Co-Director, Center for Cognitive Studies, Tufts University
Daniel C. Dennett is the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, at Tufts University. His most recent book was Breaking the Spell (2006). The “On Faith” panelist also is Co-founder of the Curricular Software Studio at Tufts, and has helped design museum exhibits on computers for the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Science in Boston, and the Computer Museum in Boston. Dennett has written over 300 scholarly articles on various aspects of the mind in scientific journals. His first book, Content and Consciousness, appeared in 1969. It was followed by Brainstorms (1978), Elbow Room (1984), The Intentional Stance (1987), Consciousness Explained (1991), Darwin's Dangerous Idea (1995), Kinds of Minds (1996), and Brainchildren: A Collection of Essays 1984-1996 (1998). He co-edited The Mind's I with Douglas Hofstadter in 1981. Dennett completed his D.Phil degree work under Gilbert Ryle at Oxford in 1965, and has lectured at Harvard University, Pittsburgh and the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He has received two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Science. In 1987 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He spends most of his summers on his farm in Maine, where he harvests blueberries, hay and timber, and makes Normandy cider wine, when he is not sailing. He is also a sculptor.
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Daniel C. Dennett
Co-Director, Center for Cognitive Studies, Tufts University
Daniel C. Dennett is the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, at Tufts University. His most recent book was Breaking the Spell (2006).
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Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
The comic visited the land for the first time in decades to promote his anRrpWTYnkmcou new animated movie about bees, and he was treated like royalty literally
The comic visited the land for the first time in decades to promote his anRrpWTYnkmcou new animated movie about bees, and he was treated like royalty literally
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
Alan,
I'll read "Letter to a Christian Nation". I'll suggest to you "Mere Christianity". It's doubtful either of us will be swayed, but we'll undoubtedly both benefit from the experiecne.
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
To all "believers": Read Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation". You will be enlightened and your core beliefs seriously challenged - if you dare and are secure enough.
hello
i just wanna say that to me thanksgiving is about god your giving thanks for more then just the good things that has happend to you. it's about giving thanks for your family.friends.your home. and more. you all are trying to take god out of whatever you can you already took him out of our schools i think that was a mistake look how our schools are now i pray that when i send my daughter off to school that nothing bad will happen. if you could you would take him out of Christmas but you can't why well Christmas is about Christs birth and you can't take that away it's sad that Christians like myself can't enjoy a holiday that's about god without hearing this holiday not about god I'm sure that if it was someone else like Buddha and so on you would not hear anything. for some reason people target Jesus why when all he's done is gave his own life for me and you everyone. what has he done that makes people attack him like sally fields and Kathy griffin that comedian I'll pray for her she needs it. so on thanksgiving i know who I'm thanking because if it wasn't for god i wouldn't have anything to be thankful for thank you AND THANK YOU GOD and may GOD BLESS
Though I have serious issues with what you said I will try to respectfully disagree. One problem with the whole Christian argument behind the word "theory," in the theory of evolution,like how you used it, "it's just a theory," is that in the scientific community this word is used regularly with the notion that it is indeed fact. Just like the theory of Gravity, or plate tectonics. The scientific community can find fact in things, with proof, which stemmed from trying to disprove it as much as prove it, and with the notiong towards forward thinking that all things can be added on to. We might understand them further. So to say that this is a theory in a scientific matter is to say, right now this is basically as much proof and fact we have on the subject. It isn't based on simple belief or faith. Belief may have started the process but if proven otherwise then it is presented as such. Christian theory however, simply chooses to dismiss those portions of the data that disprove their points, and simply look at those portions that prove their points, and it's all stemming from several individuals beliefs and faith, and not from systemic trial and error. So please understand that the phrase "theory of evolution," when used by scientists is not acknowledment of the notion that they just believe because they think so or they grew up thinking so. It is a statement of fact. And if and when proof is found that can change that fact, that too will be called a theory. My friend, you are simply using a word play debate tactic often used by christians when debating this issue. The word itself does not prove your point.
On the notion that god does not look for religion is something we can agree upon. Religion is man made, period. Why would god need that? Religion is the tool by which individuals and groups get other individuals and groups to cooperate in their Ethnocentrism(our group is right and true and center of the universe). We can agree here.It is an unfortunate side effect for many that this Ethnocentrism turns into Xenophobia(fear and hatred of strangers)-read Sagan's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors for a great discussion of this. Churches, temples etc. are all man made. But if you can see that than you also should be able to see that the very books by which you have learned your point of view were also created in the same vain. Men wrote down rules(which change throughout)to further their ethnocentric goal. If you look deeper you will find much of it is really propoganda against other "relgions or cults" which didn't agree with them. Is it any coincedence that a caananite symbol of a god, the snake, became essentially the physical representation of evil and the devil in the old testament?
The thing is I grew up believing essentially what you seem to believe. I grew up in the church. Actually my family was split, half catholic, have Church of Christ, and so I started to veer and feel that God doesn't need this, just needs us to live as he would want and that is enough. Thing is when you really question things, such as this almighty god who "layed his hands on the earth," etc. you need to get off the philosophical fence basically. Meaning, if god is your benefactor in terms of the great creator of all this beauty and wonder, than this god is also the creator of all this pain and agony, of cancer, and death and destruction. Of children being raped, and millions upon millions suffering at the behest of his followers and in his name no less. You must give credit where it is due. Now maybe you are a man of integrity and you have decided that yes God has done all of this and you are willing to accept this god and whatever he thinks is right is right, if that child should be dismembered in a holy war so be it, it is gods wish. If so I give you credit for not being on the fence, but I fear you like the devil you fear. If you, however, tell me this is the devil's work, then once again you have crossed into that ever expanding gray area of christianity where by an ompnipotent, omnitient god can't control an adversary that he must have known would be this bad, and would do this...it is problematic.
I mean, the idea that God created hell, or allows it to exist, is rather sadistic isn't it?
On your point that we have a great god that had given so much for those that reject him etc. Well there are probably some very god fearing(always loved that term), law abiding, morally sound christians out there who had their daughters kidnapped and killed, and much to their surprise they never rejected god. So there is a little debate to the idea that this god is so giving despite the dispecable(though he created us right)humans who reject his teaching.
If anything I would give more credence to a deist than a theist. At least a Deist thinks god created this world and walked away. That at least would explain some of this.
In the end, much of what you are saying is about fear of death, fear of mortality, and hope that this isn't all there is. You and I agree that we need to treat our fellow humans with love and kindness correct? We simply go about it different ways. The only difference is that you think I'll burn in hell, and some christians find that comforting and I basically don't wish that on anyone nor think it will happen, though I will admit to one rather sinister thought at times,
i do regret that when this world ceases to exist, Christians won't know they were wrong. There will just be a void, and that is somewhat regrettable.
Those that pose the argument of existence based on "belief," as in "if I don't believe in your existence,do you cease to exist," need to understand that they are toying with word game gimmicks and not reason.
If I tell you I exist you can deny this. Sure enough. You can say I don't. And does that mean I don't. Of course not. You can say someone else wrote this, and you might be right. You can say that you've never seen me so I possibly don't exist, but you're argument is that this is obviously wrong because I know I exist. The problem is, I can if I so desired go to your house, and shake your hand, introduce myself, provide you with a birth certificate, we can go get a blood sample to show Im the same person that has presented themself as such for the last 35 years, then we can go back to my house and I can show you many items with my name and social and pictures of me growing up and you can meet my family etc. etc. and in the end most would reasonably agree I exist. Even if I changed my name, I still exist and I could show you the documents where I just changed my name. But there would be reasonable proof.
Now if I said I had a one inch tall man living in a shoe box in my closet and you said no way, and I said look, I wrote about him, and look this person said they saw him, and look there are even a little pair of plastic shoes in the shoe box that he left behind while he's out, would you think the same group would readily agree that I have proven his existence? What if i presented you with a picture? SOme would say, oh he doctored that up in photoshop or something. SO you would need tangible proof, more than someone saying so, or writing about it but to see it for yourself or have a series of things that could prove it, right?
The basis for non belief as presented here is that though things could exist that we do not know of, and surely do, logically without proof they are a mythological story. It is not the same thing as me saying I don't believe you exist because I haven't met you.
It is saying that those that say God exists, and even those that claim they have met god, have no proof of this anymore than the guy next door who says an alien abducted him yesterday. You need more than that right?
It is about reason.
Many scientists agree if you pay attention, even Richard Dawkins(religous public enemy number one) that there might be something beyond our understanding, but in the future, most likely beyond our time here, our future generations might understand those things that we didn't the same way we understand things the way the man of the dark ages might not have. There is always possibilites, but if you break it down to reason and reasonable proof, right now it leans at least in the most minimal way to the fact that the God of the christian bible most assuredly does not exist, or man got it all wrong, or at least the God that Christians talk about and refer to in their bible does not exist, and unfortunately for him/her his followers botched that whole thing up.
Simply put, there is no way a reason driven, higher intelligent, omnipotent, omnitient creator presented him/herself through that book, or any other one we have right now. No way.
To all the theists out there do your god a favor and quit speaking for him. You would be better off saying you don't know what god wants, but you're trying to be good people, and hopefully god will be pleased, then telling people you know what god thinks, wants, and has said. Seriously, you do your god a disservice daily by doing this.
Belief is far more than subjective, it is a biological imprint, and really we don't have that much more that seperates us from being a complex organic robot, than an insect does in the grander scheme of things.
WHEN WE CHOSE TO BELIEVE IN, AND TRUST IN OUR OWN FEEBLENESS, AND OUR OWN INTELLECT THAT IS WHEN WE ARE EASILY LED ASTRAY. IT IS UTTER STUPIDITY TO LOOK UPON THE AMAZING WORKS OF THE HUMAN BODY, THE INTRICACIES OF OUR MAKEUP, THE MILES OF NERVES, AND ELECTRODES THAT ALL SEEM TO HAVE A PURPOSE AND PERFORM SAID PURPOSE, AND THEN THINK THAT WE JUST HAPPENED. NOT FROM SOME MARINE-LIFE. NOT FROM SOME FORM OF BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION. BUT FROM A POWERFUL AND ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PERSONALLY TOOK A HANDS ON APPROACH WHEN HE CREATED US. EVERYTHING ELSE HE SPOKE "( LET THERE BE )" AND THERE WAS.
EVERY EXPLOSION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO RAVAGE AND DESTROY. WHEN THE TERRORIST STEP INTO A CROWD OF PEOPLE AND DETINATE THEIR BOMBS,I GUARANTEE YOU THAT LIFE DOES NOT EMINATE FROM THAT. A BIG BANG THEORY IS JUST THAT. " A THEORY" THE RESULT OF MAN TRUSTING IN HIS OWN INTELLECT AND NOT RELYING ON THE WISDOM OF GOD.
RELIGION IS NOT ALL IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE. RELIGION WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU, OR KEEP YOU FOR VERY LONG. THIS IS THE REASON THAT YOU FIND MEN & WOMEN BEING HOT FOR GOD ONE DAY & COLD THE NEXT.UNFORTUNATELY EVERYONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LIVE THE LIFESTYLE OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN. YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW A TREE BY WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IT BEARS. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR RELIGION. GOD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN RELATIONSHIP. YOU CAN'T AND WON'T EVER KNOW WHAT SOMEONE LIKES, DISLIKES, WANTS, OR REQUIRES UNLESS YOU CULTIVATE AND MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
WHAT A GREAT GOD WE HAVE. ONE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THOSE WHO REJECT HIM, CURSE HIM,HAVE NO FAITH OR BELIEF IN HIM.AND HE STILL LOVES THEM JUST THE SAME AS HE DOES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
UNLESS A MAN IS BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT, HE CAN NOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. ( YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU, OR EVEN UNDERSTAND). UNLESS A MAN IS BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.( OUR FILTHY WAYS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS WILL KEEP US OUT.IF YOU HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE, AND STILL YOU CAME UP LACKING, WHY NOT TRY GOD...I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL LOVE HIM, IF YOU GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO LOVE YOU.
I enjoyed what Mr. Dennett had to say about thanking "goodness" instead of God. Well said!
Lately, I've been wondering whether I should call myself an Agnostic or an Atheist so I looked them up.
AGNOSTIC: a person who believes that nothing can be known about the existence of a god or of anything except material things.
ATHEIST: a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods.
GOD: A superhuman being regarded and worshipped as having power over nature and human affairs.
Richard Dawkins describes being an Atheist as simply having a lack of belief in a god or gods. This may or may not be different than my dictionary's definition. You decide.
Anyway, I do not believe there is a god influencing human affairs or nature for that matter. Science has very good explanations for human nature as well as nature. I do not rule out the possibility of future scientists finding out more about HOW and WHY our universe began. Based on this, I will consider myself an ATHEIST.
However, science can only reasonably explain what happened in the universe going back to "The Big Bang." I do not believe there is any need for a god post-Big Bang. Pre-Big Bang, I AM open minded about what could have happened. Maybe there are other dimensions, maybe there are multiple universes, maybe some kind of beings, potentially superhuman, created The Big Bang, who knows.
I've heard about scientists attempting to create a mini Big Bang in a lab. Maybe that will shed some light on the matter.
Let me know if you think my logic is flawed, I am a big believer in constructive criticism.
This is in response to A Different Tim's question: "Why tear down believers?"
If you read "Letter to a Christian Nation," you will see why there IS good reason to tear down believers. Sam Harris puts reasons for this in his book better than I ever could. PLEASE read it so that you can at least understand where non-believers are coming from. I assure you, it is a short, easy and straight to the point read.
Two or three days ago, I took the BATTLEGROUND GOD Test on www.philosophersnet.com and won a third prize. I had done netter when, months back, I had taken the 'make your own deity' test.
I propose that you take both tests and see how well you do and let allreaders know in your next post. Also, if you can locate it, take another test which exists somewhere on the internet which measures a similar 'rational morality quotient' broken down a 'consistency quotient' and an 'empathy quotient', and further broken down into females' scores and males' scores (Yes, you may not like it, but there is a demonstrable gender difference so far as 'empathy' is concerced -- women score better than men because they are, in Ashley Montagu's words, "naturally superior" by virtue of the fact that they are the repositories of the survial of the human specie. And that is why Islam recognises their superiority, although there inevitably are 'paternalists' who miscontrue this and oppress women just as surely as 'humanitarian imperialists' oppress the most vulnerable groups in their former colonies).
Finally, let me say that 'nowruz' -- the equivalent of the Thanksgiving is celebrated in Iran by Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians, agnostics and others with more spirituality than thanksgiving is celebrated in the US.
That much said -- yes, long live the US and all the states and nations of the human brotherhood and thank goodness for Thanksgiving.
I thought Mr. Dennett's response was very nice- it's interesting to see how people with different religous views see things. I'm Pagan, but that doesn't keep me from seeing that people with other beliefs are just as thankful. That you Mr. Dennett for your insite.
All Comments (251)
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Posted on March 12, 2008 22:39
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Posted on March 12, 2008 22:38
XIVqdR U cool ))
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February 13, 2008 9:58 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 13, 2008 21:58
Contrary to popular belief, the end of the year is one of the best times to look for, awesome descion
December 11, 2007 8:43 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:43
Contrary to popular belief, the end of the year is one of the best times to look for, awesome descion
December 11, 2007 8:43 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:43
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
November 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:55
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
November 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:55
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
November 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:55
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
November 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:55
Taylor has a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay that he bought two years ago. The 24-year-old player is in HjJrFiZwfKpezK his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003
November 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:55
The comic visited the land for the first time in decades to promote his anRrpWTYnkmcou new animated movie about bees, and he was treated like royalty literally
November 26, 2007 11:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 11:13
The comic visited the land for the first time in decades to promote his anRrpWTYnkmcou new animated movie about bees, and he was treated like royalty literally
November 26, 2007 11:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 26, 2007 11:13
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 25, 2007 5:08 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 25, 2007 05:08
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 25, 2007 5:08 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 25, 2007 05:08
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 11:50 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 11:50
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 11:50 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 11:50
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 4:42 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 04:42
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 4:42 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 04:42
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 4:41 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 04:41
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 23, 2007 4:41 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 23, 2007 04:41
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 22, 2007 10:29 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 22, 2007 10:29
Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues
November 22, 2007 10:28 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 22, 2007 10:28
Alan,
I'll read "Letter to a Christian Nation". I'll suggest to you "Mere Christianity". It's doubtful either of us will be swayed, but we'll undoubtedly both benefit from the experiecne.
November 20, 2007 1:17 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 13:17
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
November 20, 2007 12:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 12:54
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
November 20, 2007 12:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 12:54
Isn't not believing in God just a different form of faith? On what imperical evidence does Mr. Dennett base his belief that there is no God? One thing that Mr Denett surely has right is his desire to give thanks by leading a Christ-like life "adding to the stock of goodness in the future, for the benefit of others." That is not figurative or symbolic thanks to our creator, that's living the directive of His words. As for "burnt offerings, prayers and expensive ceremonies" I'd suggest to Mr. Dennett that a more personal, action based relationship with God can be his for the wanting.
November 20, 2007 12:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 12:54
Read "Letter to a Christian Nation".
Alan Kieler
November 20, 2007 12:15 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 12:15
To all "believers": Read Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation". You will be enlightened and your core beliefs seriously challenged - if you dare and are secure enough.
November 20, 2007 12:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 12:10
If you do not believe in GOD, what do you believe happens to you when you die?
November 20, 2007 9:25 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 20, 2007 09:25
hello
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June 6, 2007 3:02 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 6, 2007 15:02
Tony Flentroy,
Though I have serious issues with what you said I will try to respectfully disagree. One problem with the whole Christian argument behind the word "theory," in the theory of evolution,like how you used it, "it's just a theory," is that in the scientific community this word is used regularly with the notion that it is indeed fact. Just like the theory of Gravity, or plate tectonics. The scientific community can find fact in things, with proof, which stemmed from trying to disprove it as much as prove it, and with the notiong towards forward thinking that all things can be added on to. We might understand them further. So to say that this is a theory in a scientific matter is to say, right now this is basically as much proof and fact we have on the subject. It isn't based on simple belief or faith. Belief may have started the process but if proven otherwise then it is presented as such. Christian theory however, simply chooses to dismiss those portions of the data that disprove their points, and simply look at those portions that prove their points, and it's all stemming from several individuals beliefs and faith, and not from systemic trial and error. So please understand that the phrase "theory of evolution," when used by scientists is not acknowledment of the notion that they just believe because they think so or they grew up thinking so. It is a statement of fact. And if and when proof is found that can change that fact, that too will be called a theory. My friend, you are simply using a word play debate tactic often used by christians when debating this issue. The word itself does not prove your point.
On the notion that god does not look for religion is something we can agree upon. Religion is man made, period. Why would god need that? Religion is the tool by which individuals and groups get other individuals and groups to cooperate in their Ethnocentrism(our group is right and true and center of the universe). We can agree here.It is an unfortunate side effect for many that this Ethnocentrism turns into Xenophobia(fear and hatred of strangers)-read Sagan's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors for a great discussion of this. Churches, temples etc. are all man made. But if you can see that than you also should be able to see that the very books by which you have learned your point of view were also created in the same vain. Men wrote down rules(which change throughout)to further their ethnocentric goal. If you look deeper you will find much of it is really propoganda against other "relgions or cults" which didn't agree with them. Is it any coincedence that a caananite symbol of a god, the snake, became essentially the physical representation of evil and the devil in the old testament?
The thing is I grew up believing essentially what you seem to believe. I grew up in the church. Actually my family was split, half catholic, have Church of Christ, and so I started to veer and feel that God doesn't need this, just needs us to live as he would want and that is enough. Thing is when you really question things, such as this almighty god who "layed his hands on the earth," etc. you need to get off the philosophical fence basically. Meaning, if god is your benefactor in terms of the great creator of all this beauty and wonder, than this god is also the creator of all this pain and agony, of cancer, and death and destruction. Of children being raped, and millions upon millions suffering at the behest of his followers and in his name no less. You must give credit where it is due. Now maybe you are a man of integrity and you have decided that yes God has done all of this and you are willing to accept this god and whatever he thinks is right is right, if that child should be dismembered in a holy war so be it, it is gods wish. If so I give you credit for not being on the fence, but I fear you like the devil you fear. If you, however, tell me this is the devil's work, then once again you have crossed into that ever expanding gray area of christianity where by an ompnipotent, omnitient god can't control an adversary that he must have known would be this bad, and would do this...it is problematic.
I mean, the idea that God created hell, or allows it to exist, is rather sadistic isn't it?
On your point that we have a great god that had given so much for those that reject him etc. Well there are probably some very god fearing(always loved that term), law abiding, morally sound christians out there who had their daughters kidnapped and killed, and much to their surprise they never rejected god. So there is a little debate to the idea that this god is so giving despite the dispecable(though he created us right)humans who reject his teaching.
If anything I would give more credence to a deist than a theist. At least a Deist thinks god created this world and walked away. That at least would explain some of this.
In the end, much of what you are saying is about fear of death, fear of mortality, and hope that this isn't all there is. You and I agree that we need to treat our fellow humans with love and kindness correct? We simply go about it different ways. The only difference is that you think I'll burn in hell, and some christians find that comforting and I basically don't wish that on anyone nor think it will happen, though I will admit to one rather sinister thought at times,
i do regret that when this world ceases to exist, Christians won't know they were wrong. There will just be a void, and that is somewhat regrettable.
June 3, 2007 11:07 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 3, 2007 11:07
Those that pose the argument of existence based on "belief," as in "if I don't believe in your existence,do you cease to exist," need to understand that they are toying with word game gimmicks and not reason.
If I tell you I exist you can deny this. Sure enough. You can say I don't. And does that mean I don't. Of course not. You can say someone else wrote this, and you might be right. You can say that you've never seen me so I possibly don't exist, but you're argument is that this is obviously wrong because I know I exist. The problem is, I can if I so desired go to your house, and shake your hand, introduce myself, provide you with a birth certificate, we can go get a blood sample to show Im the same person that has presented themself as such for the last 35 years, then we can go back to my house and I can show you many items with my name and social and pictures of me growing up and you can meet my family etc. etc. and in the end most would reasonably agree I exist. Even if I changed my name, I still exist and I could show you the documents where I just changed my name. But there would be reasonable proof.
Now if I said I had a one inch tall man living in a shoe box in my closet and you said no way, and I said look, I wrote about him, and look this person said they saw him, and look there are even a little pair of plastic shoes in the shoe box that he left behind while he's out, would you think the same group would readily agree that I have proven his existence? What if i presented you with a picture? SOme would say, oh he doctored that up in photoshop or something. SO you would need tangible proof, more than someone saying so, or writing about it but to see it for yourself or have a series of things that could prove it, right?
The basis for non belief as presented here is that though things could exist that we do not know of, and surely do, logically without proof they are a mythological story. It is not the same thing as me saying I don't believe you exist because I haven't met you.
It is saying that those that say God exists, and even those that claim they have met god, have no proof of this anymore than the guy next door who says an alien abducted him yesterday. You need more than that right?
It is about reason.
Many scientists agree if you pay attention, even Richard Dawkins(religous public enemy number one) that there might be something beyond our understanding, but in the future, most likely beyond our time here, our future generations might understand those things that we didn't the same way we understand things the way the man of the dark ages might not have. There is always possibilites, but if you break it down to reason and reasonable proof, right now it leans at least in the most minimal way to the fact that the God of the christian bible most assuredly does not exist, or man got it all wrong, or at least the God that Christians talk about and refer to in their bible does not exist, and unfortunately for him/her his followers botched that whole thing up.
Simply put, there is no way a reason driven, higher intelligent, omnipotent, omnitient creator presented him/herself through that book, or any other one we have right now. No way.
To all the theists out there do your god a favor and quit speaking for him. You would be better off saying you don't know what god wants, but you're trying to be good people, and hopefully god will be pleased, then telling people you know what god thinks, wants, and has said. Seriously, you do your god a disservice daily by doing this.
Belief is far more than subjective, it is a biological imprint, and really we don't have that much more that seperates us from being a complex organic robot, than an insect does in the grander scheme of things.
June 3, 2007 10:34 AM | Report Offensive Comments
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May 27, 2007 2:30 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 27, 2007 02:30
WHEN WE CHOSE TO BELIEVE IN, AND TRUST IN OUR OWN FEEBLENESS, AND OUR OWN INTELLECT THAT IS WHEN WE ARE EASILY LED ASTRAY. IT IS UTTER STUPIDITY TO LOOK UPON THE AMAZING WORKS OF THE HUMAN BODY, THE INTRICACIES OF OUR MAKEUP, THE MILES OF NERVES, AND ELECTRODES THAT ALL SEEM TO HAVE A PURPOSE AND PERFORM SAID PURPOSE, AND THEN THINK THAT WE JUST HAPPENED. NOT FROM SOME MARINE-LIFE. NOT FROM SOME FORM OF BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION. BUT FROM A POWERFUL AND ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PERSONALLY TOOK A HANDS ON APPROACH WHEN HE CREATED US. EVERYTHING ELSE HE SPOKE "( LET THERE BE )" AND THERE WAS.
EVERY EXPLOSION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO RAVAGE AND DESTROY. WHEN THE TERRORIST STEP INTO A CROWD OF PEOPLE AND DETINATE THEIR BOMBS,I GUARANTEE YOU THAT LIFE DOES NOT EMINATE FROM THAT. A BIG BANG THEORY IS JUST THAT. " A THEORY" THE RESULT OF MAN TRUSTING IN HIS OWN INTELLECT AND NOT RELYING ON THE WISDOM OF GOD.
RELIGION IS NOT ALL IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE. RELIGION WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU, OR KEEP YOU FOR VERY LONG. THIS IS THE REASON THAT YOU FIND MEN & WOMEN BEING HOT FOR GOD ONE DAY & COLD THE NEXT.UNFORTUNATELY EVERYONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LIVE THE LIFESTYLE OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN. YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW A TREE BY WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IT BEARS. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR RELIGION. GOD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN RELATIONSHIP. YOU CAN'T AND WON'T EVER KNOW WHAT SOMEONE LIKES, DISLIKES, WANTS, OR REQUIRES UNLESS YOU CULTIVATE AND MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
WHAT A GREAT GOD WE HAVE. ONE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THOSE WHO REJECT HIM, CURSE HIM,HAVE NO FAITH OR BELIEF IN HIM.AND HE STILL LOVES THEM JUST THE SAME AS HE DOES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
UNLESS A MAN IS BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT, HE CAN NOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. ( YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU, OR EVEN UNDERSTAND). UNLESS A MAN IS BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.( OUR FILTHY WAYS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS WILL KEEP US OUT.IF YOU HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE, AND STILL YOU CAME UP LACKING, WHY NOT TRY GOD...I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL LOVE HIM, IF YOU GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO LOVE YOU.
April 11, 2007 3:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 11, 2007 15:10
Re: Jordan
The idea seems to be when you cannot discuss and win - well... insult!
January 7, 2007 12:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 7, 2007 12:37
God is just too big for your small wannabe brain to understand.
December 29, 2006 2:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 29, 2006 14:01
I enjoyed what Mr. Dennett had to say about thanking "goodness" instead of God. Well said!
Lately, I've been wondering whether I should call myself an Agnostic or an Atheist so I looked them up.
AGNOSTIC: a person who believes that nothing can be known about the existence of a god or of anything except material things.
ATHEIST: a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods.
GOD: A superhuman being regarded and worshipped as having power over nature and human affairs.
Richard Dawkins describes being an Atheist as simply having a lack of belief in a god or gods. This may or may not be different than my dictionary's definition. You decide.
Anyway, I do not believe there is a god influencing human affairs or nature for that matter. Science has very good explanations for human nature as well as nature. I do not rule out the possibility of future scientists finding out more about HOW and WHY our universe began. Based on this, I will consider myself an ATHEIST.
However, science can only reasonably explain what happened in the universe going back to "The Big Bang." I do not believe there is any need for a god post-Big Bang. Pre-Big Bang, I AM open minded about what could have happened. Maybe there are other dimensions, maybe there are multiple universes, maybe some kind of beings, potentially superhuman, created The Big Bang, who knows.
I've heard about scientists attempting to create a mini Big Bang in a lab. Maybe that will shed some light on the matter.
Let me know if you think my logic is flawed, I am a big believer in constructive criticism.
Thank you!
December 20, 2006 12:39 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 20, 2006 00:39
This is in response to A Different Tim's question: "Why tear down believers?"
If you read "Letter to a Christian Nation," you will see why there IS good reason to tear down believers. Sam Harris puts reasons for this in his book better than I ever could. PLEASE read it so that you can at least understand where non-believers are coming from. I assure you, it is a short, easy and straight to the point read.
Thank you.
December 19, 2006 11:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 19, 2006 23:54
I thank progress. Bringing people to a better place is something to be grateful for.
November 28, 2006 2:15 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 28, 2006 14:15
To Jeff, Thankful and Rationality,
Two or three days ago, I took the BATTLEGROUND GOD Test on www.philosophersnet.com and won a third prize. I had done netter when, months back, I had taken the 'make your own deity' test.
I propose that you take both tests and see how well you do and let allreaders know in your next post. Also, if you can locate it, take another test which exists somewhere on the internet which measures a similar 'rational morality quotient' broken down a 'consistency quotient' and an 'empathy quotient', and further broken down into females' scores and males' scores (Yes, you may not like it, but there is a demonstrable gender difference so far as 'empathy' is concerced -- women score better than men because they are, in Ashley Montagu's words, "naturally superior" by virtue of the fact that they are the repositories of the survial of the human specie. And that is why Islam recognises their superiority, although there inevitably are 'paternalists' who miscontrue this and oppress women just as surely as 'humanitarian imperialists' oppress the most vulnerable groups in their former colonies).
Finally, let me say that 'nowruz' -- the equivalent of the Thanksgiving is celebrated in Iran by Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians, agnostics and others with more spirituality than thanksgiving is celebrated in the US.
That much said -- yes, long live the US and all the states and nations of the human brotherhood and thank goodness for Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2006 1:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 24, 2006 13:28
I thought Mr. Dennett's response was very nice- it's interesting to see how people with different religous views see things. I'm Pagan, but that doesn't keep me from seeing that people with other beliefs are just as thankful. That you Mr. Dennett for your insite.
November 24, 2006 10:44 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 24, 2006 10:44
These "On Faith" comments are so depressing.
So much foolishness, arrogance, superstition and sloppy thinking on the part of the religious. It just saps my energy to read t