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Reload this Page Clouseau on the possibility of miracles and other snarky digressions split fr Ridicul
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Old 09-24-2007, 06:28 AM   #41
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I have trouble understanding how people with an IQ above 80 can believe in the fairy tale known as Christianity. This is not to single out Christians, it's just that they are predominant in the world I live. I've read and participated in most of the arguments such as God as First Cause, Argument From Design, Moral Arguments, and Pascal's Wager. Arguing these topics can be frustrating, and I think they give unwarranted credibility to Christianity and disguise the fact that it is just plain silly. Instead, I would like to focus on the absurdity of Christianity. Things that no sane person has experienced in their earthly lives. Who has ever come across a talking snake? Or seen anyone but a magician turn water into wine? In this regard I would like the board's help in compiling an extensive list of non-sensical Christian beliefs and events that even a Caveman can see are silly. If such a list already exists I would appreciate directions to it. If not I'll get it started (with sources):

(1) Talking snake in Garden of Eden (Genesis 3)
(2) Jesus turns water into wine (John 2)
(3) Jonah survives 3 days in the belly of a whale (Jonah 1-2)
this might answer your question
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Old 09-24-2007, 06:43 AM   #42
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Old 09-24-2007, 07:14 AM   #43
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I have trouble understanding how people with an IQ above 80 can believe in the fairy tale known as Christianity. This is not to single out Christians, it's just that they are predominant in the world I live. I've read and participated in most of the arguments such as God as First Cause, Argument From Design, Moral Arguments, and Pascal's Wager. Arguing these topics can be frustrating, and I think they give unwarranted credibility to Christianity and disguise the fact that it is just plain silly. Instead, I would like to focus on the absurdity of Christianity. Things that no sane person has experienced in their earthly lives. Who has ever come across a talking snake? Or seen anyone but a magician turn water into wine? In this regard I would like the board's help in compiling an extensive list of non-sensical Christian beliefs and events that even a Caveman can see are silly. If such a list already exists I would appreciate directions to it. If not I'll get it started (with sources):

(1) Talking snake in Garden of Eden (Genesis 3)
(2) Jesus turns water into wine (John 2)
(3) Jonah survives 3 days in the belly of a whale (Jonah 1-2)
this might answer your question
Obvious inferiority complex. :wave:
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Old 09-24-2007, 07:27 AM   #44
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Default Fair Test???
this might answer your question[/QUOTE]

How do we know that God wasn't helping the Christians cheat on the test?
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Old 09-24-2007, 07:40 AM   #45
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How do we know that God wasn't helping the Christians cheat on the test?
Ah. So there is a God.
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Old 09-24-2007, 07:49 AM   #46
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Absolutely. So we must reject the claim here that

'The supernatural cannot happen'

until such time as, for the first time in history, convincing evidence is supplied to support it.
But ... That's not how science works ...

<REMEDIAL>
Science works by observing occurrences in the environment around us, then attempting to explain these occurrences in terms of hypotheses. These hypotheses must be testable, reproducible, and as simple as possible given the evidence and the variables involved in the occurrence. When occutrances are observed that do not fit the hypothesis, then the hypothesis is revised or reworked in order to account for the new variables/environmental factors for which the original hypothesis do not account.
</REMEDIAL>

As such, your postulation that a one-off 'miracle' without -any- supporting physical evidence should necessitate our acceptance of the supernatural's extistance is going about it all wrong.

Much better to entreat your god to stop by Randi's lab and do a few parlor tricks under controlled conditions.


BTW: Ever wonder why those 'miracles' described in the 'holy books' don't happen anymore? :wave:
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Old 09-24-2007, 07:49 AM   #47
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Absolutely. So we must reject the claim here that

'The supernatural cannot happen'

until such time as, for the first time in history, convincing evidence is supplied to support it.
I take a different view. I reject the supernatural until convincing evidence is supplied to support it. In this way, I can quickly eliminate all frivolous and baseless theories with regards to the unknown.

And, if the supernatural did or can happen, do you think it will or did happen the way you thought it could?

If one believes the supernatural can happen, then all outrageous and wild claims must be taken seriously and investigated which is an exercise of futility.

I reject claims of the supernatural, since, at this time, they are all worthless.
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Old 09-24-2007, 08:05 AM   #48
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Ah. So there is a God.
Yes. Billions in fact. BUT, just in the minds of the believers.
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Old 09-24-2007, 08:06 AM   #49
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Absolutely. So we must reject the claim here that

'The supernatural cannot happen'

until such time as, for the first time in history, convincing evidence is supplied to support it.
Quote:
I take a different view. I reject the supernatural until convincing evidence is supplied to support it.
You are welcome to do that, but what you cannot do thereby is prove that the supernatural cannot happen. In other words, you don't know that what you say is true. As far as others are concerned, it may be mere wishful thinking.
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Old 09-24-2007, 08:07 AM   #50
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Ah. So there is a God.
Yes. Billions in fact. BUT, just in the minds of the believers.
Of which you are one, perhaps.
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