Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Magus55 · 08-19-2003, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sci_Fidelity
Posted by Magus:

If you were an omnipotent god, would you not create a text that is totally unambigous? For that matter, why rely on fallible humans at all? Why not just write the thing yourself?

Because even if God wrote it himself, people would still find something to disagree with.

Quote:

Right. I wouldn't exist.

Wrong, God does exist.

Volker.Doormann · 08-19-2003, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
One thing is a little troubling about the intelligence of our ancestors whether theist or non-theist.

Obviously the Earth must be round or ships would not disappear beneath the horizon about 8 miles out.

Not only should it have been very obvious to any seafaring nation of antiquity with any scientists of any merit that the Earth was round. ---------It should also have been easily proven mathematically from that 8 mile horizon exactly what the circumference of the globe was.

So why were so many scientists and certainly Columbus so screwed up about the actual circumference of the globe?---------thought it was much smaller than it is.

Am I missing something here? Was everyone all that stupid, even those who thought the Earth was round?

Or is it much more difficult than it seems to figure from the distance to a horizon what the circumference of a globe is?

www.textbookleague.org/26flat.htm

It seems, that some male people are satisfied, if they can assert, there were much more stupid people in the past then in present. This consciousness to be born now brings virtual knowledge without thinking hard. Clever.

Sci_Fidelity · 08-19-2003, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Because even if God wrote it himself, people would still find something to disagree with.

How so? Is god ambiguous? Can he not write so that the text can only be interpreted one way? Isn't this really the only fair way to do it, considering the importance of the text?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a text that either says "the earth is flat" or "the earth is spherical." See what I mean? If it were divinely inspired, would there be any question?

Now, so as not to hijack this thread, back to whether the bible says the earth is flat.....

Doctor X · 08-19-2003, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Only through study and the Holy Spirit can one see the true meaning of the Bible.

I would suggest another approach . . . since it does not seem to work.

Quote:

And its a good thing you aren't God.

I am not sure of that. I imagine he would alleviate the suffering of the child.

--J.D.

Sci_Fidelity · 08-19-2003, 03:42 PM

See- another thread abandoned by Magus with questions left unanswered.

Magus55 · 08-19-2003, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doctor X
I would suggest another approach . . . since it does not seem to work.

--J.D.

Works for me and plenty of other Christians.

Magus55 · 08-19-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sci_Fidelity

How so? Is god ambiguous? Can he not write so that the text can only be interpreted one way? Isn't this really the only fair way to do it, considering the importance of the text?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a text that either says "the earth is flat" or "the earth is spherical." See what I mean? If it were divinely inspired, would there be any question?

[/B]

You aren't taking into account the language in which it was originally written. In hebrew, it probably makes perfect sense. There is no word for sphere in Hebrew, which is probably why it translated to circle in english.

Sci_Fidelity · 08-19-2003, 03:55 PM

Posted by Magus:

Quote:

You aren't taking into account the language in which it was originally written. In hebrew, it probably makes perfect sense. There is no word for sphere in Hebrew, which is probably why it translated to circle in english.

Pity your god didn't forsee this.

Magus55 · 08-19-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sci_Fidelity
Posted by Magus:

Pity your god didn't forsee this. [/B]

Who said He didn't?

Sci_Fidelity · 08-19-2003, 04:12 PM

It goes back to what I said about ambiguity. An omnipotent being could ensure that the text could only be interpreted one way- regardless of how many translations it's been through.

08-19-2003, 03:42 PM	#35
Sci_Fidelity Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 595	And god said "Magus- where are you?" See- another thread abandoned by Magus with questions left unanswered.

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08-19-2003, 04:12 PM	#40
Sci_Fidelity Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 595	It goes back to what I said about ambiguity. An omnipotent being could ensure that the text could only be interpreted one way- regardless of how many translations it's been through.

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