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Recent content by Runlikethewind

  1. Runlikethewind

    some questions for muslims on this board

    And it looks like you have an ax to grind there as well....
  2. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    I'll admit that my first reaction in this thread was to go on the defensive, I'm only human after all. Now that I have had a chance to sleep on it and think about it for a while I actually think I agree with Harris to a degree. I would like to get some clarity first, before I get too far. This...
  3. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    You're the one that started the thread, complaining about people making claims about the universe without "hard-evidence" to back it up. I'm just pointing out that you seem to be a little bit guilty too. Your characterization of faith as "an entire category of claims about our universe that...
  4. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    Would you say the same thing about all philosophy? EDIT: and also could you give us the scientific evidence that the universe is indifferent? Because that is not a scientific claim but a philosophical one.
  5. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    Again you seem to be assuming that the definition is arbitrary. We in fact do know what we are talking about when we use the term God. I'll admit we don't fully and completely know but we most certainly can clarify the concept of God so that we understand that we are talking about the same...
  6. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    You're talking about it like we have a choice in the matter, we don't. It's not an arbitrary definition, it can't be defined any other way (that's not to say we can't refine our definition...) if we defined it differently then it wouldn't be the same thing. If we defined God as something that is...
  7. Runlikethewind

    Sam Harris Defines Faith

    I would first disagree with Harris' assessment of faith. I think that internal coherence and reasonability are taken seriously by many/most faith claims. I know that I try to keep my faith internally coherent. If someone raises an inconsistency in my faith I don't ignore it or say "you can't say...
  8. Runlikethewind

    Is Free Will an Illusion? Scientists, Philosophers Forced to Differ

    The question of the existence of free will is different than the question of how free is our will. It seems to me that the scientists are saying that our choices are conditioned, which means to me that our choices are not completely free because they are influenced by past choices. To me that...
  9. Runlikethewind

    Let's Talk about Abortion

    Technically the Church doesn't excommunicate people, they excommunicate themselves by their actions. Any official declaration of excommunication on the part of a bishop is merely a recognition of a preexisting reality. Its kind of the same as the canonization process. The Church doesn't "make"...
  10. Runlikethewind

    Should religious organizations pay taxes?

    Codes of behavior which must be applied to all aspects of ones life if one is to “avoid punishment” as you say. That is what makes it explicit. The moral lessons taught by rallying need only be applied to rallying. If you want to apply them to other aspects of your life that's great but it not a...
  11. Runlikethewind

    Why does it matter so much to Michael Behe, and Ken Miller how God has used evolution?

    He hasn't provided any scientific evidence because he doesn't think there is any. I can't speak for Miller personally but I do believe that is what he would say. I believe that God is involved in the evolutionary process and I also believe that His involvement is undetectable by definition and I...
  12. Runlikethewind

    Should religious organizations pay taxes?

    You're right, its not enough to say religions have positive things associated with them. I bring up these positive aspects of religion in addition to the charitable work they do which was discussed above by others. My point being that these things can provide further reasons to consider tax...
  13. Runlikethewind

    Why does it matter so much to Michael Behe, and Ken Miller how God has used evolution?

    The disagreement between Behe and Miller is about whether or not we can decisively and conclusively prove that God has intervened in the process of evolution. Behe argues that we can prove God's intervention and irreducible complexity is that proof. Miller argues that we can't. If God did...
  14. Runlikethewind

    Should religious organizations pay taxes?

    I haven't posted on this forum in a long time, but I do occasionally stop by for a peek. So I thought I would throw my two cents into this debate. Churches don't just do charitable work, they also teach and preach charity. What I mean is that churches provide a kind of moral education and...
  15. Runlikethewind

    How best to argue against creationists

    When I started this thread I had hoped to take an active participation in the discussion. However I got busy and was not able to get online for any length of time. Now 122 posts later I find myself a bit overwhelmed. I plan on going through the thread tonight if I can. I just thought I should...
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