An Apology to Any and All

Started by Darth Fife, November 07, 2014, 08:27:47 PM

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Darth Fife

As an Atheist, I've had some spirited debates with members here about religion and faith. While I always tried to do so civilly, in the heat of the discussion, I may have said somethings that were unkind, and hurtful. If I did so, or anyone took my posts that way, I apologize.

Also...

I have cast aside my non-belief, and while I don't consider myself a traditional Christian, I do believe in a high power that is capable of interacting with us mere mortals. It's a new journey for me, and I'm not sure where I am being led, but, as in the past, I only seek the Truth.

Darth

taxed

I'm not religious, but believe in a higher power(s).
#PureBlood #TrumpWon

TboneAgain

I'm forever fascinated that there are those who profess to believe that mankind is the random result of excited pond scum. In my mind, denying the existence of a higher power is the same as denying my own ability to type these words. Those who claim that the theory of evolution and the theory of creation cannot coexist are shallow fools, to be ignored.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -- Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; IT IS FORCE. -- George Washington

taxed

Quote from: TboneAgain on November 07, 2014, 08:49:22 PM
I'm forever fascinated that there are those who profess to believe that mankind is the random result of excited pond scum. In my mind, denying the existence of a higher power is the same as denying my own ability to type these words. Those who claim that the theory of evolution and the theory of creation cannot coexist are shallow fools, to be ignored.

I always ask them if they think we're the only beings in the universe to evolve from monkeys.
#PureBlood #TrumpWon

TboneAgain

Quote from: taxed on November 07, 2014, 08:52:46 PM
I always ask them if they think we're the only beings in the universe to evolve from monkeys.

Good point.

It occurs to me to wonder who came up with monkeys in the first place.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -- Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; IT IS FORCE. -- George Washington

taxed

Quote from: TboneAgain on November 07, 2014, 08:59:55 PM
Good point.

It occurs to me to wonder who came up with monkeys in the first place.

Exactly.  I know that there are lots of unexplained things, so I don't have the urge to ridicule those who are open or have faith of such things.  I think our senses are calibrated and limited to receive and process input.  A dog's hearing, for example, is way better than ours.  I think that is true not only for the senses, but just understanding and conceptualizing our realities in general.  So much stuff just "fits" too perfectly to me, or so it seems, so I do think we were engineered or created.  Or something.  I don't look in the sky, think about all the planets, and think about the universe, and then smaller way beyond the size of an atom and say "Yup, I got a handle on all this!".
#PureBlood #TrumpWon

TboneAgain

Quote from: taxed on November 07, 2014, 09:35:26 PM
Exactly.  I know that there are lots of unexplained things, so I don't have the urge to ridicule those who are open or have faith of such things.  I think our senses are calibrated and limited to receive and process input.  A dog's hearing, for example, is way better than ours.  I think that is true not only for the senses, but just understanding and conceptualizing our realities in general.  So much stuff just "fits" too perfectly to me, or so it seems, so I do think we were engineered or created.  Or something.  I don't look in the sky, think about all the planets, and think about the universe, and then smaller way beyond the size of an atom and say "Yup, I got a handle on all this!".

Excellent points, all. I would add that the dog who hears better than we can also can smell stuff something like 50,000 times better than we can. But at the same time, the dog's eyesight is relatively shitty, and he can't type -- or, as far as we know, think of a single word to type. Also, the dog can't speak vocally, unless you count "roof" as meaning the ceiling and "ruff" as meaning what sandpaper feels like. With some exceptions -- most caused by man's interventions -- what are so often referred to as God's creatures seem to get along remarkably well.

One thing I find so distasteful about modern science is the fact that so many of its practitioners seem to think they have it all figured out. (Think global warming.) Science is not an appendage of arrogance. In fact, it is, and always shall be, exactly the opposite -- the puncturing pin that deflates the arrogance. By definition, science is the endless question mark. The proper scientist says first of all, "I don't believe."
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -- Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; IT IS FORCE. -- George Washington

walkstall

Quote from: taxed on November 07, 2014, 09:35:26 PM
Exactly.  I know that there are lots of unexplained things, so I don't have the urge to ridicule those who are open or have faith of such things.  I think our senses are calibrated and limited to receive and process input.  A dog's hearing, for example, is way better than ours.  I think that is true not only for the senses, but just understanding and conceptualizing our realities in general.  So much stuff just "fits" too perfectly to me, or so it seems, so I do think we were engineered or created.  Or something.  I don't look in the sky, think about all the planets, and think about the universe, and then smaller way beyond the size of an atom and say "Yup, I got a handle on all this!".


At my age I don't even have a handle on a tad bit.    :lol: 
When I think I have learned something, a new door opens and lets more light in.   
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

taxed

Quote from: TboneAgain on November 07, 2014, 09:56:38 PM
Excellent points, all. I would add that the dog who hears better than we can also can smell stuff something like 50,000 times better than we can. But at the same time, the dog's eyesight is relatively shitty, and he can't type -- or, as far as we know, think of a single word to type. Also, the dog can't speak vocally, unless you count "roof" as meaning the ceiling and "ruff" as meaning what sandpaper feels like. With some exceptions -- most caused by man's interventions -- what are so often referred to as God's creatures seem to get along remarkably well.

One thing I find so distasteful about modern science is the fact that so many of its practitioners seem to think they have it all figured out. (Think global warming.) Science is not an appendage of arrogance. In fact, it is, and always shall be, exactly the opposite -- the puncturing pin that deflates the arrogance. By definition, science is the endless question mark. The proper scientist says first of all, "I don't believe."

Totally.  A bat can bounce sound off objects, but can't see anything.  A fly can do stuff that I can't do, and just other aspects of nature, like a tree growing roots towards where it senses water is.  Or when there's an earthquake, pets can't find their way back home.  We all (plants, animals, humans, etc.) seem to be calibrated and in sync with the Earth.  I just don't understand how, of course, but also why.  What does the universe have to gain?  Wasn't it just content being the universe?  Why do we have all these other planets?  Why an atmosphere?  To even begin to pretend to understand it at a level that one can ridicule someone else for thinking there is something else responsible for this is insane to me.  Can an amoeba conceptualize a human?  If not, then why can't there be something beyond our reality that we can't conceptualize?  For someone to say the eternal buck stops here with us humans just blows my mind.
#PureBlood #TrumpWon

TboneAgain

Quote from: walkstall on November 07, 2014, 10:00:18 PM

At my age I don't even have a handle on a tad bit.    :lol: 
When I think I have learned something, a new door opens and lets more light in.

I've always said that the day I stop learning is the day I'll be finished with this life.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -- Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; IT IS FORCE. -- George Washington

walkstall

Quote from: TboneAgain on November 08, 2014, 06:59:00 AM
I've always said that the day I stop learning is the day I'll be finished with this life.

There would be nothing to get up for.    :lol:
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Solar

Quote from: Darth Fife on November 07, 2014, 08:27:47 PM
As an Atheist, I've had some spirited debates with members here about religion and faith. While I always tried to do so civilly, in the heat of the discussion, I may have said somethings that were unkind, and hurtful. If I did so, or anyone took my posts that way, I apologize.

Also...

I have cast aside my non-belief, and while I don't consider myself a traditional Christian, I do believe in a high power that is capable of interacting with us mere mortals. It's a new journey for me, and I'm not sure where I am being led, but, as in the past, I only seek the Truth.

Darth
I'd like to think my last post to you in the Religion forum, in some small way played a part in your ability to see another possibility, I know we had somewhat of a heated, not angry, but heated discussion on the topic.
Like you I too am of the nonreligious, but I respect others beliefs.
That is, with the exception of stupid Muscums of which should suffer the wrath they inflict upon others refusing to bow down to a pedophile prophet.. Off With Their Heads!!! :biggrin:
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

taxed

Quote from: Solar on November 08, 2014, 08:10:47 AM
I'd like to think my last post to you in the Religion forum, in some small way played a part in your ability to see another possibility, I know we had somewhat of a heated, not angry, but heated discussion on the topic.
Like you I too am of the nonreligious, but I respect others beliefs.
That is, with the exception of stupid Muscums of which should suffer the wrath they inflict upon others refusing to bow down to a pedophile prophet.. Off With Their Heads!!! :biggrin:

Save the towels though... they're super-absorbent when you have a plumbing backup.
#PureBlood #TrumpWon

Darth Fife

Quote from: Solar on November 08, 2014, 08:10:47 AM
I'd like to think my last post to you in the Religion forum, in some small way played a part in your ability to see another possibility, I know we had somewhat of a heated, not angry, but heated discussion on the topic.
Like you I too am of the nonreligious, but I respect others beliefs.
That is, with the exception of stupid Muscums of which should suffer the wrath they inflict upon others refusing to bow down to a pedophile prophet.. Off With Their Heads!!! :biggrin:

Sorry, to burst your bubble, but I probably didn't see it...

If I didn't post a response to your response, it is more than likely I didn't come back to check on that thread.

Islam is Evil. Until the 99% of Muslims who aren't going around murdering innocent men, women and children rise up and oppose and defeat those who are attempting to hi-jack their faith, they are all accomplices of the Jihadist Murderers.

Darth

Skeptic

#14
I am an atheist. Over time I have developed a simple philosophy for dealing with religious people: If you respect the fact that I don't believe in your god, and don't try to impose your religious beliefs on me, then I'll respect the fact that you have religious beliefs. It's a simple live and let live philosophy that has worked well for me.

However, if you come knocking on my door and try to convert me, then don't be insulted when I tell you I don't believe in supernatural things and I'm not interested in your beliefs.

Some religious people understand this and we get along fine because they don't try to force their beliefs on me, and in turn I do my best to be respectful of the fact that they have deeply held religious beliefs. Unfortunately this doesn't work with everyone, because there are some religious people  who seem to get offended at the idea that you don't believe in something, and get all nasty about it, and I refuse to simply be quiet and let them impose their beliefs on me.




Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily.