I was listening to a Bible Radio creationism show the other day. The “scientist” guest was explaining that the human skull changes shape, all through a person’s life. Over time, the skull gets longer, and the brow ridges get a little heavier.
Now, he said, extrapolate this to the 900 year life-span of mankind as the Bible says was enjoyed by the early generations after Adam…
Yep! He explained Neanderthal skulls! They’re just Methuselahan skulls!
Isn’t that just so elegant? The Bible explains everything, if only you heed it, and interpret it literally. I’m sure Darwin would have recanted everything if he’d only heard this one guy on the radio!
In terms of numbers of members the Dope may not be “overwhelmingly” atheist, but from the perspective of a Theist or any other non-atheist (aathiest?) trying to have an honest discussion about the Larger Questions the Dope comes across as overwhelmingly atheist.
So why does that happen? As stated, it’s “Because the majority of posters on this board have a critical and more scientific leaning outlook.” In other words, the Dope is a community united more by skepticism than atheism. No self-respecting skeptic would accept any religious tenet without question, but that does not mean that skeptics are atheist.
This reminds me of a quote from Augustine that he states it is impossible for the earth to be round. What was unknown then is now a known fact. And where was the dome over the heavens, I wonder if it was plastic?
Augustine knew that the Earth was round. So did pretty much any educated person in the Western world since 300 B.C. Where are you getting your information?:
Yes, exactly. Just like the environment isn’t exactly fertile for any woo or CT, it’s skeptical of religion as well, at least from the perspective of an uncritical and accepting of dogma viewpoint. Or catma for that matter…
“That’s not my culture and heritage!” O Brother, Where Art Thou quote for those who don’t know the reference.
I reject the notion of ‘overwhelming’ atheism. True, witness threads like this are quite often brought down and savaged by the godless pack that runs in these parts, but there are plenty of threads that explore religious matters beyond fly-by witnessing. Those threads contain a lot of interesting back and forth and earnest discussion about issues central to faith and a lack thereof.
Last poll here was, IIRC, less than two out of three declaring as atheist, and more than one out of three as theist. So not evenly divided, but, yeah, not overwhelming.
Of course, it is a standard tactic of the creationist movement to accuse anyone who refuses to spread misinformation about science of being an atheist. The actual religious beliefs or lack thereof are irrelevant. Just another place where the creationist movement routinely bears false witness.
I know I’m not a long-term member, but I have looked at this site quite a bit over the years, and I’m not sure that I agree. If I, as an atheist, posted a thread questioning Christian beliefs with a couple of ham-handed arguments, I don’t imagine I’d get a particularly warm response either.
Imagine:
**
Why Is This Site Overwhelmingly Christian?
It’s impossible to walk on water. You would sink to the bottom.
If God loves us unconditionally, why is there suffering?**
We’ve had this discussion before; you’re simply wrong. There are lots of answers for this naïve riddle.
You might as well say, “Before something can exist, its constituent particles must exist.” What is God made up of? Where did his “atoms” come from?
It sounds profound, but it’s really just simplistic. The same reasoning “proves” that the universe can’t exist, because first there has to be a place for it to exist in – and that would be part of the universe, right?
“One of the ‘best lil’ college towns’ in the country” (Rolling Stone, August, 2005) and the home of “the most vital music scene between Chicago and Denver” (New York Times, February, 2005). Apparently it’s better proof than Krauss ever provided that you can create something from nothing.
