Max B (primordial ooze pie)

Christians see it as a fall from perfection. I see it as a powerful metaphor for the quest for knowledge, spurred by curiosity to know not only good, but evil; not only white, but black; not only bliss, but melancholy as well. When reading the Bible for the first time a few days ago, I read this and was astounded that nobody gets the damn point.

I would post a link, but you can find it yourself. Immortality, that is copying the multitude of information of your mushy biologically based wet-brain onto a synthetic system, which 100% faithful in copying, and doesn't "die". Yeah, this would be weird and don't know exactly how it would happen, but that's not the point, it's the context. This offers an interesting reversal in Pascal's Wager. If eternal life were possible on Earth, would you who believe in eternal afterlife live forever here or die trying to live forever elsewhere? Blaise Pascal, you just lost the game.

if they left us alone and treated their beliefs as private. I would. But, no. They have to go make laws, tell us of our personal sins, and set cultural and societal standards. Would you be fine with 80% of the population having ridiculous superstitions and being all silly if they stopped impeding science and free thought? This is kind of in answer to the many questions asking why atheists frequent this forum. No, most of us don't care to convert you, we just want you to get out of the way.

Many creationists attack that evolutionists and naturalists are incorrect in assuming that everything can come from nothing, that matter can simply have always existed. But isn't the theory of a supernatural intelligent being with the power of creating all of the natural world, then breaking all of those laws by zapping complex forms of matter onto more complex forms of matter that seven days ago didn't exist (matter cannot be created nor destroyed) much much more farfetched than the theory that tiny, simple building blocks have somehow always existed or happened by some sort of unknown natural phenomenon, and have taken billions of years to careen into atoms, molecules, and life?

He talks to someone that no one can see, prohibits himself from doing things because of this invisible figure, and tries to tell me he exists and wants to give me things. He's otherwise intelligent, but I'm really scared for his mental well-being. This imagined relationship is really hindering his ability to properly perceive the real world. What should I do to help him, and how should I voice my concern to him?

He talks to someone that no one can see, prohibits himself from doing things because of this invisible figure, and tries to tell me he exists and wants to give me things. He's otherwise intelligent, but I'm really scared for his mental well-being. This imagined relationship is really hindering his ability to properly perceive the real world. What should I do to help him, and how should I voice my concern to him?

damn, I could only fit about 30% of the list. Here's the link. http://lukeprog.com/religion/gods.html

If theists can explain why they disbelieve in every other god in detail, I would like to hear that. Disbelieving in all those gods should naturally lea to not believing in any, right? Or do you think that indoctrination or arbitrariness is the sole reason for your belief.

The USA constitution forbids non-secular laws to be passed. These laws alienate and violate people that are not of the faith because of which the law was passed. In Michigan, alcohol cannot be purchased on Sunday (the Christian Sabbath) before noon. Now, it just so happens that I turn 21 on Sunday, and it also happens that I do not plan on buying alcohol before noon on this date. However, I feel the sole reason I am not permitted to do this is due to Christian rules. As an atheist, I feel I am having religious, non-secular laws unjustly enforced upon me. Why is it only Sunday? Why not Tuesday or Saturday? Because of Christianity. What do you folks, of all faiths and backgrounds, think of this. Is it unjust that I must obey the laws that was created exclusively by a group which I do not belong? What do you think of secularity? What is the possible danger of passing laws that have no logical secular purpose?

that's what those of us who live in the lower peninsula of Michigan are called (we live under the bridge)

anyhoo, can theists give one example of an irreducibly complex function?

If humans were to create a new life form in a lab (which many believe is on the horizon for the near future), how would this affect your beliefs? If you are a theist, would you see this as man being equal to god? Would this make man god? Would it give any evidence in favor of a god? And to the fellow atheists: How cool would that be, to be a god without having one? freaking sweet.

You guys do have a science museum in Middle America, so...

How is the hypothesis of Yahweh more factual than that of FSM and Zeus? Please support your findings with the results of your tests.

is a productive thing? Does it do good for people? Or should we take the Dawkins route and squash religion? Or do we even have to squash religion, and just spread intelligence?

when FSM speaks to you and offers guidance, why do you confuse it for and credit Yahweh? Pretty silly mistake, don't you think?

when FSM speaks to you and offers guidance, why do you confuse it for and credit Yahweh? Pretty silly mistake, don't you think?

Do you think that motives behind doing a moral action should be considered? Are people who follow a moral code based on fear of punishment or hope for reward more selfish or even more likely to break their morals? For example, the law (fear of punishment) prevents one from stealing a car. Take away the law, however, and those whose moral code is based on the absolutes and selfish motives of fear of punishment will steal the car. While those who base their moral codes on changing standards and benefits of society will realize that having a moral code enables safety and growth.

Given this reasoning, do you think atheists actually have a less selfish moral code than theist, who simply follow the laws of god in order to benefit themselves? Finally, do you think the motives behind the good action are important, thus meaning that an atheist doing the same act of kindness as a theist is actually more moral?

I think there are many misconceptions and fears about the moralities of secularists, so please discuss at length.

what is the point of life in Heaven?

it's obviously the person that answered it, and it's usually terrible and you disagree with it. What's even worse, though, is when one of your answers were picked, and it only has one vote. It looks like it was only you who voted, but it wasn't. doesn't that suck?

the above is strictly spiritually speaking

why is god referred to as He? Is he actually male, does he have male anatomy? Or is it more like the way we refer to some inanimate objects as she, but god is more important, so it's a he? Every time you call it a he, are you forwarding the thought that cave-people 2000 years ago had that men are better than women?

Also, what would be the point for god to have genitals (he obviously didn't use them on Mary)?

suggested category > Health>Men's Health

he said no one would know the time, hour, or years of his return. Why not tell people? Can't this be seen as an obvious ploy by the creators of Christianity as a scare tactic that can't be proven wrong? just think about, Christians. What if Jesus said explicitly and several times in the Bible and other credible texts that the Apocalypse would occur December 2, 2003. Many would likely stop believing after that day, wouldn't you think? The fact that Jesus was not specific at all seems awfully convenient.

that Jesus is coming in their lifetime, and another third believe it will occur within the next 50 years. How long do these people have to be wrong until Christians realize this is bullshit?