Because that would be cheating.
Delicious .
Instead of showing a block it tells you what rep level you are at >_> Same for the online symbol and the insert image symbol in this quick reply box. I shall screenie it to show you. People's avatars aren't appearing now T_T
[Or are the rep blocks screwed?]
That is just an argument of semantics. Science is a word (Originally from the latin scientia meaning "knowledge" or "knowing") just as religion is a word. Society has assigned them meaning and that meaning could quite easily have been reversed, with no effect on this discussion whatsoever. Many of the so-called "miracles" in the bible have been proved physically impossible (i.e. by the laws of physics, meaning the laws of the universe) as well as prophecies not coming true (any that are being so vague that interpretation is loose to say the very least) and general day to day happenings not matching up with the criteria of an omnipresent, omni-benevolent all powerful supernatural being. I'd say that qualifies as pretty good evidence. I was talking about emotional comfort as the reason for people ignoring the sheer improbability of a god. They let themselves be blinded in return for false hope and a false sense of security. Also, it was technically a spam post but I will leave it there. I just didn't want people to be left with the impression that it is alright to spam in this section, it happens enough as it is.
It was one sentence long and had been mentioned several times previously. I believe that would be defined as spam, at least for the length of it. Shall we get back on topic? Just because it is not improvable does not make it true. It is highly (virtually statistically impossible) that a god exists from the evidence presented in holy texts as well as from scientific evidence (i.e. real, factual evidence which has been physically gathered and documented). To make it short and simple, the concept of a god is considerably closer to being untrue than true.
It does not mean that you can pretentiously say "Oh, prove he doesn't" and call the discussion over. It was mentioned and discarded. It did not need to be brought up over and over again. It certainly did not need to be defended.
Very witty. I applaud you good sir.
You are obviously missing the whole point of this thread. This is a DISCUSSION not a DEBATE. Read which section it is in before you comment. If it were a debate, opposing questions would be valid. However, this is a discussion meaning the only thing to be talked about is the original question.
Enforced euthanasia is definitely wrong (as seen in the novel and film "Soylent Green") where there is government controlled euthanasia usually due to overpopulation (the human equivalent of culling in animals). As has been said it should definitely not be illegal but should only exist with strict conditions and procedures.
I never said that it makes people do wrong, unless they are told that their god wants them to do it then all bets are off (Crusades and suicide bombings). @Kitty - I meant mainstream theistic religions with the whole "grand divine plan" concept. Where your life is set and everything happens for a reason ultimately decided by a supernatural being. I personally think that people should be strong enough to survive without religion. I have plenty of problems in my life, everyone does. But I don't feel the need to talk to myself at night and go to a church/mosque/synagogue in order to feel secure and happy. I believe that I am capable of handling my life in right way and the only help I will ask for is that of real things; family, friends and professional help. Not talking to the sky.
If you don't have anything productive to say then don't post. That is not the question asked in this thread and adds in no way to the discussion. I forgot to mention in the other post that the other reason people believe in something that is highly unlikely to exist and is not proveable is as a mental and emotional crutch. Having the thought that someone else is in control so they don't have to worry about their actions.
Tasty .
It should definitely never be planned. As person should have the right to end their life if continuing it would just cause unfair suffering which is terminal. At the moment, euthanasia is illegal in the UK and patients have to travel to special "death" clinics in Switzerland to have the procedure carried out. This usually involves the doctor setting up all of the equipment as the patient is often completely or almost completely paralysed. They then commit the act themselves as it is against the Hippocratic Oath for a doctor to actively cause harm to a patient. However, if any relatives or spouses of the patients return to the UK after it has happened they can face persecution and prison for what is effectively considered murder. Completely unfair when all they are trying to do is what is best for their loved one and what their loved one really wants. But, there do need to be conditions. Firstly, the person needs to be terminally ill. A lack of patience cannot be a good enough excuse for euthanasia. Also, it has to be the decision of the patient, not their relatives. They should be subjected to a psychiatric examination to ensure that they are mentally well enough to make the decision. Then, and only then, would they be allowed to take control of their own death.
Religion was originally created by people who wanted to try to explain the world around them. They couldn't as their understanding wasn't as broad and deep as ours is now (not that I am saying ours is particularly broad or deep, just that it is much more so than it was say 5 or 6 thousand years ago) and so they attributed things they saw to supernatural beings (i.e. beings outside their current understanding of how nature works) in order to make their picture of the real world complete. Scientific study then sprang from other people not being satisfied with "Zeus says so". Later religion became a very different tool. It was utilised by those already in power as well as those who were wealthy and educated (as zorakbane said, very nice first "real" post btw ;D) to control people. They preyed on the fears and deep seated beliefs of the people (who had more of an understanding, but hadn't really tried as most were spoon-fed from birth, an act that is still widespread today) in order to create ideas such as divine right and the Church. And guess what, these people fortified their positions of power and increased their wealth. They also managed to send their people into war with the promise of eternal life and reward from their god. And now to the point of this post in relevance to the thread lol In order to protect themselves they made the concept of god neither provable or disprovable. I mean, if someone could prove that god did not exist their power and wealth would be gone in an instant. Entire monarchies would crumble as their are no longer protected by their "divine right" and the church would dissolve as people would see there is no longer any need to make donations to make the fat bishops even fatter. So of course god is not provable, it would be too much of a risk to the original instigators of the religion problem. As for the Big Bang, it may be a flawed theory but it certainly has much more solid quantifiable proof (such as Cosmic Background Radiation and the redshift of other stars and galaxies) than god.
It's being brought out in the UK too.
I'd ask him to leave, considering the amount of pain and suffering that has been done in his/her name. We would be much better off without him/her. Also is it not said that without faith god is nothing? Faith is defined as the belief in something without evidence. As soon as there is proof there is no faith because you know that whatever it is is real. Therefore as soon as there is proof of god, god will become powerless. Not that he/she ever intervened in any meaningful way before.
Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative ;D I would like to die laughing.
Mainly because Americans are just reject Europeans who didn't like being told what to do.
Omfg, I didn't think anyone would get it <3 I love you so much right now, it hurts =/
