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R
No, they aren't basically the same thing. They're entirely different.
Cynicism is a general distrust of other people and their motivations. Skepticism, on the other hand, is to question claims based on what information is or is not available to the individual. A skeptic is not necessarily a cynic in that many skeptics (myself included) are quite trusting. Not only that, but many people who aren't very skeptical of the things around them can be very distrustful. Of course, there are different flavors and blends of people all over - my point is that the two terms are entirely different and are not dependent on one another.
Cynicism is a general distrust of other people and their motivations. Skepticism, on the other hand, is to question claims based on what information is or is not available to the individual. A skeptic is not necessarily a cynic in that many skeptics (myself included) are quite trusting. Not only that, but many people who aren't very skeptical of the things around them can be very distrustful. Of course, there are different flavors and blends of people all over - my point is that the two terms are entirely different and are not dependent on one another.
Keep in mind, the invisible giraffe example was only provided to highlight agnosticism. It's possible a god exists in the same way it's possible an invisible giraffe exists. I was not comparing their likelihood, only that I can technically say both are possible.
Yes, there would be more reason to believe in God than an invisible giraffe.
Yes, there would be more reason to believe in God than an invisible giraffe.
The message of Christ might be simple to understand, but I'm not trying to figure out Christ's message. I know the core idea in which everyone must worship God and accept Christ as their savior. That part is simple. But there's more to Christianity than just a simple message to praise God, there is an entire culture as well as entire schools of thought revolving around the Bible and apologetics.
Not only that, but assuming the Bible is true, it is by no means "simple" to understand. This is why we often hear "God works in mysterious ways" and what you quoted "Lean not on your own understanding." Christians argue that God's plans are too intricate for our intellects to even grasp. Even if you can grasp what is going on in the Bible, the easy part, understanding why any of it is necessary is perplexing.
You're under the impression that atheists don't understand what the message means. We do understand what the message means, we're just not convinced that it's true.
Have you watched God's Not Dead? It's a wonderful example of untrue atheist stereotypes.
This following video goes over a few misconceptions people have had about atheists.
This following video goes over a few misconceptions people have had about atheists.
Some other notable misconceptions:
* Atheists actually do believe in God because they spend their time debating his existence.
* Atheists don't have any morals.
* Atheists are angry at God.
* Atheists are unhappy people.
* Atheists just want to sin.
* Atheists actually do believe in God because they spend their time debating his existence.
* Atheists don't have any morals.
* Atheists are angry at God.
* Atheists are unhappy people.
* Atheists just want to sin.
I don't think you understand what the word "visible" means. The fact stuff exists isn't proof God exists.
Are more coming out as Christian? I highly doubt it. But even the most acclaimed Christian scientists do not allow their religious views to influence their scientific research. They may or may not believe complexity points towards a creator, but these views are based on their own prejudices and are not scientifically proven.
An honest person who believes complexity points towards a god will admit they're assuming. That's all it is, an assumption. It's complex, therefore one assumes a god designed it. This isn't proof. You can't have proof. Having proof would require a means of observing non-created matter - which you see the problem with this.
It's obvious you didn't actually read the article... The article can be summed up into this: "It's so implausible - GOD MUST HAVE DONE IT!" Implausible doesn't mean impossible. Even more importantly, it's not proof God did it. This falls under the God of the gaps fallacy in which one assumes God must be the answer when they come across a problem they don't have an answer for.
Actually, I don't care for Harry Potter. As for tarot cards, runes, ouija boards, etc., there is absolutely nothing mystical about them. They either DON'T WORK or they're given the illusion of working based off of psychological flaws that are exploited when we're placed in a certain state of mind.
I actually made the Bible Study room flip out because I told them I was going to go to a palm reader and record the experience so I could expose how it's all FAKE. But these people believe palm readings, tarot cards, etc., TO BE REAL! They warned me not to do it, that it doesn't even matter if it's fake, because God says not to go near those things. If they're fake, there's no reason why one wouldn't be allowed to expose these things as fake.
James Randi does a magnificent job exposing psychics as frauds. You should really look into it. I know, I know, it's a sin blah blah blah - he doesn't perform them, he exposes them. For example, he'll teach you how to bend a spoon like butter with the power of your mind! This involves bending a spoon back and fourth until it's about to break, then pretending you're weakening it with your mind. He exposed one psychic on T.V. who claimed he could move pages of a phone book move without touching them - but Randi proved that it was done using a gust of air caused by thrusting his hand towards the pages.
Please, you think I'm into tarot cards? I'm into exposing these delusional or intentionally corrupt con artists.
James Randi does a magnificent job exposing psychics as frauds. You should really look into it. I know, I know, it's a sin blah blah blah - he doesn't perform them, he exposes them. For example, he'll teach you how to bend a spoon like butter with the power of your mind! This involves bending a spoon back and fourth until it's about to break, then pretending you're weakening it with your mind. He exposed one psychic on T.V. who claimed he could move pages of a phone book move without touching them - but Randi proved that it was done using a gust of air caused by thrusting his hand towards the pages.
Please, you think I'm into tarot cards? I'm into exposing these delusional or intentionally corrupt con artists.
You can't just look at two things and say they can't be compared. You have to look at how they're being compared. Again, I simply used Harry Potter to explain how you can't tell someone the only way they can learn something is true is to read it until they're convinced it's true.
I appreciate your concern.
It was written down, therefore it must be true! Flawless.
Unless they were lying, in which case they would be liars posing as good honest people inspired by God. This is why your argument doesn't work.
You greatly underestimate what I know about the Bible and what I have read.
I appreciate the conversation. Though, I've heard all your arguments before.
I didn't address everything from your second post because a lot of it was a repeat of what I already rebutted. There's no point in going in circles if we can help it.
R
to be fair being punished six thousand years later(or whatever young earth creationists believe)over the acts of two people in a garden seems rather harsh.
So God is not "punishing" anyone anymore. The punishment was already served. We were banished from the garden of Eden.
You need to read Genesis man!
R
If a fat, pompous, manic, gay, atheist jew who did time in jail came up to you and said these things to you in person would you go around repeating them like a parrot.....????
Just because Fry is on TV it doesnt make his opinions more respectable or smarter than yours
Just because Fry is on TV it doesnt make his opinions more respectable or smarter than yours
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Even the trees of the fields will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
R
I don't want to worship at the alter of fry.
The man was asked a hypothetical question and he answered it.
The man was asked a hypothetical question and he answered it.
We (Christians) know WHY there is evil in the world. It goes back to the garden of Eden..
And we know that God wont always allow evil to prevail.
D
I just got done watching this video "Stephen Fry on God" and once again this guy has really annoyed me!...
...you walk up the pearly gates and are confronted by God...
Is that a eufemism for 'although you're a sodomite?'