Which Would You Personally Prefer...

[firstfloor]

Fine...

To me it is absurd to think that the universe and beings that can contemplate our own existence exist just because.

[element771]

Just because.

No reason.

Accident.

That is the way it is.

Pick one..

How would you put it exactly?

I have been on a path my entire life to obtain valuable knowledge. I can assure you that it happening for any of the reasons stated above have not blocked my journey.

Why were you upset by plate tectonics? Seemed pretty cool to me as a child.

[firstfloor]

Just because.

No reason.

Accident.

That is the way it is.

Pick one..

How would you put it exactly?

I have been on a path my entire life to obtain valuable knowledge. I can assure you that it happening for any of the reasons stated above have not blocked my journey.

Why were you upset by plate tectonics? Seemed pretty cool to me as a child.

[element771]

It may well be that the only accident that has ever occurred was the initial conditions of the universe. Who knows? But everything after that; the formation of stars and galaxies and planets and even life was inevitable. As soon as something exists that moves towards the light or towards a concentration of something in the environment, things change in a non-random manner.

Well I would agree to a point but I think that those are a number of accidents. Initial conditions of the universe that allowed us to evolve and actually contemplate our own existence.

I disagree.

1. Religious people celebrate the whole creation not just us.

2. I think that the cosmic scale is necessary for our existence. Without those initial conditions that give us the universe as we see it, we wouldn't be here. Without the cosmological constant being what it is...our universe wouldn't be as big but we wouldn't be here. Without the billions of years to form enough carbon in stars, we wouldn't be here. etc etc etc.

I never understood the argument from size as it is only a matter of perception / preference.

[KingsGambit]

Do you think your beliefs are motivated by your inability to come to term with death under 1?

No

[firstfloor]

Well I would agree to a point but I think that those are a number of accidents. Initial conditions of the universe that allowed us to evolve and actually contemplate our own existence.



I disagree.

1. Religious people celebrate the whole creation not just us.

2. I think that the cosmic scale is necessary for our existence. Without those initial conditions that give us the universe as we see it, we wouldn't be here. Without the cosmological constant being what it is...our universe wouldn't be as big but we wouldn't be here. Without the billions of years to form enough carbon in stars, we wouldn't be here. etc etc etc.

I never understood the argument from size as it is only a matter of perception / preference.

[element771]

I find a lot of atheists arguments start with the premise of "if I was God, I would have done it..."

I think that is the difference between our thought processes. I think that there is enough evidence that points me in the direction of God. I am humble enough to understand that I will not understand all of his choices. I accept that.

I do take the view that we evolve out of the whole universe but how you would think that it just happens to be like that is beyond me. To me that is the a lot less probable than the existence of a deity.

[Tassman]

1. To be created by amoral, non-rational forces of nature, or...

2. To be created by a rational, morally good Being?

I'm not asking if you believe or not in a god, but which scenario would you prefer, and perhaps why...

It is preferable and more honest to accept reality regardless of personal views. Nothing is "true" just because you want it to be true.

[firstfloor]

I find a lot of atheists arguments start with the premise of "if I was God, I would have done it..."

I think that is the difference between our thought processes. I think that there is enough evidence that points me in the direction of God. I am humble enough to understand that I will not understand all of his choices. I accept that.

I do take the view that we evolve out of the whole universe but how you would think that it just happens to be like that is beyond me. To me that is the a lot less probable than the existence of a deity.

[firstfloor]

Number 2 for me. I like order.

[element771]

Questions of this nature are embodied in the fact that the universe exists. Without the universe there is no question. It is as if the universe asks it about itself a bit like the whale in the Hitchhikers Guide; the logic is circular.

Is your knowledge and understanding of philosophy based on a novel?

Unlike your example above, this is actually circular reasoning. It is like saying that the Bible is true because the Bible says it is. You assume God doesn't exist and then tell me that the universe is telling me that God doesn't exist.

[firstfloor]

You assume God doesn't exist and then tell me that the universe is telling me that God doesn't exist.

[element771]

I assume no god and find none. This is sound research.

Are you also going by Hitchhikers guide for your research?

I have no idea where you are getting this from. You understand that our view of God is transcendent and does not reside in the universe. If this is how you conduct your research, i can understand why you haven't found God yet. You seem to be looking for a God that no one thinks exists.

The religious God of sacred texts is entirely a cultural tradition. It either suits you or it does not, in your society it may be compulsory or it is not.

Again, this is your opinion or belief. It has no bearing on reality.

[firstfloor]

I have no idea where you are getting this from. You understand that our view of God is transcendent and does not reside in the universe. If this is how you conduct your research, i can understand why you haven't found God yet. You seem to be looking for a God that no one thinks exists.

But the Christian God is not merely transcendent. He is also immanent according to the Church. These properties are not discovered. The Bishops get together and decide the nature of their God by fiat and go about continuously repeating the claim. Their method sets a low standard of veracity but it is sufficient for those who are of a religious mindset and who covet the spectacular wares on offer.

[Magenta]

I like authority instead of chaos. Someone or establishment must be in charge or everyone tries to take control and you get chaos. Order can be a good thing but of course anything out of balance is dangerous.
I believe balance is key but as humans normally we are always out of balance. I feel safety in knowing that God is in control of everything. I put my full trust in Him.
When I said I like to listen and learn from others that is always second to what the Bible teaches me. I trust God first but I believe we can learn from others second.