The size of the sample isn’t the whole story, CD. I have problems with both studies, for very similar reasons. The problems lie in the methodology. They are, in fact, both biased studies, using flawed samples. That is NOT the fault, exactly, of the people attempting those studies. Let’s just say that in this case, there is no possibility for a truly ‘blind’ study.
agreed however the original point of contension was the poster i replied to saying that doctors knew prayer was a great tool and were no allowed to say that publically
Without God, I can’t make sense of life.
It calls upon me to love my enemies and to pray for them.
No, I have no syllogism.
I don’t know but to me it seems unlikely.
No.
No.
I wouldn’t.
No.
Because scientists often adopt an agenda and intrude into the moral sphere where they find their assumptions and opinions are usually challenged.
Science is an exacting discipline whereas religion generally involves faith. But I don’t think it can rightly be said that science tends to be correct. Rather, I think it might be better to suggest that science attempts to discover through exploration, experiment, speculation, and imagination.
No.
You are made in God’s image.
No.
I’d save the five persons.
I’d save him or her.
A few questions; (please do answer) Note; Don’t get nervous, or start sending insults, if you can’t answer, then simply admit it. (I have always tried to do so)
- Why do you believe in god?
1.1 How is your religion different from any others?
1.2 Do you actually have any logical reason to believe in god?
- Do you believe that god will send me to hell, even if I live my life really well, but I just don’t believe in him?
2.1 Do you think this is just?
2.2 Would you do the same?
- For what would you send a person for **eternal ** torture?
3.1 Would you send your child, who you love, also there?
- Why do you think religion tends to contradict science?
4.1 Do you think science tends to be correct, in fact a lot more than religion? (if no, why not?)
- Do you think bible is the source of all moral?
5.1 If so, how do you explain my moral?You see, the bible states, ‘thou shalt not kill’, yet on this and similar situations, you must use your own judgment.
- Do you think the ten commandments are perfect, and more than enough to guide your life?
6.1 If so, what would you do in the following situation? "You are at a railroad track. The train is coming, and far ahead, you can see five persons in it’s way. The persons can not hear you nor the train. (they are wearing headphones, they can’t hear, I don’t know) The persons are not moving, and will soon be hit by the train. You have only one chance saving them. Next to you there is a switch. By pulling the switch, the train will change track. But on this other track is also one other person, who will be hit by the train. Will you save the five persons, but kill the other one?
These are some of the very basic questions, that I will ask you. Please reply to them.Code:6.2 And what if the other person on the second track is your mother/father/child?
You obviously didn’t read my original response…I have no idea what this has to do with hell and morality…
Maybe you meant to quote someone else ?These are some of the very basic questions, that I will ask you. Please reply to them.
You think faith is only in religion, it is not. You have faith that you will wake tomorrow. But you have no proof of that. You also have faith that there is no God, but you have no proof of that. You have faith that evolution gives the part of the truth of life, you have no proof of that. You believe that there is an “uncaused cause” other than God as the cause of the universe, a faith, you have no proof of that.
- Why do you believe in god?
Anyone who believes in God has received the gift of faith. God offers this gift to everyone, but not all will accept His grace. I have been blessed to have received more grace than some, but of course not as much as others. He has made Himself known to me in various ways, but He does speak to me (lol, no, I don’t hear a booming voice from the sky). I realize that you are convinced there is no God, and you have your reasons. But when He speaks to you then you you find it impossible not to believe in Him. I suspect atheists will believe me absurd for believing God talks to me, but I can only say that I feel it is equally absurd to assume that just because God is silent to some, He is silent to all.
1.1 How is your religion different from any others?
Various ways, depending on the religion you compare it to. Unlike many non-Christians we view God as a Father who loves us; comparing to other Christian religions, we have access to 7 sacraments established by Christ, compared to Orthodoxy (the only other ancient Christian religion) we believe Christ established one earthly vicar on earth.
1.2 Do you actually have any logical reason to believe in god?
Yes, He has revealed Himself to me personally and in creation
- Do you believe that god will send me to hell, even if I live my life really well, but I just don’t believe in him?
God does not send anyone to hell; they choose to go to hell.
2.1 Do you think this is just?
Yes, it is what they want. Hell is the absence of God. If a person has chosen to separate himself from God, do you think God should force Himself upon them?
2.2 Would you do the same?
Would I choose to go to hell? No. Would I send someone to hell, no, nor does God.
- For what would you send a person for **eternal ** torture?
See above. No one is sent to hell. So, no I would not send people to hell.
3.1 Would you send your child, who you love, also there?
No
- Why do you think religion tends to contradict science?
No, how could it? Science studies the natural universe. Religion studies the supernatural. However, many scientists are guilty of trying to disprove God by presenting their theories about the natural universe. I seriously don’t know why they bother. Most religions I’ve looked into don’t get into the details of the natural universe, only saying that God created everything in His own way. Some religions do contradict science, of course. Such as literalists who read the bible and determine that the earth is only 6,000 years old. They make the mistake of trying to read a spiritual book like a science book. This, of course, is an error on their part.
4.1 Do you think science tends to be correct, in fact a lot more than religion? (if no, why not?)
Scientists admit that they know about 1% of all that can be known about the universe. Religion probably knows just about as much about God. Science and religion are not in competition because they natural versus supernatural, respectively. However, there are a lot of religions which contradict each other-- in that sense, there are a lot of religions that are wrong, or at least wrong in part. However, since science works with the finite, rather than the infinite, it only makes sense that it will be “right” more than all the religions of the world. Scientists have particular methods/standards set for them; conversely any old “Joe” can start his own religion and unfortunately, he will likely get some followers no matter what he says.
- Do you think bible is the source of all moral?
No
5.1 If so, how do you explain my moral?
I don’t know that you are moral. You may believe you are moral, but that may because you are comparing yourself to what society says is moral. If you believe abortion is acceptable, you would not be considered moral according God’s standards.You see, the bible states, ‘thou shalt not kill’, yet on this and similar situations, you must use your own judgment.
- Do you think the ten commandments are perfect, and more than enough to guide your life?
The ten commandments do a great job of defining what is sinful to God. We need Jesus Christ to guide our life.
6.1 If so, what would you do in the following situation? "You are at a railroad track. The train is coming, and far ahead, you can see five persons in it’s way. The persons can not hear you nor the train. (they are wearing headphones, they can’t hear, I don’t know) The persons are not moving, and will soon be hit by the train. You have only one chance saving them. Next to you there is a switch. By pulling the switch, the train will change track. But on this other track is also one other person, who will be hit by the train. Will you save the five persons, but kill the other one?
I don’t know what I would do in this situation. I would pray for the grace to know what to do.
Actually, the more literal rendering of the Hebrew is “thou shalt not murder”.
The honest answer is that I do not think I could willingly do something that would cause the death of a loved one.Code:6.2 And what if the other person on the second track is your mother/father/child?
These are some of the very basic questions, that I will ask you. Please reply to them.
Hi Mamanurse, I am kind of hanging with you on this. But I used mine in miracles. What is a miracle. Now the OP said that he did indeed believe in miracles. Well okay, but what are miracles, something you know that has been done but you cannot prove how it was done.
Very well said
I think UniversalistGuy and Prayer_Warrior raise some valid points. There are activist scientists and activist philosophers who misrepresent hypotheses as “theories” or even as “proven facts”, especially atheists with the hypothesis/theory of evolution. For example, Charles Darwin did not claim that his theory about the origin of species through natural selection was proven, yet Karl Marx was extatic that finally we had a proof against God.
Of course, Marx failed to take into account that Darwin’s theory was not proven (it would be more accurate to call it a hypothesis than a theory, even today, more than 150 years later, especially in the field of “macroevolution” or “origin of the species”), and also failed to take into account that a supernatural God who created all natural laws, could have conceivably created such natural mechanisms that operate through mutation and natural selection. But I’m getting ahead of myself, because the words “DNA”, “genetic code”, and “mutation” didn’t even exist until some 100 years later! 
Which only goes to show how woefully superficial Darwin’s theory was, based on macroscopic observations only, without a clue as to what are the microscopic level mechanisms (DNA/RNA, genes, gene alleles, gene mutations) accounting for the observed macroscopic features.Hello. As the title says, I am indeed an atheist. I hope you allow me to post on these forums.
A few questions; (please do answer) Note; Don’t get nervous, or start sending insults, if you can’t answer, then simply admit it. (I have always tried to do so)
- Why do you believe in god?
1.1 How is your religion different from any others?
1.2 Do you actually have any logical reason to believe in god?
- Do you believe that god will send me to hell, even if I live my life really well, but I just don’t believe in him?
2.1 Do you think this is just?
2.2 Would you do the same?
- For what would you send a person for **eternal ** torture?
3.1 Would you send your child, who you love, also there?
- Why do you think religion tends to contradict science?
4.1 Do you think science tends to be correct, in fact a lot more than religion? (if no, why not?)
- Do you think bible is the source of all moral?
5.1 If so, how do you explain my moral?You see, the bible states, ‘thou shalt not kill’, yet on this and similar situations, you must use your own judgment.
- Do you think the ten commandments are perfect, and more than enough to guide your life?
6.1 If so, what would you do in the following situation? "You are at a railroad track. The train is coming, and far ahead, you can see five persons in it’s way. The persons can not hear you nor the train. (they are wearing headphones, they can’t hear, I don’t know) The persons are not moving, and will soon be hit by the train. You have only one chance saving them. Next to you there is a switch. By pulling the switch, the train will change track. But on this other track is also one other person, who will be hit by the train. Will you save the five persons, but kill the other one?
These are some of the very basic questions, that I will ask you. Please reply to them.Code:6.2 And what if the other person on the second track is your mother/father/child?
I read them this is what i was responding toYou obviously didn’t read my original response…I have no idea what this has to do with hell and morality…