Quote:Actually you can't prive something doesn't exist. In fact, it is impossible to prove a negative. This is why logic has the 'burden of proof' which requires that the person asserting a statement be able to prove that statement is true. It is also why the criminal justice system has the 'presumption of innocence' and there are a lot of other things.
Faith is believing in something reguardless of the facts. The
thing is you can't prove god doesn't exsist. You can prove
fairies don't (Unless you live in San fran ) exsist and even
I don't think J-lo will be visiting me anytime soon..but I can
dream can't I?
As for dreaming, go ahead. That's your right.
Quote:I do not believe in god, and yet I am capable of compassion, mercy, kindness and helping my fellow man. It's called "Enlightened Self Interest". The basic principle of the philosophy is that I, as a member of society, wish to live in a society which provides basic human rights, charity and other qualities because that makes for a better society in general.
Besides, if I
disbelieve in god then all it taught is suspect as well,
including compassion, mercy, kindness, helping your fellow
man? Without my faith then I should just become another
self absorbed, money grubbing drone of society. Science doesn't have these beliefs and a world where science rules
would make Nazi germany look like paradise...
A lot of deists support the idea that atheists don't have the same moral convictions as the religious. I personally find that insulting. If children are taught to respect human rights and proviude charity to their fellow man then they don't need a "god" to threaten them into this. We have our own conscious and the rule of law to support society.
And trust me, you do not want to start bringing up bad effects on society. Or are you really saying that religious societies are incapable of being monstrous dystopias?
Quote:So... all those children born with AIDS in Africa are just sex machines, are they? I mean, you've never heard of virgins getting STDs, therefore it must be impossible. So all those babies must have been born with... uh Not-AIDS. It's exactly like HIV, but is morally upright!
And the spread of STD in africa? I've never heard of virgins
getting STDs and rubbers are not 100% effective. imagine that, waiting til you are married to havesex. *GASP* The scandal! :/
And yes, condoms aren't 100% effective. So, let's use this logic to its extreme: airbags and seatbelts are not 100% effective in svaing lives - therefore nobody is allowed to drve anymore. Food safety regulations are not 100% effective in preventing the spread of tainted or infected food - therefore we all shoud stop eating.
Quote:I don't think he's objecting to your personal faith. It is when people impose their faith on others that there is a problem. It is especially relevant when matters of faith conflict with matters of reason.
The 'bottom line' is why should you even care what I
believe? I'm not hurting anyone and I'm not alone in
that.
If a man preaches that god is with him and that all is right with the world that is one thing. If his congretations is next to an erupting volcano and he is preaching that they shouldn't move because 'god will protect them' then that is entirely another matter.
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Epsilon