How to debate an Atheist

[_beastie]

OMG, my current sig line from cinepro is in danger.....

JeffK's answer to Tarski may have to replace cinepro, if I can bring myself to do it (I really love that line from cinepro)

I think it is safe to say you don't know what "real physics" is, since you cannot define it beyond physics you don't like.

And yes, Tarski, when you talk to JeffK you are talking to the trees. You must not have interacted with him much prior to this thread, else you would already know that.

I'm just surprised he hasn't called anyone a liar yet. OTOH, I haven't finished reading the thread.

kudos to mystery man:

We could go on and on. I am just wondering how close we are in our faith. Is it really only the Mormon God and the Mormon Prophets we part ways on? I am simply trying to build on common beliefs like by missionary manual use to say.

[_beastie]

JeffK

Loving your neighbor does not ensure your DNA structure goes forward. It does however ensure that your neighbors DNA will survive while yours fades to nothingness.

Does anyone here think that JeffK has read a single book about the evolution of the human species?

Actually, my dear Jeff (dear because you are providing so many delicious quotes for me to giggle over this snowy morning), loving your neighbor does, indeed, help to ensure your DNA structure goes forward. You see, my darling Jeff, if you love your neighbor, chances are your neighbor will love you back. If you feed your neighbor when he is hungry, helping ensuring his survival, chances are he will feed you when you are hungry, helping to ensure your survival.

Human beings are social creatures who depend on one another. This enhances our survival and our reproductive success.

But you'd have to read a book or two to understand this.

My darling Jeff.

[_beastie]

Oooo, another sig worthy line from Tarski

If you insist on thinking that you do good because God is watching you while I do good because I actually care and understand the values themselves, then fine. So much the worse for you.

I just don't know if I can dethrone cinepro. It's an embarrassment of sig line riches.

[_beastie]

May I use this MAD thread to make a larger point about MAD, inspired by an observation from Gad long ago?

We all know that MAD is guided by a theory of prejudicial moderating. Critics are held to a much higher standard of behavior than believers. Since I have “known” online one of the primary movers behind MAD, Juliann, for many years and have heard her comment on this issue, I feel safe guessing that the mods feel justified in this approach because LDS are the ones feeling constantly attacked by criticisms of their faith, so it seems “fair” to give LDS more slack in terms of behavior. Their frustration is understandable. Juliann expressed this thought on Z around the same time that the original FAIR board was created, if I recall the timeline correctly.

Gad observed that this approach would have a clear unintended consequence. It’s almost Darwinian. If you keep weeding out the “weak” among critics – those inclined to rely on insults and diversions rather than directly and efficiently address the topic – you will be left with stronger critics. If you “protect” the weak among believers – those inclined to rely on insults and diversions rather than directly and efficiently address the topic – you will be left with weaker defenders of the faith.

I think this thread is one of the best demonstrations of that unintended consequence that I’ve ever seen.

I think that's why sometimes the MAD moderators just go ahead and ban some of those stronger critics without even the pretense of a justified reason.

[_Calculus Crusader]

I'm bringing this (and a full set of worked out notes on Gödel's Ontological Argument) the next time I crash one of PZ Myers' talks!