Just as we cannot scientifically prove the existence of a creator, we cannot prove the non-existence of one. (I am not trying to make a big announcement here, just establishing the basis for my thinking.) That leaves me with one alternative, agnosticism. But, unless you count events described in the Bible, I know of no occurrences in which a supposedly loving creator stepped in to prevent catastrophes, natural or man initiated (i.e., the Holocaust), from occurring. Therefore, although I am willing to stipulate the existence of a very wise and good Jewish rabbi named Jesus 2000 years ago, I no longer acknowledge that he was divine, even if He and his disciples thought he was. And there you have my core reasoning in regard to Christianity. So, I try to behave like I think a GOOD Christian ought, but I anticipate no reward, other than love and friendship of the people around me. (And that doesn't always hold true, either.)
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button."Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but...will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones."
LeeMurray
Level 5
May 5, 2018
0
Yep.
If Christ created women, then how come his mother already existed, before he created them ? The whole premise that a lowly carpenter
" came out of the woodwork " to create a universe, should be viewed as so rediculous as to make a normally intelligent person treat the premise as being as stupid as the story itself. Proof needed ? no, no, no.don't even think about it .
madmac
Level 7
May 5, 2018
0
If we take the position that a pre-existing Creator entity chose to take human form within its own creation, that becomes somewhat digestible. But that is an idea beyond my consideration.
I thought one couldn't prove a negative, anyway? ?
memorylikeasieve
Level 7
May 5, 2018
2
There are some of the agnostic view, not all, who refuse to accept that basic tenet of science. Their view seems to be that you don't have to prove a negative unless it's a negative they remain agnostic over. Not credible.
Not reallly clear what you are trying to say. Can you give an example?
This may come as a surprise to some but, atheists don't spend their time trying to disprove imaginary beings ?
SimonCyrene
Level 7
May 5, 2018
3
Good for them. I’d hate for them to waste their time performing pointless tasks.
I cannot scientifically prove the existence of fairies and I cannot prove the non existence of fairies. Therefore, that leaves me with one alternative: I must be agnostic about fairies...... Wait a minute, let me rethink that... No, I just don't believe in fairies... And I don't have to prove that fairies do not exist. So, I am an A-fairies-ist. That's better.
David1955
Level 8
May 5, 2018
2
Thank you for putting me in my place. I will take care not to disturb you folks in the future.
@TheAstroChuck From your hashtag, I’m guessing you are interested in astronomy. It is a hobby for me, both observing and reading. Everything about it is fascinating to me, although there is a great deal of math I will probably never be able to tackle. Your description of an impersonal Creator god I have seen referred to as an “absentee landlord,” and the one I say whose existence cannot be disproved, since It/He/She would exist externally to our sensible universe. The late Stephen Hawking found no need for a Creator. I would like to know his reasoning on that topic.
@TheAstroChuck How delightful to run across a professor in the field! I have read some of what you are talking about. Fascinating. I am currently reading “An Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology,” and working through the discussion on how astronomers are measuring the accelerating expansion of the universe.
@TheAstroChuck The retired professors I know never die - or stop being professors. Where did you teach?
@TheAstroChuck If you did any research, I would be interested to know.
@TheAstroChuck Read your resume’ and the excerpt from your paper on global warming. Looks like very good work. The scatter diagram and accompanying discussion were clear and understandable. Any particular reason you didn’t publish?
@TheAstroChuck I, too. But it appears that global warming isn’t destroying the world fast enough for Trump, and so he’s trying to get us involved in a global conflict instead.
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