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Bumper sticker. . .(shudder)


You are giving sasquatch credit for being something that is real, and not treating it for what it really is, a big fat scam, next you it will talking about flying saucers.

Paul

:) :) :)

sasquatch = god = idiot etc etc etc
 
And did you look at the website for the bogus movie of sasquatch.

Paul

:) :) :)

And the envelope please, ripppppp, NO.
 
You are giving sasquatch credit for being something that is real, and not treating it for what it really is, a big fat scam....

I believe, based on the evidence, that they may still exist, and certainly did exist at one time. I also agree that there are no shortage of scam artists out there trying to make a buck out of it, just like I state there are plenty of pseudo-scientists propounding that all the evidence is false, and that scientific organizations have failed to properly address the issue for a myriad of reasons.

....next you it will talking about flying saucers

Nah. I'll leave that one alone. I promise.
 
I believe, based on the evidence,
There is no, none, evidence that they ever existed, believing in them has nothing to do with them ever being, but then you do believe in a god, so what does one expect from you. When you buy into one non-existing thing (god) you find it easy to buy into another. Also the movie I refer to is the link in my previous post, it was found on Randi’s website. You use Randi’s forum, you can use his other resources, but you will found the resources don’t support you.

Paul

:) :) :)
 
What a cop out, that all it is, that is just like the boss taking all the credit for a job well done, when in fact he was on vacation. And why does this Jesus not fix things before they go wrong, I know, so he can get credit from people like you who buy into the god BS.

Paul

:) :) :)

Here's another bumper sticker idea..."Jesus just isn't"

My friend don't be deceived, Jesus Lives and He saves people like you and me everyday. I am totally convinced that it is a miracle when someone gets saved. I myself came back to live a life of faith when Jesus revealed the truth to me after I had wondered off on the wrong road for several years.

Once someone has their spiritual eyes opened we truely are free men walking in the light of truth. Scripture is truth! The only people that are missing out on this point are the ones that have chosen to deny Him.

"If Jesus can save me, He can save anybody."
 
This sounds a little more realistic to me:
My friend don't be deceived, Superman Lives and He saves people like you and me everyday. I am totally convinced that it is a miracle when someone gets saved. I myself came back to live a life of faith when Superman revealed the truth to me after I had wondered off on the wrong road for several years.

Once someone has their eyes opened we truely are free men walking in the light of the Kryptonian Sun. Action Comics is truth! The only people that are missing out on this point are the ones that have chosen to deny Him.

"If Superman can save me, He can save anybody."
 
Huntster
You aren't this forum. And besides, I appreciate humor. You entertain me sometimes.
Ditto.

Not for me. I was born and raised into it. I'm just lucky (or, better, blessed).
Gee, god must not love all those other people.

See Huntster inserting foot into mouth.
Just below where I made the first statement.
Link it. Cite it. Show us all. Leave no doubt.

Apparently you skipped the next bit. You stated
Too bad more skeptics don't balance their skepticism with realism.
in post 1374.


kurious_kathy
My friend don't be deceived, Jesus Lives
Then tell him to appear on TV, do a few bona fide miracles.

I am totally convinced that it is a miracle when someone gets saved.
Whoo! Hoo! God hates me! (If you don’t understand this, then I’ll explain it in small words, if you ask nicely.)

Ossai
 
Santa Claus is coming to town, his making a list, his checking it twice,

Paul

:) :) :)
 
Santa Claus is coming to town
Oh please, not for at least another month. :eye-poppi

"I will tell you, that you Christians have created a holiday that has become a beast that cannot be fed. Every year, Christmas gets longer and longer and longer, and you don't care, do you? You just take more and more of the calendar for yourself. It's unbelievable. How long does it take you people to shop?! It's beyond belief. It's insane. When I was a kid, Halloween was Halloween, and Santa wasn't poking his ass into it!" - Lewis Black
 
lame statements about sasquatchery

Ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha and I thought you didn't have a sense of humor.

Paul

:) :) :)

Oh, my sides hurt, ha ha ha ha ha
 
One of the first signs of becoming an adult is questioning all that you have learned as a child and casting off those that don’t hold up and by not making excuses for those faulty ideas by saying “That’s how I was brought up”.

Paul

:) :) :)
 
Damn! Your post took up half a page!
Yeah, we do tend to run on. But I have a clever plan to cut down the size of our responses. I’m going to cut out anything that refers to evidence and faith. It is obvious that we don’t define these things the same way, so we’re not going to make any headway.

Unless it’s interesting. Nothing is 100% certain. ;)

I believe He wants to be loved, like everybody else. Are you letting Him down there?
If He wanted to be, He could be. (Note: all answers like I will make that God exists like you describe Him. Obviously, I don’t have any personal opinions on the nature of God, never having seen any evidence that He exists.)
It's true. I have all the knowledge I need. Hell, I have all the everything I need. If I need something else, I just go out and get it. It's easy.
LOL. So you won’t be learning anything new then? But I know what you mean. I too have enough for a very good life.

Oh, I'm sure that "claim" is on the horizon (if it hasn't already been made).

Bring me evidence. I'll look it over.
There’s some evidence. Google “The God gene”.

It wasn't "accept God or die." I had already accepted God. It was "conform or else..."
Or else what? Divorce? Jail? Still sounds like coercion to me.

I think the spirit will long outlive science.
I don’t see any evidence that “the spirit” is alive now. Can you define it in a way that doesn’t require faith?

In fact, with human spirituality still in the balance, science has delivered to us the means by which we might be able to destroy much of the biological life on this planet.

Hooray, science...
Yes, knowledge is a double-edged sword. But I know you mostly choose to use the benefits it gives you. I doubt seriously that you are living in an igloo in Alaska. Still, the environmental consequences of our activities on earth are very important, and likely to get even more so. But quixotically, the best tool we have against them is more knowledge.

You fail to grasp the meaning of the quote (or are trying to twist it to your ideological advantage). In the end, the law is the master, and everything is enslaved to it, whether the law is just or not.
Oh, I grasped it just fine, but I think it is not a “big picture” view. The law is the master, just or not, but the law is made by the people. People can change an unjust law. Did you know slavery used to be legal in the U.S.? Of course, the Old Testament sanctions slavery, so I guess that might be support for your stance on our country’s religious heritage. ;)

Nope. This forum is filled with people who don't like me, and that's fine.
My community is filled with people who love me. That's great.
We all have many communities. Your work community is not the same as your neighborhood community or your church community. But it is true, this internet community is probably the least like the others. You have no important consequences here. You can say anything you like. That is a kind of freedom you don’t have in the other communities. Yet, I still see you correct people when they misrepresent you. You do care. Everything you do here gives evidence for this.

But mostly I attract resentment. That's okay, too.
LOL. It’s not just okay. It’s what you want. You seek resentment, Huntster. You are confrontational. That’s okay, but don’t play the poor little abused non-conformist who just wants to say his piece. We’re not idiots.


Yeah, but I'm getting to like you. I don't want to insult someone who's communicating with me like this.
Oh, I don’t mind. I appreciate a well-crafted insult. It is even better if it is from somebody you like. Since I started to understand you, I find you more likeable too. Still crazy, but likeable. ;)


It certainly isn't a scientific or supported research, but it's a damned good guess.
You think? You’re not perhaps a little biased in this guess, are you?

Hard to tell how sincere you are in that. You commented over in the Politics forum that killing Saddam would be “just”. I’ll bet the Vatican doesn’t agree with that statement. They have the crazy idea that life-or-death justice should be God’s to decide. I disagree with them, since I wouldn’t leave a mythical entity in charge, but there you go. I’m a liberal who supports the death penalty. You’re a conservative who opposes it. Life is funny.

Many of them are violating their church's doctrine.
And many aren’t. There are lots of churches with lots of doctrines. Or they might be interpreting the doctrine differently. Nevertheless, they’re still Christians whose moral values differ greatly from yours. You cannot deny it without resorting to the “No true Scotsman” fallacy.

No doubt about it. I oppose their views if those views violate RCC doctrine, and any political action they may initiate or support.
Yet they use the same Bible as you and your morality is different. Thank you for making my point for me.

Well, get some judges (impartial, of course) and let them decide.
Ah, I wish I could. Obviously, you would be at a disadvantage on this forum, just as I would be on a Christian forum.

Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I'd had my ass handed to me, and you'll have to continue until doomsday, because I never stay down.
Like that’s a big deal? Look at LifeCreatedLife and his self-titled thread. The boy ain’t right. It is obvious to everybody in the thread (take a look if you doubt me) but he pops up like a whack-a-mole. There is no way to make anybody “stay down” on a forum like this. A person can continue to post no matter how discombobulated they are.

Still, I don’t want you to “stay down”. The forums wouldn’t be fun without moles to whack. ;)

Tithes aren't taxes. You don't go to jail if you don't pay.
No, but some would infer that you will lose your eternal soul. Soul extortion is a common practice in some Christian circles.

Do you two have kids?
No, and I will not criticize your child-raising. It sounds as if you have done well. I only point out that you cannot be sure of what is going on in their heads. From what I have heard, your children can surprise you sometimes.

Sorry. You're missing the best part.
I’ll chance it.
I like both. I can have both. I'm free.
I can have both too. It’s just that one is so much better than the other that I almost always choose evidence over faith when they conflict. (Dang. I violated my rule.)

Well, there sure are a lot of them around.
Yep. There are many people who have a basic instruction in science. For some, it is so basic that they don’t even recognize when science is being raped. In my experience, most of those are people who try to force-fit science into their faith, like people who try to defend the “Great Flood” myth. Still, if they have made any sort of valid scientific point, it must be credited.

You don't need to. If it doesn't glare at you when they state their positions, than maybe you don't have as much qualification that you think you do.
Methinks what “glares at you” is greatly influenced by your religious beliefs.

I've read "Origin of Species" as well as "The Descent of Man", and am very familiar with Huxley as well as other pertinent events of that era.
That’s good. I don’t want to turn this thread into another of those endless threads about evolution, but I wouldn’t mind hearing your take on it, especially the defenses of “intelligent design” that some Christians put forth. Not here though. The thread is too damn long already. Must be those idiots who make page-long posts. ;)

Huntster;2075182 said:
Face it; Darwin has become the High Priest of Anti-Religion for pseudo-scientists. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, unless you're among them. Why not admit it?
Because it’s not true. Darwin was not a priest. He cannot become one posthumously. Like I say, point out where someone has misinterpreted Darwin, and you have a case. Call them “disciples of Darwin” and you’re just throwing out ad homs.

What is it that "we know better?"
That the monotheists were wrong about Darwin.
Better, how about the definition of religion:
No, how about the definition of secular, like I asked. It means non-religious. You just called evolution a non-religious religion. Yeah, you stepped in it there, Hunny. Wipe your foot off and keep going.

Sorry. I don't like it any more than you do, but it's clearly true for some people.
Here’s the thing, Huntster. In the context of a single discussion, you have to pick one of those definitions and use it consistently. You can’t keep jumping from one to another. If you want to say religion is anything a person believe devotedly, that’s fine, but don’t then claim (in the same discussion) that it has anything to do with God. And vice versa.

I'm saying that there isn't any power without it's opposite. It's a universal truth. God created, and though He didn't create Evil directly, something became evil because that vacuum existed.
That’s bullspit (as you like to say). What is the opposite of gravity?

And if God didn’t create Evil directly, then it appeared without His knowledge and consent. I’ve heard all of these attempts to explain the paradox before. None of them have any substance or logic. They are wordy rationalizations that are used to change the meaning of “omnipotent” and “creator” in midstream. Yours are no exception.

You cannot escape the truth: God created this "system". Balance. Balance requires opposing forces. It's universal. It's perfect. It's science.
On second thought, you might think LightCreatedLife is a genius. You’re starting to sound like him. What is the opposing and balancing force of the Big Bang? You’re talking gibberish. Stop it before I bitch-slap you back to reality. I want the THINKING Huntster here, the one who understands science, not the drooling loony.

And as such, not all can be saved:
They could be if your God wanted them to be. What God wants, God gets. Otherwise, He wouldn’t be God. He would be just another player. Maybe not a pawn, but not the King either.

Oh, now you have "knowledge" or "beliefs" of the non-physical?
I have knowledge of the way it has been described, and almost every description includes a phrase like “it exists apart from science”. That means it has no rules that we, as denizens of our physical universe, can determine.

Of course, if you have some description of the metaphysical that does not include that phrase, I’d love to hear it.

I don't need to. When evidence comes to support that theory, I'll consider it. Until then, I'm busy considering things that have more merit.
it is not a theory. It is logic. In logic, consequences must not violate the assumptions. Yours do. It is simple. So I can understand why you prefer not to consider about it. It’s called “cognitive dissonance”.

Give me evidence of something. If it interests me, I'll consider it.
Uh huh. I’m guessing that if it challenges your faith, then it doesn’t “interest” you. Is homosexuality outside the choice of the individual? There’s lots of evidence for it. Thus, evidence suggests that gayness can’t be a sin, since it is not “free will”.

Again, the starving child is a biological situation. My need for God is not.
There is evidence to suggest that your need for God may indeed be a biological situation. Not overwhelming, but enough to consider it.

If, as RCC doctrine defines, Heaven is union with God and the blessed, it's there, because I believe in the existence of God.
So the evidence that not one person that you know has ever made verifiable contact with you or others is not significant to you?

Bullspit. Many schools, especially before the turn of the 20th Century, were religious organizations. Hell, I went to a parochial school. If you think my Utah example was something, my parents went to school in Louisiana. Hell, even the counties there are called "parishes."
Yeah, there were lots of religious schools, but in public schools, religion wasn’t a major issue, though often the school reflected the makeup of the community. Most kids went to public schools. My grandparents, who were teachers, told me this.

Not any more. Balance has been lost. Do what you will, but balance will be achieved. You can't stop it.
You may be right that religion will gain power in the government. I wouldn’t call it “balance” though. In fact, I think if that happens, it will mean the beginning of the end for the power of the US. Countries that don’t let superstition control science will out-compete us. I dread that possibility. And I already see it happening. We need to catch up, not take a nap.

Bullspit. They were more religious than you are portraying.
They weren’t religious like you are. Many were Deists. And they definitely had different moral values. Not surprising. Morality depends on society, and society changes all the time.

Look at your beloved RCC. How many times have they changed the “rules”? When I was growing up, it was immoral for Catholics to eat meat on Friday. Now its not. Did God change His mind?

I agree; fundamentalists of both sides. And damned dangerous, they are.
Funny though. Fundamentalist atheist doesn’t really mean anything. Fundamental to what? We don’t have a bible. We don’t have churches. We barely have groups. How dangerous can we be?

Christians have enormous power and money and the verbal approval of almost every politician in the US. Also, they have been very successful in demonizing atheists. So who is more dangerous?

Look at the evidence. Look at the logic. Please.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by Huntster
Oh, I'm sure that "claim" is on the horizon (if it hasn't already been made).

Bring me evidence. I'll look it over.

There’s some evidence. Google “The God gene”.

I took your advice and read about it here. That's interesting. I'll keep paying attention to it.

Originally Posted by Huntster
It wasn't "accept God or die." I had already accepted God. It was "conform or else..."

Or else what? Divorce? Jail? Still sounds like coercion to me.

It is. Tough love. Discipline for a wayward soul.

I'm as thankful as can be for it, too.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I think the spirit will long outlive science.

I don’t see any evidence that “the spirit” is alive now. Can you define it in a way that doesn’t require faith?

Nope.

Originally Posted by Huntster
You fail to grasp the meaning of the quote (or are trying to twist it to your ideological advantage). In the end, the law is the master, and everything is enslaved to it, whether the law is just or not.

Oh, I grasped it just fine, but I think it is not a “big picture” view. The law is the master, just or not, but the law is made by the people. People can change an unjust law. Did you know slavery used to be legal in the U.S.? Of course, the Old Testament sanctions slavery, so I guess that might be support for your stance on our country’s religious heritage.

Like the movie quote said, the law is made by the lawmakers. There was no national election referendum on slavery ever. There was no national balloting on the Great Compromise. There was no democratic vote when South Carolina seceeded after Lincoln's election. There was no election regarding Galileo or Scopes.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Nope. This forum is filled with people who don't like me, and that's fine.
My community is filled with people who love me. That's great.

We all have many communities. You work community is not the same as you neighborhood community or your church community.

Different faces (some are the same), but the same culture.

But it is true, this internet community is probably the least like the others. You have no important consequences here. You can say anything you like. That is a kind of freedom you don’t have in the other communities. Yet, I still see you correct people when they misrepresent you. You do care. Everything you do here gives evidence for this.

I correct people who misrepresent me because I like to oppose their manipulations, misrepresentations, lies, insults, derogatory statements, and falsehoods.

In other words, I like to fight.

Originally Posted by Huntster
But mostly I attract resentment. That's okay, too.

LOL. It’s not just okay. It’s what you want. You seek resentment, Huntster. You are confrontational. That’s okay, but don’t play the poor little abused non-conformist who just wants to say his piece. We’re not idiots.

I'm not playing a poor little anything.

And some of the people participating in this forum are idiots.

Originally Posted by Huntster
It certainly isn't a scientific or supported research, but it's a damned good guess.

You think? You’re not perhaps a little biased in this guess, are you?

Maybe. But, frankly, Jesse Jackson isn't known much anymore as a Reverend, but as a politician.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Like me?

Hard to tell how sincere you are in that. You commented over in the Politics forum that killing Saddam would be “just”. I’ll bet the Vatican doesn’t agree with that statement.

I'm not sure. RCC doctrine reserves the death penalty for cases where it is necessary for the defense of society. An argument can be made that Saddam remaining alive in a society engaged in civil war poses a great danger to that society.

They have the crazy idea that life-or-death justice should be God’s to decide. I disagree with them, since I wouldn’t leave a mythical entity in charge, but there you go. I’m a liberal who supports the death penalty. You’re a conservative who opposes it. Life is funny.

I generally oppose it because I cannot trust the courts to impose it properly, and the chances of it being administered to an innocent party is too great. However, I find that people who commit murders within correction facilities have used up their chances. Others in prison deserve protection from such animals, too. Also, those who kill law enforcement officers, showing no respect for society's representatives of the law, are good candidates for it, too.

Originally Posted by Huntster
No doubt about it. I oppose their views if those views violate RCC doctrine, and any political action they may initiate or support.

Yet they use the same Bible as you and your morality is different. Thank you for making my point for me.

Your quite welcome, but your point is not binding to me. I find it invalid, and have no responsibility to accept it as my principle.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Well, get some judges (impartial, of course) and let them decide.

Ah, I wish I could. Obviously, you would be at a disadvantage on this forum, just as I would be on a Christian forum.

Yup. And any judgement rendered here can be cheerfully dismissed by me.

Fun, isn't it?

Originally Posted by Huntster
Tithes aren't taxes. You don't go to jail if you don't pay.

No, but some would infer that you will lose your eternal soul. Soul extortion is a common practice in some Christian circles.

That's not the circle I'm in.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Do you two have kids?

No, and I will not criticize your child-raising. It sounds as if you have done well. I only point out that you cannot be sure of what is going on in their heads. From what I have heard, your children can surprise you sometimes.

My daughters can (to some extent). They're females. Who knows what's going on with those folks?

But Mrs. Huntster? Nope. She knows all. And her children worship the ground she walks on.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Well, there sure are a lot of them around.

Yep. There are many people who have a basic instruction in science. For some, it is so basic that they don’t even recognize when science is being raped. In my experience, most of those are people who try to force-fit science into their faith, like people who try to defend the “Great Flood” myth. Still, if they have made any sort of valid scientific point, it must be credited.

"Great Flood Myth"? Such a universal myth, too. It includes science.

Beringia? "Land Bridge"? Remember?

Originally Posted by Huntster
You don't need to. If it doesn't glare at you when they state their positions, than maybe you don't have as much qualification that you think you do.

Methinks what “glares at you” is greatly influenced by your religious beliefs.

That's true. It's also greatly influenced by common sense and previous experience.

Originally Posted by Huntster;
Face it; Darwin has become the High Priest of Anti-Religion for pseudo-scientists. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, unless you're among them. Why not admit it?

Because it’s not true. Darwin was not a priest. He cannot become one posthumously. Like I say, point out where someone has misinterpreted Darwin, and you have a case. Call them “disciples of Darwin” and you’re just throwing out ad homs.

I'll keep my eyes peeled. It probably won't be long.

Originally Posted by Huntster
What is it that "we know better?"

That the monotheists were wrong about Darwin.

Who are the monotheists, and what did they say that was incorrect?

Originally Posted by Huntster
Better, how about the definition of religion:

No, how about the definition of secular, like I asked. It means non-religious. You just called evolution a non-religious religion. Yeah, you stepped in it there, Hunny. Wipe your foot off and keep going.

I know what secular means. And I did call evolution a secular religion. I meant every word.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Sorry. I don't like it any more than you do, but it's clearly true for some people.

Here’s the thing, Huntster. In the context of a single discussion, you have to pick one of those definitions and use it consistently. You can’t keep jumping from one to another. If you want to say religion is anything a person believe devotedly, that’s fine, but don’t then claim (in the same discussion) that it has anything to do with God. And vice versa.

Religion isn't confined to the God of Abraham. It is how it is defined, some secular people treat certain subjects like a religion, and Darwinism is one of them.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I'm saying that there isn't any power without it's opposite. It's a universal truth. God created, and though He didn't create Evil directly, something became evil because that vacuum existed.

That’s bullspit (as you like to say). What is the opposite of gravity?

We don't know yet:

The model of gravity proposed by the theory of general relativity breaks down under extreme conditions (too far inside a black hole, and in the very early life of the universe under the big bang model). The rapid expansion of the early universe (cosmic inflation) has been verified by the WMAP result; however, no satisfactory explanations have been found as of 2006.

And if God didn’t create Evil directly, then it appeared without His knowledge and consent.

It occurred because of free will. It was inevitable, and God knew it.

Originally Posted by Huntster
You cannot escape the truth: God created this "system". Balance. Balance requires opposing forces. It's universal. It's perfect. It's science.

On second thought, you might think LightCreatedLife is a genius. You’re starting to sound like him.

I have no idea who you're talking about.

What is the opposing and balancing force of the Big Bang?

God as a creating force? Hell, I don't know. Neither does anybody else. Astro-physics is nothing but theory.

You’re talking gibberish. Stop it before I bitch-slap you back to reality.

Ooooh! Then I can demonstrate inevitable opposing force in a way you'd understand very well, and likely never forget.

I want the THINKING Huntster here, the one who understands science, not the drooling loony.

Look, physical theory is really neat stuff, but it is nonetheless primarily theory until unified. And how it relates to God and the supernatural is way beyond that.

Don't make yourself God yet, Tricky. You just aren't tricky enough.

Originally Posted by Huntster
And as such, not all can be saved:

They could be if your God wanted them to be.

Then we wouldn't have free will, would we?

What God wants, God gets. Otherwise, He wouldn’t be God. He would be just another player. Maybe not a pawn, but not the King either.

He got what He wants: Love. Attraction. More spiritual entities who love Him and unite with Him. Not all, (some are repelled) but that was their choice.

Originally Posted by Huntster;
Oh, now you have "knowledge" or "beliefs" of the non-physical?

I have knowledge of the way it has been described, and almost every description includes a phrase like “it exists apart from science”. That means it has no rules that we, as denizens of our physical universe, can determine. Of course, if you have some description of the metaphysical that does not include that phrase, I’d love to hear it.

It doesn't exist "apart from science." It exists and science cannot grasp it, define it, or manipulate it. And maybe never will. Science doesn't even have the physical figured out yet.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I don't need to. When evidence comes to support that theory, I'll consider it. Until then, I'm busy considering things that have more merit.

it is not a theory. It is logic. In logic, consequences must not violate the assumptions. Yours do. It is simple. So I can understand why you prefer not to consider about it. It’s called “cognitive dissonance”.

Hahaha!

Okay, point out were my "beliefs violate their own assumptions."

Originally Posted by Huntster
Give me evidence of something. If it interests me, I'll consider it.

Uh huh. I’m guessing that if it challenges your faith, then it doesn’t “interest” you.

Maybe, maybe not.

Is homosexuality outside the choice of the individual? There’s lots of evidence for it.

Yeah; like your "God gene." You wouldn't deny homosexuality exists, do you?

Thus, evidence suggests that gayness can’t be a sin, since it is not “free will”.

Likewise, the evidence suggests that those who reject God violate their own genetic makeup. So, athiests are as queer as homosexuals, right?

Think you can have it all your way?

Originally Posted by Huntster;
Again, the starving child is a biological situation. My need for God is not.

There is evidence to suggest that your need for God may indeed be a biological situation. Not overwhelming, but enough to consider it.

Unify your theories/evidence, or it's all as "religious" as my faith in God.

Originally Posted by Huntster;
If, as RCC doctrine defines, Heaven is union with God and the blessed, it's there, because I believe in the existence of God.

So the evidence that not one person that you know has ever made verifiable contact with you or others is not significant to you?

No, because the terms of your "verifiable" scenario prevent verification.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Bullspit. Many schools, especially before the turn of the 20th Century, were religious organizations. Hell, I went to a parochial school. If you think my Utah example was something, my parents went to school in Louisiana. Hell, even the counties there are called "parishes."

Yeah, there were lots of religious schools, but in public schools, religion wasn’t a major issue, though often the school reflected the makeup of the community. Most kids went to public schools. My grandparents, who were teachers, told me this.

Again, that depends on where your "most kids" were.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Not any more. Balance has been lost. Do what you will, but balance will be achieved. You can't stop it.

You may be right that religion will gain power in the government. I wouldn’t call it “balance” though. In fact, I think if that happens, it will mean the beginning of the end for the power of the US.

Many believe that has already happened, and it isn't because religion has somehow infected government in the U.S. In fact, many believe it is because of he opposite. I'm one of them.

Indeed, radical Islamists use the mantra of "the Great Satan" to describe the U.S. not because of the religious people here, but because of the moral decline we flaunt and export.

Countries that don’t let superstition control science will out-compete us.

What an exaggeration! Religion isn't controling science in the least! And, in my opinion, I want to see another power begin to "rule the world", especially if that means taking over police duties on this sorry planet.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Bullspit. They were more religious than you are portraying.

They weren’t religious like you are. Many were Deists. And they definitely had different moral values. Not surprising. Morality depends on society, and society changes all the time.

Your posts are really wandering now. Deists believe in God. The writings of the American founders who were Deists are very well recorded, and I'm especially fond of Paine's writings. His writings were extremely centered on God, and I'd like to remind you that he had a very appropriate position on "national sin" (with regard to both England as well as slavery in the Colonies) that the current nation/culture needs to be reminded of.

Look at your beloved RCC. How many times have they changed the “rules”?

Every time evidence or revelation dictated.

When I was growing up, it was immoral for Catholics to eat meat on Friday. Now its not. Did God change His mind?

Nope. Obligatory fasting from meat on Friday during Lent wasn't God's rule. It was the Church's. Now fasting is suggested, and those who wish to do so in glory to God do so with free will.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I agree; fundamentalists of both sides. And damned dangerous, they are.

Funny though. Fundamentalist atheist doesn’t really mean anything. Fundamental to what? We don’t have a bible. We don’t have churches. We barely have groups. How dangerous can we be?

Depends. "Can be"? I guess there's no limit.

Christians have enormous power and money and the verbal approval of almost every politician in the US. Also, they have been very successful in demonizing atheists. So who is more dangerous?

The atheists. Why? Because I'm not among them, and the ones on this forum demonstrate vitriole for my religion and me personally.

Look at the evidence. Look at the logic. Please.

The evidence is all over this forum. I've seen lots.

Indeed, check this out.
 
I took your advice and read about it here. That's interesting. I'll keep paying attention to it.
Me too. But there’s not much work being done on it, since it is of questionable utility.


Like the movie quote said, the law is made by the lawmakers. There was no national election referendum on slavery ever. There was no national balloting on the Great Compromise. There was no democratic vote when South Carolina seceeded after Lincoln's election. There was no election regarding Galileo or Scopes.
Well, yes there was. Maybe not an election on those specific issues, but whoever was brought to power, either in the government or the church, ended the practice of teaching incorrect science or forbidding the teaching of evolution. We’ve seen it here too. They recently kicked out (via election) all the Kansas City school board members who were ramrodding “intelligent design” in the schools there. It takes time, but laws do change as a result of public demand.

I correct people who misrepresent me because I like to oppose their manipulations, misrepresentations, lies, insults, derogatory statements, and falsehoods.
Why would you do that unless you cared what people thought?

In other words, I like to fight.
Really? I hadn’t noticed. ;)


And some of the people participating in this forum are idiots.
(Derogatory statements? I thought you were against those.)

Not all people who argue with you are idiots. Not even all the ones you call idiots.

I despair of ever making you into a master debater.

Maybe. But, frankly, Jesse Jackson isn't known much anymore as a Reverend, but as a politician.
Nevertheless, he is an ordained minister and some people do use him as an authority on Christianity. Let me guess. You think they are idiots.

I'm not sure. RCC doctrine reserves the death penalty for cases where it is necessary for the defense of society. An argument can be made that Saddam remaining alive in a society engaged in civil war poses a great danger to that society.
As far as I have been able to determine, the RCC opposes ALL executions, even Saddam’s. Actually, I oppose Saddam’s execution too, but for different reasons.

I generally oppose it because I cannot trust the courts to impose it properly, and the chances of it being administered to an innocent party is too great. However, I find that people who commit murders within correction facilities have used up their chances. Others in prison deserve protection from such animals, too. Also, those who kill law enforcement officers, showing no respect for society's representatives of the law, are good candidates for it, too.
My support for the death penalty is conditional too. I want to try to have the best evidence possible that the person committed the crime and will always be a danger to society. We aren’t very good at that now, but we can and should try to be better. Science helps there too.

Your quite welcome, but your point is not binding to me. I find it invalid, and have no responsibility to accept it as my principle.
LOL. I didn’t expect you to accept my point. But this isn’t just about you. It is about the fact that Christians and even RCs may be very devout and yet have vastly different moral positions. Thus, morality does not come from the church/Bible. It comes from the person, and the church/Bible is simply the way they justify it.

That's not the circle I'm in.
Maybe not your inner circle, but you are indeed within the “big circle” of those who say they are Christians. Whether you like it or not and no matter how vehemently you deny it, their actions reflect on you. That’s just part of accepting the mantle of Christianity.


The same is true for me. I wish Michael Newdow would STFU, but I cannot deny that how I am perceived as an atheist is influenced by his actions.

"Great Flood Myth"? Such a universal myth, too. It includes science.

Beringia? "Land Bridge"? Remember?
The flood myth is far from universal. But I’d love to see you make a scientific defense of it. As a geologist and biologist, I can tell you that evidence against a global flood is so overwhelming that it makes the theory of gravity look like some crackpot scheme.

That's true. It's also greatly influenced by common sense and previous experience.
Don’t place too much store in “common sense”. It has led us astray many times. Back it up with some evidence.


I'll keep my eyes peeled. It probably won't be long.
I tremble with antici……

pation.

Who are the monotheists, and what did they say that was incorrect?
The ones you brought up. The ones you said opposed Darwin.


I know what secular means. And I did call evolution a secular religion. I meant every word.
Then you are an oxymoron writer.


Religion isn't confined to the God of Abraham. It is how it is defined, some secular people treat certain subjects like a religion, and Darwinism is one of them.
Do I have to remind you of the “religion” of changing your oil (and filter)? You can’t keep flip-flopping definitions like this, Huntster.


We don't know yet:
So there is evidence everywhere for gravity, but anti-gravity is only hypothetical and has never been shown to exist. That ain’t balance, Hunny, so there is some pretty strong evidence against your claim that everything needs balance. Really, Huntster, as a friend, I advise don’t take this tack. It is too easy to refute.


It occurred because of free will. It was inevitable, and God knew it.
Nope. Still doesn’t work. The way your God is described, nothing is inevitable if He doesn’t want it to happen. He makes the rules.


I have no idea who you're talking about.
Look here.

God as a creating force? Hell, I don't know. Neither does anybody else. Astro-physics is nothing but theory.
Then it seems wrong for you to make sweeping statements about “balance” when you admit you don’t know. BTW, as was explained earlier, ALL of science is “nothing but theory”.

Ooooh! Then I can demonstrate inevitable opposing force in a way you'd understand very well, and likely never forget.
You’ll have to do it with words. That’s all we have here. You may not realize this, but you are getting a verbal Bitch-Slapping right now. Of course, you probably think you’re BS-ing me too.


Look, physical theory is really neat stuff, but it is nonetheless primarily theory until unified. And how it relates to God and the supernatural is way beyond that.
At least theories are based on evidence. Your statements about God and how He relates to the physical are based on none.

Don't make yourself God yet, Tricky. You just aren't tricky enough.
LOL. I don’t believe in God, and I certainly don’t try to make vacuous philosophical statements about His nature as you just did.

It doesn't exist "apart from science." It exists and science cannot grasp it, define it, or manipulate it. And maybe never will. Science doesn't even have the physical figured out yet.
That’s what “apart from science” means. A realm where science cannot touch it.

You keep supporting me with your disagreements.

Okay, point out were my "beliefs violate their own assumptions."
Okay, I’ll try to make a simple syllogism for you.

Major Premise: God created everything
Minor Premise: God hates Evil
Conclusion: God would not create Evil

Now you see, the conclusion violates one of the premises. EITHER god did not create everything (meaning He did not create Evil), OR God doesn’t hate Evil.

This is the theodicy paradox. Which of those premises would you change to allow for the creation of Evil?

Yeah; like your "God gene." You wouldn't deny homosexuality exists, do you?

Likewise, the evidence suggests that those who reject God violate their own genetic makeup. So, atheists are as queer as homosexuals, right?
In a sense, yes. They are unusual in the population, but certainly not unnatural. Our genetic code allows for a lot of variability, but being different from the norm is in no way wrong. But even if a “God gene” does exist, that far from validates the existence of God. Just the opposite. It only says that humans somehow evolved a need to believe in myths. History seems to confirm this. Christ was not the first myth humans believed in, and probably won’t be the last.

Unify your theories/evidence, or it's all as "religious" as my faith in God.
Physical science fits in quite well with biology and all the other sciences, thank you. Indeed, they all overlap greatly.

No, because the terms of your "verifiable" scenario prevent verification.
No, I can think of a number of pieces of evidence that would verify the existence of an afterlife. Christian charlatans like Sylvia Browne fake them all the time, but for some reason, they can’t seem to do so when under scrutiny. Why do you suppose that is?

Many believe that has already happened, and it isn't because religion has somehow infected government in the U.S. In fact, many believe it is because of the opposite. I'm one of them.
And yet, religion’s power over elected officials is greater than at any time in US history, IMO.
Indeed, radical Islamists use the mantra of "the Great Satan" to describe the U.S. not because of the religious people here, but because of the moral decline we flaunt and export.
Actually, they mostly hate us because we support Israel. And they hate Israel more than us. You think it’s because of their “moral decline”?

Religion is often the excuse for war. It is rarely the reason.

Your posts are really wandering now. Deists believe in God. The writings of the American founders who were Deists are very well recorded, and I'm especially fond of Paine's writings. His writings were extremely centered on God, and I'd like to remind you that he had a very appropriate position on "national sin" (with regard to both England as well as slavery in the Colonies) that the current nation/culture needs to be reminded of.
My statement was that they do/did not believe in God the way you do. They didn’t believe in the importance of Christ. As far as I can tell, they didn’t believe in heaven or any sort of afterlife. Indeed, they believed that Natural Law (not supernatural) is the source of morality.

Every time evidence or revelation dictated.
Nope. Obligatory fasting from meat on Friday during Lent wasn't God's rule. It was the Church's. Now fasting is suggested, and those who wish to do so in glory to God do so with free will.
Still, they were wrong, and they have admitted it. Why would anyone continue to give moral authority to a group that has been wrong so many times?

The atheists. Why? Because I'm not among them, and the ones on this forum demonstrate vitriol for my religion and me personally.
Some do, some don’t. Certainly you cannot claim innocence in the vitriol-dispensing department, nor can I.

You have said it earlier. You like to fight. Apparently, you’re not alone in that.

The evidence is all over this forum. I've seen lots.

Indeed, check this out.
Oh no! Cartoons insulting God! Quick! Organize a Jihad!

If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out, Hunny.
 
Originally Posted by Huntster
Like the movie quote said, the law is made by the lawmakers. There was no national election referendum on slavery ever. There was no national balloting on the Great Compromise. There was no democratic vote when South Carolina seceeded after Lincoln's election. There was no election regarding Galileo or Scopes.

Well, yes there was. Maybe not an election on those specific issues, but whoever was brought to power, either in the government or the church, ended the practice of teaching incorrect science or forbidding the teaching of evolution. We’ve seen it here too. They recently kicked out (via election) all the Kansas City school board members who were ramrodding “intelligent design” in the schools there. It takes time, but laws do change as a result of public demand.

In contrast, behold the gay marriage issue. As of today, and in historical short order, we now have 27 states with constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage (including Hawaii, which spurred this movement). This was initiated by attempted judicial lawmaking in both Massachusetts and Hawaii. It happened quickly, most by ballot initiative started at the grass roots level. These constitutional amendments are essentially liberal-judge-proof.

That's lawmaking by the people, not "lawmakers."

Originally Posted by Huntster
I correct people who misrepresent me because I like to oppose their manipulations, misrepresentations, lies, insults, derogatory statements, and falsehoods.

Why would you do that unless you cared what people thought?

I'm fighting the lie, not the liar. The liar continues. The lie is exposed for the just to see.

Originally Posted by Huntster
And some of the people participating in this forum are idiots.

(Derogatory statements? I thought you were against those.)
Not all people who argue with you are idiots. Not even all the ones you call idiots.

And some are.

I despair of ever making you into a master debater.

You should. You aren't a qualified instructor.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Maybe. But, frankly, Jesse Jackson isn't known much anymore as a Reverend, but as a politician.

Nevertheless, he is an ordained minister and some people do use him as an authority on Christianity. Let me guess. You think they are idiots.

Some are. Most are propagandists.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I'm not sure. RCC doctrine reserves the death penalty for cases where it is necessary for the defense of society. An argument can be made that Saddam remaining alive in a society engaged in civil war poses a great danger to that society.

As far as I have been able to determine, the RCC opposes ALL executions.....

You have determined incorrectly. Again.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Your quite welcome, but your point is not binding to me. I find it invalid, and have no responsibility to accept it as my principle.

LOL. I didn’t expect you to accept my point. But this isn’t just about you. It is about the fact that Christians and even RCs may be very devout and yet have vastly different moral positions. Thus, morality does not come from the church/Bible. It comes from the person, and the church/Bible is simply the way they justify it.

Or, the church/bible is the foundation of their personal morality.

Originally Posted by Huntster
That's not the circle I'm in.

Maybe not your inner circle, but you are indeed within the “big circle” of those who say they are Christians. Whether you like it or not and no matter how vehemently you deny it, their actions reflect on you. That’s just part of accepting the mantle of Christianity.

Correct, and I accept being in that community.

It beats a whole bunch of other communities, including this one.

The same is true for me. I wish Michael Newdow would STFU, but I cannot deny that how I am perceived as an atheist is influenced by his actions.

The Christian community beats the Newdow community, too. By a long shot. Before Newdow was born, and long after he will be gone.

Originally Posted by Huntster
"Great Flood Myth"? Such a universal myth, too. It includes science.

Beringia? "Land Bridge"? Remember?

The flood myth is far from universal. But I’d love to see you make a scientific defense of it.

Do you deny the Siberian/Alaskan land bridge appearing and disappearing?

Originally Posted by Huntster
I know what secular means. And I did call evolution a secular religion. I meant every word.

Then you are an oxymoron writer.

Yup, because those who adhere to science as a religion that I refer to live an oxymoronic life.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Religion isn't confined to the God of Abraham. It is how it is defined, some secular people treat certain subjects like a religion, and Darwinism is one of them.

Do I have to remind you of the “religion” of changing your oil (and filter)? You can’t keep flip-flopping definitions like this, Huntster.

It is not a flip flop. Some people do religiously change their oil. You appear to be one of them. You don't do so in accordance with your owner's manual, but do so religiously.

It's really quite foolish. You're wasting money, oil, and contributing to environmental degradation because of your religious tenets.

You really should consider science in that regard.

Originally Posted by Huntster
We don't know yet:

So there is evidence everywhere for gravity, but anti-gravity is only hypothetical and has never been shown to exist. That ain’t balance, Hunny, so there is some pretty strong evidence against your claim that everything needs balance. Really, Huntster, as a friend, I advise don’t take this tack. It is too easy to refute.

Just like religion. It's easy to refute.

That's why you do it.

But that doesn't mean you're correct, especially when the jury is clearly still out.

Originally Posted by Huntster
It occurred because of free will. It was inevitable, and God knew it.

Nope. Still doesn’t work. The way your God is described, nothing is inevitable if He doesn’t want it to happen. He makes the rules.

He made the rules, and the universe is bound by them unless He chooses to transcend them.

Originally Posted by Huntster
I have no idea who you're talking about.

Look here.

Originally Posted by Huntster
God as a creating force? Hell, I don't know. Neither does anybody else. Astro-physics is nothing but theory.

Then it seems wrong for you to make sweeping statements about “balance” when you admit you don’t know. BTW, as was explained earlier, ALL of science is “nothing but theory”.

And so are my opinions. And so are yours. Etc.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Ooooh! Then I can demonstrate inevitable opposing force in a way you'd understand very well, and likely never forget.

You’ll have to do it with words. That’s all we have here. You may not realize this, but you are getting a verbal Bitch-Slapping right now. Of course, you probably think you’re BS-ing me too.

I'm not much for recognizing "verbal Bitch-Slapping." I've never even participated in physical Bitch-Slapping. I don't slap.

This is a practice in which I'm inexperienced. Please excuse my ignorance.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Look, physical theory is really neat stuff, but it is nonetheless primarily theory until unified. And how it relates to God and the supernatural is way beyond that.

At least theories are based on evidence. Your statements about God and how He relates to the physical are based on none.

Correct. They are based on the spiritual theory and revelation of theologians, and are considered in faith, because there is little physical evidence, being a non-physical phenomenon.

Originally Posted by Huntster
It doesn't exist "apart from science." It exists and science cannot grasp it, define it, or manipulate it. And maybe never will. Science doesn't even have the physical figured out yet.

That’s what “apart from science” means. A realm where science cannot touch it.

You keep supporting me with your disagreements.

You think so, because you refuse to grasp the obvious. And that's fine. It's your right. But it still doesn't make you correct.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Okay, point out were my "beliefs violate their own assumptions."

Okay, I’ll try to make a simple syllogism for you.

Major Premise: God created everything
Minor Premise: God hates Evil
Conclusion: God would not create Evil

Now you see, the conclusion violates one of the premises. EITHER god did not create everything (meaning He did not create Evil), OR God doesn’t hate Evil.

This is the theodicy paradox. Which of those premises would you change to allow for the creation of Evil?

Your major premise: God created everything.

God created Lucifer, and Lucifer created evil, through his own free will.

Originally Posted by Huntster

Yeah; like your "God gene." You wouldn't deny homosexuality exists, do you?

Likewise, the evidence suggests that those who reject God violate their own genetic makeup. So, atheists are as queer as homosexuals, right?

In a sense, yes. They are unusual in the population, but certainly not unnatural. Our genetic code allows for a lot of variability, but being different from the norm is in no way wrong. But even if a “God gene” does exist, that far from validates the existence of God. Just the opposite. It only says that humans somehow evolved a need to believe in myths. History seems to confirm this. Christ was not the first myth humans believed in, and probably won’t be the last.

So, it isn't a God gene, is it? It's a myth gene.

That sounds like a line of BS propaganda to me.

Originally Posted by Huntster
No, because the terms of your "verifiable" scenario prevent verification.

No, I can think of a number of pieces of evidence that would verify the existence of an afterlife.

Me, too, yet when presented, the "terms of verifiable" on this forum prevent it from being accepted as "evidence."

Originally Posted by Huntster
Many believe that has already happened, and it isn't because religion has somehow infected government in the U.S. In fact, many believe it is because of the opposite. I'm one of them.

And yet, religion’s power over elected officials is greater than at any time in US history, IMO.

I believe you're wrong, and historical writings support me.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Indeed, radical Islamists use the mantra of "the Great Satan" to describe the U.S. not because of the religious people here, but because of the moral decline we flaunt and export.

Actually, they mostly hate us because we support Israel. And they hate Israel more than us. You think it’s because of their “moral decline”?

Nope. I think that's because they hate Jews.

Religion is often the excuse for war. It is rarely the reason.

I agree.

And I still say that it's a damned good excuse, and it resonates with those within Islam who aren't radical terrorists.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Your posts are really wandering now. Deists believe in God. The writings of the American founders who were Deists are very well recorded, and I'm especially fond of Paine's writings. His writings were extremely centered on God, and I'd like to remind you that he had a very appropriate position on "national sin" (with regard to both England as well as slavery in the Colonies) that the current nation/culture needs to be reminded of.

My statement was that they do/did not believe in God the way you do. They didn’t believe in the importance of Christ. As far as I can tell, they didn’t believe in heaven or any sort of afterlife. Indeed, they believed that Natural Law (not supernatural) is the source of morality.

And that Natural Law was established by God.

Originally Posted by Huntster
Every time evidence or revelation dictated.

Originally Posted by Huntster

Nope. Obligatory fasting from meat on Friday during Lent wasn't God's rule. It was the Church's. Now fasting is suggested, and those who wish to do so in glory to God do so with free will.

Still, they were wrong, and they have admitted it. Why would anyone continue to give moral authority to a group that has been wrong so many times?

For the same reason why we continue to elect governments to manage physical life: because we need them, despite them being humans like the rest of us.

Originally Posted by Huntster
The atheists. Why? Because I'm not among them, and the ones on this forum demonstrate vitriol for my religion and me personally.

Some do, some don’t. Certainly you cannot claim innocence in the vitriol-dispensing department, nor can I.

You have said it earlier. You like to fight. Apparently, you’re not alone in that.

Yup. And the beat goes on.............

Originally Posted by Huntster
The evidence is all over this forum. I've seen lots.

Indeed, check this out.

Oh no! Cartoons insulting God! Quick! Organize a Jihad!

If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out, Hunny.

I can take it. And I love dishing it back.

No Jihad needed. Just pointing out the truth will work.
 

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