The story of God was created centuries ago, by extremely unintelliegent people. They didn't have the science, or the technology that we have today. But they still asked the same question. "How did we get here?" So, they came up with the most logical answer, for that time period. God. If I was living in that time period, I'd be saying, "That's brilliant!". But with the knowledge that we have, this day in age, its quite a (for lack of a nicer word) idiotic idea.
The "God" answer does not work anymore.....not in this time period. Since the discovery of so many scientific facts and theories, we have practically disproved completely that the universe was created by a God or higher power.
My question is, if people can actually believe that an invisible deity created the universe and has a book written about him by some guy centuries ago, why is it so hard for them to believe scientific theories that have supportive evidence?
2007-02-20 10:49:40 · 30 answers · asked by Abby C 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People still believe in God because they've had personal experiences that lead them to believe there is something bigger than us out there.
So why do atheists get criticized? Atheists also have personal experience....only the opposite way. I turned away from the church because I didn't feel a "God" with me. I didn't feel loved and protected like they said I would. I just felt depressed and guilty all the time. Guilty for sins that shouldn't even be considered sins.
Atheists have their personal experiences too. They're not all about "science this" and "science that". Maybe if some of you took the time to hear them out, you might learn something.
2007-02-20 10:52:39 · update #1
I'm saying that modern people are MORE intelligent that we were centuries ago.
2007-02-20 10:54:22 · update #2
Dr. Dickey......before you pick apart my paragraph...why don't you read the very first question I asked? I distinctly said, "the god idea was created by PEOPLE". Pardon my mistake when I forgot to pluralize "guy" in the last paragraph.
2007-02-20 10:59:28 · update #3
Ok, agreed....maybe I used the wrong word. How's "misinformed" sound? In place of unintelligent?
2007-02-20 11:05:01 · update #4
Why are you all attacking me? I just simply said that people of today are more informed than they were centuries ago. They didn't have the science that we have now. Do you think that if they did have the science that we have now, would they have still come up with the idea of a "God"?
2007-02-20 11:12:23 · update #5
THANK YOU NEIL H!
2007-02-20 11:20:23 · update #6
Wow. I can't believe the attacks you're getting for this.
To summarise, you are suggesting that x thousand years ago when religions started appearing people were less knowledgeable than now (I accept that you're use of the word intelligent was an error - although your meaning was clear and people are choosing to misinterpret you). Your question is, if these people had our knowledge, would they start religions?
I think this is a fair and valid question. And the abuse you have received has been ridiculous. Especially when they criticise your accuracy yet make ridiculous claims themselves - not understanding the meaning of a 'theory' in science (I especially liked the answer that said gravity was a law and evolution an unproven theory - when they are both theories - the 'law' refered to was disproved almost a century ago and replaced by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity); claiming Einstein thought the Universe had a designer; the claim that God has the perfect set-up for a successful marriage (how is that relevant? And if it's true, why do more Christian marriages end in divorce than atheist marriages?).
I like your basic argument, but I'm not sure I agree completely with the end result. Although, to be fair, that probably has more to do with me not being sufficiently motivated just now to look for grounds to challenge or support it.
Obviously the reason you received so much abuse was because theists (understandably) don't like having the origins of their belief systems challenged. Instead of hearing you out they responded by looking for holes in your logic. It reflects badly on many of those who answered that they attacked your language rather than your reasoning.
2007-02-20 13:08:18 · answer #1 · answered by The Truth 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God was not created by a bunch of idiots. A bunch of idiots were created by God.
Science has not and cannot prove the existence or non-existence of God. God is a being that is not limited by space and time, and therefore is very difficult to poke and prod and take measurements. Science cannot explain where reality came from, as it relies on cause and effect. But what was the first cause?
This is not a new issue, this is a problem which was being pondered and debated over 2 and a half millenia ago. Aristotle, plato, and even pre-socratic philosophers wrestled with this issue, and most of the time, some force or being which could be seen as a god is found to be the only viable answer.
Don't get so arrogant about modern times. Just 3 decades ago we were told that the world was heading for another ice age, but now anyone who dares to question any aspect of global warming is mocked and ridiculed. Were those scietists stupid 30 years ago? Are they stupid now? The answer to both is, yes, because stupidity is part of the human condition. We know so little, and yet there is an epidemic of arrogance.
If the notion of God is stupid, then please, disprove God's existence. What do you base this claim on? It seems to me that you are just being irrational, claiming that belief in God is stupid because it is how you feel, rather than based on some logical argument or some solid evidence.
2007-02-20 11:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I suppose that your use of the word intelligent refers to our great colleges and their graduates. For some reason the term intelligent as been equated to mean that if one goes to school and learns to memorize a lot of words and numbers, that means they are intelligent.
From the dictionary. Intelligence: the ability to learn and know
intelligent: having or showing intelligence; able to learn and know.
Education does not equal intelligence. So since we have science and technology that means we are smarter then our past relatives? Many of those stupid people 2000 years ago were probably far more intelligent then you and I will ever be.
I am reminded of an high school English teacher I knew sometime ago. He called me one night and asked if I would put a battery in his car for him. I was quite busy and asked him why he didn't do it himself. And he said and I quote, " I don't have the expertise." Taught high school English and couldn't figure out how to put a battery in a car using basic hand tools. And, probably today don't understand the simple math that makes up the sizes of hand tools. 1/2", 9/16", 5/8" and so on. Now, of course, he would be offended if I said he was not very intelligent.
But then he wasn't.
2007-02-20 11:28:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you obviously know nothing about pre-history or the evolution of human culture or religious beliefs. Guess what? Religion didn't start with the Old Testament belief system, neolithic people, even PALEOLITHIC people had science, as you call it, the story of God wasn't created "centuries ago" but at LEAST 400,000 years ago by modern HUMANS whose IQ was equal to our own, so I don't know where you got the idea that these people you speak of were unintelligent, they DID have advanced forms of technology. Read "The Lost Civilizations of the Stone Age" to get a BASIC understanding of what you are talking about. Your argument for Atheism is sophomoric at best, downright pathetic at worst. By using your mouth you are hurting our cause. Best not to speak if you don't know what you are talking about! And anyway, what were you hoping to accomplish with this question?? If you want to fight against Theism, educate yourself first. Oh, but maybe you aren't intelligent enough to do that. And just because YOU feel that scientific facts and theories disprove the existence of a divine power, that doesn't mean that that will work for others. Many intelligent scientists see it that our advanced understanding of the natural world supports the idea of a divine something, though not necessarily an active creator god.
2007-02-20 11:06:37 · answer #4 · answered by Not Your Muse 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Very educated people know that there is a God. The Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and Priests are all extremely educated men. They know all the stuff you talk about and then some. They speak many languages and know the ancient books. Yet they still believe.
There are many scientists...who believe. One of the priests at my church was a NASA scientist for years before becoming a priest.
So, your suggestion just doesn't pan out the way you think. God was, is and always will be.
People today are no different then the people back then...the sins are the same and the need for salvation is the same.
2007-02-20 10:57:42 · answer #5 · answered by Misty 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Science can't explain everything definitively just yet.
Evolution still hasn't been PROVEN to be scientific fact, it's still only a theory.
The same with the big bang and a whole lot of other theories that science has yet to definitively solve.
so, the need for God is still there.
and besides, some of the greatest 'thinkers' of humanity (please take a college-level philosophy course - it will truly open your eyes) have argued the existense of God.
I truly think that some of the great thinkers thousands of years ago would still be considered great thinkers in modern day. To do the things that they did, to build some of the structures they built - WITHOUT the modern equipment we have today. THAT, my dear, took an extremely intelligent person (or people) to accomplish.
2007-02-20 10:54:46 · answer #6 · answered by mesquitemachine 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have my personal experience for the reason I my an Atheists. It has nothing to do with science. The most I had at the time was tenth grade science which should have been enough I guess but I had never thought about it at the time. I had been attending church twice a week Church and Bible study for eleven years. I had the bible running out of every orifice. Then I was fortunate to be invited by a friend to her home. Her family were Atheists. They were the kindest most honest people I had ever met. I have never been to church since. That's why I am an Atheists. I don't mind being condemned to Hell. I kind like keeping score 132 times so far this week but the week has only just begun.
2007-02-20 11:14:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
practically disproved completely, that doesn't even make sense? and no, you can't prove that God doesn't exist. Plus you are assuming that evidence points to no God, when actually points to a God. Alright if our generation is so smart, then why do all marriages fail? Why does God have the setup for a perfect marriage? Are you saying that the romans and greeks were unintelligent? Luke who wrote a book in the new testament was a physician and studied the account of the resurrection before he wrote it.
2007-02-20 10:56:57 · answer #8 · answered by yaabro 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Where did you get the idea that God was created by Unintelligent people? what is your support on this? How can you say that there is no higher being in this world? Let me answer what you ask on the scientific theories. On the Law of Gravity, I understand; on the Laws of Energy and others, I understand that as well; Evolution was brought out but not proven to be so. but hey, you have your theory.
2007-02-20 10:56:08 · answer #9 · answered by savvyladydiamond 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Firstly I would not call our distant ancestors 'unintelligent'. Intelligence is the ability to live and flourish in your environment. This they did or we would not be here. I grant you they did not know what we now know, at the same time they knew stuff we no longer know because we don't need to.
The belief in a Creator seems to be a universal one because we humans believed in God or gods since time immemorial.
Your question is therefore is it right or wrong to believe in God?
That question is for each one of us to decide for ourselves according to our conscience.
I take exception when Atheists belittle and mock anyone for
believiang in a Creator. IT IS NOT WRONG TO BELIEVE IN
A CREATOR. It is however, wrong not to have a conscience,
it is wrong to say there is no difference to the scheme of things
if you are a Hitler or a Mother Teresa, that neither will be punished or rewarded for their actions. That we humans are not accountable to providence for our evil deeds.
2007-02-20 11:03:04 · answer #10 · answered by Imogen Sue 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋