Atheist vs Theist (Debate)
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Originally Posted by mitchelltc1
here's something interesting: In developing the theory of relativity, Einstein realized that the equations led to the conclusion that the universe had a beginning. He didn't like the idea of a beginning, because he thought one would have to conclude that the universe was created by God. So, he added a cosmological constant to the equation to attempt to get rid of the beginning. He said this was one of the worst mistakes of his life. Of course, the results of Edwin Hubble confirmed that the universe was expanding and had a beginning at some point in the past. So, Einstein became a deist - a believer in an impersonal creator God.
"I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings."
It is the second part of the quote that reveals the reason Einstein rejected the existence of a personal God. Einstein compared the remarkable design and order of the cosmos and could not reconcile those characteristics with the evil and suffering he found in human existence. How could an all-powerful God allow the suffering that exists on earth?
Einstein's failure to understand the motives of God are the result of his incorrect assumption that God intended this universe as His ultimate perfect creation. Einstein could not get past the moral problems that are present in our universe. He assumed, as most atheists do, that a personal God would only create a universe which is both good morally and perfect physically. However, according to Christianity, the purpose of the universe is not to be morally or physically perfect, but to provide a place where spiritual creatures can choose to love or reject God - to live with Him forever in a new, perfect universe, or reject Him and live apart from Him for eternity. It would not be possible to make this choice in a universe in which all moral choices are restricted to only good choices. Einstein didn't seem to understand that one could not choose between good and bad if bad did not exist. It's amazing that such a brilliant man could not understand such a simple logical principle.
"I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings."
It is the second part of the quote that reveals the reason Einstein rejected the existence of a personal God. Einstein compared the remarkable design and order of the cosmos and could not reconcile those characteristics with the evil and suffering he found in human existence. How could an all-powerful God allow the suffering that exists on earth?
Einstein's failure to understand the motives of God are the result of his incorrect assumption that God intended this universe as His ultimate perfect creation. Einstein could not get past the moral problems that are present in our universe. He assumed, as most atheists do, that a personal God would only create a universe which is both good morally and perfect physically. However, according to Christianity, the purpose of the universe is not to be morally or physically perfect, but to provide a place where spiritual creatures can choose to love or reject God - to live with Him forever in a new, perfect universe, or reject Him and live apart from Him for eternity. It would not be possible to make this choice in a universe in which all moral choices are restricted to only good choices. Einstein didn't seem to understand that one could not choose between good and bad if bad did not exist. It's amazing that such a brilliant man could not understand such a simple logical principle.
Einstein didn't study the new testament, becasue he was jewish. Jews know the new testament to be a lie.
Knowing a "logical" principal from the new testament, means you need to believe it, or be taught it as the truth.
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Originally Posted by jsa3mm
Actually, to some societies religion has everything to do with medicine. Medicine men are very much tied into their religious beliefs.
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From: NW Chicago
Originally Posted by jsa3mm
It has no consistency in true life applications :. you can't have a control to base your findings on.
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Originally Posted by jsa3mm
"Normal" is only a setting on the washing machine. There is no such thing as "normal". Is Albert Einstein's brain what should be considered "normal"?
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Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Originally Posted by citizen01
Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Evidence that God exists huh? The Bible. I win. 
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Originally Posted by Andrew1782
Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Originally Posted by citizen01
Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Evidence that God exists huh? The Bible. I win.
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Originally Posted by seattledave
Originally Posted by Andrew1782
Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Originally Posted by citizen01
Originally Posted by captainlaziness
Evidence that God exists huh? The Bible. I win.
Sopmething funny about L Ron Hubbard is that many years ago he was qouted as stating that the best WAY TO BECOME WEALTHY IS TO START A RELIGION.
Hmmm....
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Originally Posted by jsa3mm
OK...so who is to say that the "normal" baseline image isn't skewed by some sort of neurological disorder that they didn't know about?
Look... Atheist admittedly don't have all the answers, we simply refuse to rationalize the world around us.
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The Bible isn't a source of ALL knowledge... we are humans, and confined to our human bodies and minds... God did not want us to understand everything, and everything is not for us to understand. The Bible does, hoever, gives us what we need to know in the search for truth
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Originally Posted by mitchelltc1
The Bible does, hoever, gives us what we need to know in the search for truth
Deuteronomy 4:2:
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
Why the need to explain inconsistancies in the bible? According to gods own words, the bible is complete.
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"God did not want us to understand everything"
It's my favorite contradiction, and I apologizing for using you as an example, when the admittedly lesser beings assume what their all powerful and knowing god wants and then use it as fact in their arguments.
It's my favorite contradiction, and I apologizing for using you as an example, when the admittedly lesser beings assume what their all powerful and knowing god wants and then use it as fact in their arguments.
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Originally Posted by mitchelltc1
The Bible isn't a source of ALL knowledge... we are humans, and confined to our human bodies and minds... God did not want us to understand everything, and everything is not for us to understand. The Bible does, hoever, gives us what we need to know in the search for truth
So honestly, you'd be willing to change your views and beliefs if you came upon evidence and new information as atheists do?