How do we know Santa Claus doesn't exist?

[Sanoy]

Be fair, Sanoy. 130 posts in was about the point in which I joined the discussion. How do you expect me to go back in time and alter it?

I think the point of this thread is now very clear: Christians can't handle their own arguments.

I thank you for clarifying it.

FYI Your first post in a thread does not establish it's point.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

And how will you do that?

By simply saying that all of this Santa banter game, even apart from the separate Jesus banter game---cuz they are different games---are constructed by the game rules that each of us separately relies upon in our heads. But the news on this gets even better: if we add to Wittengenstein just a tinsy dash of Gettier [short article link here], and one knows that's about all we really do get of Gettier, then this whole Santa yarn begins to disintegrate as the amateurish and fiendish [and dare I say, "ignorant and uneducated"?] putsch that it is.

So, what is your 'game plan' now? I hate to ask because I'm not sure I can know that you know how to know that any of us does know whether Santa lives...or not.

 

[InterestedAtheist]

FYI Your first post in a thread does not establish it's point.

But your replies have made the point. Made it very clear.

 

[Sanoy]

But your replies have made the point. Made it very clear.

Yeah, hows that?

 

[InterestedAtheist]

By simply saying that all of this Santa banter game, even apart from the separate Jesus banter game---cuz they are different games---are constructed by the game rules that each of us separately relies upon in our heads. But it gets better, if we just add to Wittengenstein just a tinsy dash of Gettier [short article link here], and one knows that's about all we really do get of Gettier, then this whole Santa yarn begins to disintegrate as the amateurish and fiendish [and dare I say, "ignorant and uneducated"?] putsch that it is.

So...your answer is a? Admit that you lost the game?

 

[InterestedAtheist]

Yeah, hows that?

By the way you keep flailing, refusing to try to address a game that you know you can't win.

You must admit, we atheists are happy to engage you on the question of God.

But you know that if you try the game, you'll lose, because you can't handle your own arguments pushed back at you.

So:
A. B, or C? Would you mind choosing one, it's getting late.

 

[Sanoy]

By the way you keep flailing, refusing to try to address a game that you know you can't win.

You must admit, we atheists are happy to engage you on the question of God.

But you know that if you try the game, you'll lose, because you can't handle your own arguments pushed back at you.

So:
A. B, or C? Would you mind choosing one, it's getting late.

How does refusing to play a game about Santa say anything about Christianity? Care to work that logic out for us all? Or is this another of your conclusions that you just arrive at but can't explain how when you are asked? Your comment about me flailing is projection, I'm not the one making 4 posts to the same person because they are unsettled they can't get their thoughts into a single post.

 

[InterestedAtheist]

Several people have asked how they compare, and so far zero response to that. All we get from you is the conclusion that they do. Until you are willing to do that, I guess you will just have to pat yourself on the back.

Isn't it obvious? Magical creature, defying the laws of nature, loved and revered by those who believe in them, transforming people's lives?
More to the point: you believe that Jesus exists, and I think you're wrong.
I believe that Santa exists, and you think I'm wrong.

The whole of Christian Apologetics is devoted to addressing the first of those two sentences. You can't blame me for wanting to keep this particular thread on track.

So: why do you think Santa does not exist?
It's a perfectly straightforward question.

How does refusing to play a game about Santa say anything about Christianity? Care to work that logic out for us all? Or is this another of your conclusions that you just arrive at but can't explain how when you are asked? Your comment about me flailing is projection.

Just an obvious observation.
And yes, I'd be happy to work out the logic for you.
Christians have certain arguments they use to defend their beliefs in Gods. Let's see how those arguments work to defend other beliefs that some Christians consider not just false but ridiculous.
And if those arguments do work well to defend a ridiculous proposition, perhaps you should reconsider using them to defend your belief in God.

 

[Sanoy]

Isn't it obvious? Magical creature, defying the laws of nature, loved and revered by those who believe in them, transforming people's lives?
More to the point: you believe that Jesus exists, and I think you're wrong.
I believe that Santa exists, and you think I'm wrong.

The whole of Christian Apologetics is devoted to addressing the first of those two sentences. You can't blame me for wanting to keep this particular thread on track.

So: why do you think Santa does not exist?
It's a perfectly straightforward question.

Oh, so it's based on a strawman. I thought as much. Tis the season for stawmen it seems. Though I think you keep your decorations up year round.

 

[InterestedAtheist]

Oh, so it's based on a strawman. I thought as much. Tis the season for stawmen it seems. Though I think you keep your decorations up year round.

Our answers are flying past each other like reindeer!

Check my edit to my last post.

And then, are you now choosing option C?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

So...your answer is a? Admit that you lost the game?

It's kind of difficult to know what game you guys have chosen for us to play, I.A.

But let me guess: Is it...........MONOPOLY?

 

[InterestedAtheist]

It's kind of difficult to know what game you guys have chosen for us to play, I.A.

But let me guess: Is it...........MONOPOLY?

Difficult? I explained it just a few posts ago.

Can you prove to me that Santa does not exist?

 

[InterestedAtheist]

Perhaps you two would like some time to think it over. I have to go to bed now. Goodnight!

 

[Sanoy]

Our answers are flying past each other like reindeer!

Check my edit to my last post.

And then, are you now choosing option C?

I told you I'm not playing the game. If you have a case make it. Games are not cases, they are games.

 

[Sanoy]

Perhaps you two would like some time to think it over. I have to go to bed now. Goodnight!

Think over what? You haven't provided any substance to any of your conclusions. All you have said to me in the last page or so has been 'Play mah game or leave'. The heck is there to think over?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Difficult? I explained it just a few posts ago.

Can you prove to me that Santa does not exist?

Do you even remember that we touched upon the topic of "proof" earlier on? You can't ask me to "prove" something if you, yourself, haven't presented to us what should count as proof for your own 'mental game.' Thus, it sounds like you have us playing your version of Monopoly, but by your unspoken rules.

Moreover, I'm still smelling a Bear.

 

[Sanoy]

It's kind of difficult to know what game you guys have chosen for us to play, I.A.

But let me guess: Is it...........MONOPOLY?

Whoa whoa whoa, that game is ages 8 and up! People stop believing in Santa at 8 years old. I'm thinking more like Candy Land.

 

[drich0150]

And how will you do that?

get the dungeon master to put you on his ignore list!

 

[InterestedAtheist]

I told you I'm not playing the game. If you have a case make it. Games are not cases, they are games.

On the contrary. Games can teach us a good deal. And this particular game is inviting you to disprove something. That seems highly relevant on a debating forum.
If you can't do it, or won't try to do it, then say so.

Think over what? You haven't provided any substance to any of your conclusions. All you have said to me in the last page or so has been 'Play mah game or leave'. The heck is there to think over?

What you need to think over, Sanoy, is what option you will take. You seem to have some difficulty with this. So let me remind you. I said that your options are:
"a. Admit that you can't prove, demonstrate or at least make a good case for Santa not really existing.
b. Show that you can prove, demonstrate or make such a case, by doing so.
c. Or, failing both a and b, please not derail the thread."
From your failure to do a or b, it seems like you're moving to option c. If so, please could you say so, and then we can move on?

Do you even remember that we touched upon the topic of "proof" earlier on? You can't ask me to "prove" something if you, yourself, haven't presented to us what should count as proof for your own 'mental game.'

Of course I can. and let me remind you, I started this game in response to a Christian who claimed it was possible - indeed, easy - to prove that Santa doesn't exist. All I did was say: okay, prove it to me then. Now you don't have to play if you don't want to, of course. Just take option c.
But if you're still around here, and you do choose to play, then all you have to do is tell me why you think Santa doesn't exist.

So, what is your 'game plan' now? I hate to ask because I'm not sure I can know that you know how to know that any of us does know whether Santa lives...or not.

But you don't need to know that. All you need to know is why you don't believe in Santa. Then you can explain it to me.
I mean, I presume you have reasons? Otherwise you would believe that he exists, right?
Search within yourself. Ask yourself: really, why don't I believe in Santa?
Then tell me.
Of course, if you do search within yourself...is it possible you may come to believe in Santa?

Thus, it sounds like you have us playing your version of Monopoly, but by your unspoken rules.

Of course I'm not. The rules are plain to see here. Just prove to me that Santa doesn't exist.

Moreover, I'm still smelling a Bear.

That was a cool picture, but it never really came to anything, which was a little disappointing.

Whoa whoa whoa, that game is ages 8 and up! People stop believing in Santa at 8 years old. I'm thinking more like Candy Land.

If people do stop believing in Santa at 8 years old, then any 9-year old would be surprised at you two. "What's wrong with them?" he'd think. "Why can't they just give a straight answer?"

 

[Silmarien]

Sigh.
Silmarien, you clearly do need psychological help. While I am not under any obligation to provide it, I shall do so by refraining from giving you the opportunity to work yourself up any more.
Besides which, discussing your emotional difficulties is not the point of this thread. I'd be happy to engage you if you are willing to talk about theology without accusing your opponent of being demonic.
It is interesting, though, that a light-hearted "Can you disprove Santa?" discussion ended in a Christian having a meltdown.
Anyway. Goodbye!

I didn't accuse anyone of being demonic. Without mentioning names, I said that some of the bad behavior around here struck me as almost demonic, and you asked if I had you in mind. I admitted that I did, and given your behavior since, I have seen no reason to alter that assessment.

This isn't a meltdown. I commented on having issues with depression, and you are weaponizing the taboo against mental health issues to further engage in mockery in order to silence dissent. This is a level of abuse I really haven't seen around here before, and now it's taken on an almost misogynist quality as well, since you're all but accusing me of hysteria for calling you out on your behavior. That's right out of the 19th century handbook on how to silence women, so if you did not mean it in such a fashion, you should consider the question of why you jumped immediately to misogynistic rhetoric. This behavior is not acceptable, and if it were a Christian using such tactics against an atheist, I suspect you would agree.