Do Aliens actually exist ?

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

I hadn’t given my opinion just throwing it into the discussion but yeah you can believe in both, look at Francis Collins for example.

I agree with your last paragraph.

I'm an atheist - but kudos to you.

Many believers in God are so anti-science that it puts mankind at risk of terrible consequences.

 

[Ban-jani]

I'm an atheist - but kudos to you.

Many believers in God are so anti-science that it puts mankind at risk of terrible consequences.

I think it depends which religion, which denomination of such religion and where mostly.

It wouldn’t be fair to compare an Anglican in England to a evangelical in the Bible Belt of the US.

Nor would it be fair to compare an astronomer in Tehran or Baghdad, to a rural villager in the desert of Saudi Arabia.

Science wouldn’t where it was today without believers, such as Newton and those in ancient Baghdad pioneering mathematics.

A good mantra for us to coexist by is.. the atheists don’t have a monopoly on science and the religious don’t on morality.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

I think it depends which religion, which denomination of such religion and where mostly.

It wouldn’t be fair to compare an Anglican in England to a evangelical in the Bible Belt of the US.

Nor would it be fair to compare an astronomer in Tehran or Baghdad, to a rural villager in the desert of Saudi Arabia.

Science wouldn’t where it was today without believers, such as Newton and those in ancient Baghdad pioneering mathematics.

A good mantra for us to coexist by is.. the atheists don’t have a monopoly on science and the religious don’t on morality.

Whereas, if you believe in something - whatever it is - absolutely - due to conviction - without regard to evidence to the contrary - however persuasive - than I cannot persuade you - no matter what.

Whereas, I believe in scientific fact - I'm 100% open to persuasion.
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That said, the existence of God or not is unprovable by science - should you choose to believe in God - I cannot dissuade you on the evidence.
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>>>I think it depends which religion, which denomination of such religion and where mostly. It wouldn’t be fair to compare an Anglican in England to a evangelical in the Bible Belt of the US.

It's all a matter of degree IMO.

Some religions/sects are extremist anti-science - some less so.

It's rare - to find someone who both believes in God and in accepted 21st century science. I personally know of no one such; probably such persons are 1-in-10 in the USA or less.

Believers in God seem to think that they are on earth for a special purpose; or that they can communicate with God; or that, for example, quantum science can't be real as it seems to contradict some sort of God-fordaned reality - a friend of mine similarly doesn't believe in black holes because he can't believe that a human sucked into a black hole would be lost "forever" (actually he wouldn't due to black hole evaporation but whatever) - and so forth.

 

[Ban-jani]

It's rare - strike that - exceedingly rare - to find someone who both believes in God and in accepted 21st century science. I personally know of no one such.

I just want to counter this, I totally disagree.

European Christianity very much believes in 21st century science.

The Catholic Church in Rome and the Church of England both agree with modern science, in the main, it may be different in America but over here I think it’s probably the opposite to your figures.

Quantum Science enhances my belief in a creator, as it shows how finely tuned the universe is.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

I just want to counter this, I totally disagree.

European Christianity very much believes in 21st century science.

Quantum Science enhances my belief in a creator, as it shows how finely tuned the universe is.

I'm not from Europe - so I can't argue from personal experience.

But do you not believe in any of the following?:

1) You're on earth for a special purpose;
2) God flooded the world with some select individuals and animals surviving in an arc;
3) The earth is approximately 2000 years old;
4) The afterlife exists - furthermore, some individuals are able to communicate with the afterlife.
5) Natural selection and the science of Darwin is incorrect - instead, intelligent design controls the evolution of life on earth;
6) God is just - those who believe in God and are good will live forever in Paradise - those who do not will live in limbo or will go to hell

 

[Ban-jani]

I'm not from Europe - so I can't argue from personal experience.

But do you not believe in any of the following?:

1) You're on earth for a special purpose;
2) God flooded the world with some select individuals and animals surviving in an arc;
3) The earth is approximately 2000 years old;
4) The afterlife exists - furthermore, some individuals are able to communicate with the afterlife.
5) Natural selection and the science of Darwin is incorrect - instead, intelligent design controls the evolution of life on earth;
6) God is just - those who believe in God and are good will live forever in Paradise - those who do not will live in limbo or will go to hell

1) yes
2) no idea
3) no
4) yes to first part but we can’t communicate with those dead
5) I don’t find them mutually exclusive
6) God is just, I don’t know where people go after they die, I’m not the judge

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

1) yes
2) no idea
3) no
4) yes to first part but we can’t communicate with those dead
5) I don’t find them mutually exclusive
6) God is just, I don’t know where people go after they die, I’m not the judge

Good to know - but I'd question your believe in #1.

Why are you special? You're 1 in several billion.

You need not be "especially" ordained by a higher power to impact humanity - in however small a way.

If you can make life better for a few individuals - while enjoying life yourself - and promoting the well being of fellow humans - than you - without recourse to divinity - have benefited mankind.
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With regard to 2... no idea? Belief in 2 is the epitome of anti-science.
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With regard to 5 - natural selection and The Theory of Evolution are absolutely incompatible
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This is my last post on the topic because it's inflammatory.

I'll close with the remark that most of those who believe in God regard atheists as evil. At least you seem to be free of this sentiment - and likewise are open to rational discussion on this topic.

Were I to meet you - I think that we might well be friends - however much we disagree on this topic.

 

[Ban-jani]

Good to know - but I'd question your believe in #1.

Why are you special? You're 1 in several billion.

You need not be "speciality" ordained by a higher power to impact humanity - in however small a way.

If you can make life better for a few individuals - while enjoying life yourself - and promoting the well being of fellow humans - than you - without recourse to divinity - have benefited mankind.
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With regard to 2... no idea? Belief in 2 is the epitome of anti-science.
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With regard to 5 - natural selection and The Theory of Evolution are absolutely incompatible
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This is my last post on the topic because it's inflammatory.

I'll close with the remark that most of those who believe in God regard atheists as evil. At least you seem to be free of this sentiment - and likewise are open to rational discussion on this topic.

Were I to meet you - I think that we might well be friends - however much we disagree on this topic.

1) I’m not anymore special that anyone else, I believe all humans are special, whatever race, age, ability/disability. You’re as special as me.

So it’s not an arrogant thing, all creation is important.

Edit: just to add, I’m also falling short of the standards required and that’s why the NT is important.

2) Yeah I’ve no idea whether it happened or not, there have been major floods that science can prove but not obviously world wide, it could be referring to one of those floods but I’m a New Testament guy.

5) I thought natural selection IS the theory of Evolution, do you mean intelligent design?

No Christians I know think Atheists are evil and Christianity certainly doesn’t say that in scripture. Maybe certain people in America do but that’s not how I’d describe Anglicanism.

I think it maybe a cultural difference over a theological one too be honest.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

I fail to understand why anyone thinks humankind is any more special than any other life form.
We are merely currently top of the pile.

 

[Ban-jani]

I fail to understand why anyone thinks humankind is any more special than any other life form.
We are merely currently top of the pile.

It’s all down to your belief system but I don’t think putting an emphasis on the importance of humanity and human life is a negative thing, whatever you believe.