The Anguish of Nonbelievers

[kbfc]

A lack of absolute good/evil does NOT follow from atheism. Both are seperate and distinct conclusions that follow from basic reason. Furthermore, absolute good/evil does NOT follow logically from theism. Even given the existence of God, there is no way to define good/evil in an absolute sense that is not capricious or is informationally useful.

As for why the nihilist (who you really described) cares about anything, it's because it feels good. Why should I support a law against abusing dogs? Because I have a pyschological reaction (which isn't really based on any rationality) to it that is unpleasant enough for me to take action to avoid it. Likewise, I feel an urge to do certain things that might promote the longevity of the race. I don't claim that there is any particular rationale behind this things, but I feel that way nonetheless. It's an evolutionary advantage for people to feel this way, so it shouldn't be surprising.

[RJT]

I don’t really think I am hijacking this thread - same topic - if I am, my apologies.

Well, it seems to me that not all atheists have the same “dogma”.

We have tried to show in this forum much of the folly of religions (especially, for some reason, Christianity).

We are only able to ALMOST prove religion is folly.

Why is it that we can’t prove there is no god.

We can’t we even come close to an atheistic dogma.

So, why is it again that all these genius scientists are so smug?

[VarlosZ]

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Some of these people are actually intelligent. You've judged some of them to be equal or even smarter then yourself. They know what you know. Shouldn't they know better? To figure this out. Ask yourself, why is it you can't convince intelligent, rational people that they believe in a lie?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because we're all working with incomplete information, and because our beliefs are based, ultimately, on some necessarily arbitrary assumptions. Debating the logic of religious belief, even in the most rigorous and thorough fashion, will amount to nothing if I and my opponent hold to different premises which can neither be proven nor disproven.


David Sklansky:
[ QUOTE ]
I am now quite sure that intelligent believers have a syndrome similar to stroke victims who think they are not paralyzed. However I also believe that people who are highly intelligent or highly trained in logic and statistical inference, are often able to overcome this syndrome.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gah. I mean no offense, but this really is arrogant . . . or do you believe you can prove the non-existence of God?