Fair enough, Zoo... good luck on the tests.

Ock:

That's actually a pretty good answer. But it brings up another question, and that is, if atheists don't use scientific method to back their side, why do so many of them insist that we believers use it to back ours?



That's true, but God isn't the only one that asks us to believe without seeing for ourselves. Most of us (sciences minded or not) are asked to accept a lot of what science teaches without us actually seeing for ourselves. But that is a topic for another thread...

Thanks to both of you for some good answers.

What wonderful things can be found on the Internet

MegaVolt: Pretty funny comic (yes, I do have the ability to laugh with people poking fun at me). My religion answers all three of those questions quite well though. ;~D

I hate exams. 5 more to go and this semester is over!

~Zoo

Many atheists do use the scientific to back their side. Most atheists I have encountered, myself included, are ones that lack the belief in gods, not the ones that believe there are no god or gods...although we most likely all do believe that the gods of the religions we have encountered not exist. Many of the religious ilk like to paint us as not "true atheists", but instead as agnostic. I suppose it is all in how you define your terms. To me, and those like me, an agnostic is one who believes but believes the god(s) are unknowable. Also, most atheists aren't trying to push "no god" into the science classroom, they feel that such matters are irrelevant to science and that religious support does not belong in government run organizations or laws.

Setarcos:

Which is why I don't tell anyone if they are atheists or agnostics. I take whichever term they use to describe themselves. Of course, I also extend that to believers too.

The whole premise of "Expelled" is based on the fact that the powers that be in science will sacrifice even their best friends to push their "no god" agenda. Inteligent Design merely asks the question "what caused the big bang"...and offers an attempt at answering it. If the powers that be in science are intelectually honest about the whole thing, they would test ID on its merits (or lack of) and quit going after the people in science who are willing to consider it.

In the end, science is just as political as anything else.

The existence of God is not scientifically testable.  Is the existence of an Intelligent Designer testable?  If it is, the Intelligent design camp doesn't seem to be doing any experiments on it at the moment, and the burden of producing evidence is on them.  Why aren't they doing some research and experimentation if ID is science?  If I'm mistaken, and there is some, please provide some Peer reviewed paper links that substantiate ID, and I will relent.  Until then, case closed.

 

So why "expel" anyone that enjoyed a great reputation until they committed the heresy?

If they have "expelled" anyone like that, then chances are they were acting like idiots. They don't do any research, they don't publish any papers, they don't have any scientific backing for their claims whatsoever. In science, you just can't do that. For you to try and push for an idea, you need a little evidence behind it. While science will respect your right to belief and all that...trying to press your views into a field that requires certain standard procedures is really going to end badly for you.

The question: "What caused the Big Bang?" is perfectly valid and people are researching it as we speak. They don't jump to conclusions about an intelligent designer, though. They have to use "real world" things to try and figure it out. Saying God did it, is a cop out and intellectually dishonest. It's like saying, "This is too hard, magic caused it. Now take me seriously."

~Zoo

If you watch Expelled, be sure to watch Jesus Camp. Although, neither will teach you much.

Did you know that Richard Dawkins is a zoologist? Who else noticed Zoo's unwavering belief in alien intelligent design?

of course this is coming from one who has not felt the presence of God in their life Zoo. It has nothing to do with magic.

Totally...aliens all the way, dude.   

Although even Dawkins doesn't believe that.




I said it's like saying it's magic. It's pretty much the same as saying a wizard did this as saying God did this...you'll find no evidence for either.

~Zoo

Dawkins is no fool. In his book: "The God Delusion", he points out that many Christians are led by the noses by false expectations that will: Lead them to Heaven or Condemn them to Hell. My summation of his book and theories is that many Christians become cult-like and adhere to ancient texts like superglue. Furthermore, many aspire to be do-gooders by praising and praying while doing very little at all. Many "quiet" Christians achieve more for the good of people without having to dress up on Sundays.

As for "Expelled": To me it is a slur on Dawkins only because he is regarded as an atheist and a Darwinist. However, the film is just as biased towards logical and realist thinkers as it is prejudiced towards anyone who thinks outside the tank of skewed thinking based on an old book. I don't criticise Christians--just the kooks who see Star Trek in Christianity, see heaven floating above the Empire State building and see church attendance as the be-all and end all. Pray just as much as you like Brothers and Sisters--but remember that on this Earth there is a logical conclusion for everything!

 

 

all I have to do is look outside at nature and I know.



and God is very logical so I'd agree with you on this one. He's a God of order, not disorder.   

As an addendum to my earlier post: Ben Stein is a bigger charlatan than Dawkins is reported to be. Just Google a bit and see. The film is a farce!