What does atheism/skepticism have to offer?

Originally posted by no1marauder
A more healthy self-image than believing that you and your fellow human beings are filth. It's no wonder all the "Christians" on this site sound like lunatics; hating yourself and your brothers can't be good for your mental health.

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Again, without self-loathing, where is the alleged poor mental health? An outside observer of your posts would likely conclude that it is you who has the pent-up anger.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Well, for one, a scientist considers all data prior to drawing a conclusion. This, you failed to do, by objecting to something not asserted. No one claimed scientists are in anyway morally inferior to "non-scientists" (what is that, by the way? Aren't we all, in varying degrees, scientists, in the true sense of the word?).
The mistake that some ...[text shortened]... ut of curiosity, how is it that man is far, far better at imagining ways to hurt and swindle?

Freak,

You are in no position to lecture me on science! I can assure you, my foolish little friend, I know all about the morals involved in science. It is you, not I, who implied that scientist are in some way morally inferior. You like to pretend that you could, on some level, be considered a scientist, and yet you fail even the most basic test, that of relying on untestable assumptions. Worse, you make assumptions all the time. You assume that there is some difference between man and other animals, and on what basis? An opposable thumb? Brain capacity? There is no biological, biochemical, physiological, genetic or moralistic basis to make that call. And yet you assume you know better. Why? Because some idiot high on mushrooms wrote it on a scrap of rag 1400 years ago.

Idiot.

Originally posted by Pawnokeyhole
If I am indeed labouring under this misconception, why is theism so popular? Why would so many people self-impose something harmful unless they were getting at least something beneficial out of it?

Because, quite simply, human beings are spiritual. Maybe some day the Rwingetts will take over and the world will be filled with dull, cynical, materialist humans; but until then, the rest of us will always know there is more to life than just and existence than what we see and do here in our brief lifetimes.

In other words, human beings have an inborn sense of "The truth is out there".

Originally posted by no1marauder
Isn't the answer obvious? Fear, particulary of death.

Tell me, who is more afraid of death - the man who is comfortable making sacrifices (including that of his own life) because he knows that death is not the end and that there is always something much better ahead?

Or the man who feels that death is the end of existence and every moment not used to maximise his pleasure is another moment wasted?

I'm reminded of the kind of teleshopping ads one sees on television. "Make money quick", "Lose weight easily", "Look more beautiful" etc. If you don't have a full wallet, your life is meaningless. If you don't look like a supermodel until well into your fifties (and then some), your life is meaningless. If you can't put off the inevitable for as long as possible and can't fill every extra moment you've gained with as much entertainment as it can hold, then you've missed a trick.

Tell me - who fears death more?

Originally posted by lucifershammer
Tell me - who fears death more?

Good rhetorical questions. If engineering doesn't work out, consider law.

Originally posted by scottishinnz
Freak,

You are in no position to lecture me on science! I can assure you, my foolish little friend, I know all about the morals involved in science. It is you, not I, who implied that scientist are in some way morally inferior. You like to pretend that you could, on some level, be considered a scientist, and yet you fail even the most basic test, ...[text shortened]... Why? Because some idiot high on mushrooms wrote it on a scrap of rag 1400 years ago.

Idiot.

Scot: "I know all about the morals involved in science."


I hope you want to open some threads dealing with interesting issues about morals and science ...... any ideas ?

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Good rhetorical questions. If engineering doesn't work out, consider law.

Blasphemy! The marauder would burn you at the stake for even suggesting such a thing!!

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Good rhetorical questions

Indeed. Let me try my hand at it:

Tell me, Hamster, who treasures life more? The man who believes that this life is merely a precursor to eternal existence and should only be treated as a means to an end, or the man who has realized that this life is precious and must be valued because it's the only one he gets?

How did I do, Bosse?

Originally posted by David C
Tell me, Hamster, who treasures life more? The man who believes that this life is merely a precursor to eternal existence and should only be treated as a means to an end, or the man who has realized that this life is precious and must be valued because it's the only one he gets?

The two are not mutually exclusive, you know.

Just because platinum is more valuable than gold does not mean gold is not valuable in its own right.

Originally posted by lucifershammer
Blasphemy! The marauder would burn you at the stake for even suggesting such a thing!!

Could make for good viewing--LH vs. no1 in court. Imagine the South Park treatment.

Originally posted by David C
How did I do, Bosse?

You get an A minus in sophistry.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
You get an A minus in sophistry.

Is that like saying he's very good (but not excellent) in fallacy?

http://dict.die.net/sophistry/

Originally posted by stocken
Is that like saying he's very good (but not excellent) in fallacy?
http://dict.die.net/sophistry/

I guess so.

In my question the most outstanding sophist at RHP is Coletti, hands down.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
I guess so.

In my question the most outstanding sophist at RHP is Coletti, hands down.

I'll drink to that. 😵

Originally posted by lucifershammer
Tell me, who is more afraid of death - the man who is comfortable making sacrifices (including that of his own life) because he knows that death is not the end and that there is always something much better ahead?

Or the man who feels that death is the end of existence and every moment not used to maximise his pleasure is another moment wasted?

...[text shortened]... ment as it can hold, then you've missed a trick.

Tell me - who fears death more?

Well, if Heaven is a made-up story, then the person who is more afraid of death is the one who hasn't yet bought the story. Hence, the story, if you see what I mean ...
😉