I'm new here. I've struggled with indecisive beliefs all of my life. I was an atheist during my teen years, but that changed when I later lived in two haunted places.
I describe myself as an agnostic: I don't think that it's possible to prove if there is or isn't a God.
I am going to study the Bible this spring, but I just can't wrap my mind around creationism. I'm conflicted.
Welcome. You will learn. Wax on, wax off. :biggrin:
Quote from: Observant1 on April 13, 2014, 10:29:42 AM
I'm new here. I've struggled with indecisive beliefs all of my life.
Struggle away with indecisive beliefs if you wish. But can they be supported by logic or evidence? If they can't, they might still be true, but probably irrelevant and not worth the time or effort. Having said that, I know what you are talking about. I've been there. Can a god do this? Can he do that? Maybe the Christian god is too improbable, but could I think of another kind of god, perhaps yet to be identified, that wouldn't be so absurd. Maybe just a spirit that permeates the aether and floats like an invisible fog. He doesn't have to do anything, but just sort of observes or whatever.
The bottom line: Is there any evidence to support such a thing? And a question: Why would I even want to invent such a concept?
Welcome to the forum,
Learning is key here, in a certain crude and rough way... The bright side is, if in your studies and struggles you require opinions and insights from others; you can be damn well sure you'll find some here.
Quote from: Observant1 on April 13, 2014, 10:29:42 AM
I'm new here. I've struggled with indecisive beliefs all of my life. I was an atheist during my teen years, but that changed when I later lived in two haunted places.
I describe myself as an agnostic: I don't think that it's possible to prove if there is or isn't a God.
I am going to study the Bible this spring, but I just can't wrap my mind around creationism. I'm conflicted.
welcome to the forums.
Let me help clarify one thing for you. If you in ANY way do not believe in a God's existence (regardless if you think that one is unprovable either way) then you are an Atheist. Many of us are Agnostic Atheist -- but in the end... you're still an Atheist :-)
Quote from: Observant1 on April 13, 2014, 10:29:42 AM
I'm new here. I've struggled with indecisive beliefs all of my life. I was an atheist during my teen years, but that changed when I later lived in two haunted places.
Literally haunted? Or just terrible places to stay?
Ghosts wouldn't be all that bad even if they did exist. They don't eat your food, they don't make messes, they're always free to talk, they could give homework help (esp history assignments), etc. Might be pretty nice once you get on good terms.
You are right to say that the existence of god cannot be ultimately disproven, but remember the prove a negative fallacy and where the burden of proof lies.
Quote from: Observant1 on April 13, 2014, 10:29:42 AM
I was an atheist during my teen years, but that changed when I later lived in two haunted places.
So you were atheist and then you experienced some stuff which your knowledge base could only explain by attributing it to a supernatural cause and then you weren't atheist anymore. When you think about it, that's exactly how the concept of religion first got started way back when.
Welcome to the forum. Good luck in your journey.
Howdy
Welcome
just because there may be ghosts or spirits does not prove there is a god. I've encountered evil entities but I've never seen nor heard any evidence of a god. Actually just the opposite. The evil spirits indicate to me there is no god or at least not a loving god. No loving god would create evil such as that. Evil is not necessary I don't care what any one thinks.
but then again I do have a mental illness that causes me to see and hear things so yeah I can't even rely on my senses.
Have you considered Toothfairianism?
FACT: The Tooth Fairy is the only supernatural being to pay cold, hard cash to children in exchange for the loss of teeth
FACT: Dinosaur bones have to come from somewhere, most likely from ground kids teeth.
FACT: The Tooth Fairy offers free pick up and delivery. :eek:
Welcome ! Religion is bullshit.
Hey welcome to the forums. I do understand on some things when it comes to haunted homes. Not saying they are real or not but I have seen and heard things that I couldn't explained. It just makes you think.
Anyway enjoy your stay here.
QuoteI don't think that it's possible to prove if there is or isn't a God.
given the hundred of thousands of god man has prayed too, and given that those who believe in theirs dismiss the others, and given that no particular religion seems to have a unordinary amount of "favored" people, it seems that no god actually does what he/she/it says it will do, which may lead one to understand that perhaps they are all just made up bullshit, which kinda falls into line with the facts.
Welcome to the forum.
Quote from: aitm on April 13, 2014, 07:20:18 PM
given the hundred of thousands of god man has prayed too, and given that those who believe in theirs dismiss the others, and given that no particular religion seems to have a unordinary amount of "favored" people, it seems that no god actually does what he/she/it says it will do, which may lead one to understand that perhaps they are all just made up bullshit, which kinda falls into line with the facts.
Welcome to the forum.
That's a good case for strong atheism. With all the data we have to look at, circumstantial that much of it is, most of it seems to point away from the existence of a god. For the data that does not seem to point toward nonexistence, it just sort of points randomly all over the place at not much of anything, which certainly would not be expected with an interceding all powerful entity pulling strings in our behalf.
Quote from: wolf39us on April 13, 2014, 11:08:23 AM
welcome to the forums.
Let me help clarify one thing for you. If you in ANY way do not believe in a God's existence (regardless if you think that one is unprovable either way) then you are an Atheist. Many of us are Agnostic Atheist -- but in the end... you're still an Atheist :-)
Thanks for the insight. Even if the Christian God doesn't exist, then how did we get here? Are we just a cosmic accident?
There are laws of physics, math, etc. Who or what created them?
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 13, 2014, 11:33:31 AM
Literally haunted? Or just terrible places to stay?
Ghosts wouldn't be all that bad even if they did exist. They don't eat your food, they don't make messes, they're always free to talk, they could give homework help (esp history assignments), etc. Might be pretty nice once you get on good terms.
I lived in a haunted college dorm, where TVs and such would come on by themselves. While using Tarot cards in my childhood home in the late Nineties, a creature darted over my head. Also, there was a demonic image of a face on the side of a wooden desk. I also see one on my bedroom door today.
WTF?
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on April 13, 2014, 03:44:49 PM
Have you considered Toothfairianism?
FACT: The Tooth Fairy is the only supernatural being to pay cold, hard cash to children in exchange for the loss of teeth
FACT: Dinosaur bones have to come from somewhere, most likely from ground kids teeth.
FACT: The Tooth Fairy offers free pick up and delivery. :eek:
Can you explain why people will be worshipping the Easter bunny this weekend? Did he lay those eggs? :rolleyes:
Welcome aboard Observant1! Solitary
Quote from: Observant1 on April 16, 2014, 08:55:15 AMI lived in a haunted college dorm, where TVs and such would come on by themselves.
Not to be dismissive, but have you considered a more prosaic explanation than a disembodied spirit occupying it? Electronic devices do some screwy things for all sorts of reasons. And I guarantee you, that none of them can do anything physically impossible, like power themselves on without a power source. Physics and physics alone dictates their operation.
I've encountered lots of strange things in my life and not once has an alleged haunting ever held water. A violently swaying swingset with no one in sight? A cat was resting on it then leaped off when another cat scared it away. A store's door chime is activated even though all doors are shut and locked. Turns out that an impact against the floor will also activate it. A car's headlight covers swing open and closed while the car is off. Electrical issue.
Ghosts (and Gods) are simply a mental placeholder for a real explanation.
Welcome
Quote from: Observant1 on April 16, 2014, 08:55:15 AM
I lived in a haunted college dorm where TVs and such would come on by themselves.
I have had soooo many lols pulling that one on people. It was when I was a lot younger than I am now.
The trick can be pulled in many ways. The easiest one is by using a... remote control.
Quote from: Observant1 on April 16, 2014, 08:55:15 AM
While using Tarot cards in my childhood home in the late Nineties, a creature darted over my head.
A 'creature'?
Quote from: Observant1 on April 16, 2014, 08:55:15 AM
Also, there was a demonic image of a face on the side of a wooden desk.
Assuming you are not talking about carvings or paintings:
Seek help. Your dorm mates were probably pulling your leg with the television thing because you are metally unstable.
Quote from: Observant1 on April 16, 2014, 08:55:15 AM
I also see one on my bedroom door today.
WTF?
Seek help.