EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 If you are asking whether or not your reply triggered some sort of angry emotional response, the answer is no - I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I forgot the part where "Love your brother" was debunked. That was fun. That part, that predates the bible, and is based on real scientific research and evolutionary psychology , a result of reciprocal altruism. Animals show compassion for each other as well, and in some cases, maybe even more - Bononbo chimps for example Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 With that said, I was referring to the larger claims, the supernatural flavored stuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Have you ever thought that religious scriptures could actually be written metaphorically and as parables open to interpretation? Ya know, we do have the capacity for complex thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 That part, that predates the bible, and is based on real scientific research and evolutionary psychology , a result of reciprocal altruism. Animals show compassion for each other as well, and in some cases, maybe even more - Bononbo chimps for example Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 you said it better than I. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pooh Bear Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I've never met a Bononbo chimp, but I read books Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Should we pretend we're innately and naturally compassionate in all situations like the bonobos or is it ok if we devise systems that encourage the development of that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 You have no concept of allegory, then? There is a flood "myth" in essentially every culture, leading many anthropologists to believe it refers to a real event, possibly the filling of the Mediterranean basin (or other regional flooding) following the last major ice age, and subsequent repopulation/exploration of new lands following the deluge. Do I believe a historical "Noah" existed, as presented in the Bible? No more than I believe there was a historical Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve!). Do I believe those stories refer allegorically to real events? Yeah, I do. I am well aware of that, but no small percentage of folks actually believe those stories to be true. Given that I am an atheist, I am fully aware that many of the stories in the bible are parables, and view them in no other terms Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 That part, that predates the bible, and is based on real scientific research and evolutionary psychology , a result of reciprocal altruism. Animals show compassion for each other as well, and in some cases, maybe even more - Bononbo chimps for example Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 If you think that loving one's enemies is natural/biological, then you might want to cite the entire history of the human race. please don't encourage him Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Given that I am an atheist, I am fully aware that many of the stories in the bible are parables, and view them in no other terms Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 But the sort of altruism advocated by the Bible goes beyond reciprocal altruism, especially the "love your enemies" parts. If you think that loving one's enemies is natural/biological, then you might want to take a look at the entire history of the human race. If you think there is anything groundbreakingly original in the bible, you would be kidding yourself. Of course, there are other passages in the bible/koran that completely contradict that plee. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I am well aware of that, but no small percentage of folks actually believe those stories to be true. Given that I am an atheist, I am fully aware that many of the stories in the bible are parables, and view them in no other terms Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 If you think there is anything groundbreakingly original in the bible, you would be kidding yourself.So you dismiss everything that's not original to the Bible as not worth discussing, unless you want to hold it up as a bad thing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 If you think there is anything groundbreakingly original in the bible, you would be kidding yourself. Of course, there are other passages in the bible/koran that completely contradict that plee. Weren't you originally claiming that everything in the Bible was disproved by science? Now you're arguing that all the true parts are already supported by science. A) Why is that a problem? You're the one arguing that science and religion are incompatible. None of the skygod worshipers here have made such a claim. B ) I'm pretty sure that they didn't have evolutionary psychology 2,000 years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 $10 it's almost dinner time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blindgonzo Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 See, I don't believe that. I can't conceive of it. This ^ was my exact reaction to what you wrote earlier: "the great thing about God is, you don't have to explain his origin, because he transcends that." i wasn't raised in a religious family and i continue to be skeptical of ALL religions, and i assume (please correct me if i'm wrong!) you feel the same way about the "Big Bang" theory and/or evolution, and that's fine. i just feel like the "you don't have to explain his origin, because he transcends it" bit is a cop out. however, i suppose the same could be said for some of the unanswered questions in science regarding existence and evolution as well: "well, we don't know exactly how to explain this...but give us another 20 years of research and, trust me, we'll have a scientific, rational answer for you." i don't know why, but i do tend to believe and trust that many of the unknown questions will one day be explained through scientific arguements. i can't explain why, though. i am open to the possiblity of a God existing. i've been thinking a lot about religion lately since my grandma died, and i sometimes wish that i did believe in a God and heaven, etc. i think it would make the grieving a little easier. maybe one day i will believe in a God. i don't know. sorry, i guess this hasn't really added anything to the disscussion. i just wanted to share some thoughts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 i am open to the possiblity of a God existing. i've been thinking a lot about religion lately since my grandma died, and i sometimes wish that i did believe in a God and heaven, etc. i think it would make the grieving a little easier. maybe one day i will believe in a God. i don't know. sorry, i guess this hasn't really added anything to the disscussion. i just wanted to share some thoughts. nothing wrong w/ sharing and i went through a short period of smarter-than-thou atheism (in college, shocker) that came to an abrupt halt upon seeing several things in relation to family/personal illness and death. it most definitely helped...in a big way that science couldn't. doesn't make one better or worse than the other...that's just how it was for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 In the interest of full disclosure, I'm mostly and atheist, though I respect people who have strong faith as long as they are open minded about it. Basically, I can respect any belief if you aren't a dick about it. I know a guy who is a wiccan, but he's a total dick, so I can't stand him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 you're mostly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Sky God damned keyboard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Check out this Zeus I got for my birthday! I used the windex bottle to give the "skygod" effect. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 This ^ was my exact reaction to what you wrote earlier: "the great thing about God is, you don't have to explain his origin, because he transcends that." i wasn't raised in a religious family and i continue to be skeptical of ALL religions, and i assume (please correct me if i'm wrong!) you feel the same way about the "Big Bang" theory and/or evolution, and that's fine. i just feel like the "you don't have to explain his origin, because he transcends it" bit is a cop out. however, i suppose the same could be said for some of the unanswered questions in science regarding existence and evolution as well: "well, we don't know exactly how to explain this...but give us another 20 years of research and, trust me, we'll have a scientific, rational answer for you." i don't know why, but i do tend to believe and trust that many of the unknown questions will one day be explained through scientific arguements. i can't explain why, though. i am open to the possiblity of a God existing. i've been thinking a lot about religion lately since my grandma died, and i sometimes wish that i did believe in a God and heaven, etc. i think it would make the grieving a little easier. maybe one day i will believe in a God. i don't know. sorry, i guess this hasn't really added anything to the disscussion. i just wanted to share some thoughts.Nope, I believe the Big Bang theory is probably pretty much heading in the right direction. There are a lot of pieces missing, and there's a lot of big things about nature that we don't understand, but it seems sound to me. I have no problem with science. My whole point about not having to explain God's origin, is that it's part of his nature, if that's what you believe - that he's eternal. If you believe you have to start somewhere, and I believe you do, then that's where I begin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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