The Existence of God

[usfan]

This is probably THE most significant and consequential question in the history of man. 'What is God like?', may be a close second.

I propose here, a rational debate and discussion about the existence of God. Please be civil and respectful, as this subject is always a difficult one, and emotions run strong. Perspective and freedom should let us discuss basic philosophical issues, without being threatened in our core opinions.

Here are some points to address:

1. Is there any evidence for or against God's existence?
2. Can the answer to this question explain anything in the universe?
3. Are faith in God and scientific methodology mutually exclusive?
4. Are there consequential beliefs or responses to the perceived answer to this question?

These are things that humanity has grappled with for millennia. The beliefs about this basic concept form the basis for almost all other opinions, concerning the nature of man and the universe.

What do you think?

[Sled Dog]

What is God like?

According to the Bible:

God put a snake in his garden and then put innocent children in it to play. When they were bit by the snake, he blamed the children and kicked them out of the garden.

Later, God murdered a woman who looked back to see what God was doing to the town she was forced to flee.

After that, God decided that almost everybody was fucked up, you know, the people God created, and drowned them like puppies.

God allowed just a small handful of survivors and thus he encouraged incest to rebuild the population that he himself destroyed.

The new population was just as evil as the earlier population, showing that God is willfully vicious and naturally incompetent.

God later decided that it was a mortal offense to wear cloth with weaves of different types of thread. No rayon/wool blends for the Devout. You'll get stoned, and not in a good way.

Want more?

[Calypso Jones]

that's so childish. feel better now? Go have yourself a big ole honkin' scoop of Sweet Jesus Ice Cream.

[Sled Dog]

There is no evidence for God's existence.

Refute this scientific theory by presenting evidence that does not violate Occam's Razor.

Good luck. If you can do that, you can fly to the moon without a spacesuit.

[Sled Dog]

that's so childish. feel better now? Go have yourself a big ole honkin' scoop of Sweet Jesus Ice Cream.

Yes, usfan does post many childish things.

You think he likes ice cream?

[Sled Dog]

3. Are faith in God and scientific methodology mutually exclusive?

Yes.

The PURPOSE of scientific methodology is to remove "faith" from the results.

"Big rocks fall faster than small rocks, because they're heavier."

Have a little faith and common sense, this MUST be true.

Galileo Galilei invented the scientific method of experiment, by rolling different sized balls down an inclined beam, to disprove this and assert that all objects fall at the same acceleration, regardless of mass.

Feathers fall slower than hammers because of air resistance, as was shown by the astronauts dropping hammer and eagle feather on the moon.

[Sled Dog]

4. Are there consequential beliefs or responses to the perceived answer to this question?


Yes.

Pogroms and slaughters happened throughout history because of religious beliefs, the most devastating of which were the murders of the innocents by the followers of the various religious cults of socialism in the last century.

[Oberon]

Even Alfred Ayer said there is no conflict at all between religious beliefs and science. I'll go with Ayer and others, like Thomas Huxley, Hegel, et al, who are also agnostics and/or atheists, without coming off as hysterical pagans or 10 year olds who were just told Santa Claus isn't real and now think they're suddenly more intelligent because of it. They aren't, by the way.

In fact, a lot of research is showing that the intellectual capacity for religious belief and 'epiphanies' are very likely hardwired into our brains, which means the capacity serves an existential purpose necessary for our survival. Given the revolutionary social, legal, and intellectual paradigms that were catalyzed by the Christian theology and revolution, and the truly enormous benefits that wrought compared to the alternatives, I would say the neurological research is spot on. I also agree with F.A. Hayek's opinions on the great benefits of the contributions of Christian traditions on maintaining stability in western societies, while at the same time allowing for dynamic changes and social evolution within cultures and social systems, and the capacity for them to survive pseudo-intellectual fads and dead ends without massive and complete collapse.

[Calypso Jones]

There is no evidence for God's existence.

Refute this scientific theory by presenting evidence that does not violate Occam's Razor.

Good luck. If you can do that, you can fly to the moon without a spacesuit.

So you know beyond a smidgen of a doubt that there is NO GOD and the rest of us MUST take your word for it. That rather makes you a god of sorts doesn't it? You know all. right? We can depend on you because you absolutely irrefutably KNOW THIS FOR A FACT.

it's in your heart and you can't stand it. It's okay. It's your choice.

[usfan]

The topic: 'The Existence of God.' ..not, 'Heckle and ridicule those you disagree with!'

That is a mosh pit topic, and is not appropriate here, where we are attempting a rational, philosophical inquiry into perhaps, 'The Most Significant Question', in the human experience.

I know that some are probably too emotional, or triggered, to participate in this discussion, and they should probably avoid it, as heckling or ridicule will be reported. This is not the mosh pit, but a forum for philosophical discussion. I hope the mods will respect this request.

Edit: if there is interest, we can start a mosh pit thread with a similar topic..