Ever notice how atheists are virtually always on the opposite side from God on many issues?

[DNB]

Attribution bias/False dilemma.
No, spiritual notions may derive from neural and cultural predispositions, evolved over time like any other physical or psychological traits.

They don't don't sit around talking about these things, either. Each animal's theistic or spiritual notions grow and die with the individual. They lack the linguistic symbols that would enable the growth and transmission of theological concepts.

What eveeeeeeer.

 

[DNB]

If humans evolved from earlier species, which the science overwhelmingly discloses, then theology certainly not only emerges in evolution as humanity emerges, its ideas also evolve, as is indicated throughout human history, even as recorded in the pages of the bible.

God created the universe, and did not employ evolution as part of its development - not outside of species.

 

[YoursTrue]

Design, predictability, contingency, something did not come from nothing, a rock and a bird did not come from the same source of matter, cycles and systems in nature, constant laws of physics and science, etc...
Anthropology - man, always searching for the transcendent, and emulating a holy concept and principle.

You atheists take an extreme amount for granted.

It is amazing to me how some would argue that something came from nothing..(lol)

 

[Windwalker]

God created the universe, and did not employ evolution as part of its development - not outside of species.

That's simply not what the evidence indicates. I don't see why you have to deny evolution in order to believe in God. Care to explain that to me?

 

[Windwalker]

Tart is a psychologist, which is at times less than a scientist. Anyone can have his/her pet theories.

Okay, so you reject any and all of the "soft sciences". I get it. I cannot respect that view.

If he thinks meditation is self-hypnosis, then he singularly wrong.

That is absolutely not what the PDF I linked to says. In fact he goes to great lengths to explain why is it not at all the same as hypnosis! Why don't people read the stuff I link to before posting replies? It wastes my time.

Meditation is nothing more than removing the monkey thoughts and concentration and contemplation on one subject.

Try reading the article to educate yourself as to what his research shows. Start at page 13 to give you a jump start. But of course, you won't, because he is just a professor of psychology, and not a physicist, so it's not real science and you get to just be dismissive of it that way.

BTW, your explanation of what meditation is woefully inadequate.

Evolution of theology? Human fears and hopes solidified. Abetted by shamans and later the so-called prophets/sons/messengers/manifestations/mahdis from times of Zoroaster, Akhenaten and Moses, for their own benefits or because of their own psychological compulsions - Narcissism, Schizophrenia, Megalomania.

Yes, evolution of theology. What is your problem with that? You don't think people's view of God have evolved, or developed over the ages?

What would you say if Subduction Zone told you that he met and talked with God or that he is the son of God. You would say that he is probably a fool, charlatan or deranged in mind. Why do we not say that for others who claim that?

I'd actually try to understand why he feels that way, and listen to him. I'd be curious, rather than dismissive. It could be he was mentally ill, or he had a genuine mystical experience. I had a direct experience of the Infinite, but I'm not mentally ill, and never have had issues with mental illness.

Being scientific means you should be curious, and not a scoffing cynic who thinks everyone has to be crazy because they see things, or think differently than yourself. That's Just being religious, not scientific. I'm not impressed by cynics. It's not true rationality. It's just fear claiming the shield of reason but not actually using it.

 

[Subduction Zone]

God created the universe, and did not employ evolution as part of its development - not outside of species.

And you are back to calling your God a liar again. The evidence that would have had to have come from God (if he exists) says that you are wrong.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I'd actually try to understand why he feels that way, and listen to him. I'd be curious, rather than dismissive. It could be he was mentally ill, or he had a genuine mystical experience. I had a direct experience of the Infinite, but I'm not mentally ill, and never have had issues with mental illness.

Being scientific means you should be curious, and not a scoffing cynic who thinks everyone has to be crazy because they see things, or think differently than yourself. That's Just being religious, not scientific. I'm not impressed by cynics. It's not true rationality. It's just fear claiming the shield of reason but not actually using it.

It all comes down to one night God and I got together and he gave me the best recipe ever for marinara sauce. I later lost my faith when I found that the New York Times published it years and years ago. No higher beings were accredited.

 

[Windwalker]

It all comes down to one night God and I got together and he gave me the best recipe ever for marinara sauce. I later lost my faith when I found that the New York Times published it years and years ago. No higher beings were accredited.

So, you're saying you didn't use the recommended crimini mushrooms in your sauce that night?

 

[Subduction Zone]

So, you're saying you didn't use the recommended crimini mushrooms in your sauce that night?

For marinara??

 

[Subduction Zone]

So, you're saying you didn't use the recommended crimini mushrooms in your sauce that night?

Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe

Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce — and it's made with basic pantry ingredients All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe Use a...

cooking.nytimes.com

 

[Father Heathen]

When you're talking about God and man, yes. It's not a necessity, but, in life as we know it, it's an indication of the cognizance of humans - such an endowment is not physical, it's a spiritual awareness that transcends the material realm.

No one is here by our own volition - it pleased God to offer humans life and the potential to love. And, those that love God in return, will be rewarded accordingly.
You can be as obstinate as you want, even with all the evidence around you - don't be fooled by the discretion that God employed in revealing Himself - although it appears obscure to some, those that love Him will always find Him.
This is by design, which allows for no excuses - it is only the indifferent and defiant that cannot see Him, or His mark in creation.

I don't reject the possibility of god, but what I do reject is your cartoonish perception and portrayal of god.

All of your assertions are completely arbitrary, unsubstantiated, and irrational.

 

[Father Heathen]

It is amazing to me how some would argue that something came from nothing..(lol)

Where did god come from? If you answer "he was always here" then that answer can also be applied to the universe.

 

[Father Heathen]

God created the universe, and did not employ evolution as part of its development - not outside of species.

The insurmountable mountain of evidence suggests otherwise. Why would god gift you the ability to reason, only for you to forgo its use?
God isn't beholden to some silly book written by primitive savages. Biblical literalism is blasphemous idolatry.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Okay, so you reject any and all of the "soft sciences". I get it. I cannot respect that view.
That is absolutely not what the PDF I linked to says. In fact he goes to great lengths to explain why is it not at all the same as hypnosis!

Try reading the article to educate yourself as to what his research shows. Start at page 13 to give you a jump start. But of course, you won't, because he is just a professor of psychology, and not a physicist, so it's not real science and you get to just be dismissive of it that way.

Yes, evolution of theology. What is your problem with that? You don't think people's view of God have evolved, or developed over the ages?

I'd actually try to understand why he feels that way, and listen to him. I'd be curious, rather than dismissive. It could be he was mentally ill, or he had a genuine mystical experience. I had a direct experience of the Infinite, but I'm not mentally ill, and never have had issues with mental illness.

Being scientific means you should be curious, and not a scoffing cynic who thinks everyone has to be crazy because they see things, or think differently than yourself. That's Just being religious, not scientific. I'm not impressed by cynics. It's not true rationality. It's just fear claiming the shield of reason but not actually using it.

I take what some of these soft sciences people say with a pinch of salt, especially if they are theists.
There is nothing new in saying that meditation is not the same as self-hypnosis.
I have gone through the suggested page 13 and some pages that follow it. He got entangled in a maze of words and tables. He has no experience or understanding of meditation. He only has a bookish knowledge.

If someone starts with a prejudice, then he will experience only that. This is quite common in religions. The purpose of meditation is to clean the mind of prejudices and then contemplate on any subject. If one starts with a wrong premise, the person will never be able to get to truth.

God and soul are imaginary entities. What people have thought about God is absolutely wrong. There has been no prophet/son/messenger/manifestation/mahdi dispatched by God. People were ignorant, had psychological problems or were plan scammers.

I have been very curious. I have gone through the scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Bahaism. That is how I turned out to be a strong atheist. If people talk rubbish, then it is OK to scoff at them. I have no fear at all. I am a non-dualist (an Advaitist Hindu). Death (and birth) have no meaning for me, they are but illusions. Nothing that constitutes me, not a single molecule or atom of my body will die when what you call as death comes to me. I am star-dust. I am eternal.

 

[Ostronomos]

Another mistake on your part. You feel sorry for me because I am not willing to believe in implausible ideas.

Is it possible you are mistaken in your religious beliefs? If so, then you acknowledge your beliefs are your judgments and prone to error. Yet you act as if your beliefs are absolute and factual, which you show us they are not. I follow evidence, and you haven't provided adequate evidence for your claims. I suggest I am exceptionally open minded because I resist being guilible to popular social ideas like those that religions spead among many.

You are not looking in the right place for evidence. Let logic lead the way rather than materialism and objective reality. Have you ever had a vivid dream? If so you'd know that some of the characters in a dream can manifest or materialize in the world around you and affect the reality in the so-called "material" environment WHILE YOU ARE ASLEEP.

Consider for example that space-time is quantized at the Plank length. We need only ask, what are the implications of space-time breaking up at the quantum level? Can it then still be considered real?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Let logic lead the way rather than materialism and objective reality. Have you ever had a vivid dream? If so you'd know that some of the characters in a dream can manifest or materialize in the world around you and affect the reality in the so-called "material" environment WHILE YOU ARE ASLEEP.

Consider for example that space-time is quantized at the Plank length. We need only ask, what are the implications of space-time breaking up at the quantum level? Can it then still be considered real?

It is logic that leads me to materialism. Dreams have no meaning. It is the time-off for brain. Dreams are created by defragmentation of memory while you are asleep. It is necessary for proper functioning of brain.

As for space-time, not everything is clear. Science is working on it. Only one thing is real, and that is 'physical energy', and that constitutes all things in the universe.

 

[Windwalker]

Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe

Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce — and it's made with basic pantry ingredients All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe Use a...

cooking.nytimes.com

Who said you were cooking the "classic" version that night? Apparently you weren't, considering the effects it had.

 

[Soandso]

It is amazing to me how some would argue that something came from nothing..(lol)

Who is saying that something came from nothing?

 

[Subduction Zone]

Who said you were cooking the "classic" version that night? Apparently you weren't, considering the effects it had.

Are you saying that you can get high off of San Marzano tomatoes???? That was the only ingredient that I had not used countless times in other recipes. Oooh!! I almost forgot the fresh basil. Leafy, green, hmmm. . . You might have a point.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Who is saying that something came from nothing?

Ironically she may believe that something came from nothing. Creationists think that something from nothing is okay if magic is involved.