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From: rjb@akgua.UUCP (R.J. Brown [Bob])
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Why am I an atheist ?
Message-ID: <860@akgua.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Jul-84 12:18:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: akgua.860
Posted: Mon Jul  2 12:18:19 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 4-Jul-84 03:37:22 EDT
Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta
Lines: 90



A few remarks in reply to Mr. Parks

>>1.  Assume for a moment that there was no God.  If that were true, then
>>     the concept of Divinity and God (or Gods) would still be invented
>>     by man, who needed this comfort.  In fact, (almost) every separate
>>     branch of humanity has discovered its own different Gods, each as 
>>     different from each other as the separate groups of man were from 
>>     each other.  IF THERE WAS NO GOD, THEN MAN WOULD INVENT HIM.

We could put a different interpretation on the scenario.  There really
is one or more God or gods and that this "Universal" appearance in the
many cultures of the world is the echo of something real.  I think
this is where the Bahais (sp ?) would jump in.  Any Bahais on the net
please correct me if I misrepresent you.

>>2.  There is no current-day objective proof for religion.  There are 
>>     communications, prayers, miracles, and healings, but these are all
>>     subjective and do not constitute proof to disbelievers.

This one constantly comes up from nonTheists and Atheists.
You tell me what degree and kind of proof would be acceptable.

Usually, the tone of the Atheist
proof request is belligerent to the point of "Hey God ! If you
are real get your butt down here and show yourself - AND NOW !"
Not many humans respond real well to that kind of "request"
so I don't imagine Deity swallows that one well either.



>>5.  New religions are being started today, even as we watch.  Remember 
>>     Scientology, TM, Jim Jones' bunch of fun-loving Kool-Aiders, Moonies,
>>     Rosicrucians and so on.  You may call them cults, but they call 
>>     themselves religions.  They can be investigates *today*, and I do not 
>>     believe in the metaphysical claims of *any* of them.  Their proponents 
>>     do believe, and very strongly.

If I told you I was a Martian that wouldn't make it so, would it ?
I could dig up all the dirt on Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Atilla
th Hun, etc and blame it all on Atheism (which Marxists and Commies
are proud to claim) but that really doesn't bear much on your
nonTheology or its essential correctness now does it ?

  
>>6.  There are technical inaccuracies in all holy books, including the
>>     Bible.  (I Chronicles 16:30, Psalm 93:1, Psalm 96:10, Psalm 104:5
>>     where is is undeniably stated that the earth is immovable; Isaiah
>>     40:21-22, Job 22:141, Daniel 4:10-11, Matthew 4:8, Revelation 7:1,
>>     where it is implied that the earth is flat, and it is plain that the
>>     authors believe that the earth is flat).  These indicate to me that
>>     the Bible (or any holy work) is not the sole single work of God, but
>>     was written by human beings and may be inaccurate.  This idea is
>>     supported by the many translations of the Bible in existence.  I do
>>     not say that the Bible couldn't have been divinely *inspired*,
>>     merely that it was written by human beings.

You forgot "From the rising of the Sun, to the going down of the
same the Lord's name shall be praised."  We all know of course
that the sun doesn't rise don't we ? :-)  Seriously, you are focusing
errors of Biblical cosmologists to avoid (it would seem ) the weightier
matters.  **Testimony** No proof possible ! ==> I have never been led
astray following the teachings of the Bible.  When I have analyzed
my behavior after getting in trouble I have noticed a divergence
between my way and the Bible way.


	     
>> Uri Geller was a fraud, Christ was not.

This is a most peculiar statement ( and a tad inconsistent)
from someone touting rationalism.  You don't know Jesus, you
doubt the reliabilty of the texts and the authors who wrote
about Him yet you pass a value judgement on His character.
BTW I happen to agree with you but for "reasons". Quotes are
for RLR's sake :-)

That's all for awhile

"No mas! No mas!" - R Duran, 1980 ?




Bob Brown {...ihnp4!akgua!rjb}
AT&T Technologies, Inc.............. Norcross, Ga
(404) 447-3784 ...  Cornet 583-3784