Freethought & Rationalism Archive

LinuxPup · 08-13-2002, 12:57 AM

A *somewhat* satirical apologetic defense of Christianity:

I'm a Christian the same reason many of you are materialists.

This is because the descriptive laws of the universe (gravity, electromagnetic force, etc.) altered the velocity and position of particles contained within our dimensions of space and time in certain ways to trigger certain thoughts and beliefs within my brain. I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief. I, like everyone else, cannot cause myself to believe anything, or to truly think for myself anymore then a stone can decide to roll down a hill. Just because I'm composed of a different set of atoms doesn't give me free will.

The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal.

I'm not a free thinker, and neither are you.

scumble · 08-13-2002, 01:08 AM

The flaw here is that it wouldn't put Christianity in a favourable light necessarily. Apologetics are supposed to make Christianity seem better, and of course, it denies free will and may make God responsible for everything...

Syphor · 08-13-2002, 01:13 AM

I agree with you completely!

Nice argument against Christianity BTW

TooBad · 08-13-2002, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LinuxPup:
[QB]
The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal.

I think you're confusing reasons with causes.

Beliefs are psychological states, and psychological states may be ultimately explicable in terms of physics. But to explain a belief in terms of its physical causes is to say nothing about whether the belief is justified. These are two entirely separate areas of enquiry.

Theli · 08-13-2002, 02:43 AM

LinuxPup...

Quote:

I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief.

But the synapses are a part of you. Therefore you are still to "blame".
Interesting thought, though.

Ted Hoffman · 08-13-2002, 02:54 AM

LinuxPup

Quote:

...I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this

This is the same cheap, anti-intellectual excuse a padeophile will use as a defence.
Why are you trying to play victim?

Liquidrage · 08-13-2002, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LinuxPup:
A *somewhat* satirical apologetic defense of Christianity:

I'm a Christian the same reason many of you are materialists.

This is because the descriptive laws of the universe (gravity, electromagnetic force, etc.) altered the velocity and position of particles contained within our dimensions of space and time in certain ways to trigger certain thoughts and beliefs within my brain. I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief. I, like everyone else, cannot cause myself to believe anything, or to truly think for myself anymore then a stone can decide to roll down a hill. Just because I'm composed of a different set of atoms doesn't give me free will.

The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal.

I'm not a free thinker, and neither are you.

Sure, I down with strict determinism.
But I don't think giving you a cookie now is in the threads of fate.

Regardless of whether the world is determinate or not we still get to act like we have free-will; we still get to turn off TV shows we don't like and we still get to hit snooze one more time.

So give up your old and tired religion and put your faith into mankind.

Silent Dave · 08-13-2002, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LinuxPup:
A *somewhat* satirical apologetic defense of Christianity:

I'm a Christian the same reason many of you are materialists.

This is because the descriptive laws of the universe (gravity, electromagnetic force, etc.) altered the velocity and position of particles contained within our dimensions of space and time in certain ways to trigger certain thoughts and beliefs within my brain. I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief. I, like everyone else, cannot cause myself to believe anything, or to truly think for myself anymore then a stone can decide to roll down a hill. Just because I'm composed of a different set of atoms doesn't give me free will.

The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal.

I'm not a free thinker, and neither are you.

Believe it or not, you sound a fair bit like my old philosophy advisor. I believe he was a Calvinist.

Dave

Heathen Dawn · 08-13-2002, 09:56 AM

I'm a naturalist because of God's will. Whom She will She hardeneth. Praise be to Al-Lat, the Merciful, the Compassionate. To her is all praise due. Many are the thoughts in the heart of man, but the counsel of Goddess is the one that takes place.

Natura est Dea et felicitas mea.

lobstertrap · 08-13-2002, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LinuxPup:
A *somewhat* satirical apologetic defense of Christianity:

I'm a Christian the same reason many of you are materialists.

This is because the descriptive laws of the universe (gravity, electromagnetic force, etc.) altered the velocity and position of particles contained within our dimensions of space and time in certain ways to trigger certain thoughts and beliefs within my brain. I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief. I, like everyone else, cannot cause myself to believe anything, or to truly think for myself anymore then a stone can decide to roll down a hill. Just because I'm composed of a different set of atoms doesn't give me free will.

The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal.

I'm not a free thinker, and neither are you.

Is it just me or do you believe in pre-destiny? Sounds like it...meaning that when time was formed, time already "knew" I would type this post at 1:16PM CST on August 13th, 2002, by the Gregorio-Christian calender. Yup.

08-13-2002, 12:57 AM	#1
LinuxPup Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 248	Why I am a Christian? A somewhat satirical apologetic defense of Christianity: I'm a Christian the same reason many of you are materialists. This is because the descriptive laws of the universe (gravity, electromagnetic force, etc.) altered the velocity and position of particles contained within our dimensions of space and time in certain ways to trigger certain thoughts and beliefs within my brain. I am not the cause of my belief in Christianity, rather the determined set of synapses within my head guided me toward this belief. I, like everyone else, cannot cause myself to believe anything, or to truly think for myself anymore then a stone can decide to roll down a hill. Just because I'm composed of a different set of atoms doesn't give me free will. The reason many of you object to Christianity is not out of disgust, free thought, reason, evidence, or any other reason you might give to this post, but rather because the set physical laws of the universe dictated that your brain and fingers would cooperate in such a way as to push keys on a keyboard in such a configuration to form a message which my brain would acknowledge as a rebuttal. I'm not a free thinker, and neither are you.

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08-13-2002, 01:08 AM	#2
scumble Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 279	The flaw here is that it wouldn't put Christianity in a favourable light necessarily. Apologetics are supposed to make Christianity seem better, and of course, it denies free will and may make God responsible for everything...

08-13-2002, 01:13 AM	#3
Syphor Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 991	I agree with you completely! Nice argument against Christianity BTW

08-13-2002, 09:56 AM	#9
Heathen Dawn Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,656	I'm a naturalist because of God's will. Whom She will She hardeneth. Praise be to Al-Lat, the Merciful, the Compassionate. To her is all praise due. Many are the thoughts in the heart of man, but the counsel of Goddess is the one that takes place. Natura est Dea et felicitas mea.

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