*Dizzy* Christianity - Fraudulent and Evil Rotten - from beginning to end

by Xander 53 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • starScream
    starScream
    Right, if I see people suffering I want to step in and end it; to relieve them of it. Why, then, doesn't God stop all these cruel injustices now? If we are made in his image, He has the same sympathy as I - so why doesn't he step in?

    We are already discussing this issue on this thread : http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/47925/1.ashx

    Resurection of "Can any believer answer this?"2
    on beliefs doctrine and practices.

    I have stated that complex chemical machines aka biological life is evidence God exists. You are submitting evidence that God does not exist. That does not address the evidence that I have submitted.

    That's like someone saying,.... It is pretty clear that the Earth is the centre of the Universe with the sun rotating around it. Only has that been recently challenged."

    I never said that was a reasonable argument. It was simply a rebuttle to this arguement:

    Just as Bush is president of the USA it would be that clear for all of the world.

    I put that right before what I said. End of discussion on that topic. Neither point is ervidence nor are they the topic. Now if you can prove how life did get here, which is the issue then I am waiting.

    To me it's far more realistic to assume the slow growth in complexity of life, backed up as it is by the evidence, and to allow that life arose from non-living matter,

    "to allow that life rose from non-living matter". This is EXACTLY what I have challenged. Finally someone has even recognized the issue. Evolution of EXISTING life is not the issue nor is it evidence. The issue is non-living matter. The issue is not god being good or evil. The issue is not monkeys into man. The issue is non-living matter turning into living matter without God or someone else doing it.

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    starScream:

    I have stated that complex chemical machines aka biological life is evidence God exists.

    You imply complex things can only come about by a miraculous process. You offer no proof that what you say is so, just assert a linkage. That's as valid as saying that the existence of Christmas presents proves Santa exists. To make that statement without providing proof of Santa is unwise, and yours logically is in the same catagory.

    Now if you can prove how life did get here, which is the issue then I am waiting.

    If you want to get strict about topic, the topic is as it was when Xander posted it. Neither your sentence or choice of formatting makes any point as if you apply the same standards of evidence to your beliefs as you are to evolution et. al., then YOU can't prove how life got here either.

    You ask for proof of abiogenesis, the origin of life from inanimate matter. There is no proof, just theories. The evidence in the rocks around us fit in with the theories of abiogenesis, and certain behaviours of non-life give hints of how life as we know it came into being. Do some time researching Prions. They are life, but not as we know it.

    I ask you now to prove where god came from. If you answer he was always there, you have to prove it. Whatever answer you give, you have to prove it. Otherwise we are tied when it comes to initial origins. We both have theories, but no proof.

    Given that tie over initial origins, I am saying things started simple and grew complex. Your belief requires complexity (god) from the outset. Which makes more sense? I can find evidence for the growth in complexity of life over time and of non-life showing life-like characteristics. You cannot provide one external piece of evidence to prove god.

    Given that that is the case (it is), then my beliefs are at least consistant with the evidence around me. Your free to believe what you like provided you don't harm others, but don't pretend you have facts or common sense to back you up when you don't if you are incapable of providing a credible alternative theory.

    The topic (as you're so keen on keeping to it) is that some Christians HAVE harmed others using their beliefs as an excuse. As those beliefs have LESS proof than competing naturalistic theories, there is no justification of 'rightness'.

  • starScream
    starScream
    I ask you now to prove where god came from.

    I already stated the evidence for the existence of God. Biological life is evidence of a creator. You are recognizing God exists based on the evidence and asking me where God came from?

    Otherwise we are tied when it comes to initial origins.

    I have never heard a naturalist admit a tie on the God debate. This is unprecedented (for me anyway).

    You ask for proof of abiogenesis, the origin of life from inanimate matter. There is no proof, just theories.

    Then show a specific model theory.

    I am saying things started simple and grew complex.
    Your belief requires complexity (god) from the outset. Which makes more sense?

    Which one is entropic? Does entropy makes sense or is entropy just a theory?

    I am still surprised that you admit a tie at the very least. I don't care about "cramming" God down your throat. I don't think there is much more I can say that would make you come to the same conclusion I do that spontaneous generation is more of a missing leap or even impossibility than a link. If you call spontaneous generation a tie in terms of evidence for creation then I think you at least consider them both possible despite what you consider likely.

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    starScream;

    You have asserted that god exists. As you love to say 'show how life can come from nothing', I'm having FUN with you saying 'show how god can come from nothing'. I'm not saying god exists. I'm asking you to prove something you can't.

    Some non-deists do believe the question of initial origins can be proved. I disagree. Having said that I still find more evidence for a naturalistic origin of the Universe rather than a supernatural entity such as that portrayed in the Bible.

    As you don't have the simple courtesy to support your own assertations when asked, I will refrain from going to the bother of posting a specific theory until you are polite enough to do the same for the origin of god.

    If you gain some satifsfaction from saying 'entropy' when you are asserting that something complex and orgainsed (god) came from nothing, fine, but I don;t see how it makes your arguement any stronger.

    Which one is entropic? Does entropy makes sense or is entropy just a theory?

    I am still surprised that you admit a tie at the very least. I don't care about "cramming" God down your throat. I don't think there is much more I can say that would make you come to the same conclusion I do that spontaneous generation is more of a missing leap or even impossibility than a link. If you call spontaneous generation a tie in terms of evidence for creation then I think you at least consider them both possible despite what you consider likely.

    You are missing the point. I am talking about spontaneous generation of proto-organisms. You are talking about spontaneous generation of god. I think the former more likely, and so would a class of five year olds, which is a good way of seeing stupid arguements. Try it some time.

    But unless you actually answer questions, or have the honesty to admit, as I do, there are some you can't answer, there's no point in continuing to respond to you.

  • starScream
    starScream

    There are fundamental differences between asking to prove where God came from and proving where biological life came from. We both recognize the existence of biological life. We know there was a time when biological life did not exist. Me saying that biological life was created and you saying it came about on its own is like: two people who say that biological life was created; one saying the creator was created and another saying it came about on its own.

    You do not recognize the existence of a creator of the biological life in question. There is now way of knowing if there was a time when the creator did not exist. We do know that biological life did not exist and came into being at one point.

    I'm not asking you to prove biological life exists. My assertion that biological life is evidence that God exists is in response to the challenge that God does not exist. To attack the evidence I submit by challenging the origin of God(b-life creator) does not address the evidence. The fact remains, biological life does exist.

    You are acting like you challenging me to show where God came from is the same thing. If you recognize the existence of God then it is the same thing. The problem is that if you do then you are posing a response to a challenge that does not exist. Your challenge is paradoxal. Mine is not.

    I think the former more likely, and so would a class of five year olds, which is a good way of seeing stupid arguements. Try it some time.

    Ok

    If you gain some satifsfaction from saying 'entropy' when you are asserting that something complex and orgainsed (god) came from nothing, fine, but I don;t see how it makes your arguement any stronger.

    No I did not say that. You said that. Apparently you understand the second law of thermodynamics. The question:

    Which one is entropic?

    was directly attached to this statement by you,

    I am saying things started simple and grew complex. Your belief requires complexity (god) from the outset. Which makes more sense?

    You asked which one made more sense. I cited physics 101. You apparently thought that decreasing entropy would convince me that your theory was more plausible. A classroom of physicists blah blah blah

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    starScream;

    There is now way of knowing if there was a time when the creator did not exist. We do know that biological life did not exist and came into being at one point.

    Presuppositionalist. You assume there is a god, when you have no direct proof, and assume that it was always there, when you have no direct proof. If you argue like this, you can, but it's illogical, and impossible to argue with, not due to strength or validity of arguement, but due to the irrationality of it. It's non-falsifiable... as I was saying to hooberus, I can't prove you are a mutant space alien in perfect human disguise beaming back undetectable messages to the mothership planning an invasion, but you can't prove that you're not. Even you denying it would be predictable. THAT'S your level of logic.

    I'm not asking you to prove biological life exists. My assertion that biological life is evidence that God exists is in response to the challenge that God does not exist. To attack the evidence I submit by challenging the origin of God(b-life creator) does not address the evidence. The fact remains, biological life does exist.

    Your assertation is just that. An assertation. If you decline to prove it, then I decline to argue with you as you're being illogical and applying double standards of proof.

    If a Hindu refused in conversation with you to accept that the Bible was true and that there was one true god, because he asserted that the creation myth of the Bhag-vad-vita (I must learn to spell that properly) was true, he would be creating as irrational and non-flasifiable arguement as you are, and you would eventually tire of arguing with him as he didn;t make sense.

    As you seem to think the Earth is a closed system where entropy applies, I ask you, beg you, to go and tell this to a classroom full of physics students.

    But unless you actually answer questions, or have the honesty to admit, as I do, there are some you can't answer, there's no point in continuing to respond to you.

    I should take my own advice...

  • Shemittah
    Shemittah

    This is a very interesting thread, and I'd like to make some comments relating to subjects raised in it.

    Analyzing "God"

    Xander made this statement: Either God "does NOT exist at all, exists and is powerless to actually DO anything, or exists and gets great pleasure out of watching human suffering."

    1. does NOT exist at all - maybe

    2. Is powerless to actually DO anything - maybe3. or, exists and gets great pleasure out of watching human suffering - not necessarily In my view, we must accept that a person's existence cannot logically be determined by their character, so God - simply as an entity - cannot be discounted by judgment of moral character. There is a possibility that God could be neither "good" nor "evil" towards humans, but simply indifferent (i.e. expresses no particular emotion - pleasure or compassion), that he neither made "good" nor "evil", but that "good" or "evil" are simply outcomes based on various permutations - that is why human responsibility is so important. Steel is not "evil" of itself but it can be fashioned into a weapon of "evil", even then it continues to remain benign until it is actually used to harm someone.

    There is of course the possibility of two entities/forces/energies (which may be referred to as "god") which compete - this is a very ancient theory. It is hoped of course that any cosmic force for good will eventually win out, but that does not excuse human beings from abdicating responsibility for their own actions or non-actions. As for proving the non-existence of "god" as a creative force, etc, this has neither been proved nor disproved (absence does not prove non-existence, only absence). Theism or Atheism, God-based religion or Evolution-based religion is open to all, each with their own positives and negatives, one focused (in theory at least) on responsibility to that which is external (God, other human beings), the other focused (by its very nature) on responsibility to that which is internal (oneself).

    For all we know, some ancient space-travellers may have visited a barren planet earth and given it a kick-start into sentient life! Let's face it, our "neck of the woods" is tiny in comparison with the rest of the known Universe, so it would be arrogant to assume that we are the only form of intelligent life in it. It makes sense to me to keep an open mind. Magic and miracles only remain such until we know how they work, and belief in ancient monsters only remains foolish until such time as the fossil of one is dug up! What I've said here does not mean that I personally believe any of the above, just that there are more possibilities than there might at first appear. I don't believe that thinking people should be limited to just two possibilities: (1) An all-powerful, all-knowing, all-caring God - according to the common human definition, or (2) No intelligent (supernatural or otherwise) beings besides us on planet earth that had/has a hand in our past/future.

    Atrocities of "Christians"

    I also don't think it fair to judge the merit of a large group of people or institution based on a few incidents of bad behaviour by a few individuals. However, that is not the case with Christianity as seen and understood by the world as an historical entity. To quote words attributed to Jesus Christ, "a bad tree will produce rotten fruit", and "Christianity" has indeed (even in modern times) been blighted with acts of physical and mental brutality as a characteristic. So I believe it is morally reprehensible to be giving support to religious groups that have had a notable share in such Church history, even though they may be more civilised nowadays. Lets not forget that both Catholicism and Protestantism have major acts of bloodshed on their hands, the source and intensity simply alternating according to which group held power and the strength of that power.

    Although the examples presented at the start of this thread are horrifying, I am not surprised because the history of Christendom has been more noted for its cruelty than for its acts of human kindness - which is why I don't support it in any way.

    Christianity And The Existence Of Jesus

    I recently read the book "The Christ Conspiracy - The Greatest Story Ever Sold" by Acharya S. Although I don't agree with some of the views and conclusions put forward by the author, there is much evidence to support the claim that by the second century, Christianity was showing signs of Mithraitic influence. As for Jesus Christ himself, there is very little if any contemporary witnesses to his existence (outside of the NT), that is for sure. Unfortunately, many documents have been lost due to the early Catholic Church's destruction of the huge library at Alexandria. This dreadful act not only, I believe, gave the Church power to hide certain recriminating evidence from the masses, but also may have removed some contemporary historical evidence for the existence of a person who relates in some way to the Jesus of the NT.

    I still believe that a Jesus-type person existed and I accept the Gospel of Mark as most trustworthy out of the four gospels. I am, however, suspicious of some things attributed to him, knowing that control of what was passed off as canonical was securely in the hands of a Hellenised and Romanised group of bishops, more interested in keeping power over the mass of believers than in faithfully serving them as custodians of the original teachings and truth about Jesus.

    Jesus In The Qur'an

    It is interesting that the Qur'an refers many times to Jesus, what he taught, and what he did. Here are some examples:

    "...we gave Jesus the son of Mary clear (signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit..." - Surah 2.87

    "Behold the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah giveth thee tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company) of those nearest to Allah; He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.' She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?' He said: 'Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a Plan, He but saith to it, "Be", and it is! And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel.'" - Surah 3.45-48.

    "And behold, Allah will say: 'O Jesus the son of Mary!' Didst thou say unto men, "Worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah"?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, Thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, "Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord;" and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things." - Surah 5.116-117.

    "They do blaspheme who say: 'God is Christ the son of Mary.' But said Christ: 'O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' ... They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God..." - Surah 5.72-73

    Alex.

  • starScream
    starScream

    Abaddon,

    You assume there is a god, when you have no direct proof, and assume that it was always there, when you have no direct proof.

    The direct evidence I submitted was biological life. You may not like it that I am calling it evidence but it is and I am. You are free to scrutinize the evidence. I am not trying to win some kind of debate here. All I am trying to do is make you and anyone reading this seriously consider the reality we are living with in which either someone decided to create biological life or biological life just spontaneously came about on its own.

    These are the only two possibilities. You are free to develop any theory you like concerning what may have naturally lead up to the formation of life. That was my initial intention. Think about how it could have happened without intent. If you have some kind of model theory I would love to hear it. If not then keep thinking about it. That is all I was trying to get people to do. I'm sorry if I offended your senses.

    I can't prove you are a mutant space alien in perfect human disguise beaming back undetectable messages to the mothership planning an invasion,

    Thats a nice attempt at an analogy but it is irrelevant. We are not dealing with unlimited paranoid fantasies about space mutants and an infinite number of other possibilites. Our dichotomy is the theory that non-living matter became living matter for no reason at all or biological life was specifically created. There are only two possibilties. Neither one is illogical based on what we know. It is no less logical to assume biological life was designed and created than it is to assume it formed naturally. The test is to see if biological life can simply form naturally. If it can't form naturally that proves it was created. So test the evidence. Don't accuse me of being illogical. Also bear in mind I don't expect to settle this on the Jehovah's Witness discussion board. I just want people to think about it. Make up your own mind. Labeling me as illogical and irrational for taking one side of a two faced coin does not illiminate one of the faces. It is there whether you like it or not.

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    starScream;

    The direct evidence I submitted was biological life.

    You SAY this is evidence for God. All it is is you saying that it is evidence for god. That's not proof. I say it's evidence for cheesecake. You can't prove me wrong, can you? That''s why I say your arguement is illogical.

    Our dichotomy is the theory that non-living matter became living matter for no reason at all or biological life was specifically created.

    That statement displays your ignorance of theories relating to abiogenesis, "non-living matter became living matter for no reason at all" is not even remotely a characterisation of theories of abiogenesis. If you have to use a strawman in even describing your oponents opinions, your arguement isn;t worth a damn. You don't even know what counter theories you are discarding. Fine. Your choice.

    There are only two possibilties. Neither one is illogical based on what we know. It is no less logical to assume biological life was designed and created than it is to assume it formed naturally. The test is to see if biological life can simply form naturally. If it can't form naturally that proves it was created.

    How did god get here? Your whole theory falls flat on its face, as the argument you use destroys your own viewpoint. 'The test is to see if god can form naturally. If god can't form naturally that proves life evolved.' You are saying something complex cannot come about naturally, yet the god required by your theory would have had to come about from nothing.

    Actually, abilogenesis would not create a complex organism. The first organisms probably were very simple. Look at Prions. Do you even know what they are? If you don't, again, you don't even know enough to make the claims you make with any level of assurance. On the other hand, the spontaneous generation of god, a vastly complex and powerful entity, is a bit unlikely in comparison.

    Thus your arguement that complexity cannot happen naturally destroys any agruement you might, in the event of you having the guts to do so, make regarding your theory of god.

    Labeling me as illogical and irrational for taking one side of a two faced coin does not illiminate one of the faces. It is there whether you like it or not.

    The whole point is you are making a completely irrelevent arguement, let alone the illogicity of it, but don't know it, as you don't know enough about biology to realise how little you know. You talk about the neccesity of god because you think a designer was required.

    Okay, from your viewpoint, explain the clitoris of the spotted hyena. You are saying that this was designed - if not I'd love to know how you believe it came about.

    The clitoris of female spotted hyenas have grown so large they are described as psuedo-penises. They are erectile, they have a fake scotum with fake testes. They urinate, copulate and give birth down this tiny appature.

    It is such bad design that 10% of mothers die in their first pregnancy, and 60% of cubs born to new mother die.

    Evolutionary biology explains this very simply. The females are large, aggressive, and well able to secure food for their growing cubs. The largest most aggressive females can genetically overwhelm 'less fit' females, so that after a few generations, all hyenas in a pack are descended from them, even with the terrible mortaility rate their phsiology inflicts. This is why such an unusual thing has happened; it worked, not pretty, not elegant, just evolution coming up with a solution.

    If you think that supports 'design', you'd better buy an Edsel.

    There are many other examples of bad design starScream. Whilst initial origins are unsolvable, whilst there is no direct scientific proof of either abiogenesis or creation, if you actually OPEN your eyes and look at the world, you don't NEED proof of initial origin, you don't NEED proof of abiogenesis or creation, you can see that the 'design arguement' is unfounded, and chiefly made by people whose scientific knowledge stems from the Discovery channel (or an even lower level) but who want to retain precious beliefs.

    You're welcome to them.

  • Undecided
    Undecided

    All I know for sure is that we all die and after that we don't know what happens, if anything. We can debate all we desire but no one has the real answers to the origin of the material universe and if there are other spiritual levels of existence.

    I've got to quit thinking so much on this subject, it is causing me to be depressed and I'm not able to enjoy life as I should now, today, as that is all we can live anyway.

    Ken P.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit