The Scotsman

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Posts by The Scotsman

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  120

  Are there any decent arguments for God's existence which do not fall prey to the argument from ignorance fallacy? (i.e. God of the gaps)

  by Psychotic Parrot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  god of the gaps arguments are simply not convincing, god is no more likely to be the correct gap filler than anything else, in any case where god is squeezed into a gap, we could easily just fill it with (for example) a committee of eternally existing physical lifeforms, god is no more plausible than they are as an explanation.

  as for the arguments themselves:.

  the cosmological argument = god of the gaps: we think (though we are not certain) that the universe had a beginning, it was probably the big bang, the big bang needed a cause.

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  The Scotsman

  ""there was no hate"""

  Not directly at me - re-read your posts to others though!

  is it arrogant of me to point out falsehood when i see it

  No - this is what you "think" is falsehood. I am merely saying that if you want to have a reasonable debate you need to start by respecting what others think/feel/ believe - you have not done this.

  So don't be so stupid

  Example of above.

  only to then accuse me of being arrogant just because you aren't knowledgeable enough to respond to my reply

  Your right - I wish I was as clever as you.

  which is of course what you really meant when you said you couldn't be bothered to respond

  Not at all - I think if you read through this thread it has been pretty futile and pointless - just like the vast majority on this subject. You clearly do not want to discuss the subject - unless we all agree with you - then you seem to be content.

  You obviously did not want a debate, you just wanted to preach

  Come on - pot, kettle. black moment surely!! LOL

  Hey PP - have a nice day. No hard feelings - we disagree - no big deal.

  As long as we are happy and content with our lot in life - thats all that counts in the end.
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  41

  Help Please - Wife Misses Friends, Wants to return to KH

  by Mad Sweeney in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the topic says it all.

  i am frustrated and dumbfounded.

  i understand that she misses the social activity with her "friends" but we have been "very" busy socially the last several months with new friends and she's been having a great time.

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  The Scotsman

  You could perhaps mention that if they were true friends they would not attach conditions to the friendship.

  But - I have to admit this is a tricky situation.
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  120

  Are there any decent arguments for God's existence which do not fall prey to the argument from ignorance fallacy? (i.e. God of the gaps)

  by Psychotic Parrot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  god of the gaps arguments are simply not convincing, god is no more likely to be the correct gap filler than anything else, in any case where god is squeezed into a gap, we could easily just fill it with (for example) a committee of eternally existing physical lifeforms, god is no more plausible than they are as an explanation.

  as for the arguments themselves:.

  the cosmological argument = god of the gaps: we think (though we are not certain) that the universe had a beginning, it was probably the big bang, the big bang needed a cause.

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  The Scotsman
• 
  120

  Are there any decent arguments for God's existence which do not fall prey to the argument from ignorance fallacy? (i.e. God of the gaps)

  by Psychotic Parrot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  god of the gaps arguments are simply not convincing, god is no more likely to be the correct gap filler than anything else, in any case where god is squeezed into a gap, we could easily just fill it with (for example) a committee of eternally existing physical lifeforms, god is no more plausible than they are as an explanation.

  as for the arguments themselves:.

  the cosmological argument = god of the gaps: we think (though we are not certain) that the universe had a beginning, it was probably the big bang, the big bang needed a cause.

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  The Scotsman

  Psychotic Parrot

  I aint going to even bother attempting to respond to your hateful arrogant posts. I thought you were looking for a discussion - it appears not.

  Why don't you type ACTUAL responses rather than just a copy/paste from other posts and saying "this is wrong"!!!!

  You attempt to crush and destroy other peoples belief without a shred of an alternative produced.

  Your conduct on this thread merely highlights why I am not in your team!!!!
• 
  120

  Are there any decent arguments for God's existence which do not fall prey to the argument from ignorance fallacy? (i.e. God of the gaps)

  by Psychotic Parrot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  god of the gaps arguments are simply not convincing, god is no more likely to be the correct gap filler than anything else, in any case where god is squeezed into a gap, we could easily just fill it with (for example) a committee of eternally existing physical lifeforms, god is no more plausible than they are as an explanation.

  as for the arguments themselves:.

  the cosmological argument = god of the gaps: we think (though we are not certain) that the universe had a beginning, it was probably the big bang, the big bang needed a cause.

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  The Scotsman

  Hmm - cause and effect.

  I am sure we all agree that something / someone "caused" the universe.

  This is a scientific fact agreed by everyone - I hope!!!

  Now was that something God - I think it was was. I wish I could point to God himself as proof but I can't - so faith is involved.

  The alternative explanation is that somehow - in the beginning, there was nothing and the nothing exploded and this produced "over time" the entire universe. The problem with this example is that it is scientifically impossible and flys in the face of everything we understand about the universe and all science. You put nothing in, you get nothing out.

  So the next question is - Where did God come from? This is tricky to answer as we are discussing something that is simply beyond human understanding.

  But - whatever caused the universe to explode into existance existed outside the universe as it did not exist yet. So we know that there is definately something outside of the physical universe.

  My brain has not hurt this bad since the last episode of Lost!!!!!
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  101

  All I can say about thr finale of "Lost" is...

  by changeling in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  wtf???!!!.

  they are all fucking dead!.

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  The Scotsman

  Well I enjoyed the final episode but not entirely - seemed unfinished in a number of ways. Also found it all a bit emotional as well.

  I felt the death of the man in black, smoke monster, whatever you want to call it, was very sudden. We had been building up to some sort of massive crescendo regarding him and it all seemed to end in a whimper.

  Seemed right that Ben did not go in the church as he was not deserving - well not yet.

  Richard Alpert (in arguably the best ever episode - Ab Aeterno - Season 6, episode 9) told them they were dead and he was right. I was hoping they would reunite Richard and his wife in the final episode - but alas it did not happen.

  6 years I have watched this program - when it started I was an Elder, Auxilary pioneering etc etc. Little did I know I was Lost back in those days - but not anymore......

  The Scotsman
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  99

  Why FAITH is actually a form of suicide

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i once heard a psychiatrist explain suicide as the ultimate act of self-preservation.

  sound weird?.

  counter-intuitive as that sounds, he went on to explain why.. when all you value in life is threatened you do whatever desperate act that will preserve that value.. destruction of self stops the ......process.....of consciously losing.

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  The Scotsman

  Terry - frankly???? - your talking trasho man.

  psacramento said -

  I have faith in my doctor when he writes me a prescription for my kids.

  I have faith in my welders when they weld a job and I am not on top opf them "24/7".

  I have faith in my wifes driving skills when she takes the kids for a drive.

  Etc, etc.

  Then terry you come back with -

  Nice try!

  Substitute the word "confidence" for the word "faith" and you've got it accurate.

  We can all "change the words around" to suit our argument. Is it confidence or is it faith. Personally I think faith is more appropriate. Condidence does not seem to do some of the many examples I could produce any justice.

  I have faith that when I breath, air will go in my lungs - or is that confidence - or is it just belief? Ah - its all to do with our personal definition of words and - most importantly - our starting point. If we are angling at trashing FAITH we will never admit to the word having any real meaning in day to day living.

  FAITH can only apply to the unseen and the unprovable

  I see God every day - in the world around me - so "from my perspective" or "my starting point" - I have Faith in something I CAN see and something I CAN prove.

  My faith in God is far from blind.
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  2

  Another teenage JW refuses blood and dies.

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it's yet another tragic loss of life that may have been prevented if he had accepted blood.. http://news.sky.com/skynews/home/uk-news/jehovahs-witness-teenager-refuses-blood-transfusion-joshua-mcauley-dies-from-car-crash-injuries/article/201005315634231?lpos=uk_news_third_home_page_article_teaser_region__2&lid=article_15634231_jehovahs_witness_teenager_refuses_blood_transfusion%3a_joshua_mcauley_dies_from_car_crash_injuries.

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  The Scotsman

  Sorry folks - did not realise this had been posted already.
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  Another teenage JW refuses blood and dies.

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it's yet another tragic loss of life that may have been prevented if he had accepted blood.. http://news.sky.com/skynews/home/uk-news/jehovahs-witness-teenager-refuses-blood-transfusion-joshua-mcauley-dies-from-car-crash-injuries/article/201005315634231?lpos=uk_news_third_home_page_article_teaser_region__2&lid=article_15634231_jehovahs_witness_teenager_refuses_blood_transfusion%3a_joshua_mcauley_dies_from_car_crash_injuries.

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  The Scotsman

  It's yet another tragic loss of life that may have been prevented if he had accepted blood.

  http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Jehovahs-Witness-Teenager-Refuses-Blood-Transfusion-Joshua-McAuley-Dies-From-Car-Crash-Injuries/Article/201005315634231?lpos=UK_News_Third_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region__2&lid=ARTICLE_15634231_Jehovahs_Witness_Teenager_Refuses_Blood_Transfusion%3A_Joshua_McAuley_Dies_From_Car_Crash_Injuries
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  4

  Clegg endorses Cameron

  by cantleave in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  nothing official but the indication is he's holding the olive branch out to the tories..

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  The Scotsman

  Their is absolutely no chance of a Conservative/LibDem coalition working.

  They are miles apart on policy - if they do a deal it will lead to another election before the end of the year.

  The tories have been rejected quite comprehensively in Scotland and Wales - both these areas are labour strong holds. How can the tories say they have a "stable government for all" in such circumstances.

  Also - read Nick Clegg's words very carefully - he says the tories should have first attempt at forming a government - that does not mean a deal will be done.

  Whatever happens - Gordon brown is finished. If their is indeed a second election Labour will have a new leader.