Religion. The evolution, creation and everything in between megathread

[Simon_NZ]

so even if the chance of life is only 0.000000000000000000000000001% I still think that it is possible, statistically.

[Brendan_Chipp]

Yes I do.

I think it is statistically impossible that out of the billions upon billions of planets that one does not support sentient life.

Nothing to do with faith mate. It's pure reason.

Yet you have no proof other than it being "statistically impossible" that there's not life out there beyond earth. You do not know if any of these planets have life, or can sustain life, but through reason of statistics, you choose to believe they can and they do. I also believe as you do, in a universe teeming with life, but I offer no proof, other than the same reason you offered. This is an act of faith, derived from reason based on a statistical impossibility.

[Brendan_Chipp]

so even if the chance of life is only 0.000000000000000000000000001% I still think that it is possible, statistically.

I totally agree. The universe is not just sitting empty, while we go about our business on this tiny rock.

[Zarkov]

Both require faith. When I was a child I believed in childish things. Every culture has them - Santa Clause, the tooth fairy, honest politicians. Now I am an adult (39) I put away those childish things.

I know there's a lot of young folks around here - most probably students and young people in their early 20s, and during that stage of development, everything still seems black and white. It's only when they leave their parent/'s nest and start their own families (get a job, get married or not, have children, buy/rent a house etc) do they realise the world is not so black and white, and shades of grey become quite common.

Simon, do you believe in the existance of life beyond our planet? If so, do you have scientific proof to back your belief? If you have no scientific proof, why do you believe? How can you believe in that which you cannot see or scientifically validate?

There are no shades of grey.

Only fact and fiction.

Truth and lies.

[Brendan_Chipp]

There are no shades of grey.

Only fact and fiction.

Truth and lies.

How old are you?

[Simon_NZ]

no it is totally different.

don't compare your faith to statistical reasoning or logic. no matter how hard you try and make them the same they are not.

and as a matter of fact, just re reading your first reply you do not seem to understand what I am talking about.

also, just because I believe something doesnt make it true, but unlike your key belief mine can be tested and quantified.

[Zarathrustra]

Believing there is life beyond our planet is folly.  

Thinking that there more than likely is life beyond our planet is smart thinking, as there likely is.

Like I said before, "Belief" (in anything) is a dangerous thing, it stops the mind from questioning. - Hell, it's just plain lazy.

[Zarkov]

How old are you?

Older than you.

Smarter too.

[Simon_NZ]

you worded it better than i ever could Zara +rep

[Simon_NZ]

Older than you.

Smarter too.

ilold irl

[Spork]

SM: The bible is a requirement to believe in God. The bible is not a requirement to believe in a god. God is a Christian deity, and if you believe in god, but haven't read the bible, so sorry, not Christian.

So you seriously think every Christian, or even half have read the bible?

I couldn't quote you one line from the Bible, but I am Catholic. I have probably read the whole bible, but not all at once. Be more boring than LOTR.

I think there would be a major percentage of people who have not read the whole bible. But then there are some people that have read it more than once, so they make up for us.

[private_hell]

Me personally, I don't agree with the ID movement. That to me is putting the Lion into the ocean. Science should be kept as science, and religion should be kept as relgion. Both play an important role in society, and a fully functioning free and open society couldn't exist without both.

this was a simpsons episode 2 weeks ago

[(BHP)Clyock]

this was a simpsons episode 2 weeks ago

Huh... really. What do you know i'm topical.

[Tiwaking!]

How did the superior being come into existance?

Why did the superior being come into existence?

[BerG]

So you define the act of prayer as a sign of "crazies"?

Just out of interest, how old are you?

What the hell is with asking everyone how old they are.

And lol Zarkov +rep.

[Retardobot]

Older than you.

Smarter too.

Thats your belief.

But the good thing is, is that science is able to prove that your belief is nothing but bullshit.

[cobra]

What the hell is with asking everyone how old they are.

And lol Zarkov +rep.

It's the whole christian pedophile thing, he's just looking for a date

joke aside - you might notice from his patronising condisending posts about how he was young and wasn't an idiot and when we get older we too will understand that he uses the fact he is old to score points

[BerG]

I would say Zarkov is smarter than Chipp.

[Fragin]

Why did the superior being come into existence?

ohhhh i know this one! TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE!!

no. hang on

[Fragin]

Ohhhhh, now there's a supposed battle for "public opinion". Gotcha.

Not sure what electrocuting oneself will prove here. You're more than willing to give it a shot, and report back here with the result.

And yet some see religion as a direct affront to their beliefs.

As for me, I see no conflict. I love science and love pulling things apart to see how they work. It's human nature to be curious, and to want to know. I've heard it said that the scientific theories of today will be mocked by the children of coming generations, but we still need to push on and increase our knowledge and understanding of the universe in which we inhabit.

That person was wrong. The scientific theories of today will not be mocked by future generations. That was the point i was trying to make with the electrocuting thing.

Yes I do.

I think it is statistically impossible that out of the billions upon billions of planets that one does not support sentient life.

Nothing to do with faith mate. It's pure reason.

Nothing wrong with statistics as proof. Most new knowledge is gained through statistical analysis (at least in physics). You don't necessarily have to lay eyes on the aliens to know they're there.

I think it's time for this emote -> :spacecraf

[Brendan_Chipp]

also, just because I believe something doesnt make it true, but unlike your key belief mine can be tested and quantified.

Anytime you'd like to have your belief that life exists elsewhere in the universe "tested and quantified", let me know. I'd be interested in the results of that.

[Brendan_Chipp]

Older than you.

Smarter too.

So you claim.

[Brendan_Chipp]

What the hell is with asking everyone how old they are.

You come accross as a know it all teenager.

I notice you won't answer my question -

So you define the act of prayer as a sign of "crazies"?

[Brendan_Chipp]

Believing there is life beyond our planet is folly.  

Thinking that there more than likely is life beyond our planet is smart thinking, as there likely is.

Like I said before, "Belief" (in anything) is a dangerous thing, it stops the mind from questioning. - Hell, it's just plain lazy.

Word it anyway you feel best with. The fact of the matter is you have a belief supported by what you consider to be reason, with no scientific evidence to support your reason. If there is scientific evidence (rather than statistical probabilities) that other planets than earth contain life, show me.

Belief - confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof

[Brendan_Chipp]

Thats your belief.

But the good thing is, is that science is able to prove that your belief is nothing but bullshit.

He might be older than me. I am 39, so that's a measurable figure, but to claim you're smarter than someone else, that's purely an opinion.