Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Re: What do you think it takes to convince an atheist that God exists

Bigthink — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:31:30 +0100

Well, thank you Mr. helper! Welcome to the discussion! Good answer, good answer.

Worthless? You may find some contention there, although I tend to agree. There can be no absolutes, that is correct. I think the definition of god is the factor here. Perhaps you should create a new idea with more specific wording. I've made the same assumption, but it really takes time to create a good idea that will generate debate. Tweak it!

I like you...I'm gonna be watching you...

Comment on: Re: What do you think it takes to convince an atheist that God exists

Bigthink — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:13:05 +0100

I think there is some confusion. The two steps I came up with are obviously based upon the scientific method. That is no coincidence. The scientific method is by far the best tool we have to understand the universe. However, there is an important part that I did not mention. In science, nothing is ever proven--only disproved. Relativity has a great deal of supporting evidence, but the possibility always remains that some new experiment will prove it wrong. That is why the concept of falsifiability is so important. If an idea cannot be shown to be wrong, then the idea is worthless. God is an unfalsifiable idea and therefor worthless.

Comment on: Re: What do you think it takes to convince an atheist that God exists

Bigthink — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:59:59 +0100

the truth & musycks, Very well put. I must repeat again, for the record:

GOD IS A CONCEPT

It will never be proven because it is a different mind-made (man-made) entity for each individual. Reference neurological science for the most up to date knowledge of this "phenomenon".

Comment on: Re: What do you think it takes to convince an atheist that God exists

Bigthink — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:19:38 +0100

I don't think anyone realistically says science has all the answers now.. and possibly never will, but it's peer review evidence tested theories are the best way to solve many apparent mysteries as it has a track record of doing. The religious track record is not quite so impressive...
and if science shows the universe exists and functions without god, then where does he exist except as a human construct?

So talk about human limitations in science by all means, but as there is no concept or idea of god in religion that could not have come from the brain of man, then include our limitations in that regard also.

Comment on: Re: What do you think it takes to convince an atheist that God exists

Bigthink — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:54:38 +0100

We are not talking about a science experiment are we natespaceorama?

We accept that science has limitations, primarily because human beings have limitations and science is one way that humans have come to understand portions of our environment (so is religion which is why I am not asking about religion here either). I think any reputable scientist would agree that science is by no means irrefutable. There are things which we believe to be true before we can prove them.

For example, Einstein believed that space and time were interconnected long before he could actually prove it, and some people are still not convinced by the proof he did provide before he died. Still others would and will never believe Einstein%u2019s theory of relativity despite being shown or told %u201Cproof.%u201D But some will%u2026

Because we do not know everything a human is capable of, we do not know what our own limitations are. We all have to accept certain things according to faith, until we discover or are shown enough evidence to persuade us and others. In fact, I would argue that there are many things which we are comfortable accepting on the basis of faith, which we may never attempt to prove empirically (but I can%u2019t prove that %uF04A).

I do really like the simplicity of your statement in terms of reminding us that most people do not have to see lightning come down from the heavens to be convinced, we just want to feel something that convinces US on a personal level-even if it is otherwise unexplainable to others.