51. Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

Comment #109730 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 3:05 pm

Quetzalcoatl,
I think you're point is consistent with what Baeoz said. "...if your favorite thing doesn't need a cause, then why does anything need a cause?" is a pretty good way to put it. You're pretty much using their logic to show them that their argument doesn't make sense (namely, Baeoz's first premise).

52. The Mind of the Market

Comment #109715 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Steve,
I 'half-agree' with you. The good doctor may know that he's being a bit weasely in his logic, but I think the reasoning of these people (including him and his audience) is "Now, I know this doesn't make sense, but how can I convince myself that it does?" Reconciling themselves with their rose tinted glasses, more than a deliberate misrepresentation. After all, they obviously believe it is true, that it must somehow be true.

53. The Mind of the Market

Comment #109693 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 1:55 pm

cyris,
How very disconcerting!

54. Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

Comment #109691 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 1:52 pm

I don't really understand how the author being a mathematician figures into the argument. I think that it may actually hurt the debate, considering a lot of Christians view science as an excuse to dismiss a point of view. "Oh, the scientists think their logic makes them smarter than God, little do they know, we don't care about logic."

55. The Mind of the Market

Comment #109644 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 11:22 am

epeeist,
I think your first theory on the hit counter is pretty plausible. I've been there a few times in the last hour just to convince myself they're being serious. Also, the comments on that post are pretty pathetic. Reminiscent of someone covering their ears and shouting "I'm not listening!"
(PS: TNG>DS9)

annabanana,
You see what happens to young ladies once they become atheists? They turn their back on the Lord, and they instantly become pimps. Sad fact.

56. The Mind of the Market

Comment #109631 by Big City on January 9, 2008 at 10:16 am

Damn you, Brian,
Atheismsucks just ruined my day. The most recent video post is one of the most ignorant things I've ever seen.
More evidence that Christianity is one big circle jerk. "How can we lie to ourselves and make it sound smart?"

annabanana,
I'm gonna need you to send that 'single, hot, atheist' my way, if you'd be so kind.

That having been said, this book seems pretty interesting. Any religion pales in comparison to evolutionary psychology, in my opinion.

57. Hook, line and rapture

Comment #109150 by Big City on January 8, 2008 at 12:44 pm

"...but it would be, if it were,"
This is great. The ending is hilarious and makes some really good points.

There's recently been an uproar here in Atlanta about the 'megachurches' and the extravagant homes their preachers own. The news interviews with the congregations make them seem like they don't have a problem with it.
If you guys haven't seen Pat Robertson's television show, you really should. Sow a seed of faith!

58. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #108121 by Big City on January 6, 2008 at 4:14 am

I have to agree that Wolpe is more competent than D'Souza, but I'm with the Horsemen in that I really wish that one of these guys would put forth an argument that made me reconsider atheism.

I know they won't, because they're just running around shoving their fingers in the dam, but I really feel if I was a Christian (or Jew), that I would be bothered by their inability to make it flat-out obvious that there is a god. I know that when I was a Christian, I had never even heard an atheist argument, so I have to think the faithful in attendance have to at least be shaken a little.

Also, Wolpe lumps "there is a god" in with a lot of opinions. If you listen to the examples he gives of unscientific, unprovable statements, they're all personal opinions and value judgments, not facts about truth.

Also, the only reason the Civil War was so devastating to us was that every casualty on both sides was an American, so of course the American casualty rate is going to be high.

59. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #107769 by Big City on January 5, 2008 at 9:05 am

1:00:02

60. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #101112 by Big City on December 19, 2007 at 10:04 pm

walk and Graham,
I, for one, smoked off and on for 4 or 5 years and never felt any sort of addiction or 'need' for a cigarette. It's been about two years since I've smoked a cigarette and I could still take it or leave it.

61. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #101110 by Big City on December 19, 2007 at 9:57 pm

Jesus Christ, Cartomancer, just go to YouTube if you're gonna rant.

62. 'Growing Up in the Universe' now available free online

Comment #98636 by Big City on December 14, 2007 at 1:02 am

I had never seen this before, and just got through with the series. I kept thinking, "I wish I had seen this as a kid."

I grew up in the Bible Belt, and the only biology we learned was to emphasize God's glorious plan. No one there has science explained to them like this (at least not in school), and as a result, no one I grew up with cared about science. It was just seen as another of God's mysterious ways.

If I saw this when it came out (I was like 8), I'd probably be a scientist right now.

63. Creation vs. Reality

Comment #98627 by Big City on December 14, 2007 at 12:33 am

For those who have some problem with this video or don't understand the premise, I think it's kinda obvious they're simply juxtaposing the different formats and language of the Creation theory and the real origin story. I don't think a religious person would make this.

I don't know why so many people here seem to have a problem with it. I think it's great both conceptually and in its delivery.