Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Amaranth · 08-05-2003, 02:43 PM

The "god" part of babies I see must have been left out, because all I see when I look at babies is, well, babies.

"If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands."
- Douglas Adams

I do have a friend who really and truly thought people were out to get her. She saw assassins in the trees and cars "followed" her everywhere. A few good doses of prescription drugs seems to have fixed this right up, though. If you keep seeing this "god" in things, you just might want to consider therapy, eh?

Hedwig · 08-05-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LadyShea
Warning : the following links are to pictures that are graphic and deeply disturbing.

Maybe you could tell me what you see when you look at

Harlequin Fetus

I really need to get my tubes tied.

Edited to add disclaimer - liv

Doctor X · 08-05-2003, 03:14 PM

Whispers:

Quote:

. . . but I also see salvation and utter peace ahead for the little person.

This makes the suffering just?

Now, just to be fair, I have a little "connundrum" which you may or may not wish to confront. If not, then you have to simply accept you cannot convince other to believe as you do. If you are interested . . . well . . . it may not be pleasant.

Biff the Unclean et al:

Woman: Do you like children, Mr. Fields?

W.C. Fields: If they're well cooked.

--J. "A Modest Proposal" D.

emotional · 08-05-2003, 03:16 PM

Yes, the statement that the whole universe, the whole of life is evidence of God borders on the ridiculous.

If the universe is evidence of God, then what is God evidence of?

I really think believers in God should stop trying to find evidence for His existence.

Doctor X · 08-05-2003, 03:20 PM

emotional:

Well I can understand why. I think most people want some support for what they think may be true. Of course, many do not exactly break their backs searching for evidence--they will believe anything provided it supports their beliefs.

The danger of searching is one might find that no evidence exists.

--J.D.

emotional · 08-05-2003, 03:22 PM

It never seems to cross their minds that one can believe without evidence. Like I do.

Doctor X · 08-05-2003, 03:31 PM

That proves hard. I think most people like to think they have a sense of how the "universe works"--other than physicists who, if they do, are crazy.

People wish to know why others do not believe--"know"--the same way they do. The reaction to doubt depends on the person.

Take biblical inerrancy . . . please!

It arises to give a "foundation" to belief. Rather than deal with the problems of the texts, inerrantist just "will away" problems as we have all seen time and again here.

I think even the most open minded believer would like some evidence they are not wasting their time. It is a human thing.

Few have the strength of convictions that they can resist trying to get everyone else to agree with them.

--J.D.

King Rat · 08-05-2003, 03:32 PM

I'm sensing a Big Five(TM) smackdown.

I wonder if I crawl under my desk I'll avoid the radiation?

Doctor X · 08-05-2003, 03:52 PM

Must-resist!-Must-control-the-Five-Choices [Tm.--Ed.]

--J.D.

xsquid · 08-05-2003, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whispers
When I look a my 11 month old son, I see wonder, beauty, amazement and the presence of God...

What would you see? The end result of processes, without real meaning or significance?

I know next to nothing about genetics or DNA or anything of that sort, But I see wonder, beauty and amazement that no one ever was, or ever will be again, exactly like the infant I see. Of course, that's true for all of us.

When I look at an amazing sunset, I see a god given free work of art.

What would you see?

I see nature at work in a way that incidentally is pleasing to us. Would you feel so poetic over a blizzard?

When I look at you, I would see a child of God, someone divine, precious and full of significance. If you looked at me, what would you see? (keep sarcasm to a minimum if possible )

Do you look that way at your wife? How about your co-worker? That young thug on the street? Heinrich Himmler?

When someone dies that I love, I see a vision of hope, salvation and glory for that person. What do you see?

I see myself without them, and them without me. I feel happy that we had the chance to meet and know each other. I know that they will live on, in the memories of those who knew them. In death, there is no hope, no salvation (if there were, they'd still be alive), and no glory. There is no "glorious death"--there is only death.

When I look at my life, I see a God given world of choices, experiences and the free-will to live my life in the kingdom of God. What do you see?

The same things you do, without the God stuff. If this is God's kingdom, he's a poor excuse for a ruler, and should be deposed.

When you look deep inside yourself, and wonder who you really are, what do you see? I see myself as a protected member of Gods holy family.

Protected against what? Fire? Theft? Bankruptcy? A Russian nuclear strike? God is not known for his kindness towards his family--look what happened to his son! As for wondering who I really am, I quote your great deity: "I am that I am".
Of course, Popeye has said that, too...

Do you have hope in our life? Do you have meaning? Do you feel that you have any kind of significance?

I assume you meant "your" life. Yes, I do. I don't have meaning, but my life does. I give it that meaning. Who knows more about my own life than I?
And yes, I have great significance. To myself, to the students I tutor, to my sisters and my friends, and to the Japanese tourists whom I kept from getting lost today. See? No God involved.

I do....

No you don't.

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08-05-2003, 02:43 PM	#51
Amaranth Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 279	The "god" part of babies I see must have been left out, because all I see when I look at babies is, well, babies. "If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands." - Douglas Adams I do have a friend who really and truly thought people were out to get her. She saw assassins in the trees and cars "followed" her everywhere. A few good doses of prescription drugs seems to have fixed this right up, though. If you keep seeing this "god" in things, you just might want to consider therapy, eh?

08-05-2003, 03:16 PM	#54
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	Yes, the statement that the whole universe, the whole of life is evidence of God borders on the ridiculous. If the universe is evidence of God, then what is God evidence of? I really think believers in God should stop trying to find evidence for His existence.

08-05-2003, 03:20 PM	#55
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	emotional: Well I can understand why. I think most people want some support for what they think may be true. Of course, many do not exactly break their backs searching for evidence--they will believe anything provided it supports their beliefs. The danger of searching is one might find that no evidence exists. --J.D.

08-05-2003, 03:22 PM	#56
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	It never seems to cross their minds that one can believe without evidence. Like I do.

08-05-2003, 03:31 PM	#57
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	That proves hard. I think most people like to think they have a sense of how the "universe works"--other than physicists who, if they do, are crazy. People wish to know why others do not believe--"know"--the same way they do. The reaction to doubt depends on the person. Take biblical inerrancy . . . please! It arises to give a "foundation" to belief. Rather than deal with the problems of the texts, inerrantist just "will away" problems as we have all seen time and again here. I think even the most open minded believer would like some evidence they are not wasting their time. It is a human thing. Few have the strength of convictions that they can resist trying to get everyone else to agree with them. --J.D.

08-05-2003, 03:32 PM	#58
King Rat Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,855	I'm sensing a Big Five(TM) smackdown. I wonder if I crawl under my desk I'll avoid the radiation?

08-05-2003, 03:52 PM	#59
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	Must-resist!-Must-control-the-Five-Choices [Tm.--Ed.] --J.D.

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