[extropy-chat] Atheists launch inquisition...

[Walter_Chen at compal.com]

OK. I should say "nowadays Atheists are not necessarily more scientific or
more true than theists."
And I consider "why and how comes the universe" and "the existence of God(s)
or not" are the 
most profound questions for human beings.
And I don't expect the answer is just "42". Human beings can always make
some progress (maybe slowly).
 
Thanks.
 
Walter.
---------

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
[mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Olga Bourlin
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 1:29 AM
To: ExI chat list
Subject: Re: [extropy-chat] Atheists launch inquisition...


From: Walter_Chen at compal.com <mailto:Walter_Chen at compal.com> 
 
> The point is like this: Atheists are not necessarily more scientific or
superior than theists. 

 
I would think that atheists *are* probably more scientific (not all of them,
but in a greater majority than theists), but "superior" is a loaded word and
concept to use in this context, to the point of being completely
meaningless. 
 
However, compared to the history of humankind beforehand, the ideas that
came out of the Enlightenment (taking the viewpoint away from imaginary,
invisible, omnipotent, humorless and somewhat insecure being(s) and focusing
on humans) proved better for us all. 
 
> Since why and how comes the universe and the existence of God(s) are the 
most profound questions that nobody can answer or prove to satisfy 
the human beings until now, both theists and atheists should respect 
each other and work together to find the final answer (if it exists). 
 
You incorrectly state that "why and how ... the existence of god(s)" is "one
of the profound questions that nobody can answer."  I mean - I don't know
how to put it more gently, but - that's twaddle.
 
You also state that both theists and atheists "should" respect each other.
It seems you are confusing "should respect each other" with "should respect
each other's *right*" to believe what they want.  Working together in a
pluralistic society, however, is a good idea (... and this charming scene
was inspired by another basic concept from the  Enlightenment - tolerance).
 
> Maybe the final answer is partly objective and partly subjective.
 
Maybe there is no such thing as a "final answer" (whatever that means).  
 
Olga
 

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