Is there a god?

[john9blue]

I consider myself to be a philosophical non-cockblocktivist.

i too subscribe to this philosophical worldview.

[BigBallinStalin]

Does anyone here subscribe to Douche Baggin' Deductive Reasoning?

[thegreekdog]

Also, you're right that younger people are not as set in their ways as older people. But that means younger people are also easier to manipulate, lacking the life experience to put things in context... and if those young people are denied proper education and information, they are easily indoctrinated to accept a belief system without questioning.

If however those younger people are taught to think critically from a young age, then they are much less likely to accept indoctrination or dogma, at young or old age.

Do you include in your definition of "critical thinking" people who are religious? In other words, can a practicing Muslim also be a critical thinker?

[JoshyBoy]

I don't know if anyone has proof.

I do.

I now pronounce you husband and wife beater.

This is a proud day for me. I'd like to thank the many people who abused me throughout my childhood for making this possible, but I forget their names due to the heavy suppression of the memories.

[the carpet man]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

i will teach my children to think critically, so that they do not fall prey to the cult of atheism when they are older.

[john9blue]

Also, you're right that younger people are not as set in their ways as older people. But that means younger people are also easier to manipulate, lacking the life experience to put things in context... and if those young people are denied proper education and information, they are easily indoctrinated to accept a belief system without questioning.

If however those younger people are taught to think critically from a young age, then they are much less likely to accept indoctrination or dogma, at young or old age.

Do you include in your definition of "critical thinking" people who are religious? In other words, can a practicing Muslim also be a critical thinker?

most modern Atheists believe that one can only think freely and critically if one accepts the doctrine of Atheism

[Woodruff]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

[Haggis_McMutton]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

i will teach my children to think critically, so that they do not fall prey to the cult of atheism when they are older.

Definition of CULT
1
: formal religious veneration : worship
2
: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3
: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4
: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5
a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

[the carpet man]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

[Woodruff]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

It is identical to the atheist's belief that there is no Santa Claus. Do you believe in Santa Claus? If not, why not?

[everywhere116]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

It is identical to the atheist's belief that there is no Santa Claus. Do you believe in Santa Claus? If not, why not?

That's not a good analogy. You can't PROVE that Santa exists. Therefore, he doesn't exist. The difference with God is that you can't PROVE that he doesn't exist. Therefore, he exists.

[Woodruff]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

It is identical to the atheist's belief that there is no Santa Claus. Do you believe in Santa Claus? If not, why not?

That's not a good analogy. You can't PROVE that Santa exists. Therefore, he doesn't exist. The difference with God is that you can't PROVE that he doesn't exist. Therefore, he exists.

Uh...what?

[BigBallinStalin]

is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

It is identical to the atheist's belief that there is no Santa Claus. Do you believe in Santa Claus? If not, why not?

That's not a good analogy. You can't PROVE that Santa exists. Therefore, he doesn't exist. The difference with God is that you can't PROVE that he doesn't exist. Therefore, he exists.

Insert "degrees of certainty," "standard of proof," "adherence to empirical knowledge v. metaphysical knowledge (for lack of a better word)"

/tangent.

[everywhere116]

No, it is not true.

so what of the athiest's belief that there is no god/deity?

It is identical to the atheist's belief that there is no Santa Claus. Do you believe in Santa Claus? If not, why not?

That's not a good analogy. You can't PROVE that Santa exists. Therefore, he doesn't exist. The difference with God is that you can't PROVE that he doesn't exist. Therefore, he exists.

Uh...what?

I am besting you with my superior logic, Vulcan.

[john9blue]

That's not a good analogy. You can't PROVE that Santa exists. Therefore, he doesn't exist. The difference with God is that you can't PROVE that he doesn't exist. Therefore, he exists.

you can prove that santa exists by visiting the north pole and meeting him.

or by catching him in the act of putting presents under the tree.

etc.

[the carpet man]

woodruff, i am not sure as to why you continue to use these extraordinary and also bizarre comparisons when i speak with you. i do not feel it is necessary or relevant to explain my reasons for believing there is no santa claus.

what is wrong with the idea that athiesm is a belief system? an athiest founds their life on their belief that there is no god/deity.

(although, well done for refraining from any mention of the holocaust. as it involved religion (judaism) i imagine you might have been tempted make reference to it again.)

[JoshyBoy]

Prove he doesn't exist.

[Woodruff]

woodruff, i am not sure as to why you continue to use these extraordinary and also bizarre comparisons when i speak with you.

It is not an extraordinary or bizarre comparison at all, in my opinion. It is a very direct comparison.

i do not feel it is necessary or relevant to explain my reasons for believing there is no santa claus.

Good move, because you should rightly be concerned that your answer would be too easily compared to the belief in God. Good strategy...though it does limit your effectiveness in trying to make your point because it's going to be very difficult to take your other points with any seriousness or sincerity.

what is wrong with the idea that athiesm is a belief system? an athiest founds their life on their belief that there is no god/deity.

The exact quote I was responding to was "is it not true that atheism is a belief system, in the same way as religions are?"...the key phrase in that quote being "in the same way as religions are". My answer (No, it is not) is perfectly accurate as the reasons for "believing in atheism" (if you will) are far different from the reasons for "believing in a religion". One involves critical thinking skills and the other does not, for instance.

(although, well done for refraining from any mention of the holocaust. as it involved religion (judaism) i imagine you might have been tempted make reference to it again.)

I'm just disappointed that you used the weak excuse of Godwin's Law to avoid answering the clear non-holocaustic-relevant point I was making, which did not in fact involve religion at all.

[BigBallinStalin]

Prove he doesn't exist.

Before that, we have to start with a definition of "god." If the definition is vague enough, then "god" is beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. "God" becomes unfalsifiable--as does the FSM and the Flying Gnomes of the Universe Theory.

[Haggis_McMutton]

Prove he doesn't exist.

Before that, we have to start with a definition of "god." If the definition is vague enough, then "god" is beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. "God" becomes unfalsifiable--as does the FSM and the Flying Gnomes of the Universe Theory.

Yes, theological noncognitivism ftw.

*wonders how long before anyone realizes I just really like saying theological noncognitivism. *

[everywhere116]

Prove he doesn't exist.

Before that, we have to start with a definition of "god." If the definition is vague enough, then "god" is beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. "God" becomes unfalsifiable--as does the FSM and the Flying Gnomes of the Universe Theory.

Yes, theological noncognitivism ftw.

*wonders how long before anyone realizes I just really like saying theological noncognitivism. *

We're not slowpokes, you know.

[BigBallinStalin]

Prove he doesn't exist.

Before that, we have to start with a definition of "god." If the definition is vague enough, then "god" is beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. "God" becomes unfalsifiable--as does the FSM and the Flying Gnomes of the Universe Theory.

Yes, theological noncognitivism ftw.

*wonders how long before anyone realizes I just really like saying theological noncognitivism. *

Only a theological noncognitivist would enjoy saying "theological noncognitivism."

[Woodruff]

Prove he doesn't exist.

Before that, we have to start with a definition of "god." If the definition is vague enough, then "god" is beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. "God" becomes unfalsifiable--as does the FSM and the Flying Gnomes of the Universe Theory.

Yes, theological noncognitivism ftw.

*wonders how long before anyone realizes I just really like saying theological noncognitivism. *

Only a theological noncognitivist would enjoy saying "theological noncognitivism."

I tried to say it and I bit my damn tongue!

[chang50]

the age when people converted to atheism.

People are born as theological noncognitivists.

fixed your post for you

look it up sometime.

Very interesting,would you not agree that people are born as noncognitivists,period?That is they are 'blank slates', or very nearly such,perhaps having potentialities and predispositions.The Jesuits used to boast if they had a child for the first six years of its life they would have a Catholic for life.This is moving the debate a bit into the nature v. nurture area,but it is where your input seems to point it..

[john9blue]

Very interesting,would you not agree that people are born as noncognitivists,period?That is they are 'blank slates', or very nearly such,perhaps having potentialities and predispositions.The Jesuits used to boast if they had a child for the first six years of its life they would have a Catholic for life.This is moving the debate a bit into the nature v. nurture area,but it is where your input seems to point it..

yes, i'm not trying to deny that religious extremists can indoctrinate children. but to say they are born as "atheists" is wrong.