Ah yes, but the thin wedge means that you cannot discard the argument as you did - God's existence is a valid question.
However, I believe that Christians shouldn't not refuse to acknowledge alternatives - evolution is just as worth teaching as an example of scientific method as it is a good theory (though by its nature unprovable - science isn't maths:P). Theistic influences should be acknowledged in the classroom, but not to the exclusion of scientific theories in a science class! We agree on a certain point, and that is that the censorship of ideas in the classroom is probably a bad idea. You probably aren't as extreme in this as I am, but few people are.
In any case, I have now forgotten what the argument was. In any case, for the most convincing arguments for God look to Kant and CS Lewis - don't forget to keep your mind open.(Realism is such fun....):P
I do believe that you are trying to argue for logical positivism - you are aware that that got defeated a while back? The verification principle is neither analytically true nor empirically true, so, in philosophical terms, Hume forks it over.
Various theodicies give good points as to why a creator would not wish for us to be certain that He is there, and as for stating that there is no way to determinethe truth of the statement that God exists, I suggest that you read some Hick and Swinburne.
The hilarious thing about this post is that the american settlers were Puritans.... look it up sometime.
You know, just because someone founded your country doesn't mean thay'd agree with you....
Errr.... it just *might* be because you "pop in, post some shit, read some responses and then go back or not.". The intended result of social forums is to avoid the sheer quantities of shit which gets thrown around the internet.
May I add my voice to that call - and also suggest that companies be forced to rent patents for periods of no greater than 12 months.... and make patents truly determined by the lifetime of the creator, passing into the public domain afterwards.
Damn man, you just described the independant system of qualifications in the UK pretty much perfectly! Important exams are set outside the schools and are nationwide and fairly impartial as to how you gain the knowledge. Problem is, there is great pressure by the government to make the exams easier to make it look like schools are getting better but *shrug* nothings perfect. Really, even down to modular forms of A-Levels.... the system could easily be extended to degree level....
Actually, an important part of all the things you mentioned effectively died when they started getting huge sums.
>And sports died when athletes started to get million dollar contracts
Player transfers in soccer? Football players used to actually come from Manchester if they played for Manchester United. Nowadays you can buy a team (see chelsea)
>And movies died when actors started to get million dollar contracts
Rise of blockbusters means formulaic plots and star vehicles.. not hard to argue that films would be better off without vehicles for people who can barely act.
>And television died (was it alive?) when actors started to get million dollar contracts
Television is now filled with endless repetative soaps and sitcoms... no comment.
>And literature died when writers started to get million dollar advances
Look at the current bestseller list (with some notable exceptions) and at the pointless autobiographies and tell me that literature is just fine....
This may be progress, but that doesn't mean it is good.... whining it may be, but that doesn't mean that it is incorrect about things going downhill.
In a related point, it would kill the music business maybe, but musicians would continue to make money - music existed before and it will exist after the business.
Apologies for any inadvertant trolling, I realise that you have good points but I think that you dismiss the other sides too easily.
Yeah I mean its not like you can defend yourself against water!
Oh wait...
Well, I mean its not like you can protect yourself against chemicals!
Oh wait...
Well, I mean its not like you can defend yourself against blunt objects!
Oh wait....
Well, its not like you can defend yourself against sharp objects!
Oh wait...
THAT is the difference between guns and all the other things you mentioned - we can take measures to protect ourselves against people stabbing us in alleys and be careful about where we eat, but you can't (effectively) defend yourself against someone with a gun who wants you dead.
Many of you will remember the AitD boxed set (if you bought it) which had some brilliant extras - a small book for the copy-protection and a newspaper which gave hints for the game... if more games-manufacturers did that now, piracy would be much less of a problem (same goes for music)...
Slashdot Mirror
Ah yes, but the thin wedge means that you cannot discard the argument as you did - God's existence is a valid question. However, I believe that Christians shouldn't not refuse to acknowledge alternatives - evolution is just as worth teaching as an example of scientific method as it is a good theory (though by its nature unprovable - science isn't maths :P). Theistic influences should be acknowledged in the classroom, but not to the exclusion of scientific theories in a science class! We agree on a certain point, and that is that the censorship of ideas in the classroom is probably a bad idea. You probably aren't as extreme in this as I am, but few people are.
In any case, I have now forgotten what the argument was. In any case, for the most convincing arguments for God look to Kant and CS Lewis - don't forget to keep your mind open.(Realism is such fun....):P
But it is a fact as to whether he exists or not. It is stating an opinion as to what side the fact comes down on. There is a matter of fact at stake.
I do believe that you are trying to argue for logical positivism - you are aware that that got defeated a while back? The verification principle is neither analytically true nor empirically true, so, in philosophical terms, Hume forks it over. Various theodicies give good points as to why a creator would not wish for us to be certain that He is there, and as for stating that there is no way to determinethe truth of the statement that God exists, I suggest that you read some Hick and Swinburne.
Ever heard of a "None of the above" option on a ballot? Or would that reveal just how angry people are with the corruption of the present system....
The hilarious thing about this post is that the american settlers were Puritans.... look it up sometime. You know, just because someone founded your country doesn't mean thay'd agree with you....
Errr...... you do know thats the *highest* speed you can go, right? You're meant to go slower...
Errr.... it just *might* be because you "pop in, post some shit, read some responses and then go back or not.". The intended result of social forums is to avoid the sheer quantities of shit which gets thrown around the internet.
Realistic?!?!? Where the hell do YOU live?
May I add my voice to that call - and also suggest that companies be forced to rent patents for periods of no greater than 12 months.... and make patents truly determined by the lifetime of the creator, passing into the public domain afterwards.
Damn man, you just described the independant system of qualifications in the UK pretty much perfectly! Important exams are set outside the schools and are nationwide and fairly impartial as to how you gain the knowledge. Problem is, there is great pressure by the government to make the exams easier to make it look like schools are getting better but *shrug* nothings perfect. Really, even down to modular forms of A-Levels.... the system could easily be extended to degree level....
Actually, an important part of all the things you mentioned effectively died when they started getting huge sums.
>And sports died when athletes started to get million dollar contracts
Player transfers in soccer? Football players used to actually come from Manchester if they played for Manchester United. Nowadays you can buy a team (see chelsea)
>And movies died when actors started to get million dollar contracts
Rise of blockbusters means formulaic plots and star vehicles.. not hard to argue that films would be better off without vehicles for people who can barely act.
>And television died (was it alive?) when actors started to get million dollar contracts
Television is now filled with endless repetative soaps and sitcoms... no comment.
>And literature died when writers started to get million dollar advances
Look at the current bestseller list (with some notable exceptions) and at the pointless autobiographies and tell me that literature is just fine....
This may be progress, but that doesn't mean it is good.... whining it may be, but that doesn't mean that it is incorrect about things going downhill.
In a related point, it would kill the music business maybe, but musicians would continue to make money - music existed before and it will exist after the business.
Apologies for any inadvertant trolling, I realise that you have good points but I think that you dismiss the other sides too easily.
You mean you didn't hear about 7, 8 and 9? I hate to cause a suicide....
In Soviet Russia, Telemarketers call YOU!
Yeah I mean its not like you can defend yourself against water!
Oh wait...
Well, I mean its not like you can protect yourself against chemicals!
Oh wait...
Well, I mean its not like you can defend yourself against blunt objects!
Oh wait....
Well, its not like you can defend yourself against sharp objects!
Oh wait...
THAT is the difference between guns and all the other things you mentioned - we can take measures to protect ourselves against people stabbing us in alleys and be careful about where we eat, but you can't (effectively) defend yourself against someone with a gun who wants you dead.
moron.
Many of you will remember the AitD boxed set (if you bought it) which had some brilliant extras - a small book for the copy-protection and a newspaper which gave hints for the game... if more games-manufacturers did that now, piracy would be much less of a problem (same goes for music)...
Inconceivable!!!