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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
 Posted - 08/29/2001 : 10:03:40 [Permalink]
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quote:
Seriously, though, I'm prepared to argue that we cannot properly address the topic question without first defining the term God, at least for the purposes of a particular discussion. This seems to me self-evident.
I am inclined to agree. Is there a definition of God that does not incorrectly (there's that double negative again) include information about what he/she/it has done rather than correctly describe what/who he/she/it actually is?
This signature does not exist. |
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tergiversant
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2001 : 10:55:06 [Permalink]
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I've no idea how to go about defining any traditional notion god, I doubt it can be done without lapsing into noncognitivsm.
I'm just saying that the first step in evaluating the existence of a concept is to be clear on the concept.
Of course, if somebody asked me, "Do you believe in God?" while wearing a t-shirt that said "5-pt. Calvinist" then I'd simply reply with, "No." People should wear their dogma on their sleeves, I think.
"Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione."
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2001 : 08:56:43 [Permalink]
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quote:
I'm just saying that the first step in evaluating the existence of a concept is to be clear on the concept.
HEAR, HEAR!!!
There are few things more frustrating when discussing the existence, or lack there of, of god and have the person you are talking to change the definition in mid stride.
Only yesterday I was talking with a person who was a booster for the Omni-present god suddenly demand that I needed "Universal Knowledge" to know that there wasn't any such critter.
How god could be EVERYWHERE except where I happened to be was not explained. Nor was it explained why the supporter was not required to have the same Universal Knowledge to "know" what he claimed.
This is where the main problem with "proving a negative" comes in. Once you "prove" one thing the definition changes for what needed to be proved.
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The brain that was stolen from my laboratory was a criminal brain. Only evil will come from it. |
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ljbrs
SFN Regular
USA
842 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2001 : 15:09:46 [Permalink]
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I always (truthfully) state that I believe in *whatever is true*, that I do not proselytize anyone concerning my *religion*, and that I do not like proselytizers. Then I go on to change the subject.
In fact, a Jehovah's Witness proselytizer approached me just this morning as I was checking the oil level in my car. He kept trying, but I was firm about the fact that I did not proselytize and could not stand proselytizers. He eventually gave up and walked away.
I really feel sorry for the *true believers*, poor things.
ljbrs
*Nothing is more damaging to a new truth than an old error.* Goethe |
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Kaptain K
New Member
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 17:46:22 [Permalink]
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Yes ... but then it gets tricky because the questioner is never satisfied with such a simple answer and won't let it go at that. My belief is a private matter between me and my god. I don't (and don't have to) go to a "church" to be with god, I don't prosyletize and I have no patience with those who do.
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2001 : 09:16:00 [Permalink]
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The difference between prosyletizing and Madison Ave. type advertising seems to be that there are "truth in advertising" laws. If the product isn't what the advertiser claims it is you can get your money back.
Hmmm?
Dear John Paul II;
It has come to my attention that your product (the father, son and holy ghost) does not operate as you advertised. When invoked he (they) does not stay invoked. Also they were supposed to be the god of Love but have caused the death of untold millions, I suggest you do an immediate recall.
In the mean time please refund all the money from your collection plates.
cc: The Better Business Bureau
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The brain that was stolen from my laboratory was a criminal brain. Only evil will come from it. |
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ronnywhite
SFN Regular
501 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2001 : 14:58:24 [Permalink]
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quote:
My choice isn't there...
Yes, but I STILL haven't won the lottery yet.
Mine either- "Yes, but if you're looking for a truck bomb driver, I'm employed."
(:raig
Ron White |
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ronnywhite
SFN Regular
501 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2001 : 19:18:55 [Permalink]
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I responded once, "Yes, but I can't buy your vegetarian cookbook… I'm on an all-meat diet," but I have to admit that- although it's entertaining, I grow a little weary with the whole issue. A military analyst during the Eisenhower administration commented that our strategic objective was to be able to reduce every major Russian city… not just to gravel… but to SAND. Similarly, regarding the "God stuff," I started to wonder long ago whether I was getting philosophically "Out of control." If the obvious(?) isn't enough, pretty clearly, the "God" bit was logically and empirically (prayer, miracles, etc.) reduced to SAND long ago, and further reducing it to POWDER is pointless, since the trump card of the faithful, and those sucking the cash of the faithful, will, as God (him?)self, eternally remain intact… since God exists in a realm "beyond all that"… well, what can I say?
Ron White |
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bjones
Skeptic Friend
Australia
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2001 : 17:39:53 [Permalink]
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You my not find an atheist in a fox hole nor will you ever find an athiest dleiberately crashing a plane load of innocent passengers into the World Trade Center
Bob
Remember: when you die your philosophy dies with you
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2001 : 12:19:16 [Permalink]
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quote:
You my not find an atheist in a fox hole nor will you ever find an athiest dleiberately crashing a plane load of innocent passengers into the World Trade Center
Bob
Remember: when you die your philosophy dies with you
Um, I know some atheists that would disagree with you here. (And for jarheads they're fighting holes.)
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell! |
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Ray K
New Member
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2001 : 21:25:31 [Permalink]
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quote:
When asked if you believe in God you say...
I usually snicker and reply with "Of course not. Do you?"
"Barbarism is the natural state of mankind... Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always triumph"
Edited by - Ray K on 09/13/2001 21:26:47 |
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ronnywhite
SFN Regular
501 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2001 : 22:23:16 [Permalink]
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I used to wrestle with the matter- wondering whether every event- regardless of how frequently inane, or senseless- was influenced by God and His obliging cohorts. Or, as it would appear, "randomness," however one wants to define it, rules. A statistics course later, I reached a blissful compromise. Millennium ago, the workload was divided, with these matters delegated to coin flipping angels and demons… a most dull, and redundant duty (God and Satan both issue coins skewed to suit their particular temperaments, of course.) Then Mr. Boole (of Boole's Law fame) came along with the sacrilegious gall to quantify matters- clearly, this couldn't go unpunished. Seeing Boole wasn't a bad guy… not the usual Hell variety- but not Heaven material, either- God seized the opportunity to blow away both problems. Boole was allowed part-time residence in Heaven, under the contingency he rid the angels of this most undesirable task. Satan so liked the idea, that he similarly lifted the burden from the shoulders of his disgruntled demons when Boole resided in Hell. When your brilliance dominates the football pool, and the boss takes a vacation- Boole's in Heaven. If you're not hitting at the slots or the card table, your wife's mad, and the meanies at the finance company are threatening to take away your Jet Ski… you get the idea.
Ron White |
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rickm
Skeptic Friend
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2001 : 09:50:45 [Permalink]
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Um, I know some atheists that would disagree with you here. (And for jarheads they're fighting holes.)
Holes that fight? This I gotta see.
"What would chairs look like if our knees bent the other way" |
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2001 : 17:12:03 [Permalink]
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Hee, hee
Yeah well.....foxes run to ground to hide - jarheads don't.
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell! |
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rickm
Skeptic Friend
Canada
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2001 : 18:30:22 [Permalink]
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quote:
Hee, hee
Yeah well.....foxes run to ground to hide - jarheads don't.
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell!
Forgive me Trish, I thought that the term jarhead was a derogatory term.
Jarhead- A slang term used by sailors as early as World War II to refer to members of the Marine Corps, drawing the term from the resemblance of the Marine dress blues uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar which at the time was made from blue glass.*
"What would chairs look like if our knees bent the other way" |
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