I didn't have any goals to convert anyone if that's what your asking..
my response to 1) That happens to be a strong concern of mine.
In my experience, speaking philosophically on any topic allows a lot of leeway for opinions that have no validity.
In general, I think I understand what you mean.
I say this to explain my position: In Christian discussions of Bible topics I would rather that speaking philosophically not enter into it. Because what a person believes has to be precise in order to assure that what is believed is true and accurate.. if not, it's error.
Have you read my disclaimer at the bottom of all of my posts? At the time that I give my biblical perspective I endeavor to be as accurate according to my level of understanding the scriptures but I do allow that on the possibility that I might be wrong about it, should anyone have higher level of understanding, I would make the necessary adjustments.
You surely wouldn't expect a Christian to completely separate themselves from a biblical foundation when discussing scientific matters that the bible speaks of. When I would be discussing my biblical perspective versus a scientific perspective then "That is what I believe" would be correct. However, if a faith based science article would help, then I would provide the url.
You may or may not be better informed than me, but your reading comprehension could use some work. I wasn't presenting an argument. I was offering you an honest opinion, since you had seen fit to do the same. You could have justly called ad hominem had I used my description of you in order to discount your arguments. I did not do so.
And there you go again: arrogantly assuming atheists have not done the same; ignorantly unaware that the Darwins, including Charles, were important players in the abolitionist movement; and posting remarks likely to deepen the divisions in society.
You can say that about anything you can imagine.
Logically it's true that anything is possible and God lives in a castle on the other side of the moon. Perhaps the russians have a moon base there, with God for a neighbor.
The Chinese raise people on the moon and ship them back here. Amazon delivers Prime packages to the moon using the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
But scientifically speaking, there is no life outside of the "life zone" of our planet.
We've checked:
Sorry to hear that. Everyone makes mistakes. Just a couple of days ago I inadvertently posted a quote from Speedwell that, because of a glitch in the software and an error in my post, attributed it - quite inappropriately - to OldWiseGuy. It then took three or four post from him before I recognised the error. The world didn't end.
No. (I do find it interesting that that's what you thought I might have been asking.) I was asking because I was interested in your goals, since that would better help me frame my responses.
I think you are confusing philosophy with bar-room banter. Philosophy - genuine, actual, real philosophy - organises, specifies, classifies and codifies leaving little or no wriggle room for vague opinions.
I enjoy watching videos by "Because Science" because it is science without their personal opinions about Christians and their beliefs. There are other Atheists who make science based videos (when I wanted a scientific perspective that debunked flat earth beliefs) who do devote some of their videos to speak against the Bible.
I should have made the distinction in the post that you respond to, as I now have above.
The particular one I mention above did in one of his rants say that he was raised in Christian beliefs.
I assume that it's your Atheistic perspective that resulted you to say that God is a causeless cause which produced the universe.
Perhaps my information needs to be updated if Atheists no longer put forth the 'causeless cause and effect' phrase to explain the big bang. I am going by what has been discussed in postings from a science forum.
I should have checked before I posted it, it was wrong of me not to.
I don't recall the context of what beliefs I was speaking of so I will not comment. But I will say that in secular daily life situations faith isn't always necessary.
Perhaps I could use that as a quote for one of my characters in my fan fiction story that I'm working on.
Perhaps some might think it unfortunate that we all are..?
Yes, a practice that we all should do.
I am pleased to see the realisation that there are atheists and there are atheists. There is as much in common between all atheists as there is between people who dislike cauliflower.
Yes, amusingly (?), some other members at CF regard some of these same people as the spawn of the devil.
Trust me, the reverse is true. I - and perhaps others - may think some of your views misguided, but you have been courteous to a fault. There are many others like you who represent the Christian faith in a positive manner. Sadly, that is not the case for all.
Not at all. It is a commonplace argument in Christian theology that God is the First Cause, from which all else flows. I'm not clear why you are - apparently - disputing this. Am I mistaken?
Frankly, I don't recall ever hearing that phrase. As someone who really dislikes Big Bang Theory and hates having to accept it because that's where the evidence points I've done a lot of reading on the topic. Perhaps the phrase was there, but not in any "serious" location.
)As long as the character is unusually handsome, erudite, graceful, diligent and amusing, you should definitely go for it. If not, just assure me he doesn't like cauliflower.
Still, I wasn't paying attention to my personal signals that were telling me that I wasn't qualified to be talking on the subject. Sometimes knowing when to quit is better than charging forward with empty on the spot manufactured bluster to try and push the topic along.
I don't have all that much experience with standard non-Christians.. but I'd read a post from an unbeliever once who'd accused a Christian of that.. so.. I thought I'd just head the possibility off at the pass.
A goal is a planned intention. All I did was read from the latest postings in the list, and picked what wasn't a Bible topic.. a change. I do that so that my time spent on the forum from one day or another has variety.
I was just going by what someone giving their opinions called philosophy. I see now that he was just pulling the wool over my eyes and I didn't bother to look up the word in the dictionary. But this just explains my posts because of my experiences with a few Atheists who prefer to play games with a Christian rather than just be more real.
There are those Christians who open up their teaching (of creation vs evolution) with the words. But I quickly add that not all do. And, coincidentally I am wearing beige, thick socks over white ankle footies. And my feet are still cold.
Is it unfortunate then that I like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli? But if there are some who don't like shrimp as I do not, then I could better understand what you said.
We have been recently updating our appliances so yes, those home improvement videos have been helpful. I've also found some vids that feature Japanese foods prepared by a Japanese woman who lives on a farm grows all her food and uses a large wok with dried plant leaves and triks to heat the food. For use in my fan fiction set in the 15th century feudal era.
I indeed do stay away from conspiracy theory videos. I have found that even Christians are inho very close to c.t. for instance, before I realized that some were capable of that.
Well there was one time when my older brother went out of his way to strongly make me think so. But by and large many are not. For instance I have an Atheist uncle.. did have.. he's dead now.. a professor that taught in college. He'd bring up some interesting discussions on the Christmas holidays with my Methodist parents and the large family around. Sometimes I'd comment and he seemed to enjoy my doing so. A great guy. I miss him and my Aunt.Yes, amusingly (?), some other members at CF regard some of these same people as the spawn of the devil.
I can't take the credit. All in our family were raised to speak with good manners to everyone.
I wasn't meaning to dispute it. What it seemed you were saying I interpreted to be the opposite of what I stand by of the Christian theology. Apparently just a minor miscommunication somehow.
My head is spinning with puzzlement that most of what I've said has been outdated or some level of wrong. Yet, that very stuff at least at one time was the major Atheistic standard. The movies that I've seen, etc. But yeah, as if they use accuracy in their plotlines.Frankly, I don't recall ever hearing that phrase. As someone who really dislikes Big Bang Theory and hates having to accept it because that's where the evidence points I've done a lot of reading on the topic. Perhaps the phrase was there, but not in any "serious" location.
(I'm discounting, perhaps unfairly, science forums as serious places. As a former mod or admin on four or five of them, I think I'm entitled to do so.
I'm not sure if my talent in writing is that good so I should warn you that for all the description above.. not likely. One thing that I could do is to just use the words in a sentence that he says concerning himself. But he's also going to have bouts of ranting and crankiness.. because that I can apparently do without too much trouble.
I am failing - very badly it seems - to get across the fact that there is no atheistic standard.
You completely missed the point. Your argument was "If you quote these verses then you must believe in God". I pointed out that, using that logic, if you quote the Quran you must believe in Allah, if you quote Buddhist texts you must hold to buddhism etc. That's why your argument is self-defeating.
That's from one of my posts.
