Theological Parodies (Creator, tradition, Revelation, prophet, atheist)

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

Just answer the question in post #17 and see where it goes.

Well, I could play, but then I would just mutate the FSM to the point that it is meaningless. To answer the question, we cannot comprehend god and any attempt to describe it is futile because to describe something is to limit it.

[Rolling_Stone]

Good answer. Frubals. Anyone else?

Edit: excellent answer, not just good

[Rolling_Stone]

I was hoping rojse would offer an answer. Bedtime for Bonzo so I'll post tomorrow.

[rojse]

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

The parodies are mere strawman arguments and nothing more.

There are a number of eyewitness accounts of God and his dealings with man in the OT. I see nothing similar with the IPU or the FSM.

At the heart of this argument is the attempt, albeit somewhat humorous, to show a belief in God as being silly. This is an ad hominem attack: where it is the contention that the theist is somehow delusional. The existence or non-existence of God is never addressed, just a jab at those who believe. Puerile? You betcha!

The real crux of the matter is that theism and atheism require the same amounts of faith. A contention either way can only be precipitated by a viable belief. A complete lack of belief would end in a question, and not an assertion.

In the end, this is just another way to act condescendingly towards those who believe differently than you. There is no difference here between this assertion and an extremist's contention that an atheist has no morals. All of these serve to vilify and/or alienate those who believe differently than you do. There is no need or room for such pejoration in a civil discussion or debate.

I started a thread before where I asked what God looks like, and the best reponses I got were a burning bush, from Moses, and US currency (I like a laugh, too). The typical response was that we were made in God's image, either physically or spiritually.

Against the idea of a physical image, we have people that range from extremely short white people, tall darker-skinned people, people with more fingers or toes, and those with physical deformities, which does rule that out. As for spiritual images, we have a whole range of spirits to choose from, from people like Adolf Hitler to Ghandi, and everyone in between, which makes it hard to find out what sort of spiritual image we were made from.

Since I could not get any sort of physical description, apart from the burning bush (we don't see God as that, anyway) I consider the image of the FSM to be just as probalble as the big fellow with the beard, considering that we are made in God's spiritual image, not a physical image.

Since we are talking about an omnipotent God, who could do anything He wants, and we are made in God's spiritual image, I do not see why he cannot take whatever form He chooses.

A quick examination of Pastafarian will reveal that much of the stuff used to support the FSM is identical to what is used to support God. For example, seeing the FSM on some piece of food proves he exists, just like many people consider that seeing a religious face on food proves God exists. Correlating a loss of pirates with global warming sounds awfully similar to some unrelated phenomena being linked together to prove some point.

The point of the FSM is that it's existence is just as logical as the existence of God, and the logic used to support his existence, and the faith of Pastafarianism, is as valid as that for God and Christianity, because that same evidence is used.

To call atheism a faith is a strawman that theists love to keep on making, no matter how many times it is broken down. Personally, it is because of a lack of evidence that I do not believe in God. If I received some sort of evidence that satisfied me as to God's existence, then I would be willing to convert to a religious faith. Although I cannot speak for everyone, I am sure that I am not the only one that would be willing to change their mind in that regard.

Because I am willing to consider the fact that I am wrong, in the belief that God does not exist, it is not a belief.

[rojse]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

My initial reaction to this was, “You’ve got to be kidding.” I consider conventional or traditional theology to be weak in some areas, but even to it the “parody“ is so much monkey gibberish. My second reaction was to brush it off since it’s already been addressed several times and the definition of insanity is to repeat the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results. But then I realized that I saw it coming and I am a little insane--but not totally so I’ll play the game by my rules. I’ll take it step by step so there will be no excuse for further foolishness.

Want to play?

Even in traditional theology, God is defined as infinite Being. So, what does that mean? What are the implications? Answer this and we’ll continue, but not until then.

I have already started when I posted my first reply.

The concept of God being infinite seems quite silly to me personally, although this has little to do with the argument about the FSM. If he is infinite in all regards, then he must be infinitely small, infinitely large, infinitely good, evil, pretty, ugly, smelly, and aromatic.

So what do you mean about God being infinite, and how do you know which aspects to disclude?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

How I see professors:

You seem to lack respect for other people's accomplishments. Is this something Christianity teaches you, or is it your own innovation?

EDIT: I now see you are not a Christian.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

You seem to lack respect for other people's accomplishments. Is this something Christianity teaches you, or is it your own innovation?

Why do so many people think he is Christian?

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Because he acts like many members of the Religious Right.

Your opinion I guess, but his view of god is nowhere near Christianity. (at least what I have seen of it.)

[Saint Tigeress]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

Why do so many people think he is Christian?

Honestly, I thought the same thing at first.... and I don't know why.