here comes the Christian apologist to muddy the water. It's a smokescreen created to make faith look acceptable.
Why do people do this?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
Really? You have to ask?
Here's the skinny. Guys like to have sex, with as many partners as possible, as often as possible. If he can keep you in the rotation with a few sweet words that don't really cost him anything, of course he is going to do so.
Where was it when you were together? He...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
Your description of men sounds like all men are sluts. I don't nor would I ever be with someone and step out on them with another woman. If I feel the need to find someone I will end the relationship I'm in first.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
Really? You have to ask?
Here's the skinny. Guys like to have sex, with as many partners as possible, as often as possible. If he can keep you in the rotation with a few sweet words that don't really cost him anything, of course he is going to do so.
Where was it when you were together? He...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
Your description of men sounds like all men are sluts. I don't nor would I ever be with someone and step out on them with another woman. If I feel the need to find someone I will end the relationship I'm in first.
Why do people do this?
trois2005 comments on Feb 15, 2018:
If there's a good enough reason to part ways that's a good enough reason to stay that way. Friends are fine but anymore than that is setting yourself up for the repeat.
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
Agreed! I never return thinking things will be different this time around. Nah, it's going to burn out in flames, more pain, more anger.
trois2005 comments on Feb 15, 2018:
If there's a good enough reason to part ways that's a good enough reason to stay that way. Friends are fine but anymore than that is setting yourself up for the repeat.
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
Agreed! I never return thinking things will be different this time around. Nah, it's going to burn out in flames, more pain, more anger.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf I just must add the cloud example of one cloud plus one cloud equals one cloud doesn't work. One glass of water plus one glass of water equals one glass of water with twice as much water. Same with the cloud. You have not given an example of 1+1=1. You have done what so many apologists do and muddy the water confusing the layman.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 15, 2018:
@AxeElf I just must add the cloud example of one cloud plus one cloud equals one cloud doesn't work. One glass of water plus one glass of water equals one glass of water with twice as much water. Same with the cloud. You have not given an example of 1+1=1. You have done what so many apologists do and muddy the water confusing the layman.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
@norealgod @AxeElf Faith is the belief in something while lacking any credible evidence that it's real. Two parallel lines going out for infinity never cross. Is that a faith-based position? No. Do I know for certain that they never cross? No. Then why is it not a faith-based position? All the evidence and math that I have seen shows me that these two lines can never intersect, in normal space and time. Could I be wrong? Sure, absolutely I could be wrong, and I'm open to you showing me that I am, My position doesn't require me to be correct. Now, what is faith? I believe in God. Why? Because I feel him in me and I have personal experiences telling me that he is real. Well, your Bible say's If a woman is found not to be a virgin on her wedding night you should take her to the doorstep of her father and stone her to death. Do you support that as an ethical position? Yes she's a slut, and she's not being stoned to death because she's a slut but because she misrepresented herself. The law is just. This is a real conversation I had with a man of faith. Faith requires that when evidence is offered showing that the belief is flawed, (God is an all loving perfectly moral being) this man of faith (who by the way is an intelligent, kind person based on many conversations I've had with him) will sacrifice his humanity, to protect his belief. So what you're describing is not at all what I'm referring to, and I'm open to you proving me wrong.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
@norealgod @AxeElf Faith is the belief in something while lacking any credible evidence that it's real. Two parallel lines going out for infinity never cross. Is that a faith-based position? No. Do I know for certain that they never cross? No. Then why is it not a faith-based position? All the evidence and math that I have seen shows me that these two lines can never intersect, in normal space and time. Could I be wrong? Sure, absolutely I could be wrong, and I'm open to you showing me that I am, My position doesn't require me to be correct. Now, what is faith? I believe in God. Why? Because I feel him in me and I have personal experiences telling me that he is real. Well, your Bible say's If a woman is found not to be a virgin on her wedding night you should take her to the doorstep of her father and stone her to death. Do you support that as an ethical position? Yes she's a slut, and she's not being stoned to death because she's a slut but because she misrepresented herself. The law is just. This is a real conversation I had with a man of faith. Faith requires that when evidence is offered showing that the belief is flawed, (God is an all loving perfectly moral being) this man of faith (who by the way is an intelligent, kind person based on many conversations I've had with him) will sacrifice his humanity, to protect his belief. So what you're describing is not at all what I'm referring to, and I'm open to you proving me wrong.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
newt1744 comments on Feb 14, 2018:
I lived in Harlem for a long time; before other people started moving. When those people were reluctant to go past 96th St. Back then, when i'd leave home I'd wonder if I would make it back home. Then I moved to Staten Island and I wonder I would make it home. Now I live in St. Alabama queens ny and...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
My definition of faith is the belief in something while lacking any credible evidence that it's real. If you have a credible reason to believe one way or the other, then it doesn't meet the definition. If you believe vacant of any evidence then it would count.
newt1744 comments on Feb 14, 2018:
I lived in Harlem for a long time; before other people started moving. When those people were reluctant to go past 96th St. Back then, when i'd leave home I'd wonder if I would make it back home. Then I moved to Staten Island and I wonder I would make it home. Now I live in St. Alabama queens ny and...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
My definition of faith is the belief in something while lacking any credible evidence that it's real. If you have a credible reason to believe one way or the other, then it doesn't meet the definition. If you believe vacant of any evidence then it would count.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
markdevenish comments on Feb 14, 2018:
faith in your fellow human being
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
@DavidLaDeau Thank you
markdevenish comments on Feb 14, 2018:
faith in your fellow human being
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
@DavidLaDeau Thank you
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
We've had this argument before, and I purpose we agree to disagree. I know you're wrong AND you know I'm wrong. Therefore there will be no room for either of us to come to terms with the perspective of the other.
AxeElf comments on Feb 14, 2018:
All facts are based in faith.
Most fundamentally, we have faith that a "real" world exists outside of our own head, and that the sensations and perceptions happening inside our own heads more or less reflect the reality of that outside world.
Then we have faith in axioms as the bases for ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
We've had this argument before, and I purpose we agree to disagree. I know you're wrong AND you know I'm wrong. Therefore there will be no room for either of us to come to terms with the perspective of the other.
Is FAITH in anything absurd all the time? Do we need faith ever?
norealgod comments on Feb 14, 2018:
Parts of our life, and very important parts at that, are based on faith. If you think deeply, you will realize that the whole monetary system is based of faith. To a lesser degree you also have faith in your immediate family not to betray you. In short, faith as such is not an absurd, but some ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
I think I understand what you're saying. However, I used a particular definition of faith, and I would say that we have reasonable cause to believe those things
norealgod comments on Feb 14, 2018:
Parts of our life, and very important parts at that, are based on faith. If you think deeply, you will realize that the whole monetary system is based of faith. To a lesser degree you also have faith in your immediate family not to betray you. In short, faith as such is not an absurd, but some ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 14, 2018:
I think I understand what you're saying. However, I used a particular definition of faith, and I would say that we have reasonable cause to believe those things
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 13, 2018:
@AxeElf So, I will deal with your question about the "point of the law," and correct me if I'm wrong. What you're saying is that the point of the law is to prevent devirginized "women" from misrepresenting their "purity." I assume to you this seems reasonable. So, let me try and create a similar scenario using an analogy that lines up nicely with what we're talking about I create a law in my household, where my son can't misrepresent himself (he is forbidden to lie). I set the punishment for this crime at death by stoning. Is this reasonable or a just law? Our culture says no. I would certainly go to jail for murder.
I think you had a spiritual point which I don't accept because my position is, there is no God to get further away from or closer to for that matter. I would say you need to prove there is a God first before you can use this to defend your argument.
This next reply will be short because it's easy to provide the evidence that will show you that you're wrong. In your rebuttal, you make an entirely untrue statement (I am not calling you a liar, I'm saying it's not a correct fact.) You said: "Regarding slavery, yes, there was harsh slavery too, such as that to which the Israelites were subjected at the hands of the Egyptians. But that's not the "slavery" being regulated. In fact, the "slavery" being regulated isn't even called "slavery" per se. The words used to describe Hebrew "slaves" is better translated as "bondservants." My reply to this is Exodus 21:20-21. In Exodus 21 20-21 you have God regulating to his people how severely you are allowed to beat your slave. If you kill your slave and he dies within two days you will be punished, however, if your slave doesn't die until after the second day you are not to be punished for the slave is his property. So here God is saying go ahead and beat your slave, do what you will with him/her up to and including killing them as long as its a slow death, one that takes at least two or more days. I need to stop here and just say I'm shocked I need to even debate this in 2018. I'm shocked you cant acknowledge that this is utterly unethical, and my God wouldn't say this. Don't worry. He didn't say it. Oh, it's in the Bible, and in the Bible, it is a law the God character is saying, but there is no God saying anything. These are humans saying this; humans wrote whatever served their needs, which makes the entirety of the Bible pointless
I'm not going to reply very much on "the laws are applicable in all times and places" because, I'm sorry, but that's batshit crazy. Death by lethal injection for double parking would stop people from double parking. Do we want a law that mandates the death penalty for double parking? How about spitting on the sidewalk? This is prosecutable by cutting out your ...
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 13, 2018:
@AxeElf So, I will deal with your question about the "point of the law," and correct me if I'm wrong. What you're saying is that the point of the law is to prevent devirginized "women" from misrepresenting their "purity." I assume to you this seems reasonable. So, let me try and create a similar scenario using an analogy that lines up nicely with what we're talking about I create a law in my household, where my son can't misrepresent himself (he is forbidden to lie). I set the punishment for this crime at death by stoning. Is this reasonable or a just law? Our culture says no. I would certainly go to jail for murder.
I think you had a spiritual point which I don't accept because my position is, there is no God to get further away from or closer to for that matter. I would say you need to prove there is a God first before you can use this to defend your argument.
This next reply will be short because it's easy to provide the evidence that will show you that you're wrong. In your rebuttal, you make an entirely untrue statement (I am not calling you a liar, I'm saying it's not a correct fact.) You said: "Regarding slavery, yes, there was harsh slavery too, such as that to which the Israelites were subjected at the hands of the Egyptians. But that's not the "slavery" being regulated. In fact, the "slavery" being regulated isn't even called "slavery" per se. The words used to describe Hebrew "slaves" is better translated as "bondservants." My reply to this is Exodus 21:20-21. In Exodus 21 20-21 you have God regulating to his people how severely you are allowed to beat your slave. If you kill your slave and he dies within two days you will be punished, however, if your slave doesn't die until after the second day you are not to be punished for the slave is his property. So here God is saying go ahead and beat your slave, do what you will with him/her up to and including killing them as long as its a slow death, one that takes at least two or more days. I need to stop here and just say I'm shocked I need to even debate this in 2018. I'm shocked you cant acknowledge that this is utterly unethical, and my God wouldn't say this. Don't worry. He didn't say it. Oh, it's in the Bible, and in the Bible, it is a law the God character is saying, but there is no God saying anything. These are humans saying this; humans wrote whatever served their needs, which makes the entirety of the Bible pointless
I'm not going to reply very much on "the laws are applicable in all times and places" because, I'm sorry, but that's batshit crazy. Death by lethal injection for double parking would stop people from double parking. Do we want a law that mandates the death penalty for double parking? How about spitting on the sidewalk? This is prosecutable by cutting out your ...
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 13, 2018:
@AxeElf I understand how you think it's a counter to my argument, it's not, and it is. It is a counter because you live in a worldview that accepts this mentality of referring to women (not men, just women) who have had premarital sex as sluts and to you it's a rational counter. I'll give you an example of this: You once countered a post that I made about slavery, by saying that it was not the same as the slavery here in America. So it sounds to me like you accept that the slavery spoken of in the Bible was a reasonable contract between two parties to pay back a debt. If that were the case, then that would be an entirely reasonable counter. The problem is, that wasn't the case.
1)Exodus 21:7-11 (Discusses selling your daughter into slavery)
2)Exodus 21:20-21 (Discusses the rules for beating your slaves)
3)Exodus 21:21-23 (Discusses the regulations for Hebrew slaves males are free women are not)
4)Leviticus 25: 44-50 (Discusses the rules for slaves from conquered tribes.)
I could go on building my case, but for now, I'll leave it here because even with this minimal information you can see that slavery supported by God was far more brutal than what your counter described.
"The Laws are acceptable in all places and times" This is your statement, and I want to examine the validity of this. I'll be curious if after I'm done you will still believe you're correct.
Rules regarding rape in the Bible:
1) Deuteronomy 22:25–29 (Discusses how to handle a married and unmarried woman after rape) I'm pulling one section out 22:28-29 just to make the point as transparent as possible. "If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days." Is this law acceptable in all places and times? Do you feel like you would accept this for your daughter? Would you sell your daughter to her rapist for 50 shekels of silver with the condition that her rapist can never divorce your daughter? Be honest here this is your humanity at stake. Is this acceptable to you? Is forcing your daughter to marry her rapist after your rapist pays you 50 shekels of silver a law commanded by God something you feel is a good law? I suspect you will answer it was for the times. If you answer that it was acceptable at the time, I say your humanity is still very much in question, but you must now at least recognize that your position of it being acceptable in all places and times is wrong.
Stoning "Sluts" (as you phrased it) for misrepresenting themselves. Well, all I can say to you is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime just because the Bible says it...
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 13, 2018:
@AxeElf I understand how you think it's a counter to my argument, it's not, and it is. It is a counter because you live in a worldview that accepts this mentality of referring to women (not men, just women) who have had premarital sex as sluts and to you it's a rational counter. I'll give you an example of this: You once countered a post that I made about slavery, by saying that it was not the same as the slavery here in America. So it sounds to me like you accept that the slavery spoken of in the Bible was a reasonable contract between two parties to pay back a debt. If that were the case, then that would be an entirely reasonable counter. The problem is, that wasn't the case.
1)Exodus 21:7-11 (Discusses selling your daughter into slavery)
2)Exodus 21:20-21 (Discusses the rules for beating your slaves)
3)Exodus 21:21-23 (Discusses the regulations for Hebrew slaves males are free women are not)
4)Leviticus 25: 44-50 (Discusses the rules for slaves from conquered tribes.)
I could go on building my case, but for now, I'll leave it here because even with this minimal information you can see that slavery supported by God was far more brutal than what your counter described.
"The Laws are acceptable in all places and times" This is your statement, and I want to examine the validity of this. I'll be curious if after I'm done you will still believe you're correct.
Rules regarding rape in the Bible:
1) Deuteronomy 22:25–29 (Discusses how to handle a married and unmarried woman after rape) I'm pulling one section out 22:28-29 just to make the point as transparent as possible. "If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days." Is this law acceptable in all places and times? Do you feel like you would accept this for your daughter? Would you sell your daughter to her rapist for 50 shekels of silver with the condition that her rapist can never divorce your daughter? Be honest here this is your humanity at stake. Is this acceptable to you? Is forcing your daughter to marry her rapist after your rapist pays you 50 shekels of silver a law commanded by God something you feel is a good law? I suspect you will answer it was for the times. If you answer that it was acceptable at the time, I say your humanity is still very much in question, but you must now at least recognize that your position of it being acceptable in all places and times is wrong.
Stoning "Sluts" (as you phrased it) for misrepresenting themselves. Well, all I can say to you is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime just because the Bible says it...
Sexual compatibility is pertinent in any healthy relationship.
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 12, 2018:
My take is that once the cocktail of neurochemicals that (literally deactivate neural networks associated with critical assessment and negative emotions) blind you into thinking you're compatible --- once they start to wane, you had better hope there's more of a foundation (besides sexual ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
I agree, there is no doubt. It's important to have a healthy sexual relationship while you are making love to your best friend.
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 12, 2018:
My take is that once the cocktail of neurochemicals that (literally deactivate neural networks associated with critical assessment and negative emotions) blind you into thinking you're compatible --- once they start to wane, you had better hope there's more of a foundation (besides sexual ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
I agree, there is no doubt. It's important to have a healthy sexual relationship while you are making love to your best friend.
Would you want a Christian God to be real?
DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:
Worshipping the Cristian god and bowing down to him forever and ever would start to get old after the first 10,000 years.
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
If it did turn out that there was a Christian God, and I went to heaven, I would ask God, does the Bible accurately represent who you are and what you expected us to be? If he answered yes, I wouldn't be able to bow to him with any respect, it would be out of fear and contempt. I would like to think I would have the inner strength to walk out of heaven into hell, given that those are the only two options, but honestly I don't know that I would. Which is worse an eternity of fear or an eternity of pain? The only option that gives me any peace is annihilation.
DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:
Worshipping the Cristian god and bowing down to him forever and ever would start to get old after the first 10,000 years.
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
If it did turn out that there was a Christian God, and I went to heaven, I would ask God, does the Bible accurately represent who you are and what you expected us to be? If he answered yes, I wouldn't be able to bow to him with any respect, it would be out of fear and contempt. I would like to think I would have the inner strength to walk out of heaven into hell, given that those are the only two options, but honestly I don't know that I would. Which is worse an eternity of fear or an eternity of pain? The only option that gives me any peace is annihilation.
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
@AxeElf I assume if it were your daughter standing at your door you would do the righteous thing, you would cast the fatal blow right between her eyes, the one that drops her to her knees and finally slums to the ground like a bag of filthy trash. She would according to you be nothing more than a dirty slut who deserves nothing more and nothing less than your impassioned contempt. I guess the good news is your friends from the church would be there so at least you can grab a beer at the local pub, there's no reason to waste a perfectly fine opportunity to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.
I don't think you're a bad guy AxeElf your religion is because it brainwashes you and that's its intent. Hell is there to cast fear, You're an awful person unworthy of love, but God hasn't given up on you yet. Follow these rules and squash any doubt of the morality because if he deems you worthy, you get a glorious afterlife where you will live in absolute joy for all eternity. You're convinced, that God is all good and anything God does is therefore good. There is a colossal contradiction here, but the out for God is that he's perfect and if he's perfect nothing he does or says can be wrong, it's your fault, you're worthless trash compared to God deserving of death. It's your sin that makes you doubt, and you don't want to think too hard because if you think too hard, you might stop believing and end up in Hell. You're forced to agree with the apologetics, and on this subject, even the apologist had a hard time finding an acceptable twist on this. All I can say to you is if you ever realize the lie, you will wake up to a new wonderful world. Life is so much better outside the insanity of faith and religion. Out here, in reality, your judgment isn't clouded by an old book. A book, written by ancient people who had virtually no concept of science or cared how damaging their beliefs were toward women, who were purposefully left uneducated and unable to defend themselves.
Stop and don't reply right away. Think just for a minute, ask yourself do I really feel justified taking this position? Am I ok with a man not being a virgin on his wedding night and not getting stoned to death, while a girl accused of the same crime deserves to be stoned to death? Is that really truly something my father in heaven finds to be justifiable? Could it be possible, this is all a lie? Guess what? You've been lied to, and it's just that simple.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 12, 2018:
@AxeElf I assume if it were your daughter standing at your door you would do the righteous thing, you would cast the fatal blow right between her eyes, the one that drops her to her knees and finally slums to the ground like a bag of filthy trash. She would according to you be nothing more than a dirty slut who deserves nothing more and nothing less than your impassioned contempt. I guess the good news is your friends from the church would be there so at least you can grab a beer at the local pub, there's no reason to waste a perfectly fine opportunity to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.
I don't think you're a bad guy AxeElf your religion is because it brainwashes you and that's its intent. Hell is there to cast fear, You're an awful person unworthy of love, but God hasn't given up on you yet. Follow these rules and squash any doubt of the morality because if he deems you worthy, you get a glorious afterlife where you will live in absolute joy for all eternity. You're convinced, that God is all good and anything God does is therefore good. There is a colossal contradiction here, but the out for God is that he's perfect and if he's perfect nothing he does or says can be wrong, it's your fault, you're worthless trash compared to God deserving of death. It's your sin that makes you doubt, and you don't want to think too hard because if you think too hard, you might stop believing and end up in Hell. You're forced to agree with the apologetics, and on this subject, even the apologist had a hard time finding an acceptable twist on this. All I can say to you is if you ever realize the lie, you will wake up to a new wonderful world. Life is so much better outside the insanity of faith and religion. Out here, in reality, your judgment isn't clouded by an old book. A book, written by ancient people who had virtually no concept of science or cared how damaging their beliefs were toward women, who were purposefully left uneducated and unable to defend themselves.
Stop and don't reply right away. Think just for a minute, ask yourself do I really feel justified taking this position? Am I ok with a man not being a virgin on his wedding night and not getting stoned to death, while a girl accused of the same crime deserves to be stoned to death? Is that really truly something my father in heaven finds to be justifiable? Could it be possible, this is all a lie? Guess what? You've been lied to, and it's just that simple.
10 Hypotheses to the Fermi Paradox - Do you have one?
GreenAtheist comments on Feb 11, 2018:
All ten thoughts regarding ET are inter-connected. ...my feelings include pyramids were ET technology projects. ...ground "art" visible only from hundreds if not thousands of feet above the designs of animals flight craft or technology symbols = language or schematics. ...and our DNA has unique ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
So I hope I'm confused or misunderstanding you. Are you saying you believe aliens built the pyramids? If that is what you're saying and trust me I hope it's not, but if it is, by what evidence do you come to this conclusion and how is this assertion any different than believing a God created the universe? They're both assertions based on no evidence and counter to the evidence against these beliefs.
GreenAtheist comments on Feb 11, 2018:
All ten thoughts regarding ET are inter-connected. ...my feelings include pyramids were ET technology projects. ...ground "art" visible only from hundreds if not thousands of feet above the designs of animals flight craft or technology symbols = language or schematics. ...and our DNA has unique ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
So I hope I'm confused or misunderstanding you. Are you saying you believe aliens built the pyramids? If that is what you're saying and trust me I hope it's not, but if it is, by what evidence do you come to this conclusion and how is this assertion any different than believing a God created the universe? They're both assertions based on no evidence and counter to the evidence against these beliefs.
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@AxeElf You called the nonvirgin girl a slut, I find that disturbing, but I'm going to ignore it for the higher point. The story in the Bible states that if a girl doesn't bleed on her wedding night, you are to bring her to her father's doorstep and stone her to death. Here stands my issue with this, I'm skipping over the evils of stoning a woman for being accused of premarital sex whether she is guilty or not because that is modern day morality. The more significant problem is that there are many reasons for a woman not to bleed on her first sexual encounter, for example, her hyman could have broken in childhood. The fact that the people of that day had little understanding of biology makes it more likely that they were following a human morality of the day. By installing it in the Bible as if it were a divine law given by a God, makes this enforceable under Gods law. Giving it to God slows down the progression of moral evolution. Nobody can challenge the practice of stoning women when it's in the hands of the unchallengeable authority. The Bible is the word of iron age man and should be treated as such. It is clearly not the word of an all powerful, all loving, all knowing deity. Too much of what is in the Bible is either factually wrong or immoral in today's standards, and if God used his powers to relay his laws to men, they would be laws that never evolve from being moral to be immoral. It would be ethical in all times and all places, and that is just not the case. Stoning women for not bleeding on their wedding night was apparently the moral code of iron age society, but it is no longer. If you could recognize this, you might begin to understand why what you believe is rejected by nontheists. I strongly feel it should begin to crack the walls in your indoctrination. It would help open my eyes if the roles where reversed.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@AxeElf You called the nonvirgin girl a slut, I find that disturbing, but I'm going to ignore it for the higher point. The story in the Bible states that if a girl doesn't bleed on her wedding night, you are to bring her to her father's doorstep and stone her to death. Here stands my issue with this, I'm skipping over the evils of stoning a woman for being accused of premarital sex whether she is guilty or not because that is modern day morality. The more significant problem is that there are many reasons for a woman not to bleed on her first sexual encounter, for example, her hyman could have broken in childhood. The fact that the people of that day had little understanding of biology makes it more likely that they were following a human morality of the day. By installing it in the Bible as if it were a divine law given by a God, makes this enforceable under Gods law. Giving it to God slows down the progression of moral evolution. Nobody can challenge the practice of stoning women when it's in the hands of the unchallengeable authority. The Bible is the word of iron age man and should be treated as such. It is clearly not the word of an all powerful, all loving, all knowing deity. Too much of what is in the Bible is either factually wrong or immoral in today's standards, and if God used his powers to relay his laws to men, they would be laws that never evolve from being moral to be immoral. It would be ethical in all times and all places, and that is just not the case. Stoning women for not bleeding on their wedding night was apparently the moral code of iron age society, but it is no longer. If you could recognize this, you might begin to understand why what you believe is rejected by nontheists. I strongly feel it should begin to crack the walls in your indoctrination. It would help open my eyes if the roles where reversed.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
GoldenMean comments on Feb 11, 2018:
I hope the teaching of science has advanced since I was a kid in the sixties.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
Well, it definitely has, that's the wonderful things about science, it keeps revising itself as it gets more and better information. This is the failure of religion, religion doesn't look to new and better information. Its dogma says we already have the answers
GoldenMean comments on Feb 11, 2018:
I hope the teaching of science has advanced since I was a kid in the sixties.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
Well, it definitely has, that's the wonderful things about science, it keeps revising itself as it gets more and better information. This is the failure of religion, religion doesn't look to new and better information. Its dogma says we already have the answers
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly awe, yes, I agree with you again, however they exist and unfortunately they will continue to exist. My point was that of the three abrahamic religions Judaism is the most progressive and least repressive of the three. All three have their crackpots but if I had to have one as a neighbor I'm picking the Jew every time.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly awe, yes, I agree with you again, however they exist and unfortunately they will continue to exist. My point was that of the three abrahamic religions Judaism is the most progressive and least repressive of the three. All three have their crackpots but if I had to have one as a neighbor I'm picking the Jew every time.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I would consider those Jews to be an extreme example. The average Jew behaves much the same as non-believers do.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I would consider those Jews to be an extreme example. The average Jew behaves much the same as non-believers do.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I have very little resentment of Jews. They are less anti-science and less obstructive to the science than are the Christians.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I have very little resentment of Jews. They are less anti-science and less obstructive to the science than are the Christians.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I love reading the Bible. I know it sounds weird and maybe even a little ugly but I read it with awe. I've looked into how it was constructed and the more you know the more you understand what's going on. It's been altered and the old testament was originally a polytheistic story. Yahweh was one of many God's. I'll send you a link that explains it better than I can
http://www.seeingthroughchristianity.com/polytheism-in-the-old-testament/
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 11, 2018:
@walklightly I love reading the Bible. I know it sounds weird and maybe even a little ugly but I read it with awe. I've looked into how it was constructed and the more you know the more you understand what's going on. It's been altered and the old testament was originally a polytheistic story. Yahweh was one of many God's. I'll send you a link that explains it better than I can
http://www.seeingthroughchristianity.com/polytheism-in-the-old-testament/
I'm so excited about the James Webb Telescope, and I can wait for June of 2019
[youtu.be]
Wafflestomp comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Me too. I can’t even imagine the sights we’ll see.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
We will see further back in time than we've ever dreamed of seeing.
Wafflestomp comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Me too. I can’t even imagine the sights we’ll see.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
We will see further back in time than we've ever dreamed of seeing.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I have to imagine that there is a way to deconstruct the Bible in a way that would expose it for what it is.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 10, 2018:
they are sheeple totally groomed and unwavering.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I have to imagine that there is a way to deconstruct the Bible in a way that would expose it for what it is.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
Charlene comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Weeelll, Iooks Iike I'm really fuck on my Big night
.daaaayaam..
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
Did you have a date tonight?
Charlene comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Weeelll, Iooks Iike I'm really fuck on my Big night
.daaaayaam..
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
Did you have a date tonight?
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
resserts comments on Feb 10, 2018:
When people say that the OT doesn't matter, they're overlooking a passage in the NT where Jesus says that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. They can't dismiss it so easily. And if they call that a parable, they *really* don't know what they're talking about, because that's clearly ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
Oh, I've taken that to them many times. Their out is with Paul, Paul was trying to sell the religion to the pagans, but the pagans were not bitting for understandable reasons like not wanting to get their penis snipped and the fact that Ham sandwiches taste so good. So Paul came up with this nonsense that by Jesus dying he fulfilled the law and now most of the laws can be ignored. The only ones they have to obey are the ones Jesus talks about in the Bible. It's mental gymnastics that I don't want to bore you with but I can if you're interested.
resserts comments on Feb 10, 2018:
When people say that the OT doesn't matter, they're overlooking a passage in the NT where Jesus says that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. They can't dismiss it so easily. And if they call that a parable, they *really* don't know what they're talking about, because that's clearly ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
Oh, I've taken that to them many times. Their out is with Paul, Paul was trying to sell the religion to the pagans, but the pagans were not bitting for understandable reasons like not wanting to get their penis snipped and the fact that Ham sandwiches taste so good. So Paul came up with this nonsense that by Jesus dying he fulfilled the law and now most of the laws can be ignored. The only ones they have to obey are the ones Jesus talks about in the Bible. It's mental gymnastics that I don't want to bore you with but I can if you're interested.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
KKGator comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I think it's just because they're scared to death of that first domino falling. Once someone starts to question everything they've ever believed to be true, they do not stop. It's very frightening for some people and they choose not to start questioning. Fear leads them into religion and it's ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
@Condor5 Yeah, those people are even more lost than theists. They know they're wrong, they just enjoy the conspiracy aspect to everything. It's that whole Nibiru conspiracy nonsense. I tried explaining the gravitational impacts that anyone with a telescope would see if a brown dwarf star entered our solar system but they didn't seem to care that they were wrong because they know it's happening and apparently so does NASA. These people are beyond any help I can offer them.
KKGator comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I think it's just because they're scared to death of that first domino falling. Once someone starts to question everything they've ever believed to be true, they do not stop. It's very frightening for some people and they choose not to start questioning. Fear leads them into religion and it's ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
@Condor5 Yeah, those people are even more lost than theists. They know they're wrong, they just enjoy the conspiracy aspect to everything. It's that whole Nibiru conspiracy nonsense. I tried explaining the gravitational impacts that anyone with a telescope would see if a brown dwarf star entered our solar system but they didn't seem to care that they were wrong because they know it's happening and apparently so does NASA. These people are beyond any help I can offer them.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
Bonnie95 comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Just to point out
We still have the death penalty.
Yes it's for "horrific acts" however in 100 years or two thousand years we could be considered as backwards.
Some things never change, just the beliefs and opinions of people.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
That's just more evidence that this immoral book gets it's morality from men and not an all-loving, all-powerful God
Bonnie95 comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Just to point out
We still have the death penalty.
Yes it's for "horrific acts" however in 100 years or two thousand years we could be considered as backwards.
Some things never change, just the beliefs and opinions of people.
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
That's just more evidence that this immoral book gets it's morality from men and not an all-loving, all-powerful God
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
UrsiMajor comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I call it selective reading comprehension. I will post a link to an article on Facebook, use their argument and support my discussion. Other commentators will say, "But the article never said..." Then I have to say,"Um yeah it did", and cut and paste the exact quote and give a paragraph number.
...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I call it zombie brain, the zombie in their mind has a particular appetite for any information that could cause doubt that the Bible, is the word of God. I think the fear of Hell and fear of being disconnected from their community creates the zombie that lives in their head.
UrsiMajor comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I call it selective reading comprehension. I will post a link to an article on Facebook, use their argument and support my discussion. Other commentators will say, "But the article never said..." Then I have to say,"Um yeah it did", and cut and paste the exact quote and give a paragraph number.
...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I call it zombie brain, the zombie in their mind has a particular appetite for any information that could cause doubt that the Bible, is the word of God. I think the fear of Hell and fear of being disconnected from their community creates the zombie that lives in their head.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
KKGator comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I think it's just because they're scared to death of that first domino falling. Once someone starts to question everything they've ever believed to be true, they do not stop. It's very frightening for some people and they choose not to start questioning. Fear leads them into religion and it's ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I guess, I can't do that to myself, but I suppose some people can. If I see two suns in the sky and someone comes along and shows me that the second sun is merely a reflection of the single sun I don't find a way to justify there being two suns.
KKGator comments on Feb 10, 2018:
I think it's just because they're scared to death of that first domino falling. Once someone starts to question everything they've ever believed to be true, they do not stop. It's very frightening for some people and they choose not to start questioning. Fear leads them into religion and it's ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I guess, I can't do that to myself, but I suppose some people can. If I see two suns in the sky and someone comes along and shows me that the second sun is merely a reflection of the single sun I don't find a way to justify there being two suns.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
Skyfacer comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Those desert tribes with their imaginary 'God of the Desert' be it Jehovah or Allah had a real 'hangup' about women. And there are millions of people who still take these or this 'god ' seriously.as portrayed in their so called 'holy ' scriptures. Doesn't say much for the mentality of the human ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
No, no it doesn't. It scares the crap out of me. (sorry language)
Skyfacer comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Those desert tribes with their imaginary 'God of the Desert' be it Jehovah or Allah had a real 'hangup' about women. And there are millions of people who still take these or this 'god ' seriously.as portrayed in their so called 'holy ' scriptures. Doesn't say much for the mentality of the human ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
No, no it doesn't. It scares the crap out of me. (sorry language)
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
mordant comments on Feb 10, 2018:
The honest answer, if they'd give it that way, is that they don't personally endorse such a notion and so they find some way to interpret or cherry-pick it away.
The reason Christians (or at least the fundamentalist variety) can't be honest in that way is that they are bibliolaters who worship ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I get that argument all the time about the new testament is a replacement for the old testament, but here is the thing I point out, It's the same God. In fact, it's Jesus himself because Jesus is God (Trinity) who commanded this law regarding stoning "potential devirginized" women, God did the same thing for slavery, forcing raped women to marry their rapists, stoning gays and on and on. The fact that the new testament is a little less brutal in no way makes God less accountable for the laws he had already past. God is supposed to be an all loving, all forgiving, all-knowing God and the Bible plainly shows the opposite characteristics for this God.
mordant comments on Feb 10, 2018:
The honest answer, if they'd give it that way, is that they don't personally endorse such a notion and so they find some way to interpret or cherry-pick it away.
The reason Christians (or at least the fundamentalist variety) can't be honest in that way is that they are bibliolaters who worship ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I get that argument all the time about the new testament is a replacement for the old testament, but here is the thing I point out, It's the same God. In fact, it's Jesus himself because Jesus is God (Trinity) who commanded this law regarding stoning "potential devirginized" women, God did the same thing for slavery, forcing raped women to marry their rapists, stoning gays and on and on. The fact that the new testament is a little less brutal in no way makes God less accountable for the laws he had already past. God is supposed to be an all loving, all forgiving, all-knowing God and the Bible plainly shows the opposite characteristics for this God.
It's right in front of your face how can you deny it!
Betty comments on Feb 10, 2018:
When you encounter people like that there is no reasoning with them, they will always have an excuse. To question the validity of their faith is to question their identity and that can be a very scary thing for them. It is amazing that we have made it to the twenty-first century and this is still ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I have believed in things before, never religion but I had trust in what I thought I knew as absolute truth. When someone confronted me with logic and evidence, I realized I was wrong. It was uncomfortable, but I accepted the facts. It's what people do when faced with better evidence. I'm frustrated with their blind avoidance to look at the blatant deception that stands out right in front of them.
Betty comments on Feb 10, 2018:
When you encounter people like that there is no reasoning with them, they will always have an excuse. To question the validity of their faith is to question their identity and that can be a very scary thing for them. It is amazing that we have made it to the twenty-first century and this is still ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
I have believed in things before, never religion but I had trust in what I thought I knew as absolute truth. When someone confronted me with logic and evidence, I realized I was wrong. It was uncomfortable, but I accepted the facts. It's what people do when faced with better evidence. I'm frustrated with their blind avoidance to look at the blatant deception that stands out right in front of them.
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
@AxeElf In what way did Jesus bridge the gap? Are we better people, are we on the same level as God?
Why are all the stories that are obviously unkind (to use a polite word) parables? What lesson am I to learn from stoning a young lady to death if the man claims she's not a virgin?
You are correct in saying that there is no hope of us ever finding a middle ground. I hope as you get older and more experienced in life you will begin to understand the emptiness and cruelty that is in the Bible. It's presented as a book of love and hope, but if you take off your God glasses, it's staring you right in the face. It's not hard to find, but first, you need to stop making excuses for it and understand the facts. Put yourself in the place of the father of the bride and seeing your daughter bloodied broken body at your door. This is the word of your God. He ordered the hit on your daughter essentially by commanding such an immoral law.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 10, 2018:
@AxeElf In what way did Jesus bridge the gap? Are we better people, are we on the same level as God?
Why are all the stories that are obviously unkind (to use a polite word) parables? What lesson am I to learn from stoning a young lady to death if the man claims she's not a virgin?
You are correct in saying that there is no hope of us ever finding a middle ground. I hope as you get older and more experienced in life you will begin to understand the emptiness and cruelty that is in the Bible. It's presented as a book of love and hope, but if you take off your God glasses, it's staring you right in the face. It's not hard to find, but first, you need to stop making excuses for it and understand the facts. Put yourself in the place of the father of the bride and seeing your daughter bloodied broken body at your door. This is the word of your God. He ordered the hit on your daughter essentially by commanding such an immoral law.
Changing Your Mind
chicagojcb comments on Feb 9, 2018:
GMOs. I was following the anti stance until I started reading more about it and looking at the analyses of scientists I trust.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Finally, someone who gets it, I fight that battle every few months with someone who has swallowed the propaganda BS on GMOs
chicagojcb comments on Feb 9, 2018:
GMOs. I was following the anti stance until I started reading more about it and looking at the analyses of scientists I trust.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Finally, someone who gets it, I fight that battle every few months with someone who has swallowed the propaganda BS on GMOs
Favorite Anything?
birdingnut comments on Feb 9, 2018:
Looking through my camera telephoto lens and seeing a species of bird I've never seen before.
Bonuses if the the sun is low, and behind me, and the bird doesn't notice me.
Photo is of a dark morph, short-toed snake eagle, photographed near Lamnarai, Thailand. I've not seen one since.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Very nice shot
birdingnut comments on Feb 9, 2018:
Looking through my camera telephoto lens and seeing a species of bird I've never seen before.
Bonuses if the the sun is low, and behind me, and the bird doesn't notice me.
Photo is of a dark morph, short-toed snake eagle, photographed near Lamnarai, Thailand. I've not seen one since.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Very nice shot
Favorite Anything?
walklightly comments on Feb 9, 2018:
watching the brahmini kite above the beach, launching itself off its invisible flying carpet, to then fall into the surf well-aimed & return with a fish in its talons - it makes me feel whole & united: the multiverse & i :)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
That's sounds peaceful. Flying a kite is something I don't recall ever having done.
walklightly comments on Feb 9, 2018:
watching the brahmini kite above the beach, launching itself off its invisible flying carpet, to then fall into the surf well-aimed & return with a fish in its talons - it makes me feel whole & united: the multiverse & i :)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
That's sounds peaceful. Flying a kite is something I don't recall ever having done.
Favorite Anything?
Varn comments on Feb 9, 2018:
It varies! Favorite apple? The last one I ate! Favorite bird? The last one I saw… That kinda thing :-) Favorite song? The same.. Here’s one, favorite movie: The Wizard of OZ ~
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
The wizard of OZ, classic.
Varn comments on Feb 9, 2018:
It varies! Favorite apple? The last one I ate! Favorite bird? The last one I saw… That kinda thing :-) Favorite song? The same.. Here’s one, favorite movie: The Wizard of OZ ~
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
The wizard of OZ, classic.
Favorite Anything?
LeighShelton comments on Feb 9, 2018:
getting a new fish or a good chat. I love elephants.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Elephants are amazingly intelligent and beautiful creatures.
LeighShelton comments on Feb 9, 2018:
getting a new fish or a good chat. I love elephants.
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
Elephants are amazingly intelligent and beautiful creatures.
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
@AxeElf Short of you, providing verifiable evidence, you're right to conclude I won't be persuaded to accept God, as a concept or as a fact, but I don't claim to know he/she/it doesn't exist. I don't believe your argument that he does exist, but not accepting that something is real isn't the same thing as saying I know it's not real. What I'm saying is I'm unconvinced.
Now to be entirely fair to your claim that I have faith that God doesn't exist. When you say that I assume you mean Yahweh, and when it comes to Yahweh or Allah or any other named God, you might have a point. With these Gods, I'm not saying I'm unconvinced, that a Yahweh created everything. With Yahweh or any named Gods, I am saying, Yeah not only am I unconvinced, I flat out have zero doubt that they don't exist. I reject this for more than one reason the least of which is the idea of an all-loving God doesn't line up with the stories of the all-unloving messages within the Bible. It would include your concept that God just picks his people and destroys the rest but a more poignant example is, If you discover that your bride isn't a virgin on your wedding night, you are to stone her to death and discard her body on her father's doorstep. Your bible is supposed to be the inspired word of God, YOUR GOD who is Jesus (Trinity) in the Bible says this, and there are many other things, I could list that are far worse things in the Bible, but I'm sure you're aware of them. My primary reason for disbelieving in Yahweh is all the stories in the Bible like Adam and Eve, Mosses and the magic staff, Noah's ark, Jonah and the Fish, and the virgin Marry being pregnant, Jesus and the blind man, Jesus walking on water. Jesus and the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of man, the resurrection of Jesus, and more are tales only a person of faith could say, sure I buy that. Really? Seriously? You accept these things? Why in the world does this not make you think to yourself, this is utter nonsense? It's honestly a mess of superstitious silliness, and I would fully expect those people in those times to accept this, but you're living in 2018, and you have access to so much more information.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
@AxeElf Short of you, providing verifiable evidence, you're right to conclude I won't be persuaded to accept God, as a concept or as a fact, but I don't claim to know he/she/it doesn't exist. I don't believe your argument that he does exist, but not accepting that something is real isn't the same thing as saying I know it's not real. What I'm saying is I'm unconvinced.
Now to be entirely fair to your claim that I have faith that God doesn't exist. When you say that I assume you mean Yahweh, and when it comes to Yahweh or Allah or any other named God, you might have a point. With these Gods, I'm not saying I'm unconvinced, that a Yahweh created everything. With Yahweh or any named Gods, I am saying, Yeah not only am I unconvinced, I flat out have zero doubt that they don't exist. I reject this for more than one reason the least of which is the idea of an all-loving God doesn't line up with the stories of the all-unloving messages within the Bible. It would include your concept that God just picks his people and destroys the rest but a more poignant example is, If you discover that your bride isn't a virgin on your wedding night, you are to stone her to death and discard her body on her father's doorstep. Your bible is supposed to be the inspired word of God, YOUR GOD who is Jesus (Trinity) in the Bible says this, and there are many other things, I could list that are far worse things in the Bible, but I'm sure you're aware of them. My primary reason for disbelieving in Yahweh is all the stories in the Bible like Adam and Eve, Mosses and the magic staff, Noah's ark, Jonah and the Fish, and the virgin Marry being pregnant, Jesus and the blind man, Jesus walking on water. Jesus and the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of man, the resurrection of Jesus, and more are tales only a person of faith could say, sure I buy that. Really? Seriously? You accept these things? Why in the world does this not make you think to yourself, this is utter nonsense? It's honestly a mess of superstitious silliness, and I would fully expect those people in those times to accept this, but you're living in 2018, and you have access to so much more information.
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
@AxeElf I want to start out apologizing because I'm going to sound condescending and there is truth to that, I am condescending. I think it's because I find theist to be so hypocritical and misleading and I understand that it's not always deliberate. I can show theists in clear detail why they're misinformed, and they just don't accept it, or they do on an intellectual level but their indoctrination kicks in and it's almost like a mind wipe occurs. Religion has deep tentacles that are all designed around fear and control. I find it incredibly frustrating, and that leads me to sound condescending. So please recognize that my tone is purely out of frustration and not meant to be insulting to you.
FAITH: We've had that discussion, and you are now using it to do the exact thing I told you would do in a previous debate. This is what the apologists designed that argument to do, which is to make faith a legitimate excuse. Basically, it's an apologetic trick to make something unusable seem reasonable. Here is how it fails. I believe based on faith that Jabuki the all-powerful God who hates heterosexuals and loves only those people who are of African descent, and all people who believe in Jesus will go to Hell. You have faith that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all one God. We can both be wrong, but we can't both be correct, and faith has told us nothing about what is true. We still don't know who is right or if we are both wrong. So why use faith as an excuse to believe. It's a horrible means to know anything. Throw faith out and use evidence, give yourself a reason to accept something. You could still be wrong, having evidence for something isn't the same as knowing something, but it is a heck of a lot better than faith.
BUILDING ON FAITH WITH EVIDENCE: The faith you have is in the realm of the supernatural. We have no way of analyzing the supernatural, so you start with faith which begins on an empty foundation and nothing to build with to support your claims. What else do we have left to examine? What we have are those claims in the Bible. If we consider the claims in the Bible, starting with Genesis, you get a silly story about Gods first six days of creation. Apologetics to the rescue. Split, the believer into two camps, old Earther, and young Earthers. For those believers with a college education, we'll tell them it's a parable, for those other, we can keep the less educated bunch right where we had them. Those people are ours forever. I won't bore you with the crazy deconstruction of all the silly stories of Noah and the splitting of the sea, it's all blah, blah blah, almost nothing in the Bible has any credibility in reality in either the old or new testament.
IS THE TRUTH OF GOD A COIN FLIP? Hell no it's not a coin flip. First, you don't ...
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 9, 2018:
@AxeElf I want to start out apologizing because I'm going to sound condescending and there is truth to that, I am condescending. I think it's because I find theist to be so hypocritical and misleading and I understand that it's not always deliberate. I can show theists in clear detail why they're misinformed, and they just don't accept it, or they do on an intellectual level but their indoctrination kicks in and it's almost like a mind wipe occurs. Religion has deep tentacles that are all designed around fear and control. I find it incredibly frustrating, and that leads me to sound condescending. So please recognize that my tone is purely out of frustration and not meant to be insulting to you.
FAITH: We've had that discussion, and you are now using it to do the exact thing I told you would do in a previous debate. This is what the apologists designed that argument to do, which is to make faith a legitimate excuse. Basically, it's an apologetic trick to make something unusable seem reasonable. Here is how it fails. I believe based on faith that Jabuki the all-powerful God who hates heterosexuals and loves only those people who are of African descent, and all people who believe in Jesus will go to Hell. You have faith that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all one God. We can both be wrong, but we can't both be correct, and faith has told us nothing about what is true. We still don't know who is right or if we are both wrong. So why use faith as an excuse to believe. It's a horrible means to know anything. Throw faith out and use evidence, give yourself a reason to accept something. You could still be wrong, having evidence for something isn't the same as knowing something, but it is a heck of a lot better than faith.
BUILDING ON FAITH WITH EVIDENCE: The faith you have is in the realm of the supernatural. We have no way of analyzing the supernatural, so you start with faith which begins on an empty foundation and nothing to build with to support your claims. What else do we have left to examine? What we have are those claims in the Bible. If we consider the claims in the Bible, starting with Genesis, you get a silly story about Gods first six days of creation. Apologetics to the rescue. Split, the believer into two camps, old Earther, and young Earthers. For those believers with a college education, we'll tell them it's a parable, for those other, we can keep the less educated bunch right where we had them. Those people are ours forever. I won't bore you with the crazy deconstruction of all the silly stories of Noah and the splitting of the sea, it's all blah, blah blah, almost nothing in the Bible has any credibility in reality in either the old or new testament.
IS THE TRUTH OF GOD A COIN FLIP? Hell no it's not a coin flip. First, you don't ...
The afterlife is such a bizarre concept.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@AxeElf No problem, take your time.
AxeElf comments on Feb 7, 2018:
I believe that an afterlife is probable because I believe that God exists. I believe that God exists because of my personal experiences and the experiences of people I trust.
(Obviously, my reasons for belief apply only to myself, and are not intended to be the reasons for anyone else's belief.)
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@AxeElf No problem, take your time.
Which emotion is your greatest asset?
Lucy_Fehr comments on Feb 8, 2018:
The fear I inspire in others lol
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
Fear is another powerful emotion and can be very a positive emotion when appropriately applied.
Lucy_Fehr comments on Feb 8, 2018:
The fear I inspire in others lol
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
Fear is another powerful emotion and can be very a positive emotion when appropriately applied.
Share Your Best Home Remedy Or Home Made Product
paul1967 comments on Feb 8, 2018:
My Ninja food processor, my Ninja blender, and my Ninja 4 in one cooker. I eat healthier food that tastes great and gives me the nutrition that my aging body needs. (Boy, I sound like a commercial)
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@twshield It's my profession of being a salesman to match the wants of a customer to the benefits of the product.
paul1967 comments on Feb 8, 2018:
My Ninja food processor, my Ninja blender, and my Ninja 4 in one cooker. I eat healthier food that tastes great and gives me the nutrition that my aging body needs. (Boy, I sound like a commercial)
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@twshield It's my profession of being a salesman to match the wants of a customer to the benefits of the product.
What is the best and worst thing someone has said about you?
paul1967 comments on Feb 8, 2018:
There was one thing that was both. You are a bum, and if you don't care that you're a bum, I'm going to leave. That was said to me at age 15 by a girlfriend. The same girl, shown in my picture. She changed my life with those words that day. I snapped (in a healthy way) I needed her to leave me, and ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@witchymom I've never in all my life found anyone that loves and accepts me for who I am the way she does. She tells me every day that she appreciates me and every day she shows me that she loves me. I have been taught to be a better man by her, and I am because of her.
paul1967 comments on Feb 8, 2018:
There was one thing that was both. You are a bum, and if you don't care that you're a bum, I'm going to leave. That was said to me at age 15 by a girlfriend. The same girl, shown in my picture. She changed my life with those words that day. I snapped (in a healthy way) I needed her to leave me, and ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
@witchymom I've never in all my life found anyone that loves and accepts me for who I am the way she does. She tells me every day that she appreciates me and every day she shows me that she loves me. I have been taught to be a better man by her, and I am because of her.
Which emotion is your greatest asset?
William_Mary comments on Feb 8, 2018:
My abrupt outburst. I call it passion. Especially happens when I'm working on one of my bikes or switching out the mower deck to the snow blade, and vice versa, on the John Deere. I have no patience for the mechanical aspects of life when it comes to especially tight areas with my big hands and ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
But we know inside our ladies are laughing at us just a little.
William_Mary comments on Feb 8, 2018:
My abrupt outburst. I call it passion. Especially happens when I'm working on one of my bikes or switching out the mower deck to the snow blade, and vice versa, on the John Deere. I have no patience for the mechanical aspects of life when it comes to especially tight areas with my big hands and ...
paul1967 replies on Feb 8, 2018:
But we know inside our ladies are laughing at us just a little.
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