Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mageth · 07-20-2004, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pachomius2000

Then afterwards I became and still am a postgraduate atheist.

So, now I am on good terms with God and Jesus and with atheists provided they don't get angry unnecessarily.

I'm also curious as to how a self-proclaimed atheist could possibly be on "good terms with God and Jesus."

Quote:

So, one question atheists should ask themselves is why are you guys angry and when will you outgrow your anger and be like me (ahem), a postgraduate atheist

What is it exactly that I'm supposed to be angry about? I sure as hell don't know.

Quote:

but still atheist and still Catholic and still at all times trying to be possessed of an active intelligence and an open mind.

Well, I qualify on three out of four. Can't say I'm Catholic, of course.

Toto · 07-20-2004, 05:16 PM

"If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"

Rhaedas · 07-20-2004, 05:32 PM

All the questions I can think of are either asking the atheist to prove a negative, are circular in nature, or are strawmen of various natures about atheists.

jfryejr · 07-20-2004, 06:04 PM

"Without [particular god], how do you explain morality?"

"How do you explain the "success" of the Bible?" (By that, I think they mean that it's old)

I don't necessarily think those are hard to answer, but the answers I give aren't acceptable to those asking the questions.

Albert Cipriani · 07-20-2004, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueshuttle

Seriously, who here can think of questions that are hard for atheists to answer?

Can you agree that to the degree you are a thinking man, you expand the frame of your world-view? If so, if thinking gives us a bigger picture perspective, then would you not agree that brute facts are most disagreeable?

If so, why do so quickly stumble over and remain catatonically anchored to the brute fact of existence? Why is empirical phenomena the alpha and omega of your world-view? Why are you so unwilling to entertain speculation over another order of reality that relates to but that does not consist of this world order? – Sincerely, Albert the Traditional Catholic

Biff the unclean · 07-20-2004, 06:31 PM

Do you mean Santa Claus? That jolly old elf fills the criteria you just expounded on, Albert

Albert Cipriani · 07-20-2004, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff the unclean

Do you mean Santa Claus? That jolly old elf fills the criteria you just expounded on, Albert

See what I mean? You guys just can't deal with the question. 'Tis a pity. -- Albert the Traditional Catholic

Corona688 · 07-20-2004, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Cipriani

Can you agree that to the degree you are a thinking man, you expand the frame of your world-view? If so, if thinking gives us a bigger picture perspective, then would you not agree that brute facts are most disagreeable?

If so, why do so quickly stumble over and remain catatonically anchored to the brute fact of existence? Why is empirical phenomena the alpha and omega of your world-view? Why are you so unwilling to entertain speculation over another order of reality that relates to but that does not consist of this world order? – Sincerely, Albert the Traditional Catholic

Because brute facts are there, while this other order of reality is not. Your question sounds profound, but is not; it simply asks whether we want to believe in what we see, or believe in what we WANT to see.

Should your god decide to start existing, I'm open to change. Hasn't happened yet though.

trendkill · 07-20-2004, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Cipriani

Can you agree that to the degree you are a thinking man, you expand the frame of your world-view? If so, if thinking gives us a bigger picture perspective, then would you not agree that brute facts are most disagreeable?

They are disagreeable. I can think of more disagreeable things.

Quote:

If so, why do so quickly stumble over and remain catatonically anchored to the brute fact of existence?

Question-begging. I don't agree that I do that. I am faced with a brute fact and no way around it.

Quote:

Why is empirical phenomena the alpha and omega of your world-view?

Empirical phenomena are not the alpha and the omega of my worldview. I find that my knowledge, if I have any, is rooted in experience, and my experience doesn't point to the existence of any deities.

Quote:

Why are you so unwilling to entertain speculation over another order of reality that relates to but that does not consist of this world order? – Sincerely, Albert the Traditional Catholic

I speculate on such things from time to time (which is one of the reasons I'm here), but nothing has yet come of it that is interesting or useful to me.

Opera Nut · 07-20-2004, 11:16 PM

"Why are you happy despite not believing in My God???"
:banghead:

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-20-2004, 05:16 PM	#12
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	"If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"

07-20-2004, 05:32 PM	#13
Rhaedas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,440	All the questions I can think of are either asking the atheist to prove a negative, are circular in nature, or are strawmen of various natures about atheists.

07-20-2004, 06:04 PM	#14
jfryejr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 764	"Without [particular god], how do you explain morality?" "How do you explain the "success" of the Bible?" (By that, I think they mean that it's old) I don't necessarily think those are hard to answer, but the answers I give aren't acceptable to those asking the questions.

07-20-2004, 06:31 PM	#16
Biff the unclean Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: an inaccessible island fortress Posts: 10,638	Do you mean Santa Claus? That jolly old elf fills the criteria you just expounded on, Albert

07-20-2004, 11:16 PM	#20
Opera Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,671	"Why are you happy despite not believing in My God???" :banghead:

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.