Win Prizes Ask an Atheist II

[Gethelred]

Welcome to the Ask an Atheist thread II.

Previous part:

Win Prizes - Ask an Atheist - Shoe's on the other foot now!

Alright, we're going to have a change of tack. As I'm sure you can see, the thread title has been changed to Ask an Atheist. People who have a question to ask of the atheists who populate this thread - more than the christians do - should feel free to ask questions of them. If you've still got...

www.bigfooty.com

Standard board rules apply.

 

[Ghost Patrol]

People have a yearning for the meaning of life, all the big questions, unanswered by the scientists, philosophers, humanists, and God is there for those who seek Him.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Perhaps it's time to try a female deity? What with all the wars and disease and crime and hunger under the current guy.

 

[Chief]

You'd vote him out given the chance.

 

[sdfc]

It's my understanding that Christian theology is to take responsibility for your own life and the lives of others.

It depends on what your definition of god is. What do atheists believe in?

 

[Ghost Patrol]

It's my understanding that Christian theology is to take responsibility for your own life and the lives of others.

It depends on what your definition of god is. What do atheists believe in?

DIY

 

[sdfc]

DIY

So this is it? We randomly appear and then disappear.

 

[GrayRanga]

So this is it? We randomly appear and then disappear.

Yep

The lights go out and that's it.

Hopefully you have done enough good in your life that you will remembered with fondness.

If you haven't, they will line up to piss on your grave

But you're dead so it doesn't matter to you

 

[sdfc]

Yep

The lights go out and that's it.

Hopefully you have done enough good in your life that you will remembered with fondness.

If you haven't, they will line up to piss on your grave

But you're dead so it doesn't matter to you

Which is a rather cold belief but one that can't be disproved.

Your memory will be gone in a blink.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

You saying you're an atheist is just as " real ". Very convenient and simple.. No God. End of story. You are free to do what you want. But your questions will never be answered by science.

We'll never know all the answers; I already said that. But it's manifestly clear the big questions are now being answered more convincingly by science than by religion.

Religion still hasn't recovered from being hit for six by Darwin and not only never will, it knows it never will, so what's really dishonest is it has spent the last two centuries doing everything it can to have Faith and Belief completely undeservedly mentioned in the same breath as Truth and Fact.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

AND, the more testimonies I hear about people who discover God and Christianity, the more it confirms the reality of these conversions for all of us. So, you are incorrect, IT IS real for very many people.

Doesn't matter how many people it is "real" for, it will never be a universal reality.

I mean, you don't even have to ask atheists or scientists. You've only got to look at the multitude of other religions, whose existence instantly calls into question the so-called universality of your "reality".

 

[sdfc]

Doesn't matter how many people it is "real" for, it will never be a universal reality.

I mean, you don't even have to ask atheists or scientists. You've only got to look at the multitude of other religions, whose existence instantly calls into question the so-called universality of your "reality".

Maybe they are just different versions of the same reality.

 

[GrayRanga]

Which is a rather cold belief but one that can't be disproved.

Your memory will be gone in a blink.

Not cold at all.

You've got one shot to make the best of it so don't stuff it up

 

[carltonchelsea]

The theory of random genetic mutation to explain evolution on the micro scale is a bit too shit happens to have me convinced. It seems to be mathematically highly improbable.

Oh boy, you’re argument from ignorance and personal incredulity is stunning mate!

 

[carltonchelsea]

It's my understanding that Christian theology is to take responsibility for your own life and the lives of others.

It depends on what your definition of god is. What do atheists believe in?

Lol, we don’t “believe” in anything, we have knowledge and understanding, where we don’t, we rely upon those that do!
Don’t worry, you’ll most likely never be relied upon!

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

" If God is everywhere, is he also in Hell?"

Well god made satan, so presumably yes.

Is there nothing god can't do? Amazing cat.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Thread title was changed some time back from Ask A Christian to Ask an Atheist so come at us please.

 

[Chief]

The theory of random genetic mutation to explain evolution on the micro scale is a bit too shit happens to have me convinced. It seems to be mathematically highly improbable.

On an individual scale, yes it is. On a scale of millions or billions of years, it's quite probable.

 

[liz]

And your definition of “real” is conveniently generous. Just because someone perceives something inside their head does not for one moment make it “real” to one single other human being on the planet.

Hmmmm… you need to swot up on your Albus Dumbledore canon.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Hmmmm… you need to swot up on your Albus Dumbledore canon.

I know that’s a Harry Potter character but would you care to elaborate?

 

[LFTWNG11]

The theory of random genetic mutation to explain evolution on the micro scale is a bit too shit happens to have me convinced. It seems to be mathematically highly improbable.

Someone has been watching a lot of Stephen Meyer, lol

 

[liz]

I know that’s a Harry Potter character but would you care to elaborate?

I was wagering on you having watched the HP movies a dozen or more times so you'd know one of the very late scenes in the final movie off by heart. (I have read the books, but six or seven years ago and only the once, so the movies have pushed my recollection of the books to the side. I don't recall whether this scene reflects what Rowling actually wrote or it was created for the film.

You can watch the relevant scene here, though if you don't want to watch all five minutes of it, fast forward to the 4min 30 mark.



But if you've not been ensnared by the magic of Harry Potter, you probably won't really get why I referred you to Dumbledore. If a similar quote existed (and I don't think it does) I would have referred you to the even higher authority of Gandalf.

 

[liz]

On an individual scale, yes it is. On a scale of millions or billions of years, it's quite probable.

Billions of years and multiple billions of organism reproduction, gene mutation and resultant adaptation (or non-adaptation).

 

[sdfc]

Someone has been watching a lot of Stephen Meyer, lol

I notice you haven't addressed what I said. Saying that we've landed here via random mutations is highly improbable is underselling it. I've never been sold on it because it's all a bit shit happens.

Could be true though. I don't know.

 

[LFTWNG11]

I notice you haven't addressed what I said. Saying that we've landed here via random mutations is highly improbable is underselling it. I've never been sold on it because it's all a bit shit happens.

Could be true though. I don't know.

I was just citing your source for you mate, just trying to help.

I’d suggest your understanding of “random mutations” is lacking, which based on your source is by design.

 

[liz]

I notice you haven't addressed what I said. Saying that we've landed here via random mutations is highly improbable is underselling it. I've never been sold on it because it's all a bit shit happens.

Could be true though. I don't know.

The mutations are random but selection is not. The mutations that are advantageous to survival and therefore reproduction survive and are passed on to subsequent generations. Those that are disadvantageous die out.

 

[Chief]

I notice you haven't addressed what I said. Saying that we've landed here via random mutations is highly improbable is underselling it. I've never been sold on it because it's all a bit shit happens.

Could be true though. I don't know.

There could have been a great mutation that let us see light in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums. It could have ended up being a disadvantage, or linked to a mutation that lead to still birth.

It's not just random mutation - the environment filters for the best fit.