1. Responses to 'Gods and Earthlings' by Richard Dawkins

Comment #166756 by thunder2384 on April 23, 2008 at 12:11 pm

The reasoning in some of these letters is horrible. Mr. Lasor, for example, says the universe either always existed or it had to have been created by someone who has always existed. Says who? He has to justify that the claim that it had to have been created by a being, and further, that that being always existed itself.

I'm often dismayed with how unintelligently people consider matters. I really hope reason and intelligent win against unreason and stupidity.

2. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #135397 by thunder2384 on February 28, 2008 at 10:59 pm

I actually came upon this Treaty a few weeks ago and did some reading on it. It's a very good point to mention when someone claims the Fouding Fathers intended this to be a Christian nation. The one thing that kind of hurts its strength as a point though is that apparently in a later version of the treaty that particular phrase was not present. But, still, the fact that it was ratified unanimously (and published in newspapers at the time without any apparent uproar) is a strong point.

3. Atheists are just as dogmatic as theists, and the only reasonable person is an agnostic.

Comment #111851 by thunder2384 on January 15, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Some atheists may be just as dogmatic as theists, but not all are. I know because I'm not. I do not amdmire anyone who says no evidence at all could even conceivably be presented to them which would at least make them view God's existence as more plausible. You have to be willing to look unwaveringly at the evidence and accept it's implications, no matter what they are.

However, I do not at all think it's necessarily reasonable to be agnostic about God's existence. It's perfectly reasonable to consider the probability of his existence. I would argue that the existence of fairies and leprechauns is quite improbable and yet, considerably more probable than God's existence as they aren't nearly so complex or demanding in terms of an explanation.

For me, I certainly can't say I absolutely know God does not exist, but his existence seems very improbable.

4. What is the role of free will to an atheist?

Comment #111844 by thunder2384 on January 15, 2008 at 9:26 pm

The role of freewill(making the initial assumption that it exists) is to me the ability to take the best steps you can to secure your liberty and happiness. That's what I'm trying to do.