Atheist Discussion

The myth of religion, in any and all of its absurd adaptations, was conjured up by silly little frightened creatures. Silly little creatures who did not understand the world around them. So they created fables of fantastic fantasy to ease their fears of the big, bad, scary unknown. These silly little frightened creatures with absolutely no understanding of the natural sciences that surrounded them, invented gods as the ultimate cause. These gods alleviated the horrors and dread of frightening world in which they live. They had no way of knowing the evolution of the species, and the planet on which they lived. So, magic must be responsible. 

Now, I can understand how these silly little frightened creatures could accept this absolute horseshit, as they did not know any better. But in modern times, if one choose to accept this utter rubbish as fact, it is clear that they are completely delusional. And those that are delusional, those that spend far too much time in fantasyland, have serious trouble distinguishing reality. Preferring the comforts of delusion, where the safety and the warmth of fantasy, shield them from the cold, dark bitterness of reality.

Well bless your heart. I'll pray for you..................

Being naturally drawn to superstitions to answer questions was a reasonable thing thousands of years ago. Many people aren’t comforted by “I don’t know”. There’s really very little “I don’t know” today…at least as far as the natural world around us. It’s just hard for many to let it go but, the numbers say we’re winning…just verrrrry slowly.

(02-06-2024, 03:17 AM)pattylt Wrote: [ -> ]Being naturally drawn to superstitions to answer questions was a reasonable thing thousands of years ago.  Many people aren’t comforted by “I don’t know”.  There’s really very little “I don’t know” today…at least as far as the natural world around us.  It’s just hard for many to let it go but, the numbers say we’re winning…just verrrrry slowly.

But that freaking uncertainty principle is screwing everything up.

(02-06-2024, 03:17 AM)pattylt Wrote: [ -> ]Being naturally drawn to superstitions to answer questions was a reasonable thing thousands of years ago.  Many people aren’t comforted by “I don’t know”.  There’s really very little “I don’t know” today…at least as far as the natural world around us.  It’s just hard for many to let it go but, the numbers say we’re winning…just verrrrry slowly.

I believe there is far more that we don't know, likely infinitely more. Each time a question is answered, it uncovers more questions.
For example, we now know that many animals migrate, we can usually see why. But how do they find the way? How do know when?
We now know that the imaginary number i  (√-1) shows up entirely unexpectedly in areas of mathematics
where it has no business being, areas that don't appear to have any connection.

(02-06-2024, 03:53 AM)brewerb Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-06-2024, 03:17 AM)pattylt Wrote: [ -> ]Being naturally drawn to superstitions to answer questions was a reasonable thing thousands of years ago.  Many people aren’t comforted by “I don’t know”.  There’s really very little “I don’t know” today…at least as far as the natural world around us.  It’s just hard for many to let it go but, the numbers say we’re winning…just verrrrry slowly.

But that freaking uncertainty principle is screwing everything up.

Are you quite sure about that?

A non-abortion case against religion suggests that we should be sterilising the religious.

You've got my vote.

(02-06-2024, 04:41 AM)Chas Wrote: [ -> ]I believe there is far more that we don't know, likely infinitely more. Each time a question is answered, it uncovers more questions.
For example, we now know that many animals migrate, we can usually see why. But how do they find the way? How do know when?
We now know that the imaginary number i  (√-1) shows up entirely unexpectedly in areas of mathematics
where it has no business being, areas that don't appear to have any connection.

The gods live in the gaps in our knowledge. It's true there will always be gaps, but they will be less and less consequential in terms of explaining how things came to be as they are.

If believers are reduced to saying "birds know when to migrate and how to get there, therefore, god" then they are getting pretty desperate.

And by the way we know that birds navigate by the earth's magnetic fields (and by celestial cues, much as sailors do). As to timing, it is down to changes in environmental conditions, length of day, overall temps, and knock on effects of hormones stimulated by those changes.

(02-06-2024, 04:45 AM)Chas Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-06-2024, 03:53 AM)brewerb Wrote: [ -> ]But that freaking uncertainty principle is screwing everything up.

Are you quite sure about that?

Oh shit, I'm circling down an infinite drain......... circling.......... circling.........

I think the basic question our ancient ancestors asked have been answered. Thunder, rain, why we’re smarter than animals (in general, not all the specifics). Gods were needed to explain all this. Now, not so much.

Yes, there may always be questions we can’t answer about our world but we realize now that the god of the gaps likely won’t answer a damn thing. While superstition still exists, it has retreated at a pretty rapid pace and just doesn’t fill a necessary need today. That doesn’t mean it’s gone…it’s just in the process of leaving.

Superstition will always exist because stupid people will always exist.

(02-06-2024, 08:49 PM)Minimalist Wrote: [ -> ]Superstition will always exist because stupid people will always exist.

For brevity, can we just start calling it stuperstition?

(02-06-2024, 08:49 PM)Minimalist Wrote: [ -> ]Superstition will always exist because stupid people will always exist.

At first, I was going to argue with you because I know some atheists that aren’t all that bright…but, I can’t say they aren’t still superstitious.  You’d think that someone that was intelligent enough to think their way out of religion would also be able to think through other superstitions as well.  But, some of them don’t.  They never became skeptical beyond the god question. 

So, point taken.

(02-06-2024, 11:10 PM)pattylt Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-06-2024, 08:49 PM)Minimalist Wrote: [ -> ]Superstition will always exist because stupid people will always exist.

At first, I was going to argue with you because I know some atheists that aren’t all that bright…but, I can’t say they aren’t still superstitious.  You’d think that someone that was intelligent enough to think their way out of religion would also be able to think through other superstitions as well.  But, some of them don’t.  They never became skeptical beyond the god question. 

So, point taken.

It's why I never open a ladder inside the house.

That only works if you don't have high ceilings.

(02-07-2024, 12:13 AM)Minimalist Wrote: [ -> ]That only works if you don't have high ceilings.

Yep, one of the things I love about my house is vaulted ceilings…not just the living room but two of the theee bedrooms and the third is what they call a coffin ceiling.  I love the space above my head even though it’s not as easy to heat.  I do have ceiling fans in my entry and all three bedrooms.  It’s amazing how much they help in summer and winter.  The living room has can lights so, bulb changes require a ladder…as does the fire detectors. 

My husband, being the handy dandy guy he is, has about five different ladders for any occasion.

(02-06-2024, 11:56 PM)brewerb Wrote: [ -> ]It's why I never open a ladder inside the house.

Nor should you ever walk under an umbrella!    

This is why ladders and umbrellas should have instruction manuals.

People still wouldn't read them.