:yawn:


zzzzzzzzzzz.

DNA records the history of evolution
we are just begining to learn how to read the DNA
in the near future we may be able to trace evolution
threw the records in the DNA
uniquivocal, completely undisputable proof just maybe coming a few year down the road, of what changed to to what when and the way it happened as it is all in the DNA

:snoring:

:rolls over:

:goes back to sleep:

Maybe some people just want to believe.
...to believe that there is something more to life than just existance on this mortal earth
...to believe that there is something more powerful than themselves, or the monkeyman in charge fo their country
...to believe that there is a purpose

Besides... if the end result of life is simply, and only, death, then why should anyone care about their fellow man, or anything else for that matter. If there is no good, then there is no evil. Every action is as acceptable as the next, and chaos is the order of the day.

Whether God is real or not, man-made or Divine, it matters not to me. I believe that we need God.

Jim,

What is FSM? Females sadomasochists?

Aurel

Yes, some need God. But the object of life should be to lead it in such a way as to benefit yourself and others, not for a reward.

When I die, if there is not God and no afterlife, I would be content just to leave maybe a few folks behind that would say: "Bob was a really nice guy." But, even then, I would be the last to care.

Ooooh, that could be interesting. Hmmm, maybe we need some pics. :)

FSM is the Flying Spaghetti Monster religion, whose followers are know as Pastafarians, if I recalled correctly. The believe that pirates are divine creatures, and that global warming is inversely proportional to the number of pirates in existence. I'm sure there's more to it, but I'm not on their team.

If your neighbor told you that God has decreed that he sacrifice his infant child with a large knife, what would you do???

That man is the founder of three major religions (Judiasm, Christianity and Islam). Abraham.....

While many believe in God in order to escape eternal punishment in Hell, the Bible does not teach that being the primary purpose of Christianity. "Be imitators of Me" is what Christ said. First and foremost we are called to be like Christ, and to follow in His footsteps.

Perhaps - maybe that will happen before Christ's return. :eek:

Here's a thought - if there is no God, and no divine being behind all this, how do you explain morality? If I did not believe in God, I suspect that I would be the most self-absorbed human being around. I would only do that which directly benefits me. Why should I help others, if when they put me six feet under, all is over? "Eat, drink and be merry - for tomorrow we die."

Thus, my question is: How or why does one practise morality without God? Why be "good" if it is of little or no benefit to my bottom line?
-Z

Excellent points raised and sectarian bickering kept to a minimum so far. Maybe there is a god afterall :)

Here's a thought - if there is no God, and no divine being behind all this, how do you explain morality?

That's easy - there is no link between the two. It's just as silly for us atheists to claim we invented gravity.

Morality has been around alot longer than religion and belief in god(s). Morality grew out of a need for people to live together in a social environment. Even cavemen grew to understand that they simply couldn't go around killing their fellow hunters and gatherers - there were negative consequences. Less people to hunt and gather, shortage of food, whole tribe dies out.

This is the concept that has always concerned me. So, if you found out tomorrow that there was no god, you would suddenly become a different person? That's disappointing. You should help others because it's the right thing to do - not because you fear retribution from a supreme being.

Mike

Z...

I think we are saying basically the same things. Whether Christian or not, whether you believe that Jesus is the Son of God or simply a wise philosopher, the world would be better off if the beatitudes guided people's lives. It really is that simple. But, we have to admit that many preschers still bring up eternal damnation and fire and brimstone, the God of the Old Testament. Fear is a proven motivator.

Who are you to doubt my powers!??!

Don't make me turn it off!

If you do, we will all be separated from one another and float a loan.

Ya See there is the proof! I Believe, I Believe!

But why? What purpose would that serve ME in the long run? IE: without a motivating factor like a divine being, what would cause me to do right?

Now I'm not saying I would overnight turn into a hardened criminal, but if there is no God, what purpose would it serve me to help others? Why should I bother? There is that "hopefully they will help me in my time of need," factor, but that's not a very strong reason. And if you argue, "It's for the good of all mankind," I would retort by saying, "Who really cares about the good of all mankind - in 80 or so years, it certainly won't give me warm fuzzies as I get eaten by worms..."

-Z-man.

Here's some interesting relgious videos:

http://www.whichreligion.com/religion_skeptics.html

Z, unfortunately many people do seem to think along the lines of "what's in it for me". A lot of these folks end up in prison. Being a functioning member of society means playing by the rules. These rules have evolved over millions of years. They weren't made up arbitrarily - they arose out of some need.

I think that man has learned to live in "societies" over the millenia by somewhat of a system that approximates the Golden Rule. It is simply in one's best interest to behave. It serves you in the long run. Big time. So, most people ultimately play by the rules out of selfish reasons. That's why it works. It's not due to 10 sorta fuzzy commandments written on stone tablets.

I think the fallacy in your thinking still goes back to the idea that if it was somehow proven tomorrow that god did not exist, do you think people would suddenly become raping, pillaging, thieving animals? Some might, but some are already that way. I don't think most would. Most would behave themselves because it is simply in their best interest to do so.

If I'm wrong, most Christians are only barely held in check by their fear of god. That's scary. I don't think that's the case.

Mike