Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nelson on September 4, 2011 at 5:00pm

well, if it were me, i'd point out that you can, with perfect reason, while discussing the plot of a movie for instance, point out that one element of the movie's plot renders absurd the plot itself when compared to another element of the movie's plot, and you can do this without believing that the movie is a depiction of objective reality.

 

also, if someone's aim is to establish that the text is mythology, how else would they do so if not with reference to the text itself??

 

then, everyone CAN have their own opinion, no question, but no one is entitled to immunity from having their opinions challenged, or of the necessity of being able to justify that their opinion is true, in accordance with objective reality.

what makes me different?  my beliefs are justified on the basis of the facts as we've been able to discern them from hundreds of years of observation, hypothesizing, experimentation, and revision based on further observations, etc.

his are not.

i believe i am right. they believe they are right. only one of us has any reason to think that they're right.

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Permalink Reply by Artor on September 4, 2011 at 5:05pm

You make an excellent point. Not only is the Bible fiction, it's really poorly written fiction. I've forced myself through it before, and it's much worse than the crappiest sci-fi story I've ever read.

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Permalink Reply by STEVIE NICHOLL on September 4, 2011 at 5:26pm

As you worded it so perfectly (as per usual), I hope you don't mind that I have stolen some lines for a reply.  If you would like too (and I would love you too), you could add to the 'live' conversation now http://www.facebook.com/stevienicholl  ... its the long posting right at the start!!!

 

Thanks so much!

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Permalink Reply by STEVIE NICHOLL on September 4, 2011 at 5:36pm

Anyone from the atheist family is welcome to add me on FB as well.. ty :)

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Permalink Reply by Eric Lawson on September 5, 2011 at 9:41am

just sent you a request!

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Permalink Reply by Nelson on September 4, 2011 at 5:38pm

first, my pleasure! no worries. happy to help :)

it's no problem that you use my words. really. i don't mind.

unfortunately, as the producer of Think Atheist's podcast, i'm doing some last minute prep before the show so i can't join the discussion at the moment!

apologies!

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Permalink Reply by Chibuzor Obiora on September 4, 2011 at 5:39pm

love this post and the reply by Nelson. This site is really awesome. So glad i joined :-). ps. any links to any really epic and interesting debates that have happened will be very much appreciated. cheers all.

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Permalink Reply by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on September 4, 2011 at 8:11pm

Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion. However some are based on intelligent reasoning formed from studying a subject while other opinions are just handed down.

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Permalink Reply by Frankie Scott on September 5, 2011 at 8:38pm

I reposted this on my facebook. I hope you dont mind. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Danielle Reazin on September 4, 2011 at 11:43pm

I would say that the best evidence against the christian buybull is itself. I would also say that maybe I would listen to your views if you had factual evidence to back up your claims. Furthermore, the reason why I am anti-theist is because theism, at it's very core, believes that it's beliefs/ opinions should hold dominion over everything and everyone (ie politics, laws, religious symbols all over government buildings, the fact that it's okay to discriminate against atheists even in modern society, etc.). The day theists leave me alone will be the day I quit fighting against them and their beliefs.

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Permalink Reply by Helen Pluckrose on September 5, 2011 at 8:30am

This person has trouble with understanding circular logic - when a religious person uses the bible to prove the bible this is circular logic. You were using the bible to compare against what we know to be true - there are no unicorns. Even if you were using the bible to disprove the bible this would be valid - if a book held to be sacred contradicts itself then this is valid evidence of it being faulty. Compare it to a maths book. If it said that 2 x 6=13, would the fact that it said it twice would be evidence it was right? No -circular logic.

If it says 2x6=13 we prove this faulty using common knowledge

If it says 2x6=13 in one place and 2x6=12 in another we can use the book to prove the book flawed.

 

This person has a point when he says everyone has their own opinion and if you are the person attacking religion when the conversation was about football you should agree to leave it. If the conversation was about God then you can point out that you have the right to state your opinion whenever others state theirs.

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Permalink Reply by Frankie Scott on September 5, 2011 at 8:41pm

I really like your last paragraph. We should attack first.

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