Does God Exist?

[Creepoc Infinite]

I am an Atheist who is strongly against religion.
And I have been studying religion. The reason I'm atheist is because that I was once Christian,l but I never went to church or read the bible. It was a really casual thing.
One day, something traumatic happened to me and I started to go to church and so on in order to reconnect with god.
However, the more I learned about the religions roots and the more I read the bible, the more disenfranchised by Christianity I was.

I was really miserable for a long time, until I found about that atheism existed, when I did, it offered me an opportunity to see the world as I had originally seen it. Because I'm an atheist, I have become more open to new information and have learned a lot about science and philosophy and history.

I have realized that religion is one of the worst problems, if not THE worst, facing modern society.
And so I want to know what everyone's thoughts are on the issue.

I am also interested in being convinced of god's existence if he does, I doubt it, but, more recently, I'm more open to the idea. So if you want to convince me, contact me personally or on this thread

I belive God exists but, I am not the one who is going to cram his existance or belif of him down your throat. I will not even condemn you for not beliving in him. I mind my own business and move on with my life.

I appreciate that, but honestly I also find this sentiment devoid of fun.

[Risottia]

How do you justify the redshift of the far galaxies and the background radiation then?

its just a theory till i'm proven wrong. isnt that how science works?

No.
1.You proposed a hypothesis. A theory is already the best we can get - internally coherent, using minimal hypotheses, and explaining all related phenomena.
2.Your hypothesis fails to explain the well-known phenomena of galactic redshift and of background radiation. Hence it's not just a hypothesis, it's a wrong one.

[The Foxes Swamp]

its just a theory till i'm proven wrong. isnt that how science works?

No.
1.You proposed a hypothesis. A theory is already the best we can get - internally coherent, using minimal hypotheses, and explaining all related phenomena.
2.Your hypothesis fails to explain the well-known phenomena of galactic redshift and of background radiation. Hence it's not just a hypothesis, it's a wrong one.

1. as far as im concerned at this in point in time the universe is god has always existed and always will, this cant be anything but a theory. how do i prove this to anyone? for me its my vibe my feeling so far..

2.from what ive read galactic redshift has something to do the galaxies moving from us, that doesnt mean the universe wasnt always here it might be constantly growing or maybe we are misunderstanding whats going on. Big picture we are here and their making guesses on stuff thats gazillions of miles from them.

1a. Theory
1.
a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result
2.
abstract knowledge or reasoning
3.
a speculative or conjectural view or idea: I have a theory about that

1b. Hypotheseis

A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.

[Creepoc Infinite]

No.
1.You proposed a hypothesis. A theory is already the best we can get - internally coherent, using minimal hypotheses, and explaining all related phenomena.
2.Your hypothesis fails to explain the well-known phenomena of galactic redshift and of background radiation. Hence it's not just a hypothesis, it's a wrong one.

1. as far as im concerned at this in point in time the universe is god has always existed and always will, this cant be anything but a theory. how do i prove this to anyone? for me its my vibe my feeling so far..

2.from what ive read galactic redshift has something to do the galaxies moving from us, that doesnt mean the universe wasnt always here it might be constantly growing or maybe we are misunderstanding whats going on. Big picture we are here and their making guesses on stuff thats gazillions of miles from them.

1a. Theory
1.
a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result
2.
abstract knowledge or reasoning
3.
a speculative or conjectural view or idea: I have a theory about that

1b. Hypotheseis

A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.

The theory that the universe is eternal was struck down in favor of the Big Bang theory.

Having a "feeling" means absolutely positively jack shit.

[Distruzio]

I belive God exists but, I am not the one who is going to cram his existance or belif of him down your throat. I will not even condemn you for not beliving in him. I mind my own business and move on with my life.

I appreciate that, but honestly I also find this sentiment devoid of fun.

Not everyone thrives on conflict, Creepoc.

A core part of Orthodox expression is the emphatic repudiation of "offending faith." That is to say that we are called to express our faith while refraining from doing so in a manner that is offensive to those who do not share our faith.

[Distruzio]

The theory that the universe is eternal was struck down in favor of the Big Bang theory.

By theists, originally.

[Creepoc Infinite]

The theory that the universe is eternal was struck down in favor of the Big Bang theory.

By theists, originally.

So what if it was.
And scientist doesn't necessarily mean atheist.
(Even though the overwhelming majority today are)

[Distruzio]

By theists, originally.

So what if it was.

Just saying that its... uh... convenient of you to cite certain proofs of your position using theories resting on reason established by those you're attacking.

[The Nuclear Fist]

So what if it was.

Just saying that its... uh... convenient of you to cite certain proofs of your position using theories resting on reason established by those you're attacking.

Creepoc never said the religious were dopey retards. The fact that someone religious formed a sound scientific theory doesn't nake said theory religious, and it certainly doesn't prove any god's existence.

Surprisingly enough, people can be brilliant in one thing and positively deluded in another.

[Kainesia]

Just saying that its... uh... convenient of you to cite certain proofs of your position using theories resting on reason established by those you're attacking.

Creepoc never said the religious were dopey retards. The fact that someone religious formed a sound scientific theory doesn't nake said theory religious, and it certainly doesn't prove any god's existence.

Surprisingly enough, people can be brilliant in one thing and positively deluded in another.

Exactly, a theory is based on the evidence presented in its favour, not who came up with it. Newton believed in God, Darwin didn't, both made exceptional contributions to their fields. Religion has nothing to do with science except the times it tries to stop it.

[The Alma Mater]

Creepoc never said the religious were dopey retards. The fact that someone religious formed a sound scientific theory doesn't nake said theory religious, and it certainly doesn't prove any god's existence.

Surprisingly enough, people can be brilliant in one thing and positively deluded in another.

Exactly, a theory is based on the evidence presented in its favour, not who came up with it. Newton believed in God, Darwin didn't, both made exceptional contributions to their fields.

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

[Distruzio]

Just saying that its... uh... convenient of you to cite certain proofs of your position using theories resting on reason established by those you're attacking.

Creepoc never said the religious were dopey retards. The fact that someone religious formed a sound scientific theory doesn't nake said theory religious, and it certainly doesn't prove any god's existence.

Surprisingly enough, people can be brilliant in one thing and positively deluded in another.

You missed the point.

Creepoc's argument is that religion rests on the absence of reason. Citing examples of reason used by the religious to prove his argument is... rather... pathetic.

[Kainesia]

Exactly, a theory is based on the evidence presented in its favour, not who came up with it. Newton believed in God, Darwin didn't, both made exceptional contributions to their fields.

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

I know, he was an orthodox Christian, even on the beagle.

He became an atheist, or at least an atheistic-leaning agnostic in later life. "I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent & omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidæ with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of caterpillars, or that a cat should play with mice."

[The Alma Mater]

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

I know, he was an orthodox Christian, even on the beagle.

He became an atheist, or at least an atheistic-leaning agnostic in later life. "I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent & omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidæ with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of caterpillars, or that a cat should play with mice."

That merely indicates that he came to the conclusion that God is not nice(tm). A conclusion many atheists indeed share (insert famous Dawkins quote here) - but is not limited to atheists. The Westboro Baptist Church for instance considers God to be a hatefilled little bugger

[Kainesia]

I know, he was an orthodox Christian, even on the beagle.

He became an atheist, or at least an atheistic-leaning agnostic in later life. "I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent & omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidæ with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of caterpillars, or that a cat should play with mice."

That merely indicates that he came to the conclusion that God is not nice(tm). A conclusion many atheists indeed share (insert famous Dawkins quote here) - but is not limited to atheists. The Westboro Baptist Church for instance considers God to be a hatefilled little bugger

Indeed. The point I make when I point out the harshness of nature or even the screwed up nature of what the bible says to someone its not that God doesn't exist, I cannot possibly prove that, but I can prove that he is certainly not benevolent, and if he is, he's doing it wrong.

[Sociobiology]

Exactly, a theory is based on the evidence presented in its favour, not who came up with it. Newton believed in God, Darwin didn't, both made exceptional contributions to their fields.

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.

that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

[The States of Balloon]

That merely indicates that he came to the conclusion that God is not nice(tm). A conclusion many atheists indeed share (insert famous Dawkins quote here) - but is not limited to atheists. The Westboro Baptist Church for instance considers God to be a hatefilled little bugger

Indeed. The point I make when I point out the harshness of nature or even the screwed up nature of what the bible says to someone its not that God doesn't exist, I cannot possibly prove that, but I can prove that he is certainly not benevolent, and if he is, he's doing it wrong.

Yeah I agree of something.

[Conscentia]

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.
that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

Well... that backfired.

Who/what told you this?

[Neutraligon]

Creepoc never said the religious were dopey retards. The fact that someone religious formed a sound scientific theory doesn't nake said theory religious, and it certainly doesn't prove any god's existence.

Surprisingly enough, people can be brilliant in one thing and positively deluded in another.

You missed the point.

Creepoc's argument is that religion rests on the absence of reason. Citing examples of reason used by the religious to prove his argument is... rather... pathetic.

People can be reasonable in certain areas and unreasonable in others.

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.
that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

Well... that backfired.

Who/what told you this?

I don't know about his father's motives, but according to this his father was at first against it, but then his uncle wrote his father a letter answering his objections.

http://www.aboutdarwin.com/voyage/voyage02.html scroll down to 'a letter for Darwin'

[The Empire of Pretantia]

NItpick: Darwin was training to be a priest

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.

that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

I thought his father wanted him to be a doctor?

[Sociobiology]

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.
that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

Well... that backfired.

Who/what told you this?

I own the Darwin collection which includes everything he ever wrote, including personal letters.
there is also a great book called Darwin and his daughter which revolves around how his personal life effected his science, one of the more interesting is his grandfather who was a bit of a black sheep of the family for also being a naturalist.

Edit, i bought the collection because I got tired of creationists saying "Darwin said X" the database is searchable so I could check.

[Sociobiology]

because his father was forcing him too. being a scientist was not considered proper for the upper class.

that's the whole reason he went on the beagle because his father thought it would make a man out of him and he would give up all the nature nonsense.

I thought his father wanted him to be a doctor?

yes until Darwin threw up watching his first surgery. The sight of blood made him nauseous.
once his father realized he was not going to be a doctor, priest was the compromise.

[Farnhamia]

Well... that backfired.

Who/what told you this?

I own the Darwin collection which includes everything he ever wrote, including personal letters.
there is also a great book called Darwin and his daughter which revolves around how his personal life effected his science, one of the more interesting is his grandfather who was a bit of a black sheep of the family for also being a naturalist.

Too bad Erasmus died seven years before Charles was born. Charles would have liked his grandfather. And his Wedgwood grandfather, too. I remember telling Josiah, "You know, maybe a blue background instead of the pink ..."

[Risottia]

No.
1.You proposed a hypothesis. A theory is already the best we can get - internally coherent, using minimal hypotheses, and explaining all related phenomena.
2.Your hypothesis fails to explain the well-known phenomena of galactic redshift and of background radiation. Hence it's not just a hypothesis, it's a wrong one.

1. as far as im concerned at this in point in time the universe is god has always existed and always will, this cant be anything but a theory. how do i prove this to anyone? for me its my vibe my feeling so far..

This is NO THEORY.
Do you have a mathematically-consistent model ? Evidently you don't.
Do you have experiments supporting it? Evidently you don't.
It's not a theory. It also sucks at being a verifiable hypothesis. Stop misusing the word "theory". It's just your "feelings" and personal anecdotes.

2.from what ive read galactic redshift has something to do the galaxies moving from us, that doesnt mean the universe wasnt always here it might be constantly growing

Growing. From what initial state?

or maybe we are misunderstanding whats going on.

More likely, you are misunderstanding how science works.

Big picture we are here and their making guesses on stuff thats gazillions of miles from them.

We're not "making guesses". We're making experiments. Bit of a difference, but looks like it's lost on you.

1a. Theory
1.
a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result
2.
abstract knowledge or reasoning
3.
a speculative or conjectural view or idea: I have a theory about that

Exactly. Yours isn't even a conjecture. There's no speculation behind it.

1b. Hypotheseis
A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.

1c.It's "hypothesis".
And as you see, you don't even have that.