Freethought & Rationalism Archive

McD · 08-07-2003, 02:45 PM

I have read many Christian responses to this question, but as an atheist I never ask it. Should I? What do atheists think about this question? Is this a good argument against omnipotence or is it just silly?

ex-xian · 08-07-2003, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by McDuffie
I have read many Christian responses to this question, but as an atheist I never ask it. Should I? What do atheists think about this question? Is this a good argument against omnipotence or is it just silly?

As a theist I thought it was silly, and as an agnostic, I still think so. Classically, god was never thought to be seperate from the logical universe. The only influential thinker that I'm aware of that advocated something different was Tertullian. He said that he believed in the absurd, and therefore, believed because it was absurd. He was denounced as a heretic.

Holding to the position that god cannot contradict himself, omnipotence would be defined as the ability to anything that is logically possible. Since creating a rock that is so heavy that he couldn't lift it is self-contradictory, it is a meaningless question. Similar to asking, "Can a bee go blue?"

Anyway, that's my 2cents.

sophie · 08-07-2003, 03:15 PM

Perhaps for an instant but not for an eternity.

King Rat · 08-07-2003, 03:18 PM

Sophie, since you seem to be the authority,

does god have a penis?

ex-xian · 08-07-2003, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sophie
Perhaps for an instant but not for an eternity.

Ummm....I don't understand. The classical definition of god (ie, the one that is held by 99% of xians) holds that god is immutable. So whatever he could do for an instant, he could do for eternity?

Could you actually make an argument instead of an assertion?

sophie · 08-07-2003, 03:31 PM

Quote:

does god have a penis?

It is written in the book of myths, placed upon the highest mountain away from the eyes of the weary, the tale of two which was at first, one. On this page it is reputed to hold the foundations of what this universe calls physics, beginning with the very first fundamental division. The noble quantities such as two-thirds, one-third and four tell a much bigger story than a penis and a vagina. These are the holy trails.

sophie · 08-07-2003, 03:33 PM

ex-xian :

Quote:

Could you actually make an argument instead of an assertion?

I'll get it ready for tomorrow.

King Rat · 08-07-2003, 03:34 PM

Well, if I had known I was going to a dance I would have worn nicer shoes.

Milton · 08-07-2003, 04:24 PM

Yea, its kinda like this...

Can you lift a rock so heavy that you can't lift it?

Stupidly silly. heh,heh...

Asha'man · 08-07-2003, 06:10 PM

Can god give himself a kidney stone too big to pass?

Can god give himself constipation?

08-07-2003, 02:45 PM	#1
McD Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,794	Can God make a rock so heavy he can't lift it? I have read many Christian responses to this question, but as an atheist I never ask it. Should I? What do atheists think about this question? Is this a good argument against omnipotence or is it just silly?

08-07-2003, 06:10 PM	#10
Asha'man Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: southeast Posts: 2,526	Other impossible tasks Can god give himself a kidney stone too big to pass? Can god give himself constipation?

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08-07-2003, 03:15 PM	#3
sophie Veteran Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: On the road to extinction. . . Posts: 1,485	Perhaps for an instant but not for an eternity.

08-07-2003, 03:18 PM	#4
King Rat Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,855	Sophie, since you seem to be the authority, does god have a penis?

08-07-2003, 03:34 PM	#8
King Rat Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,855	Well, if I had known I was going to a dance I would have worn nicer shoes.

08-07-2003, 04:24 PM	#9
Milton Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Atlanta,GA,USA Posts: 172	Yea, its kinda like this... Can you lift a rock so heavy that you can't lift it? Stupidly silly. heh,heh...

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