cofty

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Posts by cofty

• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  cofty

  I've been reading the thread with interest over the last few days and a lot of it goes right over my head and I can't make sense of any of it. - tornapart

  That is a pity. SBF has succeeded in making a really simple and interesting talking point into something obscure and nonsensical.

  The OP proposed a simple question. Scientists are working on demonstrating how life emerged from rocks through entirely naturalistic means with no intelligent agency.

  I am simply asking for a conversation about what implications that would have for religious belief - if any.

  This is why I get so frustrated by SBF. I enjoy interesting conversations about topics like this, it's why I come to the forum. Other posters like tornapart would probably join in and exchange ideas such as Memphis did earlier.

  SBF goes out his way to make that impossible.
  
  
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  cofty

  if those reading the thread feel Slim has made reasonable and balanced arguments

  Do you mean this sort of thing...

  The question assumes that scientific discoveries impact philosophical or theological questions. What's the basis for that assumption? - SBF

  So science has not had any impact on religious questions. Really?

  Or this gem ...

  I guess what you mean is that if scientists manage to generate life from non-life you believe this some how will prove that life can arise without God. But what is the basis for the assertion? - SBF

  If scientists can produce life from rocks without god that won't prove life can arise without god!

  Or how about this puzzle...

  it could be said of God that he is both not alive and not not-alive - SBF
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  28

  Taking the Bible Lessons And Going To a KH For First Time

  by Cold Steel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've taken the bible lessons but have never attended a kingdom hall.

  i was curious as to what point they begin to tighten the screws of control?

  let's say you're a baptist.

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  cofty

  The good news is that Mormonism and the Watchtower have had their day. The internet is exposing the lies in both cults and finding new members is increasingly difficult,
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  Rebel - That's facile.

  Facts are not established by popular vote.

  How is clicking Like or Dislike addressing SBFs arguments? I have some who follow me around the forum clicking Dislike on almost every post. I consider it a compliment.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  there are several mistakes and these I have chosen to ignore so that his main argument can stand because that is strongly argued - Ruby

  There are no mistakes in my explanation of JW beliefs regarding soul and spirit. Absolutely none.

  there is slimboyfat's argument that even if scientists make life in a lab or can explain how life started by scientific means they are simply begetting life from life

  SBF is saying a lot of obtuse things but he is not arguing that. If he was it would especially silly. Sperm and egg making a new baby is "life begetting life". New life from rocks is not. You are confusing the argument in the brochure that making a cell is really really complex and requires intelligent design with the theological objection that making new life is impossible without the life-giver.

  cofty's argument would be sound if he was arguing against anything miraculous in the origin of life rather than against any JW teachings that suggest ethereal qualities in humans.

  According to the WT the only ethereal thing in every living thing is pneuma. An impersonal force of life that comes from god. Is is exactly analogous to electricity. This is JW dogma 101. Do you really need quotes to prove it?

  so this is a small mistake on cofty's part

  I have made no mistakes in regards to JW doctrines.
• 
  28

  Taking the Bible Lessons And Going To a KH For First Time

  by Cold Steel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've taken the bible lessons but have never attended a kingdom hall.

  i was curious as to what point they begin to tighten the screws of control?

  let's say you're a baptist.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  Magic pants, lies about American history, lies about gold plates, lies about human origins. Established by a convicted fraudster. It's a cult.
• 
  28

  Taking the Bible Lessons And Going To a KH For First Time

  by Cold Steel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've taken the bible lessons but have never attended a kingdom hall.

  i was curious as to what point they begin to tighten the screws of control?

  let's say you're a baptist.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  Mormon cult v JW cult

  No difference.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  I think the only principle that matters is "life begets life".

  Life emerging from rocks transgresses this fundamental JW and christian doctrine.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  SBF show me the quote where is explicitly says scientists might create a "LIVING cell".

  Put up or shut up.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  in fact endowing satan's followers with the gift of life giving

  This is the bit I don't get.