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Christians and atheists start a calmer dialogue
Christian Science Monitor ^ | 05/13/07 | Jane Lampman

Posted on 05/13/2007 6:15:45 PM PDT by Clemenza

Edited on 05/13/2007 6:29:30 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

Wednesday night on ABC-TV, two televangelists took on nonbelievers from the Rational Response Squad in a bid to prove the existence of God (see "Nightline Face Off" on ABCNews.com).

The TV polemics come in the wake of a rash of bestselling books by atheists challenging religion.


(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: atheist; christianity; moralabsolutes
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To: hunter112
What is wrong with them finding common ground as Americans (in the US, of course) who ratify the idea of religious freedom?

Our job is to point out what their 'freedom' will finally get them.

There does come a time when one can no longer keep a child from playing in the street.

121 posted on 05/15/2007 4:56:10 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: tickmeister

When one adds all the snippets together, you get a big example of circular logic.

Or, if a snippet can’t be supported, why worry about the whole?


122 posted on 05/15/2007 4:57:55 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: LeGrande
An atheist can't prove that Dispater or Santa Claus don't exist, no one can. The logical burden of proof lies with those who claim that Allah exists.

And now here we are, trying that same with the LDS organization:

A Christian can't prove that the Golden Plates ever existed, no one can. The logical burden of proof lies with those who claim that the plates did exist.

123 posted on 05/15/2007 5:00:36 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: L,TOWM
Very few people think things through to your conumdrum -- why does a perfect being create a universe at all?

EVERYone likes toys to play with!

124 posted on 05/15/2007 5:01:58 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: RipSawyer
It makes no sense.

You are right.

I took the unbelief in a god, and extrapolated it (incorrectly) to mean unbelief in ANYTHING.

My error.

125 posted on 05/15/2007 5:04:29 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie; tickmeister
When one adds all the snippets together, you get a big example of circular logic.

Or, if a snippet can’t be supported, why worry about the whole?

I have to redact this post, for I answered not YOU, but someone else I was thinking about!

Let me try again...

126 posted on 05/15/2007 5:08:02 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: tickmeister
(Let me try THIS line...)

If God can just always exist without a creator, then fundamental particles can just always exist without a creator.

You seem to be assuming certain things about GOD as well as things about particles, and then comparing them.

I do not believe you are knowledgeable enough in either area to do so.

(I know that I am not!)

127 posted on 05/15/2007 5:14:18 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
A Christian can't prove that the Golden Plates (n)ever existed, no one can. The logical burden of proof lies with those who claim that the plates did exist.

You are absolutely correct, Elsie. The burden of proof always lies with those making the claims and the wilder claims require more evidence.

128 posted on 05/15/2007 6:50:16 AM PDT by LeGrande (Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God of Abraham.)
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To: hunter112; Elsie
What should Christian believers do in regards to their atheist neighbors?

14. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
15. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

I am surprised at you Elsie. Cursing your neighbors isn't very neighborly. How would you like it if I called down the vengeance of Zeus upon your head? ROFLOL meter (--------I--)

129 posted on 05/15/2007 7:14:57 AM PDT by LeGrande (Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God of Abraham.)
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To: betty boop
If living beings are intelligent, then obviously intelligence is already in Nature; and Nature is knowable by man because it is lawful. The question then becomes: How did intelligence and laws get into the picture?

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Your question was very well put. I have your answer, but I am going to use it somewhere else. I think you have the answer too, but refuse to see it. Hmmm, didn't the Israelites have that same problem?

130 posted on 05/15/2007 7:48:25 AM PDT by LeGrande (Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God of Abraham.)
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To: Elsie
So, then, nonbelievers (which could as well be expanded to include anyone who does not believe exactly as you believe) are merely dust? I suspected so, given the way that the most severely religious people treat us.
131 posted on 05/15/2007 8:58:02 AM PDT by hunter112
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To: LeGrande
 
Curses!!!
 
Foiled again!!
 

 
 
 
Jesus was fond of saying: "I tell you the truth..."
 
 

NIV John 1:14
   The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,  who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 
NIV John 1:17
   For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
 
NIV John 3:3
   In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "
 
NIV John 3:5
   Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth,  no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
 
NIV John 3:11
  I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
 
NIV John 5:24-25
 24.  "I tell you the truth,  whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
 25.   I tell you the truth,  a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
 
NIV John 8:45-46
 45.  Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
 46.  Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?
 
NIV John 14:6
   Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

NIV Matthew 5:18
   I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
 
NIV Matthew 5:26
   I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
 
NIV Matthew 6:2
   "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
 
NIV Matthew 6:5
   "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
 
NIV Matthew 6:16
 16.  "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
 
NIV Matthew 8:10
   When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
 
NIV Matthew 10:15
   I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
 
NIV Matthew 10:23
   When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.  I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
 
NIV Matthew 11:11
   I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
 
NIV Matthew 13:17
   For  I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
 
NIV Matthew 16:28
   I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
 
NIV Matthew 17:20
   He replied, "Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "
 
NIV Matthew 18:3
   And he said: "II tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
 
NIV Matthew 18:13
   And if he finds it,  I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
 
NIV Matthew 18:18
 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
 
NIV Matthew 19:23
   Then Jesus said to his disciples, " I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
 
NIV Matthew 19:28
   Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
 
NIV Matthew 21:21
   Jesus replied, " I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
 
NIV Matthew 21:31
   "Which of the two did what his father wanted?"   "The first," they answered.   Jesus said to them,  I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
 
NIV Matthew 23:36
    I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
 
NIV Matthew 24:2
  "Do you see all these things?" he asked. " I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
 
NIV Matthew 24:34
   I tell you the truth, this generation  will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
 
NIV Matthew 24:47
   I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
 
NIV Matthew 25:12
   "But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
 
NIV Matthew 25:40
   "The King will reply, ` I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
 
NIV Matthew 25:45
  "He will reply, ` I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
 
NIV Matthew 26:13
   I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
 
NIV Matthew 26:21
  And while they were eating, he said, " I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
 
NIV Matthew 26:34
  "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
 
 
NIV John 14:6
   Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


132 posted on 05/15/2007 12:23:48 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: hunter112
So, then, nonbelievers (which could as well be expanded to include anyone who does not believe exactly as you believe) are merely dust?

I have no idea; but what I BELIEVE is that merely dust would be a good thing for an unbeliever after death; but the Book says otherwise.

 

But God is not in a hurry a zap anyone:


NIV Ezekiel 18:23
   Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
 

NIV Ezekiel 18:32
   For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!                 (Which includes atheists; too! ;^)
 
2 Peter 3
 
 1.  Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
 2.  I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
 3.  First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
 4.  They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
 5.  But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
 6.  By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
 7.  By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
 8.  But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
 9.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
 
 
 
 
It appears that we do NOT have to believe EXACTLY alike.
 
Romans 14
 1.  Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
 2.  One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
 3.  The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
 4.  Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
 5.  One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
 6.  He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
 
I am fully convinced that anyone who is really searching for answers will find them.

133 posted on 05/15/2007 12:37:22 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

Rats!!

Where's the PICTURE??


134 posted on 05/15/2007 12:41:21 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: LeGrande
I think you have the answer too, but refuse to see it. Hmmm, didn't the Israelites have that same problem?

Hi LeGrande! Can I buy a clue?

135 posted on 05/15/2007 5:31:11 PM PDT by betty boop ("Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." -- A. Einstein.)
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To: Elsie

OK, I’ll also try again. I did not state that God cannot have always existed without beginning or end. That’s why I asked you to read the whole thing. I am expressing my frustration with those who observe the universe, find themselves puzzled, then postulate that their puzzlement proves that God must exist since they have no other explanation. In other words all things must have a cause, we can’t immediately see the cause, therefore God must be the cause. At the same time, God is exempted for needing a cause. This is circular logic, or no logic at all. If anything can exist without a cause, God included, then why can’t something else exist without a cause. Even stating that God is not material and doesn’t need a cause is invalid. How do you know he is not material? How do you know the universe is material for that matter? I say again to all theists, the fact that you are puzzled does not prove the existance of God.


136 posted on 05/15/2007 6:04:33 PM PDT by tickmeister (tickmeister)
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To: betty boop
Hi LeGrande! Can I buy a clue?

Nope, you are too smart. It is going to be the punchline for something I am righting. It was one of those duh moments.

Thank you again ^_^ Have you ever considered writing koans? You would do good.

137 posted on 05/15/2007 6:54:58 PM PDT by LeGrande (Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God of Abraham.)
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To: LeGrande
It is going to be the punchline for something I am righting.

Hi LeGrande! Please be sure to ping me to your "punchline!"

138 posted on 05/16/2007 6:07:11 AM PDT by betty boop ("Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." -- A. Einstein.)
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To: tickmeister
If God can just always exist without a creator, then fundamental particles can just always exist without a creator.

That does not follow. Each particle is not Ipse Esse (Being Itself). Otherwise, there could not be more than one of them, for there would be nothing to differentiate them. Therefore each particle receives its being from something other than itself.

But God is Ipse Esse. That is why He is necessarily the source of all other being, and why He alone is the Uncaused Cause.

-A8

139 posted on 05/16/2007 6:15:42 AM PDT by adiaireton8 ("There is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse." - Plato, Phaedo 89d)
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To: betty boop
Hi LeGrande! Please be sure to ping me to your "punchline!"

Of course ^^

140 posted on 05/16/2007 7:04:39 AM PDT by LeGrande (Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God of Abraham.)
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