Timetospend

Of course, you are correct. However, I was thinking of the people most likely to read this site, such as yourself.


I think that people are incredibly capability of disregarding information that disagrees wth their belief system.

For example, I love my cash credit card. I try to convert any purchasing that I do so that I use it because every month I get a benefit from those buys. Of course, each month I pay the balance on it; so using it is like getting free money. Why would greedy corporate America offer such a nice gift to me? Because so many people have large credit card debts, they make money on average for each cash credit card that they deploy, despite people like me. Yet, there is no dearth of evidence concerning the downside of credit-card debt.

Thanks,

Timetospend

[QUOTE=Johnny Skeptic;4714624]My guess that anyone who comes to this site because they "need their faith strengthened" are basically deluding themselves. They have likely already made their decision.

While I sometimes have the problem of not responding, I do enjoy reading the problems posed for Christianity. Generally, though, I do not find the answers for these problems on this site.

I am happy to exchange views in a civilized, intelligent way if that is possible.


[QUOTE=Johnny Skeptic;4714624]No, I think that God can convince anyone anytime that he wants to do so.

[QUOTE=Johnny Skeptic;4714624]The credit card example was intended to be used as a non-religious example that people disregard information which does not agree with their beliefs and desires. If everyone knows the pitfalls of credit-card debt (and they should), then why do they fall prey to it?

Frankly, I think that there is plenty of data that the supernatural exists, although one might not be able to fully triangulate on the God of the Bible. (Just open your window and look out at all the order of existence.) Having "debated skeptics" on this point in the past, I know how unlikely any argument, would be convincing to one of this bent. A few words from me would have little effect.

Apologies if this sounds stereotypical as I am not trying to offend, but only answer your exhortation.

[QUOTE=Johnny Skeptic;4714624]I have never particularly cared for the word, which is why I did not answer your question the first time that you posed it. However, I do accept the inerrancy of the Bible in its original autograph.

Thanks,

Chronocide

Actually the credit card companies do that because they charge a percentage fee to the companies you buy from every time you buy something. Which is why a lot of mom 'n pop places don't accept credit cards.

Anyways, I doubt that's relavent to the conversation but I just wanted to point that out. :rolling:

Johnny Skeptic

May I ask what that has to do with this thread?

Boro Nut

Because they want new stuff obviously. Debt is simply a frame of mind. Let them sweat who want it off you I say.

But I must congratulate you on finally uncovering the secret raison d'etre of the evil atheist conspiracy, that we reject all knowledge of god simply because we believe in hell and desire to go there. Pathetic.

Boro Nut

Timetospend

Apparently this thread was started without me knowing it, until now.

The statement was made supporting a point. This point is not quoted here.

Thanks,

Timetospend

Thank you for your nice note. I am so glad that you have come to the only possible and obvious reason for rejecting all knowledge of god!

Actually, though, this was written concerning a proposed contradiction to explain why people did not believe when Paul spoke to them along with other proofs.

I do believe that you have hit on a significant point. Clearly motivation is an important factor in the way that we behave and how we believe. After reading several hundred notes on this system, I think that it is obvious that atheists are not immune to their desires affecting how they interpret data.

Thanks,

Johnny Skeptic

Sure there is. There is plenty of evidence that many people who have credit cards should not have them because they end up paying exhorbitant interest rates on their unpaid balance.

More importantly, not only is there not a dearth of evidence that the Bible is inerrant, and that God inspired the originals, but there is next to none at all.

Johnny Skeptic

If you were actually interested in following the evidence wherever it leads, you would be willing to follow it if it led to God sending everyone to hell. It is a given that you would not do that. If the Bible said that God will send everyone to hell, you would hope that it was false, even though you now hope that it is true, and you most certainly would not promote it, even though you now promote it. This proves that you are only interested in accepting evidence that appeals to your emotional perceived self-interest.

Timetospend

I do want to follow the evidence of the Bible wherever it leads, but it does not lead to where your post is going. You have posed a hypothetical question, not the real one. Why not make your question more direct and not as indirect as this one and perhaps that can be discussed? If my body is as sore tomorrow as it is today, I will be sure to answer because laying on the couch is the best place for me.

Thanks,