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IS THERE A GOD?

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kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Netopia, you're wasting your time bantering with MercenaryForHire. He will never let you get the last word and operates only in smart-ass mode.
 
Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: kranky
Netopia, you're wasting your time bantering with MercenaryForHire. He will never let you get the last word and operates only in smart-ass mode.

Aw, how cute. Since he was all sad from not reading the Heathen Logic in this thread, he got his boyfriend to post here. :heart:

- M4H
 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
4
81
Doesen't it suck when you use big words but don't really know what they mean?

I think I understand what he was trying to say, though.

Why does that wording not work for you?

Ok.. how about this...

I don't agree with what you said but I can appreciate the clarity of your presentation.

Joe
 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
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Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Netopia
Now add the "I don't give a flying four-letter-word-for-copulation" option so I can vote in this poll.

It doesn't appear because that's not something I was interested in. Since there's nothing here that is of interest to you, please feel free to go ruin some other thread.

Joe

What interests me is how you manage to read my posts with your head up your ass. Did you even bother to read the other posts in this thread, such as this one:

The problem is that this assumes God can be proven at all. If God doesn't want to be subjected to human research, then God isn't. It's an equally impossible task to prove either way.

If the existence of God were a *fact*, there would be no point whatsoever in "faith".

I guess you missed out on the whole faith thing being an important part of it all.

:roll:

- M4H

I guess you can't actually comprehend how many people think. Yes.... faith means that there is no scientifically provable substanciation, but that in no way predetermines how a person THINKS or BELIEVES. Do you believe that there is life in other parts of the universe? Do you believe it to the point (or nearly to the point) where you would say it is at least PROBABLY a fact? If so, then you are a tiny bit on the path of understanding of people of faith.

You think, therefore you are.... but can you prove ANYTHING beyond that?

Joe
 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
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I mean come on. It's so obvious that whole aspect is man-made control/conform...

Did your parents tell you what to do growing up? Did they do it because they were control freaks or because they loved you and had your best interests in mind?

Joe

 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
4
81
Originally posted by: kranky
Netopia, you're wasting your time bantering with MercenaryForHire. He will never let you get the last word and operates only in smart-ass mode.

Hey Kranky..... thanks for the warning. Except for actual computer threads, I've never seen him post anything that was worth Anand's bandwidth... but I'm sure he thinks the same of me.

Joe
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
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Is it too cold to go fishing in late November/early December? Do the fishies still jump then???
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
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Originally posted by: Netopia
Doesen't it suck when you use big words but don't really know what they mean?

I think I understand what he was trying to say, though.

Why does that wording not work for you?

Ok.. how about this...

I don't agree with what you said but I can appreciate the clarity of your presentation.

Joe
I wasnt trying to be an ass, sorry if I came across that way.. lol

Ahh.. Hmm....

I guess it does make sense. I only read definition #1 at m-w.com. :eek:
 
Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: Netopia
Originally posted by: kranky
Netopia, you're wasting your time bantering with MercenaryForHire. He will never let you get the last word and operates only in smart-ass mode.

Hey Kranky..... thanks for the warning. Except for actual computer threads, I've never seen him post anything that was worth Anand's bandwidth... but I'm sure he thinks the same of me.

Joe

Glad to see we agree on something!

- M4H
 

Ricochet

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
6,390
19
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Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Originally posted by: ricochet
Originally posted by: sleepmachine
can you prove God doesn't exist?

The burden of proof is always up to those who make the extraordinary claim.

The problem is that this assumes God can be proven at all. If God doesn't want to be subjected to human research, then God isn't.

It's an equally impossible task to prove either way.

Hence the expresssion "burden of proof."

A lot of people in this world attribute "god" to be all-powerful, all-knowing, and this "god" desires worship, prayer, and/or a personal relationship. If those are true, then the question whether that particular "god" exist won't be a question at all.


 
Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: Netopia
I guess you can't actually comprehend how many people think. Yes.... faith means that there is no scientifically provable substanciation, but that in no way predetermines how a person THINKS or BELIEVES. Do you believe that there is life in other parts of the universe? Do you believe it to the point (or nearly to the point) where you would say it is at least PROBABLY a fact? If so, then you are a tiny bit on the path of understanding of people of faith.

You think, therefore you are.... but can you prove ANYTHING beyond that?

Joe

Lettuce causes brain cancer.

What? Not willing to accept that on Faith?

- M4H
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
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Originally posted by: Netopia
I mean come on. It's so obvious that whole aspect is man-made control/conform...

Did your parents tell you what to do growing up? Did they do it because they were control freaks or because they loved you and had your best interests in mind?

Joe
Good analogy, but like I was saying.. I don't need the thought of being punished to be a good person. Nobody should.
 

imported_waldo

Golden Member
Aug 30, 2004
1,076
0
0
God isn't about punishment, or rewards...and if you think that, then we have very different understandings of god. I personally view God as more of a parental figure...someone who has your best in mind, and you don't have to worry about some ulterior motive. Follow what he says and miraculously you will be "blessed", or reap the rewards of your actions. Don't follow it, and wow, the opposite happens...a lot of religion isn't about punishment and blessings, but natural cause and effect, you just believe that the knowledge of what to do and what is the best choice in a given situation for the desired consequence is divinely inpsired!

That being said, I have had many an experience in my personal life to believe that there is a god
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
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Originally posted by: Netopia
I mean come on. It's so obvious that whole aspect is man-made control/conform...

Did your parents tell you what to do growing up? Did they do it because they were control freaks or because they loved you and had your best interests in mind?

Joe

Well, this thread is more about the existence of a deity or deities than whether the man-made & maintained church system has our best interests in mind, but if you want to go there, I can tell you what most people think of priests after recent events ;)

As far as the control issue, I don't believe it's the reason for belief - though I do believe the reason for the church's persistence is indeed primarially motivated by money, and until recently was motivated equally (and greatly) by both money and control.

I believe the reason for belief is genetic; it's the only explanation for peoples insistence on it despite the fact that in the two millenia of belief in christ and many more millenia in the belief in a god and/or gods there has been not one shred of evidence... and there's a growing body of evidence backing this theory up. I believe that it became an evolutionary advantage at some point in time, very likely ~10k years ago when agriculture experienced its biggest growth and human beings had the luxury of spare time for the first time in our history, no longer relying solely on hunting & gathering. It may go deeper yet; it may accompany sentience, as the belief that all ends for us when we die isn't easy to stomach.

Honestly, I think that last point is perhaps the most important, though this may be simply personal experience speaking and I may not be in the majority in thinking it. I find the fact extraordinarily depressing. If I could snap my fingers and believe, I probably would. The "magic" of believing is the same principle behind the saying "ignorance is bliss".
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
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Originally posted by: waldo
God isn't about punishment, or rewards...and if you think that, then we have very different understandings of god. I personally view God as more of a parental figure...someone who has your best in mind, and you don't have to worry about some ulterior motive. Follow what he says and miraculously you will be "blessed", or reap the rewards of your actions. Don't follow it, and wow, the opposite happens...a lot of religion isn't about punishment and blessings, but natural cause and effect, you just believe that the knowledge of what to do and what is the best choice in a given situation for the desired consequence is divinely inpsired!

That being said, I have had many an experience in my personal life to believe that there is a god
I believe in all that, but I do not believe that God is in "control" of all that, I believe that it is natural, ie: "karma". It happens because that's the way its setup to happen, just like gravity. I believe that the answers or choices that come to me come from me and that they are the best at the time, I don't need to believe that they are divinely inspired to have faith in them.

Basically I believe that you are in control of your life, not God.

There are just too many religions, too many Gods... How do you know you've picked the right religion? :p

Like I've always said...it doesen't matter what you believe in, it's up to you whether you're a good, positive person or not. It's up to you whether you're happy or not.
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: HaxorNubcake
God Is Dead - Friedrich Nietzsche

:thumbsup:, too many people attribute this to NIN (not saying anything bad about Trent Reznor). The whole quote: "Your god is dead and only the ignorant weep. And if you claim there is a hell, then we shall meet there!"
 

element

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,635
0
0
Originally posted by: Netopia
Weird... I created a poll when I first made this thread but it doesn't show up!

I go back to edit my post and if I click on the Edit Poll button, the poll comes up just like I made it, but it doesn't display!

Whacko!

Joe

God doesn't like your poll because you've left out the only 1 true answer to your question.
 

imported_waldo

Golden Member
Aug 30, 2004
1,076
0
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quote:
I believe in all that, but I do not believe that God is in "control" of all that, I believe that it is natural, ie: "karma". It happens because that's the way its setup to happen, just like gravity. I believe that the answers or choices that come to me come from me and that they are the best at the time, I don't need to believe that they are divinely inspired to have faith in them.

Basically I believe that you are in control of your life, not God.

There are just too many religions, too many Gods... How do you know you've picked the right religion?

Like I've always said...it doesen't matter what you believe in, it's up to you whether you're a good, positive person or not. It's up to you whether you're happy or not.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
not sure how you do that funky quote thing:
Regardless,
for starters I agree with you that the main thing is that you are a good, positive person, and that you are responsible for whether you are happy or not. No argument...and that regardless of what religion you belong to, if you are a dishonest worthless piece, a dishonest worthless piece you shall remain. I never said that God controlled my life...I wasn't even referring to destiny or outside control...as much as incredibly great answers and guidelines.

On teh issue of attribution of thought and ideas, won't argue with you on where they come from, some people choose to attribute it to God, some people themselves, and some people no one...very personal, and can be very blurred regardless of how religious you are. I tend to attribute most things I regards as inspiration to god based on my view of how things work. Often times, it isn't about ideas or showings of genius or brilliance, although I do believe those come from God as well, as much as for me, it is a persistent calm and assurity that I will be able to handle any experience that comes to me.

How do you know if you have picked the right religion? Hehehehehhe.....that is just asking to start a flame war, which I won't enter.....but typically, most people just say ask God...he'll tell you where you are supposed to be and when.

Does the preceding statements perhaps exemplify my inability to cope with life's daily tasks without the unknown support of God, and therefore demonstrate my weakness of character and as an individual, possibly, won't deny it. I have come across many situations where I didn't know how I made it through them, and attribute it to inspired ideas, renewed strength, or simply drive, but I've always made it through it, adn consider myself a very happy person to this day!
 

imported_waldo

Golden Member
Aug 30, 2004
1,076
0
0
by the way, just to clarify, was looking at my display pic, and the odd ironicness of the given topic....thought it was funny, one is not related ot the other
 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
4
81
Lettuce causes brain cancer.

What? Not willing to accept that on Faith?

No, I'm not... but does that mean the YOU aren't allowed to just because it doesn't fit my reasoning?

You know.... in hind sight, maybe a MUCH better title for the INTENT of this thread would have been IN YOUR OPINION IS THERE A GOD?... since this was NOT supposed to be a thread that defines the existance of God, but merely measures the number of people who believe (or disbelieve) strongly enough for it to be measured as "FACT" by them. I can only guess that this ranting back and forth is because people want their position supported, whereas I didn't really care about reasons, only beliefs (on this thread anyway).

Joe