Theli

Phil TK...

Sorry about that. We get alot of people here who just post one post on a thread, spilling out his 'opinions' about people on this board, and then never replies. Those are not here to host meaningful discussion, but rather make empty claims without backing them up.
You have already made some claims about this board, and I would like to see you defend them.
Moving on...

So, I'm a bigot because I thought you were a bigot?
But under the same criteria doesn't that make you a bigot too? Thus I was right all along.

A hypothetical example?
Then I will take it as a hypothesis, not truth.

The answer to the question I thought was most probable, unless I would have some reason for not trusting the alien that is.

With how much certainty?
If they were to answer the question they would have to base their answer on knowledge they possess, not on knowledge they don't possess, or will possess. If they have no knowledge of such a deity they should answer - no.
On the other hand, if you asked them if it was possible that a deity existed, their answer should be different.

So, what do you base that on?

This should be interesting...

Now you are talking about 100% certainty. Why should we need 100% certainty? It's not excacly a practical mindset.
I would like you to put your total agnocisism into practice. Walk to the nearest heavy trafficated freeway, and walk straight across it, not caring about the cars that will probably run you over.
Keep in mind, you don't have enough knowlegde to know they will hit you, and you definatly don't have enough knowledge to know that they are actually there. Remember, you are an agnostic. And to not use this line of thinking regarding the cars, but using it regarding god, is what?
--Special Pleading--

I agree. But there is definatly a difference between our ways of dealing with that knowledge (or lack thereof).

Wich beliefs is that?

This is my opinion, atleast. I wouldn't really call it corrupted though. As I don't think there were any foul play, just a wild imagination + lacking knowledge.

I don't think a new manual will do the job.

Jayhawker Soule

But ya just never know.

Philosoft

So what? We don't need your acknowledgement.

<strong> 'Snot me you need to worry about, fella.

<strong> There's much more needed for possible world destruction than weapons programs in the Middle East.

<strong> WTF? I have the film around here somewhere.

lcb

ahhh, theology, bible prophecy and islamic jihad converge in these latter days with those freelancing former Soviet weapons experts and Nebudchenezzer wannabe Saddam Hussein and all the rest...world trade center and soon the dirty radiological nasties and that is only the beginning. The secular humanists are in charge and all is well!!!

hinduwoman

So what if I can never know whether God really exists? So far evidence says, he does not. In everyday life I operate under the assumption that there is no God and do not worry about whether I shall be proved wrong.

If someone claims to be God and performs miracles, how do you know that he is not actually your billion year old alien? You can never know for sure, can you?

lcb

well hinduwoman, IF that "alien" has the power to allow humans to live forever in a wonderful place, then i guess he becomes something of an alien "god analog" then and, in a sense, he is who he says he is, since he can name himself and define himself.

MOJO-JOJO

Er...you mean like "Q", from Star Trek Next Gen?

We have no proof that anyone or anything can do this yet either, 1cb, only hearsay evidence from stories and testimonies in an ancient book that elevates one of many religious myths in our civilization, to the level of "reality" for those gullible enough to believe it is true. <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

Do you have any solid, irrefutable evidence that what YOU say really happens? Clue: 'faith' and 'because the bible says so' do not constitute irrefutable evidence.

It is easier to believe in the possibility that a very advanced species of alien, which began its evolutionary journey a billion years before us, could one day develop seemingly (to us anyway) supernatural powers enabling them to manipulate their environment, than it is to buy in to the mythical notion that an omniscient eternal being existed BEFORE everything else began. This is just man-made mythology.

lcb

many times i have seen atheists argue that the theist concept of "God" may in reality be an alien or super race of aliens. do those atheists regard that "God" or god analog as being mythical?

XMagickaX

Hello Everyone!




My thoughts on this subject: I really do agree that no one can know for sure whether or not God exists without they themselves being God. (This is all assuming that what I believe about God to be at least close to correct)


To me, the whole tooth fairy, santa claus analogies are very flawed when you are referring to atheism, or belief in a God. No one actually believes that santa is real, except for children but many many people believe in a God of some sort.In my opinion, it is very patronizing and insulting to compare somone who holds belief in a God to a small child who simply knows no better.

And thusly, they are totally irrelevant of one another...many people are angered when compared in this way becuase the person doing the comparing comes off as elitist and arrogant. As if to imply that they are "above" the person they are currently belittling.

These are just my opinions as a deist, and I certainly mean to offend no one. You can read a little more about me in the welcome forum!

lcb

excellent, excellent points XMX! i see alot of "fait accompli" arguments from atheists here.