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  1. bxgrl- sure, but there’s an assumption, even in theoretical physics, that there *are* rules, they’re just not necessarily known or fully understood. The idea of god is outside of rules, and therefore meaningless for me. God can do anything to anyone without any regard for rules. God is literally all-powerful.

    The whole thing is useless as a concept for me. Am I going to decide what to do based on something that may or may not exist? Which I can’t prove? Which, even if I could prove, has no need to do anything consistently anyway? Seems crazy.

    If you’re going to categorize god as simply another being who has really bitchin’ abilities (sci-fi model) then sure, but now you have to deal with the nearly infinite number of logical inconsistencies within any major world religion over the history of time (why does the bearded guy concept only show up late, if that’s the real deal? If there’s one god, why do millions of people have thousands of different ideas about what god is, instead of gravity, which is the same everywhere? What kind of god would do xyz terrible thing, etc. etc.)

    Don’t get me wrong- everyone is welcome to believe whatever they want. And when their anti-evolution self gets drug-resistant TB, they can explain it however they want.

  2. posted by bfarwell
    “It’s also pointless and outside the realm of rationality, which is what I use to run my world. Hence, I write them off.”

    bfarwell,
    Are you looking closely enough at the world around you?
    Here is a list of things that scientists cannot explain in rational terms:

    -What triggers the chromosomal allignment during cellular reproduction. They know what is going on but not why.

    -How matter at close to absolute zero temperatures occupies several quantum states at once. In other words, something can be at two places at once.

    -What is the nature of consciousness? Shouldn’t a computer with enough power achieve consciousness if all it takes is a few terrabytes in sequence?

    -The question of the higher order of life seen around us is constantly at odds with the universal tendency towards entropy (the tendency towards disorder).
    Some scientists say that the higher order we see is only a more efficient way of creating disorder.
    I say if that’s true, why the tendency towards disorder in the first place?

    hummmmmm.

  3. My belief is intuitive. As said above by others, I don’t find the arguments for any god, ancient or modern, compelling – which is why I affirm Santa & the Easter Bunny. Gods as a concept fulfill a human need for many people. I think that kids who are raised in a believing family (w/ some other ingredients as well & absent some emotional turmoil in the family) tend to believe when they grow up. At base, though, what the hell difference does it make what any of us believes? I live a moral & ethical life w/ empathy for my fellows: would a theistic creed change that or make it better/different?
    Gnorman will protect my pot of gold when I find it.

  4. You know what? I have no idea if there is a red pen in the conference room downstairs that I’ve never stepped foot in. Are you telling me you can definitively say there either is or is not a red pen down there?

    And saying that the existence of a red pen can be physically verified is just fighting the hypo. That’s not the point.

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