Whence came evil?

Originally posted by Starrman
I don't believe he has any 'power'. Prowess in performance, rhetoric and folklore; maybe.

And this belief comes from a personal investigation of the powers of witchdoctors?

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
[b]There is no evidence to show that the supernatural exists

That is a rather harsh statement coming from you. Do you really mean to say that there is no evidence for the supernatural even though a large percentage of the population on earth believe that the supernatural exists?

I would say that your stance sounds more like madness.[/b]

I'm not sure why it is so difficult to understand that many people believing in something DOES NOT make it true. Also, believing in the supernatural is a much more mad stance then not.

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
And this belief comes from a personal investigation of the powers of witchdoctors?

No, it logically follows that if there's no supernatural, there must be a natural explanation for things. My natural view of the world is one based purely on an empirical view of the world. I cannot count people's beliefs as evidence of the supernatural, and since there is no empirically verifiable evidence supporting anything other than a natural world with natural processes, why would I believe in the supernatural? I believe witchdoctors have no power because I don't believe in the supernatural and consequently there is a power for them to have.

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
You can believe that you are trying it if do try it, even if you do not believe the medicine works. But by trying it you can find out for sure if it works or not.

This is the same old tag line the Christians throw around; you can't have a personal relationship with god unless you open your heart to him. In other words you have to put your faith into believing he exists before you can find out if you believe in him, which is nonsense.

Originally posted by Zander 88
I'm not sure why it is so difficult to understand that many people believing in something DOES NOT make it true. Also, believing in the supernatural is a much more mad stance then not.

Most of the times, people believe things because they believe that there is sufficient evidence to merit their belief. Or do you want to tell me that all theists believe in the supernatural without a shread of evidence to support this belief?

Originally posted by Starrman
No, it logically follows that if there's no supernatural, there must be a natural explanation for things. My natural view of the world is one based purely on an empirical view of the world. I cannot count people's beliefs as evidence of the supernatural, and since there is no empirically verifiable evidence supporting anything other than a natural world w ...[text shortened]... cause I don't believe in the supernatural and consequently there is a power for them to have.

No, it logically follows that if there's no supernatural, there must be a natural explanation for things.

Ok fine. interesting. So you think that there is a natural explanation for everything? Is that correct?

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
Most of the times, people believe things because they believe that there is sufficient evidence to merit their belief. Or do you want to tell me that all theists believe in the supernatural without a shread of evidence to support this belief?

Yes, there is no emprical evidence of God. Would you like to show me some? Same goes for the supernatural.

Originally posted by rwingett
If we look at the Genesis account of creation we can see that through the first five days god had created the heavens and the earth, light, a firmament, water and dry land, more light, and finally, sea creatures and birds. Then came the sixth day:

[i]24 And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creepin ...[text shortened]... ent (or Satan), or Adam and Eve, but the Lord himself who created evil.

Any comments?

I'm pretty sure something evil just came out my arse.

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
[b]No, it logically follows that if there's no supernatural, there must be a natural explanation for things.

Ok fine. interesting. So you think that there is a natural explanation for everything? Is that correct?[/b]

Yes, I think that's obvious from my post.

Originally posted by Starrman
Yes, I think that's obvious from my post.

Ok great. Where did matter and energy come from?

Originally posted by Zander 88
Yes, there is no emprical evidence of God. Would you like to show me some? Same goes for the supernatural.

So if you cannot put something in a jar it does not exist?

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
Ok great. Where did matter and energy come from?

I don't know, I'm not a physicist.

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
So if you cannot put something in a jar it does not exist?

Oh please, are you going to bring up the wind next? Try using an argument that wasn't invented by a five year old.

Originally posted by Phuzudaka
So if you cannot put something in a jar it does not exist?

empirical evidence

There's your clue. I think you are capable of answering your own question. Do your best, show me how this applies to your question. Show me you understand this term.

Originally posted by Starrman
I don't know, I'm not a physicist.

I assume you believe that physicists know the answer to that question, since you believe that everything has a natural explanation?

I have news for you...