Posts by THE GLADIATOR

i've just happened upon the following website article featuring an interview between richard dawkins and dr rowan williams, the archbishop of canterbury.

i was surprised to discover that, when asked directly "why don't you call yourself an agnostic?

" he answered that he did.. here is the article:.

THE GLADIATOR

I can no longer conceal the truth of what I am; an Epicurean.

"Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus , founded around 307 BC. Epicurus was an atomic materialist , following in the steps of Democritus . His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus —about whom very little is known—Epicurus believed that pleasure is the greatest good. But the way to attain pleasure was to live modestly and to gain knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of one's desires. This led one to attain a state of tranquility ( ataraxia ) and freedom from fear, as well as absence of bodily pain ( aponia ). The combination of these two states is supposed to constitute happiness in its highest form. Although Epicureanism is a form of hedonism , insofar as it declares pleasure as the sole intrinsic good, its conception of absence of pain as the greatest pleasure and its advocacy of a simple life make it different from "hedonism" as it is commonly understood."

130

Richard Dawkins is Agnostic?!

by cedars in

jw
friends

i've just happened upon the following website article featuring an interview between richard dawkins and dr rowan williams, the archbishop of canterbury.

i was surprised to discover that, when asked directly "why don't you call yourself an agnostic?

" he answered that he did.. here is the article:.

THE GLADIATOR

It is encouraging to see that someone of Richard Dawkin’s stature can be as ambiguous and slippery as a modern Christian. Flexibility and open mindedness avoids digging oneself into a hole. None of us know the whole truth about the origins of the universe.

If science discovers a new dimension that opens a portal to a higher level of understanding, then believers will claim that is what they meant by ‘god.’ Agnostics will also be able to claim victory.

It’s an equitable life and we are all heading for the same place!

15

She knocked on my door and turned my world upside down.

by compound complex in

greetings, friends:.

wishing you well and progress toward freedom.. comments from elsewhere on the vignette below have spurred me to share how the jw experience affected me.

basically, the jumble of emotions and thoughts - good and bad - pours out of me in story form.

THE GLADIATOR

compound complex Your writing is always enjoyable and stirring emotionally. Perhaps more substance by way of a plot that leads somewhere would hold the readers attention for longer.

We need to see the character’s emotion manifesting in action; to see how his action is consistent with his emotion or whether his behaviour becomes contradictory when tested.

I appreciate that you are only showing us glimpses of your work. I shall watch this space...

107

Please someone, explain scientifically how an omnipotent,omniscience,omnipresent,almighty GOD came from nothing

by smiddy in

only scientific responses needed smiddy

THE GLADIATOR

AGuest Just when I thought it was safe to go round the bend, you have come back to straighten me out after a 4 month absence.

Good to see you back on the forum.

76

I used to be a JW! Shocking, I know

by NewChapter in

it's true.

i used to be a jw.

i was duped.

THE GLADIATOR

SweetBabyCheezits So very true.

Humans were the last species to appear on planet earth and are likely to be the first to leave. For every human there are at least 1.5 million ants. Now I haven’t personal counted them but I have faith that whoever did was not telling porkies.

Ants are great survivors and would survive despite, nuclear warfare, famine, bent politicians and a worldwide collapse of computers and commuters. And all without religion!

My money is on the ant - though snails are nicer to eat.

23

Adam and Jesus in the scales.... Bull crap.

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

one of the hardest questions to answer if you believe in an all loving god, is why 'he' permits so much pain and suffering?

of course as imperfect, sinful humans we all know we could not bare to watch a day of human suffering without helping out, how could a god cope and not intervene for thousands of years....?.

the answer most of us all accepted was a pair of scales.

THE GLADIATOR

mP Lets keep thing simple - for my sake.

23

Adam and Jesus in the scales.... Bull crap.

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

one of the hardest questions to answer if you believe in an all loving god, is why 'he' permits so much pain and suffering?

of course as imperfect, sinful humans we all know we could not bare to watch a day of human suffering without helping out, how could a god cope and not intervene for thousands of years....?.

the answer most of us all accepted was a pair of scales.

THE GLADIATOR

mP Lets keep thing simple - for my sake.

23

Adam and Jesus in the scales.... Bull crap.

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

one of the hardest questions to answer if you believe in an all loving god, is why 'he' permits so much pain and suffering?

of course as imperfect, sinful humans we all know we could not bare to watch a day of human suffering without helping out, how could a god cope and not intervene for thousands of years....?.

the answer most of us all accepted was a pair of scales.

THE GLADIATOR

One thing that both Christians and Atheists on this board agree on, is that Adam & Eve never really existed as humans.

That would be simple enough except that Christians have suggested that they may have been:

(a) spiritual

(b) metaphorical

(c) symbolic

(d) analogical

(e) ‘possibly’ existed as humans

Jesus could help out here but he is keeping quiet. For my money I would avoid all box-ticking and go with, Adam & Eve never really existed as humans.

Reference: Anatomically modern humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago, reaching full behavioral modernity around 50,000 years ago.

Hope this helps.

The gladiator - helping people avoid hours of debate about nothing.