Religion, what's the point?

Science doesn’t prove God because it deals with the mate


Research indicating that the universe had a definite beginning can easily be found.

You specifically said that science shows us that the Universe was created by someone or something very powerful yada yada. Please point me towards that.

And which “mate” does science deal with?

Further to that - do you believe in Adam and Eve, or evolution?

As for the previous question - there are trees that are older than the bible would have us believe the planet is. I really don't need to go any further with that, as there is no debate (and not that you're debating it either).

As for the Noah myth - I am assuming that you have not heard of the epic of Gilgamesh, or about Atrahasis, or Ziusudra? The Noah myth is a clear plagiarism of previous stories and fables told by older civilizations within that region. Those stories clearly pre-date the Noah myth by centuries.

Also, do you imagine that the asian civilizations (etc.) would have noticed that they were living under water for a year?

And how would you reason that the all-loving, omnipotent and omnipresent god would drown his perfect creations made in his perfect image? For being not-so-perfect after all. Would the all-knowing god not have seen that coming to begin with? Or did he make everyone (in his perfect image) knowing full well that he'd end up drowning them all anyway?

And why not just click his fingers and make all the sinners disappear? Why drown them? Or better yet, why not just get it right in the first place.

Now as for Noah. Do you believe that Noah and his immediate family incestuously repopulated the whole entire planet? To the point where there were enough people around to build the pyramids (or was it the tower of Babel?) a mere few decades later?

How many animals were on board? Surely the dinosaurs weren't on board too like some Christians hilariously suggest. How did they feed them all, or dispose of the waste? How did they keep every single one alive, lest certain species die out?

And how did one 500 year old drunk manage to build what would have been the biggest boat ever made (even to this day)? Surely not the 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high that the bible says it was - which translates to: 137m long, 23m wide and 14m high.

This was made out of wood, and with mere rudimentary tools, and obviously none of the materials, equipment and even any help from anyone, let alone shipwrights.

I'd also like to know how all of the animals got to the Ark in the first place? Did the Kangaroos, Koalas etc. of Australia and the Sloths, Jaguars, etc. of South America's swim over (you get the point)? How did they get back? Did Noah drop them all off like the first ever Uber service?

And back to the trees that were around prior to when the flood allegedly occurred - how did they survive?

Where did the water go?

Hopefully by the end of this post you have realised just how ridiculous that myth is.

Maybe you'll find this series of video interesting. They categorically disproving the flood myth:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ4dsU0oGMJP95iZJqEjmc5oxY5r6BzP

Fantastic post.
 
Morals are inherently within the people themselves? Hmm.. exactly as one would expect if we are created in His image.

:lol:

Then why did he need to tell us how to behave then? If we are all the perfect creations made in his perfect image he would never have needed to say anything.

But then again this is the god that quite clearly endorses the following in the bible - slavery, abortion, rape, pedophilia, torture, human sacrifice, animal sacrifices, homophobia, misogyny, infanticide, mass genocide, and a myriad of other utterly reprehensible teachings that befit the ignorant, superstitious, desert nomads that dreamt it up to begin with.

Yes you are right about one thing though - man and god got their morals from one another. You just have it the wrong way around is all.
 
The latest scientific discoveries indicate there was an absolute beginning. Look up Borde, Guth and Vilenkin.

Your second objection that it’s circular is incorrect. It isn’t assumed that God is the creator of the universe. That conclusion comes as the logical deduction at the end of the premises.
Okay
 
:lol:

Then why did he need to tell us how to behave then? If we are all the perfect creations made in his perfect image he would never have needed to say anything.

But then again this is the god that quite clearly endorses the following in the bible - slavery, abortion, rape, pedophilia, torture, human sacrifice, animal sacrifices, homophobia, misogyny, infanticide, mass genocide, and a myriad of other utterly reprehensible teachings that befit the ignorant, superstitious, desert nomads that dreamt it up to begin with.

Yes you are right about one thing though - man and god got their morals from one another. You just have it the wrong way around is all.
:lol:

Not to mention that this god “granted” humans “free will” but will punish them for using it in any manner that he doesn’t approve of...and yet regardless of what they “choose”, it doesn’t matter anyway because it was all “his plan” and it’s predecided. You couldn’t make it less coherent if you tried.
 
Because if he wanted to be in any way convincing, in terms of his existence, he wouldn't have done it. Any omnipotent god would be able to see the flaws in that, if it was his plan.

To some people maybe the rest of the universe is a waste of space. To others, it may come across as an awesome demonstration of His power. And some maybe find that the night skies inspire them to scientific discoveries or artistic works etc.
 
:lol:

Not to mention that this god “granted” humans “free will” but will punish them for using it in any manner that he doesn’t approve of...and yet regardless of what they “choose”, it doesn’t matter anyway because it was all “his plan” and it’s predecided. You couldn’t make it less coherent if you tried.

:lol:

I would say you couldn't make it up... But evidently someone did.
 
To some people maybe the rest of the universe is a waste of space. To others, it may come across as an awesome demonstration of His power. And some maybe find that the night skies inspire them to scientific discoveries or artistic works etc.
Good grief! Do you also deny climate change? Just curious...
 
:lol:

Then why did he need to tell us how to behave then? If we are all the perfect creations made in his perfect image he would never have needed to say anything.

But then again this is the god that quite clearly endorses the following in the bible - slavery, abortion, rape, pedophilia, torture, human sacrifice, animal sacrifices, homophobia, misogyny, infanticide, mass genocide, and a myriad of other utterly reprehensible teachings that befit the ignorant, superstitious, desert nomads that dreamt it up to begin with.

Yes you are right about one thing though - man and god got their morals from one another. You just have it the wrong way around is all.

Because we have free will. We all need a little bit of help to be kept on the right track.
 
What does this have to do with climate change. Do you endorse paedophilia? Just curious.
I’m an atheist. Largely because it’s religions that endorse and forgive pedophilia, rape, torture, racism, misogyny etc. Religious folks typically deny climate change as well because hey, it’s “god’s plan” and he wanted humans to do with animals and the earth as humans saw fit...as long as they didn’t break his rules...though he has a divine plan...but humans have free will...but are damned if they don’t go by what he wants, their free will be damned.
 
I’m an atheist. Largely because it’s religions that endorse and forgive pedophilia, rape, torture, racism, misogyny etc. Religious folks typically deny climate change as well because hey, it’s “god’s plan” and he wanted humans to do with animals and the earth as humans saw fit...as long as they didn’t break his rules...though he has a divine plan...but humans have free will...but are damned if they don’t go by what he wants, their free will be damned.

What do you mean by 'they're damned if they don't go by what He wants'?
 
Because we have free will. We all need a little bit of help to be kept on the right track.

Do you also believe in heaven and hell, that whatever we do with the 10 seconds we have on earth will have ever lasting repercussions in some afterlife?
 
I’m an atheist. Largely because it’s religions that endorse and forgive pedophilia, rape, torture, racism, misogyny etc. Religious folks typically deny climate change as well because hey, it’s “god’s plan” and he wanted humans to do with animals and the earth as humans saw fit...as long as they didn’t break his rules...though he has a divine plan...but humans have free will...but are damned if they don’t go by what he wants, their free will be damned.

Also, just as an aside, even if it were true that religions 'endorse and forgive pedophilia, rape, torture, racism, misogyny etc.' that wouldn't mean that God doesn't exist. So if you're 'largely' an atheist because of that, I'd suggest examining the evidence for His existence, and not at the failings of the religious.
 
Well, as per the bible or the koran or any other “holy piece of man-made fiction about a mythical bearded misogynist in the sky”, I’m destined to suffer hellfire for the “sin” of not accepting this stupid idea and bowing to this mythical piece of crap. But...this guy supposedly made me and loves me...and gave me free will. Which should mean that I can choose to not believe in him. Yet, regardless of my deeds, I’m damned.

So yeah... good going with your reasoning and logic.
 
The 10 commandments are mostly rubbish.
  1. You shall have no other Gods before me
  2. You shall not make for yourselves an idol
  3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God
  4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
  5. Honor your father and your mother
  6. You shall not murder
  7. You shall not commit adultery
  8. You shall not steal
  9. You shall not give false testimony
  10. You shall not covet
Only 3 of them are applicable in today's society, and the fact older civilizations from other regions (India, China) managed to come up with similar ideals (the golden rule, etc.) show that morals are inherently within the people themselves.

We could not flourish as societies/people without learning to work together, and thus reason out our own morals and ways of behaving alongside one another.

We certainly never needed a good to tell us not to steal or kill each other.

Ten commandments might have been a bad example, as i did only recall "not to kill, steal".. Should have said morals code in general... Problem is that not all people have the same morals, thoughts etc as no person is alike. So some of the base moral principles in religions would be applicable to all humans regardless. But then again this is/should have been part of societies without religion "preaching/enforcing" them.

I think as long as people have "common sense", the world does not need religion. Religion is useful and dangerous for the people without "common sense". And it could be argued that if everyone in the world had "common sense" there would not be that many religious people as it is today.

Common sense: understand the causation principle, trying to see both side of a cause/issue before making a decision/act, making up ones own opinion and not having an opinion based on a external political/religious element.

Should also differentiate betweem the various degrees of being religious:
Difference between a fanatic and a person saying that he is a christian but only goes to church twice a year etc.
 
Because we have free will. We all need a little bit of help to be kept on the right track.

Just amazing.

Did your god give us free will? Meaning that he made us have free will. Therefore we had no choice in the matter. See how that doesn't actually make sense when you bother to think about it?

If god knows everything that is going to happen, then there is no such thing as free will.

Your god already knew, and in fact had always known (because he's timeless, right?) that he would never provide any evidence that I would personally find convincing. He knew that this was always going to be the case.

So in effect he created me knowing full well that I'd never believe in him, and therefore knew that he was always going to end up banishing me to hell.

Your god is an utter bastard.

It's like he knows all the answers to the test but still gets it wrong anyway.
 
Well, as per the bible or the koran or any other “holy piece of man-made fiction about a mythical bearded misogynist in the sky”, I’m destined to suffer hellfire for the “sin” of not accepting this stupid idea and bowing to this mythical piece of crap. But...this guy supposedly made me and loves me...and gave me free will. Which should mean that I can choose to not believe in him. Yet, regardless of my deeds, I’m damned.

So yeah... good going with your reasoning and logic.

First of all, no God is bearded, since He is immaterial. Second, you have the free choice of whether or not to spend eternity with Him - you can choose to do so (Heaven) or not (Hell). If you don't want to be with God, then what's so wrong with Hell anyway?
 
If your all knowing god already knows what will become and what we'll do then whats the point?

Knowing that something will come about isn't to cause it. If I know that you will pull your hand away from the hire, that doesn't mean I caused it. If I know that my child will ask to go on the scooter rather than the bicycle, that doesn't mean I caused her to pick the scooter.
 
What does this have to do with climate change. Do you endorse paedophilia? Just curious.

Your god endorses pedophilia, and all those other things I listed. It's quite explicitly stated in the bible.

How do you reconcile that?
 
Quite amazing that this god fella apparently visited earth and spoke to tons of people all the time (though only in one small part in the Middle East) for a few thousand years and consistently exhibited his jealousy, happiness and wrath with great regularity...then stopped appearing as people learned historical record-keeping. Appearances increased suddenly after Photoshop was released though...
 
Your god endorses pedophilia, and all those other things I listed. It's quite explicitly stated in the bible.

How do you reconcile that?

Read those passages in context. Distinguish between the Old and New Testament. Think about who these commands were aimed at.
 
Ten commandments might have been a bad example, as i did only recall "not to kill, steal".. Should have said morals code in general... Problem is that not all people have the same morals, thoughts etc as no person is alike. So some of the base moral principles in religions would be applicable to all humans regardless. But then again this is/should have been part of societies without religion "preaching/enforcing" them.

I think as long as people have "common sense", the world does not need religion. Religion is useful and dangerous for the people without "common sense". And it could be argued that if everyone in the world had "common sense" there would not be that many religious people as it is today.

Common sense: understand the causation principle, trying to see both side of a cause/issue before making a decision/act, making up ones own opinion and not having an opinion based on a external political/religious element.

Should also differentiate betweem the various degrees of being religious:
Difference between a fanatic and a person saying that he is a christian but only goes to church twice a year etc.

We don't need it full stop, the cons far outweigh the 'pros' and we're still dealing with the damage religion has done to the world. Just imagine how far ahead we'd be if we never wasted so many resources, time and human life because of religion. There's a saying that common sense isn't common, and for me religion plays a big part in that globally.
 
Read those passages in context. Distinguish between the Old and New Testament. Think about who these commands were aimed at.
Oh and yet Jesus says in the New Testament that nothing he says negates even a single word of the Old Testament.

Not to mention that you’re saying that god got it wrong the first time so needed to change things if you say you follow NT only.
 
Quite amazing that this god fella apparently visited earth and spoke to tons of people all the time (though only in one small part in the Middle East) for a few thousand years and consistently exhibited his jealousy, happiness and wrath with great regulatory...then stopped appearing as people learned historical record-keeping. Appearances increased suddenly after Photoshop was released though...

Your flippancy, though undoubtedly amusing to some, reflects lack of serious thought about the issue.
 
Oh and yet Jesus says in the New Testament that nothing he says negates even a single word of the Old Testament.

Not to mention that you’re saying that god got it wrong the first time so needed to change things if you say you follow NT only.

I don't believe I ever said so...
 
First of all, no God is bearded, since He is immaterial. Second, you have the free choice of whether or not to spend eternity with Him - you can choose to do so (Heaven) or not (Hell). If you don't want to be with God, then what's so wrong with Hell anyway?

We have no choice in the matter.

You can't choose to believe in something. Either you do, or you don't. I can't imagine that your god would be fooled by me trying really hard to believe when I can't reduce myself to do it. It's impossible for me to believe right now.

Therefore that's HIS choice and he is liable for this situation. He knew this would happen. He knows exactly what would convince me of his existence, and still chooses not to provide this evidence to me.

That is entirely on him and I am in no way culpable for my disbelief. And that holds true for every single unbelievabler, or the poor brainwashed sods that were unlucky enough to be born in areas that have different belief systems.

Your god chooses to send people to hell. That's his choice and no one elses.
 
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Your flippancy, though undoubtedly amusing to some, reflects lack of serious thought about the issue.
On the contrary, it shows that I’ve considered the matter very seriously before choosing a belief set that aligns with reality and science instead of what my ill-informed ancestors blindly accepted. By contrast, your blind adherence to religion shows a complete lack of scientific curiosity.
 
Knowing that something will come about isn't to cause it. If I know that you will pull your hand away from the hire, that doesn't mean I caused it. If I know that my child will ask to go on the scooter rather than the bicycle, that doesn't mean I caused her to pick the scooter.

If you're going to punish her for doing things you already know she'll do then you're a failure for creating a flawed child. It would seem its just some kind of twisted game starring a psychopath called God
 
It's a deductive argument. If you accept the premises, the conclusion logically follows. As for science explaining everything, science offers one type of explanation. Why is the water in the kettle boiling? Science tells us because it's because the heating element has heated up the water to a certain temperature whereby the liquid turns to gas etc. Another explanation is that I want to make a cup of tea. They are both equally valid, one doesn't invalidate the other.

I have read this a couple of times to try and understand what you mean but I am sorry, it makes no sense.

The kettle boiling is due to cause any effect.
The cause is because energy is being added to increase the temperature of the water (it is actually electromagnetic energy than causes the water molecules to move around much more quickly).

The effect is for the water temperature to increase.

You can want a cup of tea as much as you like but unless you add energy nothing will happen. The water will remain at a temperature.

You do understand that don't you.
 
Knowing that something will come about isn't to cause it. If I know that you will pull your hand away from the hire, that doesn't mean I caused it. If I know that my child will ask to go on the scooter rather than the bicycle, that doesn't mean I caused her to pick the scooter.
How does he “know” and have a “divine plan” if we have free will? You don’t seem to get the concept of “logical coherence”.
 
If you're going to punish her for doing things you already know she'll do then you're a failure for creating a flawed child. It would seem its just some kind of twisted game starring a psychopath called God

Punish who?
 
I have read this a couple of times to try and understand what you mean but I am sorry, it makes no sense.

The kettle boiling is due to cause any effect.
The cause is because energy is being added to increase the temperature of the water (it is actually electromagnetic energy than causes the water molecules to move around much more quickly).

The effect is for the water temperature to increase.

You can want a cup of tea as much as you like but unless you add energy nothing will happen. The water will remain at a temperature.

You do understand that don't you.

Someone comes in to your room and says ‘why is this light on?’
What do you say? Do you speak in terms of electricity and the movement of electrons through wires, or do you say you wanted to read a book?