God bless america (Richard Dawkins)

originally posted by: chr0naut

originally posted by: introvert

originally posted by: randyvs
a reply to: Ddrneville

535 people who aren't as stupid or as arrogant as Tyson and Dawkins.
Claiming to know something they couldn't possibly know?
Not unreasonable at all.

That is exactly what religious people are doing. They claim to know something they couldn't possibly know.

God reveals Himself to those who follow Him. They know in their hearts and souls, that is the power behind religious practice. The Holy Spirit indwells the true believer, revealing deeper truths, guiding conscience and providing spiritual gifts.

Science doesn't care what you believe. That is one of the most reassuring qualities it possesses, the inability to be swayed by virtue of mass hysteria.

a reply to: Metallicus

Atheists are idiots with no proof God doesn't exist.

Sure. While I respect a person's beliefs, I tend to view the religious the same way. You have no proof, other than a "personal experience". What's the difference between those that have experiences and attribute it to aliens/ufos and those that attribute it to a god?

Not much difference at all. The mind is very complicated and it's amazing what we believe is behind our life experiences.

a reply to: randyvs

Atheism is not claiming that there is no god but simply saying that we don't have enough evidence to believe in a god or believe there is no god. The only claim made by atheism is that god is not supported by evidence and therefore should not be believed in, just like unicorns or dragons. I don't believe there are no dragons but I don't believe in dragons. That is how atheists feel about god. Also lack of knowledge does not equal evidence so don't pull that #.

originally posted by: SovietUnionist
a reply to: randyvs

Atheism is not claiming that there is no god but simply saying that we don't have enough evidence to believe in a god or believe there is no god. The only claim made by atheism is that god is not supported by evidence and therefore should not be believed in, just like unicorns or dragons. I don't believe there are no dragons but I don't believe in dragons. That is how atheists feel about god. Also lack of knowledge does not equal evidence so don't pull that #.

What you described is being agnostic. Many people that call themselves atheists are actually agnostic.

originally posted by: woodwardjnr

originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: Ddrneville

Honestly, if these guys know so incredibly much, why don't they actually do something?

They are both scientists and authors, what's been you contribution to expanding human knowledge?

My contributions:

In 2004, I was one of a few people who founded a political party that has for the last two terms been in coalition government in New Zealand. The initial campaign required that we door-knock several million strategically selected homes across the nation to advertise the existence of the party and sign up people to the electoral rolls. I, as the party's data systems administrator, organized the mapping, team allocations and schedule to achieve this with volunteers in the shortest time-frame possible.

Years ago, I worked for an aircraft company which primarily dealt with defense. While working there, I built the prototype waveguides for a very early (and now superseded) Instrument Landing System called Interscan. I also produced experimental rigs for use in neutron bombardment studies at the Lucas Heights reactor. I participated in other work there that is (I believe) classified.

I have been solidifying the theoretical framework around how the late establishment of the Higgs field could lead to a boundary condition on the proto-universe that allows for superluminal inflation. I have been in communication with several theoretical physicists about this since getting the idea back in 2006 (still don't feel it is rigorous enough to publish and it could still end up being scrapped if the numbers don't support it).

I also have a family of whom I am immensely proud. That is a job in itself!

I'm sorry if this sounds like boasting, but you asked.

a reply to: chr0naut I'll read your best selling books and watch your ground breaking series and read your peer reviewed scientific theories on molecular biology and the cosmos.

originally posted by: introvert
a reply to: chr0naut

God reveals Himself to those who follow Him. They know in their hearts and souls, that is the power behind religious practice. The Holy Spirit indwells the true believer, revealing deeper truths, guiding conscience and providing spiritual gifts.

Forgive me for saying that is some scary stuff right there.

So these people believe they have these "truths" "revealed" to them by some god and I'm supposed to actually believe these people actually know what's going on?

Well, you (in general, perhaps not you personally) elect them.

originally posted by: woodwardjnr
a reply to: chr0naut I'll read your best selling books and watch your ground breaking series and read your peer reviewed scientific theories on molecular biology and the cosmos.

Thank you for your faith in my abilities.

Don't forget to buy my songs (available on "chronTunes ®") and eat my breakfast cereal "Chrono's™, have a the best time and be regular!"

a reply to: SovietUnionist

Atheism is not claiming that there is no god but simply saying that we don't have enough evidence to believe in a god or believe there is no god. The only claim made by atheism is that god is not supported by evidence and therefore should not be believed in, just like unicorns or dragons. I don't believe there are no dragons but I don't believe in dragons. That is how atheists feel about god. Also lack of knowledge does not equal evidence so don't pull that #.

AND THIS ISN'T BULL####? Buha!

a reply to: Ddrneville

Your description of religion differs from the average member of the public's doe-eyed trust in modern medicine, global warming scare mongering, and string theory in what way, exactly?

a reply to: Ddrneville

Considering that most in the Congress are still from a generation that has a statistical 80+% professed belief in some higher deity, I don't think it's so hard to believe that none of them will publically disavow all belief.

a reply to: introvert

That is exactly what religious people are doing. They claim to know something they couldn't possibly know.

So no difference between atheists and religion. I agree! buha!

originally posted by: randyvs
a reply to: SovietUnionist

Atheism is not claiming that there is no god but simply saying that we don't have enough evidence to believe in a god or believe there is no god. The only claim made by atheism is that god is not supported by evidence and therefore should not be believed in, just like unicorns or dragons. I don't believe there are no dragons but I don't believe in dragons. That is how atheists feel about god. Also lack of knowledge does not equal evidence so don't pull that #.

AND THIS ISN'T BULL####? Buha!

No, it's actually quite reasonable.

There is no evidence for unicorns or dragons, to use the example provided, so why would anyone believe in them?

There is no evidence of any god, either. Why would anyone believe in him?

While I respect one's faith, and to paraphrase Bill Maher, you cannot put your "un-reason" on the same shelf as my "reason".

a reply to: TzarChasm

You again?

I would also point out the irony in the fact that the world's premier mockers of religion, Dawkins and Tyson, both believe in UFOs and intelligent alien life... neither of which have any scientific evidence behind them and are, at least to date, backed by little more than optimistic faith. Hypocritical much?

Another unsurprising display of anti intellectualism from ATS. Idiocracy was a warning not a guide about the future

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
I would also point out the irony in the fact that the world's premier mockers of religion, Dawkins and Tyson, both believe in UFOs and intelligent alien life... neither of which have any scientific evidence behind them and are, at least to date, backed by little more than optimistic faith. Hypocritical much?

Very hypocritical.

Also, believing in god is as ridiculous as believing in UFO's or aliens. No proof for any of it.

a reply to: introvert

You are the one who is negative that puts you and mousy Bill Maher
on the bottom shelf of unreason. Get it all straightened out in your
mind and allow me to avoid your ignorance.

originally posted by: randyvs
a reply to: introvert

You are the one who is negative that puts you and mousy Bill Maher
on the bottom shelf of unreason. Get it all straightened out your
mind and allow me to avoid your ignorance.

You may perceive it as being negative, but that does not change the FACT that believing in god is equal to believing in unicorns, dragons, Zeus or even the Krakken.

No evidence they even exist, let alone worthy of my worship.

Edit to add: My mind doesn't need to be straightened. I'm not the one that believes in something that cannot be proven.

originally posted by: introvert
Also, believing in god is as ridiculous as believing in UFO's or aliens. No proof for any of it.

There is(or should be) a certain degree of humbleness and humility in believing in a higher power. Humility has always been an admirable trait which I wouldn't classify as ridiculous.