user1991

Really? Then why is it going to be discussed about the in a few months by the church? The thing is, there's been Christians saying for generations that when the Bible talks about how God made life over several days, the days really stand for stages in evolution. Of course, I regard that as "covering your tracks" rather than any real knowledge about evolution, but it's still a valid opinion. I don't know what part of Christianity you're a member of Saru, but not all Christians will literally accept the Bible word-for-word, and there are plenty of Christian organisations that will accept the Bible has scope to accept evolution. exactly ginger, that's what i've been trying to explain people for years.... i don't really think many things in the bible have really happened, but they are metaphors. let me explain, jesus walks over water, water is perilous and thus this might be a metaphor for 'walking over' your problems \ Jesus is a fake God! Only the tooth fairy exists! Why? Because it says so in this ancient text I have with me here. Whenever I read the toothle, it says "Love your neighbor as yourself, if someone asks you for help, help them" and "Give all your money to the poor." - clearly, what this actually means is that we should create an unjustifiable capitalist system in which true equality can never prosper, deny the civil/human rights of certain minorities by using our oppressive consensus to silence them into agreement, and we should never help anyone who is poor and sick because they should pull themselves up by their bootstraps, even if they are literally dying at our feet. As well as this, it also implies that we should invade foreign countries and have a huge, huge arsenal of weapons, that could easily be used to destroy the world, at our disposal. Checkmate, socialists/scientists/pacifists!

The only reason why the theory of God as a creator of universe has any more plausibility than the spaghetti monster or toothfairy, is because there isn't conclusive scientific evidence as to what put atoms and the big bang in motion. In theory, until proven otherwise, anything could be the origin of the universe. If there is ever enough scientific evidence to prove beyond doubt what/how the universe was precisely created, we can discredit all the false theories. Until then in a purely logical debate, none of them can be "disproven". The flatness of Earth was an equally, hotly disputed 'fact' during the Middle Ages. It had both proponents and opponents. Even though we now know you can't fall out of Earth's edges by sailing to the 'world's end', how would you had convinced the proponents of the theory during a time when astrology and sciences were still in baby shoes and there was no conclusive evidence either way until many centuries down the road? Likewise, regardless of the truth that exists without us knowing it yet (like the Earth not being flat despite people having radically different views), in the absence of evidence, all theories hold some credibility, including theistic creationism. If science advances radically it's a possibility it could be discredited.. Until then it's just another possibility. (A possibility with absolutely no testable evidence.) Why is God more credible than the tooth fairy as being the creator of the universe? I believe the tooth fairy created the universe, and this is because when I talk to the tooth fairy at night my prayers are answered. I ask to be alive the next day, and when I wake up alive, I know, beyond doubt, that the tooth fairy has answered me. Checkmate, scientists! The tooth fairy also tells me that black/asian/latino people cannot marry because teeth are white and therefore by getting married they are defiling the ancient institution of marriage. Checkmate, civil rights activists! If they want to get married, they should just choose not to be black! Afterall, being black is a choice. No scientific evidence for such a claim? Well I don't care about science, the tooth fairy wouldn't have created a Universe in which people would be born with genetic differences and therefore have different physical/mental attributes. What a stupid theory! The tooth fairy created man in her image. Teeth are white. Therefore, minorities cannot marry. Checkmate scientists!

You will never disprove the tooth fairy! She exists in our hearts, minds, embryos, stem cells and souls! The evidence is all around you. You have teeth don't you? Look at the world. Where did it come from? The Big Bang theory? But it's a theory! It isn't the Big Bang Fact! You stupid scientists. I also have a theory, and therefore, simply because of the fact that it is a theory, it equally has as much credibility as your theory. Checkmate, scientists! Oh, you have proof that the Universe is 13.5-14 billion years old, calculated by observing background radiation? Can you prove it 100% down to the exact DAY how old it is? No? Well in that case, you are totally wrong. Due to the slightly small margin of error in scientific measurements, and the lack of 100% certainty in scientific claims, the Earth MUST be 10,000 years old, and my ancient archaic unverifiable text written by desert nomads is therefore the most plausible explanation for the origins of the world. Checkmate scientists I believe that there exists Tooth the father, tooth the son, and tooth the holy spirit. Tooth the son died for your sins, do you know that? You are forever in Her debt. Praise, or you will burn for all eternity in the depths of tooth-hell. Can you prove the tooth fairy doesn't exist? No you say? AHA! Checkmate scientists! Simply because you cannot prove She doesn't exist 100%, therefore it means that both assertions have equal credibility. Checkmate, scientists! And you believe there is no evidence for Her existence? AHA! Look all around you. Feel it in your brain. Feel it in your soul. Wait.. you aren't feeling anything? Oh, that's because you aren't trying hard enough. Only the chosen may feel it.

How do you know the tooth fairy hasn't used some undiscovered quantum technology to take control of your parents and make it seem as if they are doing it, in order to test your faith? It's the tooth fairy's word until you prove it isn't. The burden of proof is on you, heretic. Tooth, Guns, And Glory! Do I really need to put sarcasm tags?

Thank you. I recognised science is a more solid basis to explore the world from ages ago. It has a defined method to it that can always be examined closely by other scientists, and above all else, it's objective. I've never been religious, nor have I ever believed in God. I don't believe there is a God. I don't believe Jesus was the Son of the God and I certainly don't think he was crucified to rid the world of sin. As far as I'm concerned, religion is the opium of the masses, and I'm an Atheist existentialist. When I die, I'm not having any of that "going to heaven" stuff at my funeral. I'm merely stating facts: I can't say there is no God. There is no proof of that either. I certainly doubt a few people on Tip.It are gonna post conclusive evidence that will somehow do what thousands of philosophers have failed to do over several thousand years - prove God doesn't exist. Much as I'm an Atheist who refuses to believe God exists, simplifying God down to the philosophical nature of the Tooth Fairy is just insulting. Philosophically they're different, but as assertions they aren't. I see no evidence for either of them. To me, God is in the same realm as unicorns/elves/pixies/fairies etc... I'm sorry if that insults people but that just how I view it. I don't see "design" all around me, sure I feel intrigue but I'm not about to claim therefore that an ancient archaic text is true. Sly Wizard has posted various links apparently showing why the Bible is good enough evidence to believe in such things, I've read those links and I still disagree. It's not simply that God cannot be proven, it's that in my opinion, there really isn't any evidence for his existence. Therefore I make the toothfairy analogies because to me it's the same thing really. Children are told that santa/toothfairy exists and when they're older their parents tell them that they don't. The only difference between that and God is that with God they continue it for the rest of their lives. And @ Lenticular J. I think I owe you an apology because when I'm referring to Christians, I don't really mean people like you. I mean the gay marriage banning, praise or burn, tongue-speaking Christians.. Your idea of God, from what I can see from your posts anyway, is totally different to the mainstream Christian idea so if in the past I've insulted you and labelled you under the generic "Christian" label then I'm sorry. By nature, the God you believe in, in your own words is "contradictory" and cannot be proven, and if you believe it I respect what you believe. It is only when people start to oppress others that I really have a problem, and with this whole proposition 8 business I think that Christians have done just that. (Not that they hadn't before, but I mean this is in modern times so it's even more disturbing.)

There's literally no proof for or against God's existence which is why I think the burden of proof argument is so silly when applied here. God - no evidence (in my opinion) for his existence. Fairies - no evidence (in my opinion) for their existence. If I say "fairies" don't exist, are you really so pedantic that you wish me to say "fairies do not exist beyond any reasonable doubt."? Most things we cannot prove 100% anyway, and I've said this before. Saying "fairies do not exist" could technically be wrong because they could indeed exist - BUT - there is no evidence for them existing. As long as there is no evidence for something existing, we might assume it doesn't. We don't go 50/50. If I ask you whether there is a wizard named Jeremiah who lives in a cave on the moon and rides a unicorn whilst waving a confederate flag, you will say no, because there is no evidence for it. Technically, he could exist, but if you want people to clarify every single time and say "God almost certainly does not exist, as there is absolutely no evidence to suggest it" instead of simply saying "God does not exist", then you're just focusing on semantics.. So to clarify, saying "God does not exist" technically means "There is no good evidence for the existence of God therefore he does not exist beyond any reasonable doubt."

Realistically, most atheists put God in the same realm as the tooth fairy, santa claus etc. He COULD exist, sure, but I believe that there is no evidence for such a claim and therefore we may as well just assume that he doesn't. If I claim that there is a Unicorn in a distant Galaxy who is worshipped by Dinosaurs who have evolved into intelligent beings, you cannot disprove it. But, as there is no evidence for it, saying that it "does not exist" simply means that "it does not exist beyond any reasonable doubt". Most things we cannot prove 100% so when we say "does not exist".. we don't mean "he definitely, 100% does not exist" but that it is so unlikely/there is no evidence for it that we might aswell assume he doesn't. Just because there are people who believe it and people who don't does not make it 50/50.

Two fine examples of people who refuse to think for themselves. A society with such restricting religious ideals is not one which will progress very far. Religion is the opium of the masses Marx :wall: Holding to one's convictions does not mean you are unable to think for yourself. Funnily enough... Europe isn't restricted by an "religious ideals", but they're not progressing very far. At all ;) Holding to one's convictions is different than refusing to accept anything that is different from what a pastor tells you. Europe is nowhere near as bad as the USA. And lots of areas are religious, it is not like it's 100% atheist. EDIT: And to the Mormon guy.. you're entitled to your beliefs, but if you really believe that stuff, then sorry but you're an idiot. That may offend you, but if you really are a mormon and you aren't kidding, then you're stupid.

Not really its just a belief and a way of life for me. Its my own personal belief and id hope you respect that We respect it, until you start forcing it on others. I'm not referring to you personally but this proposition 8 has shown me that religion deserves less respect than it commands. They've crossed the line here, yet again. Believe what you want/do what you want but if you start affecting other people in a negative way then you've crossed the line and this is what has been happening with religion for years and years.

Solitary confinement is just barbaric. It won't teach them anything at all. Also, I had no idea the U.S. tortures POW's like that. I find that mildly amusing. On another note, I think our current justice system works pretty well. Even though I'm about as socially liberal as you can get, I believe rehabilitation is a load of crap. Harsh punishment keeps people from doing things. P.S. Victim's rights! In the long term rehabilitation is better than punishment. Sure, harsher punishments stops people from doing things but people still do them and it will continue this way ad infinitum. As said previously, if our goal is a society where we do not need laws because people DON'T murder etc (probably not going to happen, maybe with transhumanism, but its a good goal nonetheless), then punishment for the sake of punishment does nothing.

What good does punishment do? Instead of torturing prisoners, why don't we try to make them better people?

Our governments should focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. If our goal is to have a society where we don't need prisons/laws because nobody kills etc, then rehabilitation is the best way forward. Punishment is pointless really, it does nothing. If we want a better society then we can't just throw people in a hole to rot, we have to actively try to MAKE it a better society..

Either a war, natural disaster, asteroid, nuclear accident of some kind etc... Personally I think that we are coming up to our deciding time as a species. We have weapons that can destroy the world and people that are willing to do it. I think if we make it a few million years we should be fine, if we ever become a Type III civilisation then we should be okay, even with the expansion of the universe because with such technology we will probably be able to distort space-time or whatever, I don't know lulz.

The Koran also says "kill the infidels". Why aren't you doing that?

Before we even start debating God we need to know His supposed attributes. Since you Christians like to mix them up so often, please can you clarify whether God is.. Omniscient (and the definition here) Omnipotent (and which type of omnipotence? Absolute, logically possible, "absolutely possible" etc) Outside of time (and does this therefore mean that he cannot change?) Can God "choose"? etc etc etc Thanks..

In a couple hundred years when we have an equal society, the Christians should know that they played absolutely NO part in it.

I'm not against vaccinations, but I don't think we should FORCE anyone to have them. Why not? School is good, and we force that on kids. Vaccines are good too, and we force those on kids as well. So we should. Why do you think we shouldn't? Children should have to have them yes. But if an adult doesn't want to, they shouldn't have to.

I'm not against vaccinations, but I don't think we should FORCE anyone to have them.

No, you should not have to have a vaccination. Personally I will, because I don't want to get a disease that will kill me, but if someone doesn't want to, then they shouldn't have to.

Whilst there may be extremely rich and extremely poor people for many generations in the future, it is certainly possible to achieve a system in which everybody is born with equal opportunity. All it takes is a change in culture/mentality of the people. It happened with slavery, segregation (the whole separate but equal bs), women's suffrage, and there is no reason why it cannot happen with capitalism.

It'd be interesting to know then Sly.. which part of the political spectrum would you say you occupy? I would have thought, due to the religious side of things you would be centre-right or far right but now I'm not so sure..

Ugh, -_-. What's so bad about socialism?

It's surprising that you aren't from America. I guess we aren't alone, we also have our fair share of idiots. I apologise on behalf of my country for megakiller's ridiculous comments.

It's mostly because of the war. Many people hold the opinion that his administration (and other foreign administrations) either lied or at the very least manipulated public and global opinion by creating a climate of fear among the populace, taking advantage of the horrors of 9/11 and using them to gain support in order to launch an unjust war against a country that had nothing to do with it, and no WMDs, killing more and more innocent civilians and creating more disdain amongst the people of the Middle East. His positions on stem cell research, adoption, gay marriage etc.. oh and not to mention the fact that he did NOTHING about the DEA punishing people who were using medical marijuana.. then add that to the fact that he was far-right to begin with, it isn't really hard to see why a lot of people dislike him.

You don't seem to understand. The rich get by EASILY in this world, and it isn't a case of giving it to "people who refuse to work" - MILLIONS of people are poor and work ridiculous hours just to get by, with no holidays, no relaxation. They're born poor, they don't have the same opportunities as the rich, they can't afford health insurance so when they get into a car crash at the age of 60 they end up being kicked out of their houses and have to live on the street. If you really think that all poor people are simply poor because they refuse to work, then it is YOU that is the idiot. America is full of people like you and it's no wonder every single country in the world has hated you for years. Obama isn't a socialist, but it would be good if he was. Capitalism is the true evil we face, you can shpeel all this "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" bs but as long as we have capitalism there will always be people born into poverty and suffering. You only care about yourself and would rather put your own self interests before the future of mankind. People should be free to do what they want as long as it does not impose upon the freedoms of others. Well guess what.. capitalism does.