What would Jesus think about all the adulation?

Why would he ban you?

I think all of us just expect you to have a point when you post something. The only reason you would be unpopular (which isnt true) is because you are misunderstanding what we’re asking and expecting of you in your posts.

That is all just a very complicated way of rationalizing atheism. Instead of trying to untie this Gordian Knot of words, I’ll just cut right through it. This is all just diversion and misdirection.

It isn’t. What I meant is exactly what I said: What exactly are you trying to accomplish here? You’re making claims without supporting them, you’re snarking on things without understanding them, and you’re assuming a lot of ill intent on the part of other posters. Not that you’re the first person to do that, but you seem to think this is going to prove some kind of point. It won’t. If you slow down and focus, the discussions you engage in should be more worthwhile.

Actually, I’m a theist. I just happen to understand the argument and have a healthy respect for anybody who doesn’t take things entirely on blind faith.

It’s not really a Gordian knot but nice try. To be honest, you come across like the kids I tutor in math. The stuff isn’t as hard as they’re making out but they have a mental block about it.

Well, actually, there is a certain logic to it, in the sense that believing as your family believes (and forming certain bonding-emotional attachments to them) offers the advantage of increasing your chances of surviving to adulthood and then successfully reproducing (I assume “family” refers initially to your parents and siblings and then later to your spouse and children, who themselves you expect to see reach adulthood and reproduce).

That these feelings feel good (as opposed to just being a mechanical process one follows out of instinct) are an additional benefit.

Of course, it still says nothing about the actual divinity (or existence) of God or Jesus, nor why a substitute like Zeus wouldn’t work just as well.

Rather than being a “Gordian Knot of words”, I found that to be the most clear explanation of the null hypothesis I’ve ever read. I understand it much better now, so thanks, Great Antibob.

If you, Theophane, are just going to respond to every post you don’t like with something along the lines of “you’re just rationalizing atheism”, then no, you’re not going to be very popular around here. I’d suggest making a reasonable attempt to engage in debates by responding to people’s points and answering their questions.

I’m very confident I can explain the “null hypothesis” approach to you in a manner that is clear, comprehensive and not condescending. Are you open to this?

I appreciate you being on the level with me, Bryan. Thanks. :slight_smile:

As you probably realize, religious faith is manifested in a different part of the brain than logic and analytical skills. Literally. There is a “God-zone” area of the brain that seems to be manifesting activity related to religious experience … and nothing else. But is this “God-zone” the origin of religious experience or is it just a receiver, an antenna to God? Make of it what you will. Make of the science what you will.

This is wrong, and your cite flatly contradicts it:

Here is another report discussing this part of the temporal lobe and its connection to spiritual experiences.

I’m not sure exactly what the God Helmet proves or disproves, if anything.

I thought this was interesting:

The God Helmet? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

Good thing we’re not keeping score!

Once again, check the title of this forum. In this debate you seem to be losing points right and left.

Because the believers never come up with any evidence for their side. Atheists are “never defeated” in arguments because they don’t lose. Which isn’t hard when your opponents always show up for a gunfight with a pistol carved out of wood.

You want to make religion a genuine contender? Come up with some evidence that your side is true. Come up with some evidence that it’s even possible. But you can’t, because it’s not real and you have no such evidence and never will.

So Theophane can feel like an Internet martyr, brutally oppressed by the atheistic Satan worshiping mods of the SDMB. They banned him because they could not stand to hear The Truth!

We’re not, no. But what you said is still incorrect. Does that matter to you? Do facts have any bearing on your arguments or behavior? This is why I’m asking what you’re trying to accomplish.

I don’t mind that. I’m not playing to win.

What are you doing?

Trolling sideways

I’m not worried about proving my intellectual superioty. I’m not trying to accomplish that. The things I say that are related to my faith upset people because I don’t cite them with facts. What facts could I cite when I’m stating my faith? How do I “prove” these things are scientific facts when they are not scientific facts?

“I believe in God the Father” is a faith statement. It can’t be confirmed or refuted in the usual sense. I love my family but I have no facts to prove it.

Why is this such a problem?