Help
I am going to an christian apologist's speech tomorrow night on campus and the topic is "Too Smart For God". The speaker will deal with whether or not science is compatible with faith in god. I was wondering if any of my fellow non-believers have any suggestions on what questions I can ask Dr. Jim Muncy. I am fairly new to atheism so I would like your input on good questions. Thanks.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jon Heim on -
wow, for someone who is fairly new to atheism, this is a pretty big deal.
um..I'll try to think of something for you:
how about the proof of carbon dating we have from fossils?
one of my favorite things to talk about is the idea of a "soul" having an after life. First we must establish what a soul is.
The soul has often been deemed integral or essential to consciousness and personality, and soul sometimes functions as a synonym for spirit, mind or self.
These things are also scientifically proven to be controlled by the brain. The Frontal Lobe - Front part of the brain; involved in planning, organizing, problem solving, selective attention, personality and a variety of "higher cognitive functions" including behavior and emotions.
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Permalink Reply by Rodrica Davis on -
I don't yet know if he is a creationist so he may believe in evolution and the age of the earth but then again he may be a creationist in which case I liable to simply walk out. I can hardly deal with that level of stupidity. And I will ask about the soul bit because creationist or no, that question can make a them stumble. thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Ava Wilson on -
Keep in mind that Christians usually have a rebuttal for carbon dating, saying it can be grossly inaccurate. You would need a more shocking question than that.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan E. Hoffman on -
Ask him why, in the Bible, God intervenes all the time, and yet today we never see God or angels intervening with forces of man outside of stories in the National Enquirer and other non-credible news sources.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan E. Hoffman on
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Also, maybe check out my article on religious responsibility, here:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Religious-Responsibility-by-Ryan-H...
It might help.
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Permalink Reply by Rodrica Davis on
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Good point. Theists repeatedly say god doesn't have to prove himself to us but in the biblical days apparently god felt compelled to with splitting seas, fire tornadoes, walking water and such. Even W. L. Craig had trouble with that question. Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Ava Wilson on
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I think this IS a good question. Why does God continually seem to prove himself beyond a shadow of a doubt during the OT and NT eras, but afterward we see or hear nothing of him? And anyone who DOES say they have contact with god or angels or saints, they're considered delusional.
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Permalink Reply by Loop Johnny on -
Hmm. This is relevant to my interests.
Religion and Science are incompatible.
Try asking:
-WARNING- Furious brainstorm ahead
"How can you validate the holy scriptures that underlay any religion?"
"I think that if this "God" exists, and is omniscient, I think he will choose reason and freethinking over ignorance and indoctrination. Are you of the same opinion with me?"
"Why do you believe in God?" ( try pointing the obvious - born in a religion, relevant to his interests, afraid of death )
"How can you tell the difference between the word of God and imagination or simple thought?"
"There are allot of theories for life, that's why there are such a huge number of religions, and each of them doesn't have sufficient evidence to back up their claims. Then why am I obliged to believe in any religion if none of them has found the answer? Isn't best to admit that we don't know instead of inventing stories with no support whatsoever?"
"What is wrong in admitting that we don't know the truth? Every religion is giving me the truth on a plate saying it is 'the one and only truth'. I prefer to keep on searching for the truth instead of giving up. Do you? "
"How do you know that everything you said is true?"
"Is thinking that God does not exist a sin? --- Is leaving God a sin? --- Why? ( because he says so in the bible) "
"How do you know the Bible is true? -- How do you know it is written in the word of God?"
"Why believe in God?" - more advanced question, depends on the answer
e.g. "Because he loves you!" - "How do you know that?"
"If I bring here ( you can try to bring a book ) a book that states in its first page that everything this book is going to say is true, do you believe it? --(if no)-- Why? --- Because there is no evidence to support what this book is saying."
"Other than the Bible and the personal experience of a believer, is there any proof of God?"
"Is it okay to believe in something because it sounds good and it satisfies me, or is it okay to believe something because evidence supports it?"
Tips:
If confronted with the arguments "You can't disprove God!" then say "There is an immaterial Dragon that is on the stage behind you! You cannot disprove that! Then it must exist!"
Because some of my neurons have sacrificed for your sake, you are indebted to me to post the outcome of the speech ( if you post a question ).
Pro tip:
Use reason and ask more questions instead of responding. You have the upper hand.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Rodrica Davis on
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Whoa. lol. Those are a lot of good questions. I can assure you if they allow questions (which they should) and I am able to pose a question, I will post the outcome. Although if its more of the same stuff like science can't prove god, kalam cosmological argument, teleological argument, it takes faith to be an atheist or things of that nature, you will have to forgive me for my post being relatively short. I rather like the question "Is thinking that God does not exist a sin? --- Is leaving God a sin? --- Why?" But thanks for your neurons sir.
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Permalink Reply by Loop Johnny on
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Those also can be refuted, but not in a short time.
Also I feel uncomfortable with "Sir". I am 17.
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Permalink Reply by Rodrica Davis on
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I would have never thought that. Given the sophistication of your last message I would have sworn the message was from a grad student or higher.
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Permalink Reply by Loop Johnny on
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"Not by age but by capacity is wisdom acquired." - Titus Maccius Plautus
Also I'm a big nerd so everything gets conserved. Pros and cons.
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