The Next Pope

[kinboshi]

His new book looks like a cracking read for children (and probably adults too):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/sep/21/richard-dawkins-magic-reality-review

[thetank]

I wonder if his obituary will read, "Brilliant scientific career cut short by his own burning desire to find new and creative ways to be rude to old ladies."

[kinboshi]

I don't think he'll mind much. It's not like he'll be reading it from heaven or anything.

[thetank]

If I were God or one of his beurocrats at the pearly gates, I'd let in Dawkins just for a laugh.

Pascal's wager should be recalculated to include the possibility that if God does exist, whether or not he has a sense of humour.

[kinboshi]

If I were God or one of his beurocrats at the pearly gates, I'd let in Dawkins just for a laugh.

Pascal's wager should be recalculated to include the possibility that if God does exist, whether or not he has a sense of humour.

Of course he has, otherwise why would he have made Scotland so bloody cold?

[boldie]

If I were God or one of his beurocrats at the pearly gates, I'd let in Dawkins just for a laugh.

Pascal's wager should be recalculated to include the possibility that if God does exist, whether or not he has a sense of humour.

Of course he has, otherwise why would he have made Scotland so bloody cold?

Because he's a cruel bastard?

[doubleup]

Maybe antitheist (as proposed by Mr Hitchens) is a better term than atheist? It doesn't carry the same 'baggage'.

Must admit i don't like the negativity of antitheist and that is part of my problem or uncomfortableness (is this even a word?) with my atheism in general.  It just isn't very positive or comforting.  A bit like saying at someones funeral or to your grandmother - "Nothing after this...just getting eaten by worms".  In gambling terms it has often occurred to me that non believing is like the ultimate -EV bet.  There is basically no upside to it at all.  If there is even a 0.00001% chance of God existing presumably by not believing in it I have made it difficult for myself and there isn't much to be gained from not believing.  If I am right then I just become dirt.  unfortunately there is nothing in my brain logically that can think anything else although Buddism appeals on a couple of levels.

What's the upside or positive to believing in a god, what do you gain? I can think of things that you gain by not believing - although you obviously have to define that belief. I don't see why one side is more positive than the other.

It´s Pascal´s wager: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager

Dawkin´s would say something like what you gain by not believing in God is the knowledge that it´s really important to make the very most of this life as it´s all there is, he put adverts on the side of London buses saying basically this.

I'm all for freerolls, but what God to belief in?  I was brought up as a catholic, but if God is a protestant, its hell for me and if he is a muslim, the prods will be keeping me company etc.  At least as an athiest if you are wrong, you will be able to put some pretty solid arguments to support your case.  

 

[kinboshi]

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours"

Stephen Roberts

[bhoywonder]

Was just doing some amateur thinking there in a similar note....there are countless gods in countless religions.....and there can only be one.....right?.....one ultimate designer/creator.......that must be perturbing to say the least for the faithful....knowing that statisically your backing the wrong horse......but if your an athiest then Woohooo if your right....or am I just debating pascals wager?...

[neeko]

I know someone who had to fill in a form at the nursery for their 1 y/o child - the question was -

Religion? - they replied with dont know child too young to talk, let alone able to choose the answer to this.

[Rod]

This thread is less interesting now, everybody is agreeing can somebody go and find some fundamentalism Christians for us to debate with. That's always fun.

[Claw75]

This thread is less interesting now, everybody is agreeing can somebody go and find some fundamentalism Christians for us to debate with. That's always fun.

I don't see people agreeing, I see people having a sensible adult discussion from various viewpoints without any flaming or trolling - bit of a rarity on the internetz nowadays.  Agree that the big childish arguments can be entertaining though

[nirvana]

I don't believe in God but neither do I think science provides a whole lot of 'answers.

it's kinda stupid, or unscientific even, to believe that for all science can explain, it actually explains even a decent fraction of the doings of this world.

As a result I tend to find pseudo wannabe scientists a bit depressing and dogmatic.

[Delboy]

I'm all for freerolls, but what God to belief in?  I was brought up as a catholic, but if God is a protestant, its hell for me and if he is a muslim, the prods will be keeping me company etc.  At least as an athiest if you are wrong, you will be able to put some pretty solid arguments to support your case. 
 

They all have the same one God. Just different people spreading his word.
maybe, just maybe; all are welcome, after all we are all his children.

[Delboy]

As a result I tend to find pseudo wannabe scientists a bit depressing and dogmatic.

Got to agree with this..