Russ

And, why do you say so?

The deists I know deem religions and concepts of deity (Zeus, Jehovah, God, Allah, et al.) as man made and reject them. But they believe in a deity that does not interact with the universe, which to me is just another man made supernatural hypothesis that cannot be proved nor disproved.

So, what is the rationale for deism? What is the rationale for rejecting certain type of supernatural hypothesis but accepting different type? Is it the First Cause Argument?

No offense intended. I really just want to understand.

Strongest one first.

Why did you say so?

And, please state your religion/belief/non-belief structure.

Just curious...

Any thoughts?

Talking about heliocentrism and evolution, for example.

Could it be because...

- the religion attempted to explain natural phenomenons more?

- the religion regards earth and humans as special creations more?

- the religion discourages critical thinking more?

- they simply expose their positions more?

- their feud on science is more organized?

What do you think? Any thoughts?

Theists, know of any good ones spoken by an atheist that work with you?

Atheists, any suggestions that are sincere and soothing to the surviving theistic family without being pretentious?

That's what I think.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Any comments or thoughts?

My long time answer has been Mathematics only.

But recently someone said that the answer is Mathematics and Law. I am still tinkering on that. It seems to me that, just like Science, Law can only provide best guesses. The conclusion can only be as good as the premises. How can Law prove more than Science can? I must be missing something.

What is your take on this?

Which ones, do you think, are the sources of your morality?

[Give me percentage on each that apply to you, if you can.]

(A) Family

(B) Culture

(C) Religion

(D) Philosophy (i.e. studies of ethics)

(E) Survival instincts of social animals

(F) ........ [fill in the blank]

I am just curious. Thanks!

Which ones, do you think, are the sources of your morality?

[Give me percentage on each that apply to you, if you can.]

(A) Family

(B) Culture

(C) Religion

(D) Philosophy (i.e. studies of ethics)

(E) Survival instincts of social animals

(F) ........ [fill in the blank]

I am just curious. Thanks!

After all, God's existence has been argued for centuries by the most brilliant philosophers from both sides. There is no winner and there will not be. Pascal concluded it was about potential winning the wager, Kierkegaard concluded it was about leap of faith, etc. To me, arguing about God is meaningless.

So, why, do you think, people still argue about God's existence?

Is it self reaffirmation on beliefs or lack thereof?

Is it kind of advertising for those who are on the fence?

Is it because of the militant-ish young age?

Is it because lately we are seeing more faith-related frictions (conflicts, martyrdom, politics, education, marriage, etc.)?

What do you think? Any thoughts?

Top three for me at the moment:

3. gravity

2. time & spacetime

1. free will

And, how about the concepts of gods, would they be created?

Any thoughts?

Would it give humanity some progress towards peace?

Or, would it veer us to chaos from massive psychological breakdown (in those who have inner peace only if they see faith as truth) ?

What do you think?

Any thoughts?

A professor at a Vatican-sponsored university expressed dismay Tuesday that some Christian groups reject the theory of evolution — implicitly criticizing the literal interpretation of the Bible... Detailed news at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,424942,00.html...

Any thoughts from both sides of the table?

And, why did you say that?

Just curious...

Most educated theists I talk with agree that skepticism is virtue. Most also agree that science is essentially an organized form of skepticism. But when scientific findings do not match religions' stories, they deem science to be the wrong one. It seems that they accept skepticism except for religious skepticism.

Why do you think they have this selective skepticism mindset?

Hundreds of religions have come and go. Thousands of different Gods, creation myths, afterlife concepts, miracle stories, moralities, etc.

With this lack of consistency, did you ever question if your God and religion is just another product of human culture?

I am just curious.