God Exists And Humans Depend On God To Live
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
After 4 votes and with the same amount of points on both sides...
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- 4
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- Three days
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- Multiple criterions
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- Open
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*Full Resolution*
God exists and humans depend on god to live.
Pro
Has the BoP, 4 rounds, 10K characters per round, and 3 days per post to AFFIRM that god exists and humans depend on god to live; Pro should also refute Con.
Con
Has 4 rounds, 10K characters per round, and 3 days per post to NEGATE that god exists and humans dpend on god to live; Con should also refute Pro.
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*Definitions*
god - a superhuman existence worshiped as having power over nature and human fortunes.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/god
superhuman - above or beyond what is human; having a higher nature or greater powers than humans have.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/superhuman
existence - something that exists.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/existence
exists - has objective reality or being.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/exist
humans - members of the Homo Sapiens species; human beings belonging to the genus Homo.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/homo_sapiens
depend on - rely on.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/depend
live - remain alive.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/live
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May the better argument win!
Without a future, there is no fortune.
Without god, there is no human fortune.
A physical thing is composed of matter. Doesn’t matter if it’s a gas, liquid, solid or plasma—it is still composed of matter.
We arrive at this simple conclusion by observing the world around us and using our reasoning:
A physical thing can not create itself.
- That rock over there didn't create itself. Something else had to create it.
- That car over there didn’t will itself into being. Something had to create it.
- That building was created by something.
- The earth was created by something, it didn’t create itself.
We observe this fact, through science, about every physical thing around us. There is not a physical thing that we observe that is believed to have created itself.
One can ask these basic questions about every physical thing we observe— how did it come into existence? It could not have created itself, so WHAT created it?
As stated, when one asks this question repeatedly of everything, one ultimately arrives at the question “Well, what about matter itself?” (Reminds me of that Rocky & Bullwinkle quip, “Wassamatta U.!”). “What created matter?”
Well, when one asks the question “What created matter?”, it’s reasonable to use our experience about everything else we observe, via science, and draw the following conclusion “Matter could not have created itself because, as we witness around us, a physical thing can not create itself. It’s reasonable to deduce that this would apply to “matter” itself.”
Therefore, “matter” could not create itself. It’s reasonable to conclude that whatever created matter must be “im-material” (i.e. not composed of matter). In fact, what created the universe must exist OUTSIDE the universe (how would it be part of the universe and create the universe?).
The sun is a physical entity in this universe. It is composed of matter, as is other physical entities in this universe. As shown above, the “sun” could not have created itself. Nor could hydrogen.
While it is true God has power over nature, why is that? Is it because maybe God created nature?
- Did the sun create nature? No
- The Sun, though powerful, is still subject to the laws of physics as well as the theory of relativity. These physical laws/theories bind things within this universe. In other words, physical objects in this universe (me, you…the car…the surfer…and yes, the Sun) are bound by the laws of physics
Your origin of life on Earth is flawed. The sun may have simply just provided the right temperature/pressure for life to begin, that in no way can be translated into "The Sun created life". That would be like saying the oven "made the cake"-- it just simply provided the right environment. In addition, timply because science has replicated the building blocks of earth, this in no way proves that is HOW life originated on earth. I can construct an Atari video game in my garage….that doesn’t prove my way was the way the original video game was constructed.
Your theory on the formation and structure of the Earth is appealing. However, while it might explain the earth and it’s formation, it fails to explain the formation of other physical objects outside our solar system. Nor does it explain things that have non-physical existence, like thoughts, ideas, and concepts.
Just because we schedule our days/nights around the rotation of the earth to the sun, it the beginning it was done out of necessity. Now, with the advent of technology, it’s more of a convenience. In fact, many activities are independent of Night/Day (can I get three cheers for them finally installing lights at Wrigley Field??). I tend to schedule my work day around my Boss’ needs—I’m not about to start worshiping him as a God.
So wow you may follow the path of the ancient Egyptians and worship the Sun (Ra), one would question why? Through your power of reason and deduction, you should be able to deduce that something had to have created the sun, and thus, be more powerful than the sun.
"Allow me to lean on Aquinas, et al, a bit here."
"What created matter?...what created the universe must exist OUTSIDE the universe...the sun is a physical entity in this universe...the Sun, though powerful, is still subject to the laws of physics."
"While it is true God has power over nature, why is that?"
"Did the sun create nature?"
"Your origin of life on Earth is flawed."
"The sun may have simply just provided the right temperature/pressure for life to begin, that in no way can be translated into 'The Sun created life'. "
"Your theory on the formation and structure of the Earth...might explain the earth and it’s formation...it fails to explain the formation of other physical objects outside our solar system."
"we schedule our days/nights around the rotation of the earth to the sun"
"in fact, many activities are independent of Night/Day (can I get three cheers for them finally installing lights at Wrigley Field??)."
"Through your power of reason and deduction, you should be able to deduce that something had to have created the sun."
"While I could refute everything you write in defense of worshiping the Sun..."
"...there's no need to."
All aboard!
"The whole point is, if you can use logic and reasoning to show that some "thing" had to create the universe, the sun, etc, it stands to reason that worshiping the Sun is illogical when something much larger, much more powerful than the Sun is 'out there.'"
More than that, god does not have to be the creator of the universe.
Where did you get that idea Con?
"If you make the claim that people are dependent on the sun, then I would argue yes..."
"Yep, and my response is, there something much greater than the sun-- superhuman too."
"Sorry, I did not concede that God is a physical entity. When did I concede that?"
"The sun is a physical entity in this universe. It is composed of matter."-Con
"Curious, why don't you worship Earth?
So what if other things are worshiped for being superhuman?
Why does there have to be only one, again?
"Having one or two super-human abilities does not a God make. Sorry."
"I can name a whole host of things that a human can do that a sun can't do."
Even if humans have supersolar powers, it wouldn't negate that the sun, praise be unto hydrogen, has greater powers than humans rendering it superhuman.
"God exists and humans depend on god to live. That I believe."
"Sorry Magic Mike, you've done nothing to prove that the Sun is a God."
"You fail to understand the basic definitions, like "contingent". You stretch it to mean what you want. Nice playin with ya."
contingent on/upon - occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case.
"you think dreams/ideas/thoughts have a physical existence."
But while we're here, things that are contingent on the physical are physical themselves though they are not made of matter; they are contingent on matter, so are therefore physical.
"Likewise, you think the "God" simply means has some greater powers than a human"
Oblivious.
"But i stand by my statement, having a few powers greater than a human does not a God make. Sorry. It doesn't work like that."
"What you haven't proven is this: the sun is a God. The sun is a god in your mind. I get that. "
The mere fact that I've repeated the damn phrase about hydrogen so many times proves that I praise and worship the great hydrogen ball, and this satisfies the resolution.
"Of course, as an atheist, I'm sure you believe Truth is subjective."
b) Even if I reject the god claim made by countless religions, I still believe there are objective truths.
"In case your curious, I've already won the debate."
Thanks for the concession Con.
Maybe I'll prove that your god isn't real in a different debate...it'll be fun to watch you squirm to try to demonstrate such a ridiculous god.
Hahahaha, Con looks funny when he squirms.
As a preface, head moderator bsh1 has already publicly confirmed that additional “rules” included in the debate description are not binding on debaters, voters or moderators. Only the actual rules of the site as called upon from the Code of Conduct are enforceable;
https://www.debateart.com/forum/topics/755?page=1&post_number=4
Pro, as instigator, makes the outrageous claim that the sun is god, the sun exists, the sun is an important element of the ecosystem upon which humans rely, thus, humans “depend on god to live!” Clearly, nobody denies that the sun exists or that our ecosystem relies on it, so this debate hinges on if Pro can angrily intimidate his opponent into accepting his claim that the sun is god… which didn’t go too well to say the least!
First, Con begins by stating that he will be paraphrasing famous theologian Thomas Aquinas (thus indirectly using a source) to demonstrate that the idea of a “god” is more complex and detailed than his opponent is trying to paint it. Instead, he points out that the sun is merely a physical object, not even a sentient object at that. To this end, he draws attention to serious philosophical flaws in Pro’s claims, such as his claim that the sun created life on earth, when all the sun actually did was produce light which was part of the ecosystem that sustains life, not the actual creator of life itself. Pro’s only real rebuttal was to angrily demand that his opponent strictly obey the definitions and “rules” he created for the debate (some of which didn’t even appear until after the debate started, meaning they weren’t even included in the actual description). Con easily rejects this and continues.
Next, Con demonstrates the flawed logic within the “definitions” Pro uses. Pro claims that the sun is “superhuman” because of the size and shape of the sun. Con points out that if the definition of “superhuman” is allowed to be as broad as any feature or trait that humans lack, then it would be all too easy to use that same logic to extend godhood to any object. For example, since an elephant is “stronger” than a man, this gives the elephant a “superhuman” trait according to Pro’s definition, and thus an elephant would be a “god” by such a definition. Con also points out that the earth itself shares many of the same traits which Pro attributed to the sun (size, shape, essential for life, etc), so why doesn’t Pro also worship the sun? Again, Pro had no real rebuttal to any of this, other than to become increasingly angry and repeatedly demand that his opponent obey his special “rules” and definitions. Con once again refuted the idea that he was in any way obligated to obey these "rules" and definitions, particularly since Pro was clearly stretching the definitions to fit his own personal meaning, rather than the commonly accepted and intended meaning of the words.
The final nail in the coffin of Pro’s argument comes from Pro himself. After becoming increasingly hostile and visibly angry throughout the whole debate, Pro finally loses his temper in the final round and descends into one of the most childish insult frenzies I’ve ever seen that didn’t take place on a kindergarten playground. This obscene behavior is not only enough to cost him the conduct point for the debate, but if the best rebuttal he can think of in the final round is to launch childish ad hominem at his opponent, it rather solidly proves that he never had a real argument in the first place.
Arguments and conduct both go to Con.
1.) conduct: RFD for conduct in comments , and was deemed sufficient.
2.) arguments. This RFD is updated - removing all information provided for feedback as follows:
The definitions pro uses throughout are defined —IN HIS OPENING ROUND—, and cannot possibly be considered agreed to. At no point can I consider any of the definitions pro presented in the CONTENT OF HIS DEBATE to be automatically assumed to be true.
As a result I cannot and will not consider pro to have successfully defined and won his position by unilateral fiat in this case - the definitions used are clearly defined in pros CONTENT and subject to challenge.
Additionally - the CoC clearly states that I must not consider debate comments or other votes in the RFD (which I don’t), but even in the comments there is no example where con accepts the definitions, so I must as a voter assume that the newly presented definitions that pro uses HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.
Everything PRO said, and argued in every round concerning the sun being god is accepted as unrefuted and true in every single argument he produced based on his definitions - predicated on those definitions being correct and accurate.
However, as explained - challenging these definitions is relevant and valid.
Cons primary argument, used throughout is that pro is using his definitions incorrectly, that he is stretching definitions, and that doing so has absurd results: this is his primary argument used throughout. The standout example of this, where con points out that the way pro is using his definitions is so absurd, it could be used to show that elephants or the earth are god, con points out throughout that this clearly isn’t what the definition —shared in Pros opening round — are intended to mean, and clearly explains that pro is stretching the definitions to suit his case - rather than those definitions being correct.
Given cons knockout argument that pro is misusing his R1 posted definitions: pro must show that he is using the definitions correctly, and that the definitions he uses - as worded and as used - are correct as per cons objections
Pro singly and solely rejects all of cons argument out of hand either by saying that the definition is accepted and can’t be challenged or by simply repeating the definition that pro is challenging.
As a rebuttal I find this WHOLLY insufficient as an argument and result in any rational voter having to view pro as completely dropping cons primary contention and effective kritik - and thus surrenders the entire contention he is making. As he offers no other argument - pro must be considered to have failed to meet the essential burden of proof he agrees to.
Pros only other argument - that con conceded, is not sufficient in my view. I don’t consider that cons statement supporting God, is a statement of personal belief, not a specific or implicit concession. To be a concession, con needs to accept or acknowledge pro has met the specific contention of the debate - which con falls far short of. And is thus not accepted.
Con's arguments were, at bottom, a rejection of Pro's definitions. And rejecting Pro's definitions violates the terms of the debate.
Rule #1:
"The definitions below are agreed to by accepting the debate and both debaters agree, by accepting, that all voters must use these definitions when weighing their vote and that if the voters do not use these definitions, both debaters will publicly request that the mods remove the vote."
Some of Con's arguments (paraphrased; forgive me):
"The sun, being made of matter, could not have created itself. Or life on Earth."
- Pro's definition of God says nothing about creation, so in the context of this debate, being a creator is not a necessary component of godhood.
"The sun is not God and cannot logically be called God."
- The sun actually does meet Pro's definition of God as worded.
"Pro has not proven the sun is God."
- I do believe he doesn't have to. It's not what the debate is about. He just has to make sure the sun meets his provided definition of a god. And it does. From there, all he has to prove is a) the sun exists and b) humans depend on the sun to live. I don't feel that Con really met Pro on either of those points. He spent most of his time arguing that the sun is not God, mostly by trying to bring his own definitions and outside presuppositions into the debate.
So I award arguments to Pro.
Pro's sources -- Oxford Dictionaries, Wikipedia, theplanets.org, Universe Today, National Academy of Sciences, etc -- were sufficient to back up Pro's definition of "god" and to back up the solar properties Pro argued fulfilled said definition of "god" (superhuman, power over nature, power over human life). Weighed against Con's sources in support of his argument, which were nil, I award sources to Pro.
Conduct a tie. Neither side was exactly genteel. Yes, this is another debate from Mag employing sneaky wording and very selective definitions, but on the other hand I feel like this should be fairly clear to anyone who reads the debate description thoroughly. It's all laid out there. Plus other members give warnings. But people still accept the debates without seeming to understand that they will have to compete while handcuffed. I am not without some sympathy. It seems the only real way to escape defeat is to not accept the debate.
Observation 1: This debate pro needs to prove 2 things: God exists, and that humans depend on Him to live. Pro does not have to argue which God is real, just that a God exists and depends on him to live.
Observation 2: By accepting the debate, one necessarily accepts the rules and definitions provided. If one does not agree with those rules or definitions, they need to work that out prior to accepting the debate.
Pro's main argument was that the sun meets his definition of God and humans depend on the sun to live, ergo God exists. Con's main rebuttal was that the sun is a created object and thus is not God. However even if we grant that, con makes a huge blunder by arguing that God exists, only it is not the sun:
"Yep, and my response is, there something much greater than the sun-- superhuman too - more deserving of worship than the Sun. In fact, the sun depends on IT for it's existence."
Con needs to show that God does not exist OR that humans do not depend on Him to live. He fails to meet this burden. By arguing that the sun is not God but God is God, he concedes the resolution.
Since each thought is contingent on the brain activities and neurotransmitter balance, types of thoughts exclusively associated with particular brain activity and particular neurotransmitters can be measured, and so you can accurately predict the types of thoughts someone is thinking by measuring the physical source from which the thought is an emergent construct.
This is not based on science. Sorry. You’re wrong. Science has not been able to determine the content of a thought based on brainwaves. Science at best says because of the brainwaves, this COULD BE a thougNice try. If you are so sure, perhaps you can point to the specific scientific research that proves this.
Well, are there any surfers that don't make footprints in the sand?
If it's the case that all surfers make footprints in the sand, then we could find a standard surfer footprint and more reasonably conclude the surfer's physical attributes from the series of footprints given the depth of each print, the incline there within, and the shape and size of the imprint from each part of the surfer's foot from their push-off while walking.
I could give you an estimate on height, weight, speed, gait, and overall body shape of the surfer that just walked or ran out to the ocean to surf from a standard of surfers' footprints and the measurement of the series of footprints in the sand.**
True. But you are not using science to provide attribute of the surfer. Science would be actually giving the physical dimensions on what you are observing about him. Taking weights, measuring height, providing observable features from the surfer itself. If you are basing your physical attributes on the footprint, you’re basically taking a guess (your best guess based on reasoning), not using science measure. You’re providing a theory that the object that made the footprint COULD BE a surfer, yay high, weighing x number of pounds etc. But it’s a theory, not a fact. Big difference.
Where does it say in the Bible that most people will burn in hell forever?
Well, god doesn't do that at all.
God gives you life sir.
I think God is evil because the bible says most people will burn in hell forever. No one deserves to burn in hell forever.
Um, ok , I'll bite, what did you say that turned out to be just like it?
Just like I said.
This debate is sponsored by Illuminati.
Have an illuminating debate as you realise the logo for Religion debates is Illuminati.
when I said dopamine, I should have said glutamate, I'm not a fucking neurologist, but that was to be my point.
"Do you believe there are things that exist that do not have physical existence?"
I have no reason to believe that there are things that exist that do not have physical existence UNLESS they are contingent on the physical.
I have no reason to believe anything NOT CONTINGENT on the physical exists.
"For example, you have the free will to stroll across the street, but you do not have the free will to jump to the moon, because...well, that is simply not possible"
Right our free will is not unbounded.
" Who's definition of closed system are you using-- is that your own? "
You're right, I meant isolated system. My bad.
"you said it is possible for something to last forever. Can you please provide an example and/or explain how you came to this conclusion?"
I'm just saying if the universe is an open system and is not ISOLATED (my bad again) it could theoretically burn on forever as long as there are multiple universes feeding the system.
"I want you to describe for me, in physical terms, your thoughts. Here's a simple experiment to illustrate what I"m asking you. Imagine I gave you a black and white photo of the Titanic. And then I ask you, describe the picture for me. Now, instead of the picture of the titanic, i want you to have an idea or thought of the titanic."
"Now, instead of the picture of the titanic, i want you to have an idea or thought of the titanic.Describe for me in physical terms this thought."
Ok, so because the titanic is from the past and I know of it, it naturally must be in my memory, so to access the relevant facts associated with the titanic, I will need to activate my frontal lobe, and if my dopamine levels are where they need to be for me to accurately be able to communicate that memory from the frontal lobe to my language acquisition device, I can verbally indicate that I can recall images, books, and even movies I've seen that contain those relevant facts about the titanic.
This thought is a construct of the processes my brain and neurons go through with respects to that particular memory.
"But here's the deal, since isn't measuring/observing the thought itself, is it?"
Since each thought is contingent on the brain activities and neurotransmitter balance, types of thoughts exclusively associated with particular brain activity and particular neurotransmitters can be measured, and so you can accurately predict the types of thoughts someone is thinking by measuring the physical source from which the thought is an emergent construct.
"If I were to ask you to go give me the physical attributes, to observe/measure scientifically, that surfer over there, you wouldn't go to his footprints in the sand"
Well, are there any surfers that don't make footprints in the sand?
If it's the case that all surfers make footprints in the sand, then we could find a standard surfer footprint and more reasonably conclude the surfer's physical attributes from the series of footprints given the depth of each print, the incline there within, and the shape and size of the imprint from each part of the surfer's foot from their push-off while walking.
I could give you an estimate on height, weight, speed, gait, and overall body shape of the surfer that just walked or ran out to the ocean to surf from a standard of surfers' footprints and the measurement of the series of footprints in the sand.
"While science can measure brainwaves, it doesn't guarantee or prove these are your thoughts."
Well, if you have hunger thoughts, sexual thoughts, or thoughts from anxiety, there's really not much other brain activity going on than the activity exclusively associated with each of those particularly carnal functions during those exclusive thoughts.
2. "Things either physically exist or exist contingent on the physical."
Sorry, you're not answering the question. Let me repeat the question. What I asked is "Do you believe there are things that exist that do not have physical existence?"
I'm not asking if there are things that exist that depend on other physical things. I know that-- we this all around us (You and I both depend, are contingent on, physical things like food and water).
What I want to know is, do YOU believe there things that exist that do not have physical existence?
4. Regarding free will, thanks for your input. Would you agree though that you do have the free will to do what is possible? For example, you have the free will to stroll across the street, but you do not have the free will to jump to the moon, because...well, that is simply not possible.
5. Closed systems
I'm sorry. Who's definition of closed system are you using-- is that your own? Everything I learned in Thermodynamics states that within a closed system, energy is indeed exchanged in/out of the system, but not matter. Whereas in an open system, matter as well as energy is exchanged in/out of the system. DO you wish to go with this definition, or would you rather stick to yours? I’m good either way, but I do question where your definition came from, since it goes counter to what I learned in my engineering science classes.
Nonetheless, related to “open” systems, you said it is possible for something to last forever. Can you please provide an example and/or explain how you came to this conclusion?
1. **No.
If I think of a purple and orange striped mammal bird, this is not physical, it's a construct that I created with my physical brains/neurons.**
But here's the deal, since isn't measuring/observing the thought itself, is it? It's observing the activity of your brains/neurons. If I were to ask you to go give me the physical attributes, to observe/measure scientifically, that surfer over there, you wouldn't go to his footprints in the sand and begin to describe the footprints. If you did, I would say "no no no, describe the surfer for me, not these markings in the sand. For all I know, these markings in the sand may not have even been caused by that surfer dude."
While science can measure brainwaves, it doesn't guarantee or prove these are your thoughts.
I want you to describe for me, in physical terms, your thoughts. Here's a simple experiment to illustrate what I"m asking you. Imagine I gave you a black and white photo of the Titanic. And then I ask you, describe the picture for me. If you responded "well it's a 46,000 ton ship with 4 red and black smoke stacks." I'd say "no no no. You are describing for me the content of the picture. I want you to describe for me the picture itself, hopefully, you'd be able to say "Ohhhh, well...it's 4x6 inches....it's black and white.....it's less than a millimeter thick....it weighs very little, I don't know how much but we can measure it's weight if you'd like". Now, instead of the picture of the titanic, i want you to have an idea or thought of the titanic.
Describe for me in physical terms this thought.
1. **No.
If I think of a purple and orange striped mammal bird, this is not physical, it's a construct that I created with my physical brains/neurons.**
But here's the deal, since isn't measuring/observing the thought itself, is it? It's observing the activity of your brains/neurons. If I were to ask you to go give me the physical attributes, to observe/measure scientifically, that surfer over there, you wouldn't go to his footprints in the sand and begin to describe the footprints. If you did, I would say "no no no, describe the surfer for me, not these markings in the sand. For all I know, these markings in the sand may not have even been caused by that surfer dude."
While science can measure brainwaves, it doesn't guarantee or prove these are your thoughts.
I want you to describe for me, in physical terms, your thoughts. Here's a simple experiment to illustrate what I"m asking you. Imagine I gave you a black and white photo of the Titanic. And then I ask you, describe the picture for me. If you responded "well it's a 46,000 ton ship with 4 red and black smoke stacks." I'd say "no no no. You are describing for me the content of the picture. I want you to describe for me the picture itself, hopefully, you'd be able to say "Ohhhh, well...it's 4x6 inches....it's black and white.....it's less than a millimeter thick....it weighs very little, I don't know how much but we can measure it's weight if you'd like". Now, instead of the picture of the titanic, i want you to have an idea or thought of the titanic.
Describe for me in physical terms this thought.
Yes, in this debate, god follows logic.
"1. How does science measure that which is contingent on the physical?"
Well, the ideas, thoughts, and constructs that we create are not physical, but could not exist without brains/neurons, so by measuring the physical, that which is contingent on the physical can also be measured.
" Isn't the contingent still physical"
No.
If I think of a purple and orange striped mammal bird, this is not physical, it's a construct that I created with my physical brains/neurons.
"Or....are you implying that science measures (or can measure) that which is not physical?"
Science can measure brain activity, therefore indirectly thoughts.
"2. I'm curious-- why do you think that if God is to exist, it must be a physical being?"
See the debate unfold...
"Do you believe there are things that exist that do not have physical existence?"
Things either physically exist or exist contingent on the physical.
"3. Why do you believe that this Thing (God) must follow the laws of physics?"
Watch the debate unfold.
"4. Unbounded Free Will--"
We are limited by physics, but within physics we may act freely, so it's not unbounded free will, I can't read your mind.
"5. What do you mean by an "open system" and a "closed system"?"
Closed systems are not being fed energy...like the sun.
The sun will eventually burn out because it's a closed system.
The earth is an open system, because it's being fed energy from the sun.
If the universe were being fed energy from other universes, then it'd be an open system.
If not, the universe is a closed system.
By the way, you didn't really answer question #3. You responded by saying "It's an existence that follows the laws of physics. It can do everything within its nature of physics."
I wasn't talking about physics, I was talking about logic. The question wasn't about physics, it was about logic. I'll repeat the question (and so that you are not distracted by words, I'll won't use the word "someone"):
When you speak of "God", would you consider "God" as a being that must follow the rules of logic? In other words, do you perceive this God (or the theist's View of God) as a being that can even do the illogical, such as make a square circle?"
Awesome. Thanks for your responses.
1. How does science measure that which is contingent on the physical? Isn't the contingent still physical, so while science is measuring that which is contingent on the physical, isn't it still measuring the physical? Or....are you implying that science measures (or can measure) that which is not physical?
2. I'm curious-- why do you think that if God is to exist, it must be a physical being? Or if you don't believe in God, is it your believe that others (theists) believe God to be a physical being? This actually prompts a sub-question: Do you believe there are things that exist that do not have physical existence?
3. Good point. it doesn't have to be "someone". Let's just call it "Thing", so as not to be distracted by terms. Why do you believe that this Thing (God) must follow the laws of physics?
4. Unbounded Free Will-- what exactly do you mean by that? My idea of Free Will is the ability to do that which is indeed possible, and logical, to do. In other words, I don't believe the argument someone may have such as "I wan to jump to the moon, but I can't....see, I don't have free will! So free will doesn't exist!". Is that your understanding of Free Will? Better yet, just explain what you mean by "unbounded free will", and perhaps it's complement "bounded free will."
5. What do you mean by an "open system" and a "closed system"? Can you explain what a closed system is and what an open system is, in your opinion? Perhaps giving examples of each would be great, too.
To answer your question, and it's a good one, yes-- I believe it's possible for something to have a beginning AND last forever (this prompts other questions, but I will save those for later).
"1. Do you believe that science measures/observes only the physical-- i.e. those things that have physical attributes?"
I believe that science measures the physical and that which is contingent on the physical.
Thoughts are not physical but contingent on neurons/brains which are physical.
"2. When you speak of "God", are you speaking of an entity/being that has a physical existence (i.e. physical attributes that can observed via the scientific method)?"
You got it buddy...I'm what you might call a science guy, check my tattoo avatar.
"3.. When you speak of "God", would you consider "God" as a being that must follow the rules of logic? In other words, do you perceive this God (or the theist's View of God) as someone that can even do the illogical, such as make a square circle?"
Why does it have to be someone?
It's an existence that follows the laws of physics.
It can do everything within its nature of physics.
"4. Do you believe in Free Will?"
Yes, but it's not unbounded will.
"I'm simply asking, do you believe in free will-- i.e. do you have the ability to choose what you think, say, do, type (even on a debate website)?"
Yeah, I think there's enough evidence to show that we have some kind of free will.
"One last question, I promise...well, for now, anyway:"
Uh huh.
"5. Do you believe that physical/material things can last indefinitely (i.e. forever)?"
In a closed system no, in an open system yes.
"Please keep in mind the distinction between "very long time" and "forever."
Yeah, to me if you outlast the heat death of the universe, then you can say you lasted forever.
"Forever means without end-- no beginning, no end."
Ehhh.
Couldn't something have a beginning, but then last FOREVER?
This is great. Someone who enjoys harassing one debater because they are in such envy of them, posts another comment to a debate they wish they'd thought of.
This is great. Someone who enjoys losing debates because they want to convince their opponent and only that, takes on someone dedicated to sadistically troll the opponent semantically.
Both are going to troll one another to Hell and back.
Just answer the questions. They are actually quite simple questions, just answer yes or no.
Honestly, there are somethings I just don't care about:
1. Who I'm debating. It's irrelevant. I'm here to debate and argue my position. I'll ask questions to better understand the oppositions point of view, and I will try to keep these are "yes / no' questions, but may deviate.
2. Votes. Again, it's irrelevant. I'm not here to win favor or see how many votes I get. I'm just here to debate.
3. I don't care what Joe, Jill Jane or whoever thinks . When I'm in a debate, what matters is what the opposition thinks.
4. Punctuation or grammar. It's a distraction. If the only thing the opposition can argue is that I misspelled a word or left off a comma or left out an apostrophe, then that's a distraction.
So, answer the questions.
You know you're arguing against god, right?
I meant see the debate as it unfolds...lol
Um, I re-read what you wrote in the debate-- I do not see your answers there. Please tell me you're not already starting this debate off with a false statement....it's too soon. lol.
My answer to all of your questions is the same...see the debate.
I humbly accept your challenge. I do have a few questions though, because it's not evident from your "definitions". These are all just simple yes/no questions-- no need to point me to other people, other articles or websites, or bring up other arguments not related to the question. Just a simple "yes" or "no" will do.
1. Do you believe that science measures/observes only the physical-- i.e. those things that have physical attributes?
2. When you speak of "God", are you speaking of an entity/being that has a physical existence (i.e. physical attributes that can observed via the scientific method)?
3.. When you speak of "God", would you consider "God" as a being that must follow the rules of logic? In other words, do you perceive this God (or the theist's View of God) as someone that can even do the illogical, such as make a square circle? Again, just another simple yes/no response.
4. Do you believe in Free Will? Again, a simple yes/no response. I'm not asking you if both Man's Free-Will and God's Omni-Benevolence can co-exist. I'm simply asking, do you believe in free will-- i.e. do you have the ability to choose what you think, say, do, type (even on a debate website)?
One last question, I promise...well, for now, anyway:
5. Do you believe that physical/material things can last indefinitely (i.e. forever)? Please keep in mind the distinction between "very long time" and "forever". Forever means without end-- no beginning, no end. always was and always will be. People often confuse the two. Hell, I often do....I tell people "Tim Duncan played for the Spurs forever". But what I mean is, he played for them for a really long time.
I look forward to your responses.
For the record, I'm not here to garner votes, etc. So I really don't care about votes, how people vote, etc. I basically fast-forwarded to your definition section....lol.... I'm here cuz I love a good debate.
Come all ye unfaithful...and debate against god.
You should definitely take the debate
If you've ever wondered what jealousy looks like in text form...
"We must expose this semantics abuser every debate he makes so even when we die his kind of pseudo-debater don't get the winrate and rating that proper debaters earn and deserve."
Thank fully I saved you from it.
We must expose this semantics abuser every debate he makes so even when we die his kind of pseudo-debater don't get the winrate and rating that proper debaters earn and deserve.
I'd really like to accept this but I don't feel like risking wasting four rounds arguing over semantics
B to the U to the M to the P, come on atheists!
You need god!
Antithetically bumping, all to see.
Spamming bumps, all to know.
Harasser, all to know.
Abuser, all to say.
It's time to get bumpin' bumpin'
He's right.
If you care about keeping this site high quality, just post your suggestions about the site here.
Maybe we should have a voter's union, or maybe there should be stronger moderation...whatever it is, put your suggestion here.
DON'T BUMP THIS DEBATE IF YOU CARE ABOUT KEEPING THIS SITE HIGH QUALITY.
You will see, you've got me all wrong.
And people call me the delusional narcissist of the site.
Keep bumping the debate by making up crap about my record.
I had over 30 debates, not forfeited, voted on by legit voters, whtieflame mostly, that I won without "moving goalposts"
I'm just a good debater, give props son.
Petition to ignore inferior opinions
-MagicAintReal
There isn't a single debate that wasn't a full forfeit where you didn't solely win by goalpost moving.
Petition to delete this debate
-nmvarco
Ugh.
You guys are so hellbent on thinking that all of my debates are counter intuitive, but I have tons of debates that are not like that.
This debate is as it seems, there is nothing fallacious that I'd be arguing, take the debate and see.
Well why else would you debate such a fallacious thing like this if not for rating?
Sounds like you're just jealous tbh.
People who can't debate for shit so they debate something totally different to what the enemy thinks the resolution is by abusively disguising semantics