How to help my Agnostic boyfriend become Christian?
kemikalpsykosis: Evolution is a theory. Just like Gravity, Relativity, or Thermodynamics. The scientific definition of "theory" is different to the day to day usage you are familiar with. A scientific theory is simply something that makes testable, dis...
Have you heard of water cars that don't use fuel?
What mohra is talking about is not a "water powered car" but a car that uses water with hydrogen electrolysis to improve gas mileage in addition to gasoline. For more info, see here: http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/2008/05/bad_gas_math.php
It's imp...
What is your WORST accident?
I was cycling down a steep hill, and failed to take a corner, hitting a brick wall at 70k/h. I fractured my skull in 3 places (I now have 2 metal plates, and my skull is a distinctly different shape), broke my right thumb, and lacerated my leg.
Got ...
What Do You Believe
"Think about the intricacies of the human body, and mind... and the details in everything that is not man made... Study on this for awhile... and then, see what you believe."
Isn't it interesting, then, that amongst the group of people who study the...
Abortion and the bible
silverwings: Why should the physical process of abortion, or pictures of it, or even peoples' emotions after it, affect the morality of the matter?
Plenty of legitimate and acceptable things look pretty ugly. I wouldn't like to stare at pictures of ...
Questions about Christianity
"2)Why does God punish people who do not accept Christ if they do not know Him. Sense He leaves no proof.
The Christian teaching has got skewed here (not just by you - by lots of us too). Hell is the place where anyone who cannot keep up with God's pe...
Where do I get antivirus software for free?
You don't have a virus. The popup was an advert, trying to trick you into buying their product.
There is one (two?) mac virus(es), and they're not 'in the wild'.
Further, very few viruses have popups saying "Hi, I'm a virus! You'd better buy a vi...
My own religion
If you start it yourself, it's called a "cult". It has to be around for, oh, at least a hundred years and have a fair few followers before anyone will call it a religion*.
* Okay, yes, some people call the Church of Scientology a religion. I disagree.
Who knows what the Church Of Scientology is?
ridgerunner: "it is logical, and does not depend upon the presumption of unsupportable supernatural events".
Please point me to independent, verifiable evidence that an alien being called 'Xenu' shipped billions of people to earth, stacked them up l...
A bunch of religous questions
"Did you know that the majority of the people are wrong the majority of the time? Truth is in the minority, while the majority are wrong. All down thru history it is so. So, if you find yourself at odds with the majority, you are probably right."
Te...
What do you believe?
beans: You misunderstand the Big Bang theory. There's an excellent FAQ here: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/astronomy/bigbang.html#misconceptions
In short:
- The Big Bang theory explains the development of the universe, not how it began.
- A chem...
What would I require to believe in God?
"Now, there is something I need to say before I get a whole bunch of complaints saying that the evidence of George Washington's leadership in the military and government is nowhere near as compelling as evidence that God created the universe. The peopl...
Creating Life
No to all of the above. Occam's Razor: There's no evidence for any of it, and the simplest explanation is that no aliens were involved, full stop.
What would I require to believe in God?
Yes, my statement was overly broad. What I meant to say was that nothing about the natural universe is outside science's purview.
Science can prove how things _did_ happen just as concretely as it can prove anything else. Scientists construct hypoth...
What would I require to believe in God?
No, there's no difference between scientific "laws" and "theories" except how certain we are about them. Laws are not immutable and guaranteed to be correct, they're merely theories that have stood up to a lot of scrutiny and not been disproven. "Newto...
Do you think we should have prayer in all schools?
warmheart: Women didn't used to have the right to vote, and people used to think slavery was a good idea. Just because something used to be done doesn't constitute evidence that it _should_ be done.
And since when is a school in the '60s an "early s...
Why don't people think Islam is the right religion?(0.00%)
bowow: As much as I hate to even slightly agree with the fundies on this site: Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, true, but trying to say that they're all equally valid is nonsense. Like it or not, we can't all be right - there is one answer th...
Would these terms offend you?
If you're suggesting that if these are offensive, then they should be removed, I disagree. Just because some people find a statement offensive is not reason enough to prevent people from making that statement,
Do you Believe that ghosts are real?
urstar: Just because not everything _has_ been answered by science doesn't mean it _can't_ be answered by science. Also, the big bang doesn't attempt to explain the origin of the universe, just its development.
Prove god exists(100.00%)
bellamilla: If that's the case, I'd say you have a responsibility to use this amazing power for the greater good of humanity. Please, start praying for world peace and an end to hunger. I'll be watching the news with great anticipation.
Why do people think god is real?(100.00%)
"I think its important to stick to your beliefs no matter what they are and never insult someone elses for theirs!"
Actually, I'd say that it's important to constantly question and re-evaluate your beliefs. If you "stick to them no matter what they ...
God exists 3- the metamorphosis
bbb: Well please, post it again. Such a groundbreaking piece of statistics surely deserves more airtime. If you can't produce robust math, you need to stop claiming your made-up number as truth.
Assume for a moment that as you claim that essentially...
What would I require to believe in God?
aarthur01: Well put, but I disagree.
Nothing is outside the purview of science. Science is simply the process of rational enquiry into the universe, and application of logic and reason to that world to form testable theories about how it works. Ther...
If you have children, will you get them vaccinated?(100.00%)
oneheartnow: How and why were vaccines first developed, and what caused the massive reduction in polio cases at the exact time the polio vaccine was developed and deployed? Have you seen anyone with developmental deficiencies due to polio recently?
...
God exists 3- the metamorphosis
bbb: Please show your working. I'd love to know how you calculated that "Theism is about 1 Decillion times more likely than Atheism".
Also, why should the existence of an eternal god be a more likely cause for the creation of the universe than anyth...
What would I require to believe in God?
elone: The Big Bang theory is not immune to examination any more than the rest of science. The common view of what the Big Bang theory says is a misconception, though. The Big Bang was not an explosion in space, starting from a point - it was the expan...
Copyright and tv shows
No. The Fair Use exemption that allows you to tape shows on TV doesn't extend to uploading them to people, or to downloading copies other people have made. Copyright owners can waive their right to prevent you from doing this (such as shows that let yo...
Copyright my writing on Myspace?
Any original work you create is automatically copyright. You don't need to do anything, though if you want to be able to prove you were the creator, you may want to do something to prove you wrote it first, ranging from posting it to a site to having a...
Futurama Inconsistencies
You expect 100% accuracy from a comedic cartoon? Perhaps you'd like to start in on the fact that Bart and Lisa haven't gone up a grade (or aged) in the last 18 years in The Simpsons?
Oh, and Planet Express Ship's ability to travel as fast as it does...
God Exists 2- The Revival
bbb: Putting aside for a moment the issue of the details of the big bang theory, why do you believe that if that particular theory doesn't explain the origin of the universe, it must have been god? More specifically, why the christian god described in ...
God Exists 2- The Revival
bbb: 'Nonsensical'? That's your sum total response to his rebuttals? You posted a large list of things, essentially trying to exhaust your opponents, then when one posts a reply, you won't even address the issues they raise?
Do you think all people will be Atheists by 5200?
bbb: Once again, what proof do you have for yours? Your statement contradicts the historical account accepted as accurate by nearly everyone, so the burden of proof lies on you.
Is belief In Jesus necessary for Salvation ?
Outlaws? It's pretty much impossible to get elected president of the US unless you're at least slightly christian, and the most anti-religious thing any candidate can propose and get away with it is separation of church and state, something enshrined i...
Should schools teach intelligent design and evolution?
No thanks, I'd rather have a reasoned argument, rather than "let your mind catch up to your heart". If you can't explain your statement in a rational manner, I'll just assume that you can't explain it at all.
Thanks to all who prayed
Truly, being trapped in a comma would be a terrible fate. I wouldn't like to spend even a short period like that.
Seriously, though, I'm glad your cousin is better, but if you're going to pray for things, perhaps you should start with basic literacy?
God Exists 2- The Revival
"Why are disk galaxies shaped like a disk? Astronomers say there is no explanation for what could place stars into galactic structural pattern. It surely is beautiful, with the globular clusters outside the disk, hanging in space like chandeliers,-- bu...
Difference between a trojan and a virus?
A virus uses your computer to replicate and spread itself to others. A trojan doesn't. In all other respects, yes, they can do exactly the same things.
Do you think all people will be Atheists by 5200?
"TO TOADLY: Wow that's some crazy Sh*t man? How did you figure that out? People in the year 5200 will be able to recreate simulations of the Universe and they will be able to watch all 13.7 billion years within a lifespan of 80 years?!"
...am I miss...
What would I require to believe in God?
bbb: What are you basing your figure for the speed of the expansion of the universe on?
Also, one thing many people don't properly understand is that the big bang wasn't a whole lot of matter expanding into an existing space - it was the universe it...
Why doesnt any body think god is real
The better question is, why did god give you asthma in the first place?
Also, why does god never cure amputees?
My family and friends want me to believe.
Silverwings said "Think about how complex your body is, and how you think it just kinda happened one day, all by itself...nada... zilch..."
That's the best bit - "it just kinda happened one day" is exactly what creationists claim. Evolution, on the ...
arachnid's Advice page 11
kemikalpsykosis: Evolution is a theory. Just like Gravity, Relativity, or Thermodynamics. The scientific definition of "theory" is different to the day to day usage you are familiar with. A scientific theory is simply something that makes testable, dis...
What mohra is talking about is not a "water powered car" but a car that uses water with hydrogen electrolysis to improve gas mileage in addition to gasoline. For more info, see here: http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/2008/05/bad_gas_math.php It's imp...
I was cycling down a steep hill, and failed to take a corner, hitting a brick wall at 70k/h. I fractured my skull in 3 places (I now have 2 metal plates, and my skull is a distinctly different shape), broke my right thumb, and lacerated my leg. Got ...
"Think about the intricacies of the human body, and mind... and the details in everything that is not man made... Study on this for awhile... and then, see what you believe." Isn't it interesting, then, that amongst the group of people who study the...
silverwings: Why should the physical process of abortion, or pictures of it, or even peoples' emotions after it, affect the morality of the matter? Plenty of legitimate and acceptable things look pretty ugly. I wouldn't like to stare at pictures of ...
"2)Why does God punish people who do not accept Christ if they do not know Him. Sense He leaves no proof. The Christian teaching has got skewed here (not just by you - by lots of us too). Hell is the place where anyone who cannot keep up with God's pe...
No. If they want money before they send you any, it's a scam.
You don't have a virus. The popup was an advert, trying to trick you into buying their product. There is one (two?) mac virus(es), and they're not 'in the wild'. Further, very few viruses have popups saying "Hi, I'm a virus! You'd better buy a vi...
If you start it yourself, it's called a "cult". It has to be around for, oh, at least a hundred years and have a fair few followers before anyone will call it a religion*. * Okay, yes, some people call the Church of Scientology a religion. I disagree.
ridgerunner: "it is logical, and does not depend upon the presumption of unsupportable supernatural events". Please point me to independent, verifiable evidence that an alien being called 'Xenu' shipped billions of people to earth, stacked them up l...
Why would you base a religion on a book that's known to be almost entirely untrue? Um, never mind.
rnealw: No, the crusades and the inquisition were much more humane than that, I'm sure.
"Did you know that the majority of the people are wrong the majority of the time? Truth is in the minority, while the majority are wrong. All down thru history it is so. So, if you find yourself at odds with the majority, you are probably right." Te...
beans: You misunderstand the Big Bang theory. There's an excellent FAQ here: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/astronomy/bigbang.html#misconceptions In short: - The Big Bang theory explains the development of the universe, not how it began. - A chem...
"Now, there is something I need to say before I get a whole bunch of complaints saying that the evidence of George Washington's leadership in the military and government is nowhere near as compelling as evidence that God created the universe. The peopl...
No to all of the above. Occam's Razor: There's no evidence for any of it, and the simplest explanation is that no aliens were involved, full stop.
Yes, my statement was overly broad. What I meant to say was that nothing about the natural universe is outside science's purview. Science can prove how things _did_ happen just as concretely as it can prove anything else. Scientists construct hypoth...
No, there's no difference between scientific "laws" and "theories" except how certain we are about them. Laws are not immutable and guaranteed to be correct, they're merely theories that have stood up to a lot of scrutiny and not been disproven. "Newto...
warmheart: Women didn't used to have the right to vote, and people used to think slavery was a good idea. Just because something used to be done doesn't constitute evidence that it _should_ be done. And since when is a school in the '60s an "early s...
bowow: As much as I hate to even slightly agree with the fundies on this site: Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, true, but trying to say that they're all equally valid is nonsense. Like it or not, we can't all be right - there is one answer th...
If you're suggesting that if these are offensive, then they should be removed, I disagree. Just because some people find a statement offensive is not reason enough to prevent people from making that statement,
urstar: Just because not everything _has_ been answered by science doesn't mean it _can't_ be answered by science. Also, the big bang doesn't attempt to explain the origin of the universe, just its development.
bellamilla: If that's the case, I'd say you have a responsibility to use this amazing power for the greater good of humanity. Please, start praying for world peace and an end to hunger. I'll be watching the news with great anticipation.
"I think its important to stick to your beliefs no matter what they are and never insult someone elses for theirs!" Actually, I'd say that it's important to constantly question and re-evaluate your beliefs. If you "stick to them no matter what they ...
Really? So god's like fairies, every time someone says "I don't believe in god", he dies a little bit?
bbb: Well please, post it again. Such a groundbreaking piece of statistics surely deserves more airtime. If you can't produce robust math, you need to stop claiming your made-up number as truth. Assume for a moment that as you claim that essentially...
aarthur01: Well put, but I disagree. Nothing is outside the purview of science. Science is simply the process of rational enquiry into the universe, and application of logic and reason to that world to form testable theories about how it works. Ther...
oneheartnow: How and why were vaccines first developed, and what caused the massive reduction in polio cases at the exact time the polio vaccine was developed and deployed? Have you seen anyone with developmental deficiencies due to polio recently? ...
Google Analytics, hands down. Before that, I used grep on logfiles, or, if I was feeling fancy, I'd pipe them into a Postgres database and use SQL.
bbb: Please show your working. I'd love to know how you calculated that "Theism is about 1 Decillion times more likely than Atheism". Also, why should the existence of an eternal god be a more likely cause for the creation of the universe than anyth...
elone: The Big Bang theory is not immune to examination any more than the rest of science. The common view of what the Big Bang theory says is a misconception, though. The Big Bang was not an explosion in space, starting from a point - it was the expan...
No. The Fair Use exemption that allows you to tape shows on TV doesn't extend to uploading them to people, or to downloading copies other people have made. Copyright owners can waive their right to prevent you from doing this (such as shows that let yo...
Any original work you create is automatically copyright. You don't need to do anything, though if you want to be able to prove you were the creator, you may want to do something to prove you wrote it first, ranging from posting it to a site to having a...
You expect 100% accuracy from a comedic cartoon? Perhaps you'd like to start in on the fact that Bart and Lisa haven't gone up a grade (or aged) in the last 18 years in The Simpsons? Oh, and Planet Express Ship's ability to travel as fast as it does...
bbb: Putting aside for a moment the issue of the details of the big bang theory, why do you believe that if that particular theory doesn't explain the origin of the universe, it must have been god? More specifically, why the christian god described in ...
bbb: 'Nonsensical'? That's your sum total response to his rebuttals? You posted a large list of things, essentially trying to exhaust your opponents, then when one posts a reply, you won't even address the issues they raise?
bbb: Once again, what proof do you have for yours? Your statement contradicts the historical account accepted as accurate by nearly everyone, so the burden of proof lies on you.
Outlaws? It's pretty much impossible to get elected president of the US unless you're at least slightly christian, and the most anti-religious thing any candidate can propose and get away with it is separation of church and state, something enshrined i...
No thanks, I'd rather have a reasoned argument, rather than "let your mind catch up to your heart". If you can't explain your statement in a rational manner, I'll just assume that you can't explain it at all.
...all of which still doesn't answer my question: How will intelligent design "bring forth more truth", when it doesn't actually predict or explain anything?
Truly, being trapped in a comma would be a terrible fate. I wouldn't like to spend even a short period like that. Seriously, though, I'm glad your cousin is better, but if you're going to pray for things, perhaps you should start with basic literacy?
"Why are disk galaxies shaped like a disk? Astronomers say there is no explanation for what could place stars into galactic structural pattern. It surely is beautiful, with the globular clusters outside the disk, hanging in space like chandeliers,-- bu...
A virus uses your computer to replicate and spread itself to others. A trojan doesn't. In all other respects, yes, they can do exactly the same things.
What is that supposed to mean, exactly? Was it supposed to be an answer to my question?
kooled: Really? Why not?
"TO TOADLY: Wow that's some crazy Sh*t man? How did you figure that out? People in the year 5200 will be able to recreate simulations of the Universe and they will be able to watch all 13.7 billion years within a lifespan of 80 years?!" ...am I miss...
warmheart: Really? How will it do that? It's neither testable nor falsifiable. It makes no predictions. How can it lead to more knowledge, then?
bbb: What are you basing your figure for the speed of the expansion of the universe on? Also, one thing many people don't properly understand is that the big bang wasn't a whole lot of matter expanding into an existing space - it was the universe it...
The better question is, why did god give you asthma in the first place? Also, why does god never cure amputees?
Silverwings said "Think about how complex your body is, and how you think it just kinda happened one day, all by itself...nada... zilch..." That's the best bit - "it just kinda happened one day" is exactly what creationists claim. Evolution, on the ...