Questions
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spartanII
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Questions
Has an atheist ever asked you a really hard question and you think about it for a while and it bugs you. In universe where all there is is matter in motion how can i say i'm making free decisions at all? I asked myself that the other day. I guess it's where faith comes into play, from the foundation of everything, but what kind of joke world do we live in where nothing can be confirmed beyond my brain, if all i am is just matter then who am i...is the universe controlling me, all sensations, everything...I know it's crazy talk but once you think about the atheist universe, sometimes it's overwhelmingly scary. Not only is there no objective purpose there is no freedom, at all.
Atheist: "Science says it, I believe it, That settles it."
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Furstentum Liechtenstein
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Re: Questions
No. Atheists usually ask a series of standard questions which are actually statements tainted with contempt.spartanII wrote:Has an atheist ever asked you a really hard question and you think about it for a while and it bugs you.
Scary?! I was an atheist for over 30 years before coming to Christ and the universe never frightened me. Maybe you just frighten easily.spartanII wrote: once you think about the atheist universe, sometimes it's overwhelmingly scary. Not only is there no objective purpose there is no freedom, at all.
FL
Hold everything lightly. If you don't, it will hurt when God pries your fingers loose as He takes it from you. -Corrie Ten Boom
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If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
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If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
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Gman
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Re: Questions
It only bugs me when they don't see the absurdity of their question..spartanII wrote:Has an atheist ever asked you a really hard question and you think about it for a while and it bugs you.
The heart cannot rejoice in what the mind rejects as false - Galileo
We learn from history that we do not learn from history - Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. -Philippians 4:8
We learn from history that we do not learn from history - Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. -Philippians 4:8
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narnia4
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Re: Questions
Personally, I think that the universe having matter and "that's all there is" is a pretty unwarranted assumption (the "that's all there is" part. And whether that means that you can't have consciousness... well, that is probably a penalty of atheism.
I'm also of the opinion that even ignoring evidence for consciousness (and I find the evidence interesting myself), it could be considered a properly basic belief. Frankly, almost everyone actually does believe in consciousness even if they say they don't. Just look at the words you use, words like "think", "bugs", "guess", or "scary". Those words elude to consciousness.
I was thinking about this the other day, I wouldn't be able to form a formal argument about it... but the process of "thinking" or "reason", things that I can't imagine a sane person denying, they seem not only hard to explain under strict physicalism/naturalism, but superfluous as well. Also, I can clearly differentiate between acts that I intentionally make and mere reaction or subconscious decisions.
But there is much much more on this issue. I agree with the general point that atheism is a scary philosophy as well as an empty, hopeless one. As far as questions I think about for days... sometimes I do let emotions get hold, often if I haven't been communicating with God very well lately. That seems to be the time when things stick in my head, often things that a little reasoning will quickly repel, but its just times like that where your reasoning powers feel a little fuzzy. Sometimes I also just need a break from interacting with some skepticism, if you aren't growing in your Christian walk it can be dangerous and even if you're doing good it gets pretty tiring answering the same old objections and facing the same old hatred for the zillionth time.
I'm also of the opinion that even ignoring evidence for consciousness (and I find the evidence interesting myself), it could be considered a properly basic belief. Frankly, almost everyone actually does believe in consciousness even if they say they don't. Just look at the words you use, words like "think", "bugs", "guess", or "scary". Those words elude to consciousness.
I was thinking about this the other day, I wouldn't be able to form a formal argument about it... but the process of "thinking" or "reason", things that I can't imagine a sane person denying, they seem not only hard to explain under strict physicalism/naturalism, but superfluous as well. Also, I can clearly differentiate between acts that I intentionally make and mere reaction or subconscious decisions.
But there is much much more on this issue. I agree with the general point that atheism is a scary philosophy as well as an empty, hopeless one. As far as questions I think about for days... sometimes I do let emotions get hold, often if I haven't been communicating with God very well lately. That seems to be the time when things stick in my head, often things that a little reasoning will quickly repel, but its just times like that where your reasoning powers feel a little fuzzy. Sometimes I also just need a break from interacting with some skepticism, if you aren't growing in your Christian walk it can be dangerous and even if you're doing good it gets pretty tiring answering the same old objections and facing the same old hatred for the zillionth time.
Young, Restless, Reformed
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Silvertusk
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Re: Questions
spartanII wrote:Has an atheist ever asked you a really hard question and you think about it for a while and it bugs you. In universe where all there is is matter in motion how can i say i'm making free decisions at all? I asked myself that the other day. I guess it's where faith comes into play, from the foundation of everything, but what kind of joke world do we live in where nothing can be confirmed beyond my brain, if all i am is just matter then who am i...is the universe controlling me, all sensations, everything...I know it's crazy talk but once you think about the atheist universe, sometimes it's overwhelmingly scary. Not only is there no objective purpose there is no freedom, at all.
Scares me to death - but then I wouldn't want to die - because oblivion scares me to death as well - and there I done it again!!!
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Furstentum Liechtenstein
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Re: Questions
Overwhelmingly scary? Scary as in frightening or scary as in ''alarming by its implications''?spartanII wrote: once you think about the atheist universe, sometimes it's overwhelmingly scary.
A fool's philosophy of course, but a scary philosophy?narnia4 wrote:I agree with the general point that atheism is a scary philosophy
Boo!Silvertusk wrote:Scares me to death
Only Gman didn't mention fear. What's with the rest of you ladies?
FL
Hold everything lightly. If you don't, it will hurt when God pries your fingers loose as He takes it from you. -Corrie Ten Boom
+ + +
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
+ + +
+ + +
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
+ + +
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narnia4
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Re: Questions
I meant alarming in its implications, as in if enough people actually believe it. As bad as the world may be, if atheists followed up on what they're supposed to be realize instead of borrowing theistic beliefs... the world would be even worse.
Young, Restless, Reformed
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Furstentum Liechtenstein
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Re: Questions
Agreed. Enough people gave atheism intellectual ascent in the USSR and the People's Republic of China and North Korea, and we all know what bastions of liberty and moral perfection those wonderful nations were, and are.narnia4 wrote:I meant alarming in its implications, as in if enough people actually believe it. As bad as the world may be, if atheists followed up on what they're supposed to be realize instead of borrowing theistic beliefs... the world would be even worse.
FL
Hold everything lightly. If you don't, it will hurt when God pries your fingers loose as He takes it from you. -Corrie Ten Boom
+ + +
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
+ + +
+ + +
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
+ + +
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neo-x
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Re: Questions
I have often asked atheists living in open countries to go and live out in hardcore atheist countries and then come back and tell us their experience. I hope they have a good time there.and we all know what bastions of liberty and moral perfection those wonderful nations were, and are.
It would be a blessing if they missed the cairns and got lost on the way back. Or if
the Thing on the ice got them tonight.
I could only turn and stare in horror at the chief surgeon.
Death by starvation is a terrible thing, Goodsir, continued Stanley.
And with that we went below to the flame-flickering Darkness of the lower deck
and to a cold almost the equal of the Dante-esque Ninth Circle Arctic Night
without.
//johnadavid.wordpress.com
the Thing on the ice got them tonight.
I could only turn and stare in horror at the chief surgeon.
Death by starvation is a terrible thing, Goodsir, continued Stanley.
And with that we went below to the flame-flickering Darkness of the lower deck
and to a cold almost the equal of the Dante-esque Ninth Circle Arctic Night
without.
//johnadavid.wordpress.com
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Danieltwotwenty
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Re: Questions
neo-x wrote:I have often asked atheists living in open countries to go and live out in hardcore atheist countries and then come back and tell us their experience. I hope they have a good time there.and we all know what bastions of liberty and moral perfection those wonderful nations were, and are.
Maybe just maybe they might return once they have found God. Matthew11:28
1Tim1:15-17
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.Amen.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.Amen.
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neo-x
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Re: Questions
It is disappointing that they don't give it a try, living in a country like that can be an eye opening experience. I agree.Maybe just maybe they might return once they have found God. Matthew11:28
It would be a blessing if they missed the cairns and got lost on the way back. Or if
the Thing on the ice got them tonight.
I could only turn and stare in horror at the chief surgeon.
Death by starvation is a terrible thing, Goodsir, continued Stanley.
And with that we went below to the flame-flickering Darkness of the lower deck
and to a cold almost the equal of the Dante-esque Ninth Circle Arctic Night
without.
//johnadavid.wordpress.com
the Thing on the ice got them tonight.
I could only turn and stare in horror at the chief surgeon.
Death by starvation is a terrible thing, Goodsir, continued Stanley.
And with that we went below to the flame-flickering Darkness of the lower deck
and to a cold almost the equal of the Dante-esque Ninth Circle Arctic Night
without.
//johnadavid.wordpress.com