The non-thinking that is Religion. - Page 32

humndislocation · 17th October 2007, 12:38 AM

Talking of Kent Hovind, I've got a hilarious video of his somewhere on my laptop, where he goes on about how dinosaurs were on the ark, and various other stuff. It's a classic

Rebelius · 17th October 2007, 12:54 AM

Stephen Hawking believes in god.

humndislocation · 17th October 2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebelius

Stephen Hawking believes in god.

Interview with Stephen Hawking
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/ma...=1&oref=slogin

Quote:

Do you believe in God?

I don't believe in a personal God.

It's my understanding, that while Stephen Hawking, like many scientists, has used "God" as a metaphor for the laws of the universe, he doesn't literally believe in God.

Just as the Einstein quote "God doesn't play dice", is often misinterpreted to mean that Einstein believed in God, which he didn't.

ubermensch · 17th October 2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humndislocation

There's a massive difference between making an educated guess in an area where the jury is still out, and holding to a belief based entirely on faith.

Admittedly there is a difference, but the point is in the fact that he was proven wrong, and henceforth admitted that he was wrong. I refuse to call anyone an idiot because of a belief they have, or an educated guess, when they are yet to be rid of their ignorance. While Creationists may not be in the same position as Hawkings is, given that there is credible evidence to counter-act their beliefs in their own time, things need time to settle in and resonate.

Everything needs time to evolve, and this extends to a person's reasoning (crossing evolutionary boundaries here, but never mind); you can't be expected to pick up a book on quantum mechanics (something you've been ignorant of for a long time) and suddenly become the wisened old physicist.

ubermensch · 17th October 2007, 01:41 AM

On the other hand, why on earth would you believe anything that this guy says?

I think it's the shit-eating grin that gives it all away.

Thee Alex · 17th October 2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

Plus, he just seems like a total bellend; a preachy, nonsensical bullshit factory.

Isn't he just! He's spectacularly full of turd.

Shermer has said elsewhere (in his excellent and very much to be recommended 'Why Darwin Matters' book) that he felt Hovind had lost the debate right at the beginning when he admitted he was there to preach.

Hovind's insistence that dinosaurs were on the ark is the mark of a mad man.

Hecate · 20th October 2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humndislocation

Interview with Stephen Hawking
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/ma...=1&oref=slogin

It's my understanding, that while Stephen Hawking, like many scientists, has used "God" as a metaphor for the laws of the universe, he doesn't literally believe in God.

Can you elaborate on that, perhaps with links please? I would like to know more about his stance if possible, as it's obvious he does not dismiss the possibility of god in some way, just a personal god.

LesMts · 20th October 2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakonaleash

Can you elaborate on that, perhaps with links please? I would like to know more about his stance if possible, as it's obvious he does not dismiss the possibility of god in some way, just a personal god.

It's a kind of pantheism, I guess. When he, or anyone else, says that they reject the idea of a "personal God", what they mean is they don't believe that God is a conscious supernatural being who makes decisions and choices and involves itself in what goes on in the universe. But rather that the fabric and fundamental laws of the universe and "God" are the same thing.
It's God as an unconscious, passive force. A metaphor, essentially.

Thee Alex · 20th October 2007, 05:09 PM

Soon I'm going to be posting a 3000+ words article about a Pro-Creation lecture I went to a couple of weeks ago. I've just got to tweak a few bits, make sure it all reads properly, and expand on a couple of points.

Watch this space

Jeebus · 20th October 2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thee Alex

Pro-Creation

shagging?

Thee Alex · 21st October 2007, 11:40 AM

Here's the article I've been working on. This is almost the final draft, I've fact checked it and (I think) cited all my sources.

I'll be interested in people's thoughts.

Thee Alex · 22nd October 2007, 03:10 PM

I've updated the article.

21st October 2007, 11:40 AM	#476 (permalink)
Thee Alex UGS Assassin Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 4,204 Band: Wülfstabber, The Black Plums, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Wings & Claws, Señor Citizen, WRRRMS	Here's the article I've been working on. This is almost the final draft, I've fact checked it and (I think) cited all my sources. I'll be interested in people's thoughts. Last edited by Thee Alex : 22nd October 2007 at 03:00 PM.

17th October 2007, 12:38 AM	#466 (permalink)
humndislocation Hardcore is serious guys Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dundee Posts: 5,933 Band: Blasphemous Necrorapist	Talking of Kent Hovind, I've got a hilarious video of his somewhere on my laptop, where he goes on about how dinosaurs were on the ark, and various other stuff. It's a classic

17th October 2007, 12:54 AM	#467 (permalink)
Rebelius Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 7,194	Stephen Hawking believes in god.

17th October 2007, 01:41 AM	#470 (permalink)
ubermensch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pat Sharp's basement. Posts: 665 Band: Juliet Kilo	On the other hand, why on earth would you believe anything that this guy says? I think it's the shit-eating grin that gives it all away.

20th October 2007, 05:09 PM	#474 (permalink)
Thee Alex UGS Assassin Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 4,204 Band: Wülfstabber, The Black Plums, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Wings & Claws, Señor Citizen, WRRRMS	Soon I'm going to be posting a 3000+ words article about a Pro-Creation lecture I went to a couple of weeks ago. I've just got to tweak a few bits, make sure it all reads properly, and expand on a couple of points. Watch this space

22nd October 2007, 03:10 PM	#477 (permalink)
Thee Alex UGS Assassin Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 4,204 Band: Wülfstabber, The Black Plums, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Wings & Claws, Señor Citizen, WRRRMS	I've updated the article.

23rd October 2007, 07:58 PM	#478 (permalink)
Lyndsey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sundee Posts: 5,282