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The watchmaker

Jose Fly

Fisker of men
You and your friend witnessed something strange. Do you believe you are hallucinations, or maybe there is something wrong with your head, simply because you have no proof, and people don't believe a word you say.
I've had that happen, and given the circumstances (it happened once and that was the end of it, so there's no way to do anything more) I just concluded "I don't know what that was".

I'm comfortable with "I don't know" as an answer to some things. Are you?
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
I didn't write that post.
I know.
You responded to my answer to that post.
So when you asked me why I brought it up, and I asked what, you should have told me what, because this is what I had responded to.

Did you have something else in mind? Then tell me what?
What did I bring up?
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
I've had that happen, and given the circumstances (it happened once and that was the end of it, so there's no way to do anything more) I just concluded "I don't know what that was".

I'm comfortable with "I don't know" as an answer to some things. Are you?
Of course.
 

SkepticThinker

Veteran Member
I know.
You responded to my answer to that post.
So when you asked me why I brought it up, and I asked what, you should have told me what, because this is what I had responded to.

Did you have something else in mind? Then tell me what?
What did I bring up?
No, I didn’t. I responded to a post of yours about the supernatural.

I asked how you know the supernatural exists. You responded with, “Never said I did. If I did, please point out the post. Thanks.”


To which I replied that you are talking about the supernatural as if it exists.


That’s when you presented your story about camping with friends and seeing a strange object fall from the sky. (Post #273)


I replied that I wouldn’t assume it was a supernatural event.


You answered with:
The example had nothing to do with supernatural.
The example was simply used to show why it's not unreasonable for me to speak of something that is real to me, even if it's not real to you - To speak of something that I understand, even if you don't understand.

I wasn't accusing you though. I just thought the expression was fitting, :smile: but it was meant to be general.”



Then I asked you why you brought up that story, when our discussion was about the supernatural.


Then in post #295, you said, “Why did I bring up what?”


To which I face palmed.


Then you attributed a post to me (about a song) that I didn’t write and asked me, “Are you serious? Where did I bring up a song?”




So needless to say, you appear a bit confused.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
No, I didn’t. I responded to a post of yours about the supernatural.

I asked how you know the supernatural exists. You responded with, “Never said I did. If I did, please point out the post. Thanks.”


To which I replied that you are talking about the supernatural as if it exists.


That’s when you presented your story about camping with friends and seeing a strange object fall from the sky. (Post #273)


I replied that I wouldn’t assume it was a supernatural event.


You answered with:
The example had nothing to do with supernatural.
The example was simply used to show why it's not unreasonable for me to speak of something that is real to me, even if it's not real to you - To speak of something that I understand, even if you don't understand.

I wasn't accusing you though. I just thought the expression was fitting, :smile: but it was meant to be general.”



Then I asked you why you brought up that story, when our discussion was about the supernatural.


Then in post #295, you said, “Why did I bring up what?”


To which I face palmed.


Then you attributed a post to me (about a song) that I didn’t write and asked me, “Are you serious? Where did I bring up a song?”




So needless to say, you appear a bit confused.
Yes. It was my mistake for not expanding the quote, but your mistake for including my response someone else's post. :D That's what confused me.

So you are asking why I brought up the illustration.
I mentioned it more than once. I'm quite surprised you still don't get it.

Your experience though real to you, may be foolishness to others, because you can't prove it. It does not make your experience less of an experience, and of no account or value to you... unless of course, you are swayed by others' opinions - perhaps for the sake of popularity. :)

I hope this is clear.
I'm am sure I mentioned the application about twice.
 

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
Prior knowledge of the objects formation is not required to know that something was designed.
We do not need prior knowledge of a computer's formation, in order to know how to build a computer - otherwise, one would never be built. All we need is prior knowledge of how electronics work, and perhaps basic knowledge of electronic devices.
Once again, the only example you can provide is an example where you already have prior knowledge. I'm asking you how you can identify design without prior knowledge of its design.

Knowledge of, and experience with objects help us to analyze and understand other objects which we may not be familiar with, or have never seen.
I did answer the question, in a very simple way. I hope the above is simpler.
But how does knowledge of objects that you only know from experience are designed, lead you to conclude that objects that you don't know from experience are designed, to be designed?

Excellent!
No, it's why your argument is flawed. You have no idea of the design process of the Universe, so you cannot assert design.

Explain why.
See above. Your argument is "x is designed, therefore y is designed". This is not a reasonable argument.

Reminder. You said above, 'You do not know.' Thank you.
You only assume it is forming through natural processes.
The difference being that the natural process can be and is directly observed, so this assumption is justified. If there is intelligence in the process, it is either undetectable or indistinguishable from nature, in which case the assertion of design is the assertion that has to be demonstrated.

Why can't it indicate God - A creator, and designer?
I never said it can't. You're the one suggesting it necessarily does, and have yet to demonstrate why.

Thanks for making yourself clearer.
Thanks for reminding me that I have not observed the universe forming. It might have been better if you said we, so it is clear we are on the same page, in that regard.
I don't have to, because I'm not the one making specific claims of how the Universe forms.

The universe had a beginning. The universe is ordered - governed by laws.
Both of these statements lack sufficient definition to be meaningful.

The universe seems to be purposefully arranged, from all that is observed in the universe, including our ecosystem...
"Seems to be" is not an argument. If the Universe is "purposefully arranged" then why is the vast, vast, vast majority of it an empty, chaotic mess?

The "language" of DNA - what we call the blueprint of life - that gives instructions, did not come about on its own... far as we know....
I could go on...
And it would all be basic equivocation.

We have evidence - we observe - that all these things require a cause. What is the cause for the creation of the universe?
Applying natural laws to an even which formed that natural laws is contradictory.

We have evidence - we observe - that laws come into existence by a lawgiver - causation again.
False. Give one example of a natural law which is known to come from an intelligence. Or are you committing equivocation again?

The laws are fixed, not random. Randomness is not fixed. Why do universal laws exist?
Irrelevant.

We have evidence - we observe - that there is intent and reason, in purpose, and this comes from intelligence.
Again, all baseless assertions.

Why does the universe seem to be purposefully created?
Because that's your way of understanding the world. It doesn't mean the world literally works that way.

We have evidence - we observe - that language is a system of communication associated with the mind. Why is there language, and instruction in DNA?
Equivocation again. DNA is not a literal language.

Logic, sensibility, reason - all based on our experience, and observation - leads to, not a baseless conclusion, but I believe, a reasonable one. For now, I will not mention the Bible, which give us I believe, reliable evidence.
Your entire argument is based on oversimplification, opinion, speculation, equivocation and a complete lack of any actual facts. That's not a logical argument.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
Once again, the only example you can provide is an example where you already have prior knowledge. I'm asking you how you can identify design without prior knowledge of its design.


But how does knowledge of objects that you only know from experience are designed, lead you to conclude that objects that you don't know from experience are designed, to be designed?


No, it's why your argument is flawed. You have no idea of the design process of the Universe, so you cannot assert design.


See above. Your argument is "x is designed, therefore y is designed". This is not a reasonable argument.


The difference being that the natural process can be and is directly observed, so this assumption is justified. If there is intelligence in the process, it is either undetectable or indistinguishable from nature, in which case the assertion of design is the assertion that has to be demonstrated.


I never said it can't. You're the one suggesting it necessarily does, and have yet to demonstrate why.


I don't have to, because I'm not the one making specific claims of how the Universe forms.


Both of these statements lack sufficient definition to be meaningful.


"Seems to be" is not an argument. If the Universe is "purposefully arranged" then why is the vast, vast, vast majority of it an empty, chaotic mess?


And it would all be basic equivocation.


Applying natural laws to an even which formed that natural laws is contradictory.


False. Give one example of a natural law which is known to come from an intelligence. Or are you committing equivocation again?


Irrelevant.


Again, all baseless assertions.


Because that's your way of understanding the world. It doesn't mean the world literally works that way.


Equivocation again. DNA is not a literal language.


Your entire argument is based on oversimplification, opinion, speculation, equivocation and a complete lack of any actual facts. That's not a logical argument.
Honestly, do you see this going anywhere? I can't. So here's the thing.

I believe in a creator. I believe I have evidence of a creator.
You believe not. I can't 100% prove it. You can't disprove it.

You believe in the theory of evolution. You believe you have evidence that the theory is true.
I believe not. You can't 100% prove it. I believe I can easily disprove it - and scientifically it can be disproved (that's the beauty of my argument, because you can't disprove mine :tongueout:), even though you may have the opinion, I can't.

We both seem to be making assertions.
Okay, so where do we go from here?

I'll start.
Do you know where your biggest assertion lies - on earth, that is - the universe has some major ones, but I'll start here on earth.

You believe all life came from one common ancestor. If that's not an assertion, then I don't know what is.
Can you show me this universal common ancestor? No, but by examining already existing life you assert that it existed - past tense - a dead life giver, which had no life giver... interesting.

So you can assert from what you see here on earth what is not even in harmony with scientific evidence, but I can't assert anything from observable evidence?
Where is the reasonableness in that?

Your move.
 

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
Honestly, do you see this going anywhere? I can't. So here's the thing.

I believe in a creator. I believe I have evidence of a creator.
You believe not. I can't 100% prove it. You can't disprove it.

You believe in the theory of evolution. You believe you have evidence that the theory is true.
I believe not. You can't 100% prove it. I believe I can easily disprove it - and scientifically it can be disproved (that's the beauty of my argument, because you can't disprove mine :tongueout:), even though you may have the opinion, I can't.
Please scientifically disprove evolution, then. I would love to see that.

We both seem to be making assertions.
No, you're making assertions and I am questioning the logic of those assertions. Thus far, you've failed to meet every challenge put to you to test your logic.

Okay, so where do we go from here?

I'll start.
Do you know where your biggest assertion lies - on earth, that is - the universe has some major ones, but I'll start here on earth.

You believe all life came from one common ancestor. If that's not an assertion, then I don't know what is.
Of course it's an assertion, but it has a lot of actual logic and evidence behind it.

Can you show me this universal common ancestor? No, but by examining already existing life you assert that it existed - past tense - a dead life giver, which had no life giver... interesting.
So you don't believe it's possible to reach a reasonable conclusion based on evidence rather than direct observation?

Funny that you don't apply this logic literally anywhere else in life other than towards assertions you personally don't want to believe are true.

So you can assert from what you see here on earth what is not even in harmony with scientific evidence, but I can't assert anything from observable evidence?
Except common ancestry is "in harmony" with scientific evidence. It's literally the foundation of modern biology and is re-affirmed pracitcally every time we discover anything new about biology. And your evidence isn't observable evidence, it's at best a hypothesis.

Where is the reasonableness in that?

Your move.
No, it's always been your move. You have yet to make one.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
Please scientifically disprove evolution, then. I would love to see that.


No, you're making assertions and I am questioning the logic of those assertions. Thus far, you've failed to meet every challenge put to you to test your logic.


Of course it's an assertion, but it has a lot of actual logic and evidence behind it.


So you don't believe it's possible to reach a reasonable conclusion based on evidence rather than direct observation?

Funny that you don't apply this logic literally anywhere else in life other than towards assertions you personally don't want to believe are true.


Except common ancestry is "in harmony" with scientific evidence. It's literally the foundation of modern biology and is re-affirmed pracitcally every time we discover anything new about biology. And your evidence isn't observable evidence, it's at best a hypothesis.


No, it's always been your move. You have yet to make one.
You seem to be going in circles. I don't like merry-go-rounds.
So you don't believe it's possible to reach a reasonable conclusion based on evidence rather than direct observation?

Funny that you don't apply this logic literally anywhere else in life other than towards assertions you personally don't want to believe are true.
Look where that circle led you - right back to where I started.
 

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
You seem to be going in circles. I don't like merry-go-rounds.

Look where that circle led you - right back to where I started.
Except you aren't reaching a conclusion by evidence, you're looking at two different things that are products of different processes and asserting that both share an element of "design", but are completely unable to provide any evidence or reasoning for this assertion. You aren't using evidence to reach a conclusion - your conclusion is already set. You're just making baseless assertions to try and support your conclusion.

Also, you just said you could scientifically disprove evolution. I would love to see that.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
Except you aren't reaching a conclusion by evidence, you're looking at two different things that are products of different processes and asserting that both share an element of "design", but are completely unable to provide any evidence or reasoning for this assertion. You aren't using evidence to reach a conclusion - your conclusion is already set. You're just making baseless assertions to try and support your conclusion.

Also, you just said you could scientifically disprove evolution. I would love to see that.
A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the evolutionaryrelationships among various biological species or other entities—their phylogeny (/faɪˈlɒdʒəni/)—based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. All life on Earth is part of a single phylogenetic tree, indicating common ancestry.

Explain the difference.
 

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the evolutionaryrelationships among various biological species or other entities—their phylogeny (/faɪˈlɒdʒəni/)—based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. All life on Earth is part of a single phylogenetic tree, indicating common ancestry.

Explain the difference.
You mean, explain the difference between reaching a conclusion based on actual facts and evidence - like morphology and DNA - and basing a conclusion on nothing?
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
You mean, explain the difference between reaching a conclusion based on actual facts and evidence - like morphology and DNA - and basing a conclusion on nothing?
Explain the difference between what you said here. ...and what I posted here. Feel free to use whatever else you want from here, or anywhere else you please.
 

ImmortalFlame

Woke gremlin
Explain the difference between what you said here. ...and what I posted here. Feel free to use whatever else you want from here, or anywhere else you please.
Again, what do you need explaining? Your conclusion isn't actually drawn from evidence, and the argument you are making is fallacious. The fact that all living things share physiological traits and DNA are facts that lend credibility to the theory that life derives from common ancestry, and this is further confirmed by what is directly observed in the fossil record and upon further examination of our genetic lineage.

The argument for common ancestry is "Fact A and fact B indicate a relationship, and these relationship is confirmed by examination A and B, leading us to believe that this relationship is true".

Your argument is "Thing A is the product of design, therefore thing B must be the product of design".

Why are you having difficulty telling those arguments apart?
 
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SkepticThinker

Veteran Member
Yes. It was my mistake for not expanding the quote, but your mistake for including my response someone else's post. :D That's what confused me.

So you are asking why I brought up the illustration.
I mentioned it more than once. I'm quite surprised you still don't get it.

I was actually asking what the illustration has to do with the "supernatural."

Your experience though real to you, may be foolishness to others, because you can't prove it. It does not make your experience less of an experience, and of no account or value to you... unless of course, you are swayed by others' opinions - perhaps for the sake of popularity. :)

I hope this is clear.
I'm am sure I mentioned the application about twice.
It doesn't make it supernatural though.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
Again, what do you need explaining? You conclusion isn't actually drawn from evidence, and the argument you are making is fallacious. The fact that all living things share physiological traits and DNA are facts that lend credibility to the theory that life derives from common ancestry, and this is further confirmed by what is directly observed in the fossil record and upon further examination of our genetic lineage.

The argument for common ancestry is "Fact A and fact B indicate a relationship, and these relationship is confirmed by examination A and B, leading us to believe that this relationship is true".

Your argument is "Thing A is the product of design, therefore thing B must be the product of design".

Why are you having difficulty telling those arguments apart?
That's because you limited design to... I don't know what?
Design include features, characteristic, genetic makeup, etc.
As for the fossil record, the evidence seems to support creation.
Where is your evidence of the fossil record supporting evolution theory, if it's not asserted.
 
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