You should read what you just posted. You mock the theists that use this argument, yet you use it in this regard? No sir, my assumption is based on empirical "lack of" evidence that cannot support that claim. It is no different than a theist saying "There is no evidence that God doesn't exist" Yet, there are well over a 3-30 million different animal species, not even including the "plant species". All this occurring in 3 billion years from the first self replicating molecule. If you think that's possible, I suggest you go to vegas. The odds are much heavier in your favor.
Ah yes, the Atheist philosophic poetry... "We are the rational thinkers". Believe the earth had been created by something we cannot or havenot observed because we are scientists and we know whats good for you. Sounds familiar? I seem to remember you and maris both claiming that's what theists do. Kinda hypocritical much? They both believe in the same God of Abraham. Thanks for bringing that up. EDIT: the irony is that no other faith has broke through "cultural heritage" than Christianity. Jews, Romans, and countless other traditions converted
The difference is I don't claim to know how abiogenesis happened. You do. As noted many times it would not shock me if there was some form of intelligence involved in the origin of life on earth. But at the moment what evidence there is supports that not being the case, so that is my base assumption. The number of species is easily explained by adaptive radiation. This is observable in action TODAY. It's not a problem at all for evolutionists. Once again this is just an irrelevant intuitive statement. If you think an electron can function as both a wave and a particle...
Nice dodge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_world_hypothesis It has been well documented that this hypothesis is true by most of the scientific community. They will claim "I don't know how it happened, but it must of because its logical". You must love our current economic "revolving debt" scam. Instead of establishing a foundation of economy of a substantial mineral like Gold, let's borrow money on money owed. There is plenty to go around. LOL So who created the ones that created us? and this can continue for eternity! That would be great until the realization of what has been observed. In many cases, a drastic radiation change can completely decimate an entire species. Look no further than the dinos. Gradual climate changes can create gradual physical changes, but we've observed at least 3 ice ages, mega volcanoes and astroids that drastically changed the environment. This would only make the improbability even greater. Once again, you have used a theory that hasn't been proven or even supported. Next will you use the "Multiverse Theory" to band-aide your next claim?
If it doesn't matter what you believe ABOUT God it kind of makes your statement about being led to belief in a certain God vacuous. You're essentially validating 911 here lol. False. As just noted Islam is growing faster than Christianity. It is infiltrating certain traditionally non-Muslim cultures in Europe right now. Also a lot of what happened historically with the spread of Christianity was driven by formation of theocracies, such as in late Rome. Anyway, the fastest growing segment in the world in current demographic surveys is actually "non-religious".
Wrong again crowbot... Once again, you use a claim that didn't see all the angles... http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/...muslim-population-related-factors/#conversion EDIT: Reply to bold... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism I'm curious where you are pulling your statements from? Do you wipe in that same area? I would like to see the findings that support your claim...
There is conflicting information in what you just posted, and it doesn't support your claim that Islam doesn't spread through conversion locally (just that it possibly is globally neutral). Also you're confused about what I'm actually disputing. You implied if someone chooses to believe in God then tries to find him they will inevitably end up with your God. Obviously in most cases people end up worshipping the God of their cultural heritage.
What are the conflicting information? Claiming it without definition is about as relevant as saying a blue sky is actually red because of conflicting reviews. As far as your claim with "adapting to the cultural faith" is also irrelevant. That goes against entire concept of Christianity. In fact, the same could be applied to any form of theism. There once was an old belief that converted to the new faith through time. So regardless if India is mainly Hindu, doesn't mean they won't convert to Christianity.
from another source in the same paragraph - Regardless if Great Britain was mostly Christian, or Japan was mostly Shintu/Buddhist, it doesn't mean they won't convert to mostly atheist/agnostic. those things are actually happening. No doubt Christianity has spread in certain areas, certainly historically more than any other religious segment, but there is nothing unique or special about it in that regard.
Yes because they quoted the Guinness book of world records. Ahhh, but you refuted that they would choose Christianity because "Hindus would disagree". Yet, I explained that Christianity is growing in India; which you again refuted by bringing up Muslims being the fastest growing faith. All accounts were you throwing darts at a board hoping something would stick. The fact is you were wrong in all accounts.
I said Hindus would disagree with your implication that choosing to believe in God and trying to find the correct path leads to the Christian God. Obviously it frequently doesn't.
At times, I wish I had the peace and comfort that comes with having Faith. I lack that part of the brain, and have since I first remember sitting in a church pew or going to CCD.
Maybe you should give it another go. Think about your life and the various relationships you've been in. If you gave up on relationships from that first failed one, you would never have met your soul mate today. I've failed on many relationships, yet I finally found the one that became my should mate
You think? Maybe they wouldn't... Do you know enough Hindus to support your claim? You make it seem factual. I'm curious what evidence you have to support your claim.
unless they are talking about the original foriegn(latin? hebrew? dont know) text, some peoples literal interpretation of the bible, and the belief that it is "gods word" is weird in this way, things such as the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Living_Translation, should be seen as heresy, no? man rewording the infallible word of god? it was written on paper by man, translated by man, re-translated, dumbed down, and wrapped with a bow... but it is gods word? its like the longest game of telephone ever, being quoted as gods infallible word. ive always found that odd
It's interesting how many of us in the OT Forum are Jews . . . We like to debate. (Or, as my wife my say, argue!)
I believe this has been debated so many times. I've shared the same concern as you. I feel that the word was inspired by God through man. I do reference the Bible as I would, referencing it like inspired concepts from other great minds. I also don't believe it's as literal as other Christians. I think God's word is within us, since I believe each and everyone of us have God's spirit. If we are connected, why couldn't God speak to us through spirit? My ideology goes against the Christian grain, but I believe I don't need the Bible to explain how much God loves me. I feel it everyday...