A theism, a theism, my kingdom for a theism

[chappy]

why is an infinite G-d limited to three forms?

also, and on an unrelated note: "Dammit Liebniz never picks up the phone-a-friend!"

[kladner]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...ef=mostpopular

Kathleen Taylor, Neuroscientist, Says Religious Fundamentalism Could Be Treated As A Mental Illness

An Oxford University researcher and author specializing in neuroscience has suggested that one day religious fundamentalism may be treated as a curable mental illness.
Kathleen Taylor, who describes herself as a "science writer affiliated to the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics," made the suggestion during a presentation on brain research at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales on Wednesday.
In response to a question about the future of neuroscience, Taylor said that "One of the surprises may be to see people with certain beliefs as people who can be treated," The Times of London notes.
“Someone who has for example become radicalised to a cult ideology -- we might stop seeing that as a personal choice that they have chosen as a result of pure free will and may start treating it as some kind of mental disturbance," Taylor said. “In many ways it could be a very positive thing because there are no doubt beliefs in our society that do a heck of a lot of damage."
The author went on to say she wasn't just referring to the "obvious candidates like radical Islam," but also meant such beliefs as the idea that beating children is acceptable.
Taylor was not immediately available for comment.

BONUS! Don't miss the Thirteen Abominations Slide Show at the bottom!

[retina]

Originally Posted by Kathleen Taylor

... such beliefs as the idea that beating children is [not] acceptable.

Does she mean to suggest that beating children is not acceptable? I find her attitude unacceptable. Mini-Me is a competitive little bugger I make sure I beat him in every game, every time. I can't have Mini-Me thinking he can outsmart me, the little bugger. He might start getting ideas about ruling the world or something, the little bugger.

[chappy]

http://www.thelapine.ca/atheist-suic...en-agnostics-0


It's a Parody site

[jasong]

An Oxford University researcher and author specializing in neuroscience has suggested that one day religious fundamentalism may be treated as a curable mental illness.

Speaking of crazy, what about people who claim the Theory of Evolution and Christ's resurrection being simultaneously true and meaningful?

One teaches death allows progress and is necessary, and the other teaches that death exists because of sin and must be overcome. If death existed before the concept of sin, then Christ's death wasn't meaningful, since death would be independent of sin and Christ's death wouldn't be the salvation that is claimed.

Not trying to advocate one or the other, that's for another thread, just saying they're not compatible beliefs.

Also, on a related note, I don't understand people who think it's funny that some Christians reject the Theory of Evolution, and yet use cell phones and other technology. The Theory of Evolution isn't truly provable because it would be almost impossible to document the emergence of a new species at the molecular level, but physics is an observable phenomenon that can be duplicated. Even carbon dating is problematic, since there could be some unknown force that removes the atoms without people being aware of it. Not trying to be an ass, but science is supposed to be about observed phenomenon, so TOE is theoretical, even if the carbon dating technique is well-defined.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by jasong

Even carbon dating is problematic, since there could be some unknown force that removes the atoms without people being aware of it.

There could indeed. By exactly the same reasoning there could be some unknown influence which deludes you into thinking that Christ is the Son of God.

[kladner]

It is part of the Canon of the Church of the FSM that the Noodly Appendage is always in there messing with experimental results.

In the name of the Semolina, and of the Marinara, and of the Parmesan!
AAARRRGGGHHH and rAMEN!

[chappy]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...on&ir=Religion


"They don't believe anything," said Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) "I can't imagine an atheist accompanying a notification team as they go into some family's home to let them have the worst news of their life and this guy says, 'You know, that's it -- your son's just worms, I mean, worm food.'"

[cheesehead]

Originally Posted by chappy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...on&ir=Religion


"They don't believe anything," said Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas)

... pandering to ignorance and prejudice ...

"I can't imagine an atheist accompanying a notification team as they go into some family's home to let them have the worst news of their life and this guy says, 'You know, that's it -- your son's just worms, I mean, worm food.'"

Well, I can't imagine that (as a realistic scenario), either, Congressman.

[jasong]

Originally Posted by xilman

There could indeed. By exactly the same reasoning there could be some unknown influence which deludes you into thinking that Christ is the Son of God.

Yes, I "agree" with that. (the scare quotes are there because I agree it's a possibility even though I don't believe it is actually true)

But it takes an equivalent amount of faith to unequivocably agree that a nothing exploded and totally random interactions created what we have now.

[jasong]

Originally Posted by cheesehead

... pandering to ignorance and prejudice ...

Well, I can't imagine that (as a realistic scenario), either, Congressman.

Well, non-Christians make precisely the same type of mistakes when they insult Christianity. Mr. Silverman claimed that faith is "believing in something that you know isn't true," which has many Christians throwing their hands up in disgust. Another forum member said at one point that the elders of the Christian churches "know they're teaching a lie and continue to do so," which is simply not true.

It exists on both sides.