Steven Hawking says " There is no heaven, is only a fairytale" !!!!

[afriqueart]

I love a good fairy tale. Soothes the soul. Like Santa for adults!

 

[schweb]

Guys seriously, you need to be respectful of both sides. If you can't be that, this thread will be closed.

Mac-Forums Community Guidelines

 

[6string]

Religion and politics... very touchy issues!
I'd like to see participants of this thread keep that respect for both sides, as I am interested to hear the different points of view, but I fear that it is 'screaming' for an invite for things to get heated IMHO.

 

[toMACsh]

11 year old boy refuted Hawking
said he'd been to heaven when he was 3
accident almost killed him

 

[hw96Lgb]

When will people learn that debates about religion are fruitless because of the very nature of belief as an opinion that requires no empirical proof? You can discuss the influence of organized religion on society, government and morals but I can't see what else you can do without causing a deadly flame war that has no clear winners.

 

[talleyJudy]

For those that might find it amusing, there is an 'organization' complete with web site and forum: "The Universal Church Triumphant of the Apathetic Agnostic" and our motto is, "We don't know and we don't care"

*seriously, there is...*

 

[osxx]

Its a question of faith. I believe in God its religion I have a problem with.

 

[toMACsh]

Its a question of faith. I believe in God its religion I have a problem with.

Whenever I hear that, I interpret it to mean much the same as "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand!" In other words, people are imperfect, and they screw things up.

 

[XJ-linux]

Whenever I hear that, I interpret it to mean much the same as "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand!" In other words, people are imperfect, and they screw things up.

Very true. There's not a good idea we can't screw up if given enough rope.

 

[ronin67]

Well, what Mr. Hawkins wants to believe is totally up to him. Personally he seems to be upset with life and his unfortunate condition. Its natural to be upset due to personal misfortune, but just because you choose not to believe in something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There are many things in this world and the universe that I haven't seen nor will ever see, yet it doesn't give me, in my very limited sphere of exsistance, the reason to deny it truly exists at all, just because I haven't seen it. When he passes, he will find out if God and Heaven truly exists or not. I'm a follower of Christ Jesus, but I would never force my belief on anyone. So, when those who choose not to believe for what ever reason (atheist), push there message of unbelief on me, are they not evangelizing their choice of unbelief and in many cases pushing their opinions on us? Yet when theist do this to them, they cry foul. A interesting group of people to say the least.

May God bless.

Ed

 

[osxx]

Whenever I hear that, I interpret it to mean much the same as "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand!" In other words, people are imperfect, and they screw things up.

To better clear it up the problem with religion I don't believe I need to belong to a denomination or pray a certain way to be heard. To me God is more powerful than man can perceive.

 

[vansmith]

So, when those who choose not to believe for what ever reason (atheist), push there message of unbelief on me, are they not evangelizing their choice of unbelief and in many cases pushing their opinions on us? Yet when theist do this to them, they cry foul. A interesting group of people to say the least.

Let's not essentialize either group here. Both sides of the divide (believers and non-believers) consist of those who proselytize and those who are apathetic with regards to converting others.

 

[dan_f14]

These are my observations on the matter. I find religion as a concept fascinating and it does much good in the world. However it is responsible for many evils too. What I have found so fascinating about religion is how passionate people are about it and sometimes this spills over to the point they act irrationally (I personally know of someone who has split with his wife due to his devotion to religion). The reason is simple. Religion cannot be proved nor disproved so the argument can never be settled. People can be so passionate about it that anything spoken out against it will hurt them and their beliefs. That will lead to anger and some bad decisions. I think religion can be summed up by something I once read. Religion can make intelligent people act stupid.

My personal opinion on religion is that it was a very effective method of social control before law, courts and police forces became established. In many ways religion mirrors what the legal system is in place today. There are a set of established rules that one must follow. Your peers are your jury and "God" is your judge. The legal system became a more effective source of social control as it does not require you to believe in it to observe the rules. You observe them or face consequences which are deemed fair by the majority.

 

[idsamdg]

What I always find interesting about discussions on religious belief is that people seem to leave good old fashioned logic at the door on their way in (and as a philosopher - this upsets me).

For example:

Those who argue FOR God often use the whole 'miracles' thing as 'proof' of God's existence. Logically - this is insane! What they are saying is:
Something has happend that no one can explain
I have an explanation
Therefore, my explanation is true
Therefore the premise of my explanation is extant

And those who argue AGAINST God are just as bad when they go on about their belief that religion was invented by humans to fulfill a void/need...they are essentially saying:
- People who believe X sometimes act irrationally
- People who believe X have a vested interest in believing X
- Therefore X is untrue

When logic tells us that whether or not X is true or untrue has nothing to do with the behavior or belief of those who believe X....it's like saying that a man told you that Leeds is above London but because you don't like the man you don't believe it - just get a map for goodness sake!

Anyway - rant over! It just annoys me when both sides use what appear to be clever arguments that when broken down make no sense.

The end (of my sillyness!)

 

[toMACsh]

Those who argue FOR God often use the whole 'miracles' thing as 'proof' of God's existence. Logically - this is insane! What they are saying is:
Something has happend that no one can explain
I have an explanation
Therefore, my explanation is true
Therefore the premise of my explanation is extant

First time I've ever seen the argument that God is insane! (need the reference?)

 

[NumberSix]

First time I've ever seen the argument that God is insane! (need the reference?)

Plenty of evidence laying around everywhere that God is in fact insane

 

[kdyarb2002]

The only thing in life you can bet the bank on is your going to die someday. Then and only then will you know the truth

 

[XJ-linux]

The only thing in life you can bet the bank on is your going to die someday. Then and only then will you know the truth

...and taxes.