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No, I don't have any evidence. But then nobody has any evidence for WHY things have happened the way they have.
I'm afraid the way I feel is something I'm not going to argue with you about.
I feel that there is a God. I don't worship that God in any particular way, but I can't and won't change how I feel just because there isn't any evidence.
I refuse to believe that my life and the lives of 6 billion other people on Earth are the result of a random accident or a lucky coincidence.
But that's exactly my point. Why do you feel the need to believe anything? What's wrong with "I don't know?"
You'd prefer to believe that it was at the whim of a deity?
I refuse to believe I didn't win the lottery this week, but it doesn't mean that my cheques won't bounce.
I never said that I knew there was a God, just that I believe there is one. In the same why I and others can say how a star is born but are unable to explain the reason for it.
It might also be worth pointing out that Science hasn't proven how the universe came into existence, at least not beyond all doubt and so far it has been totally unable to explain what caused the universe to suddenly spring into life or what there was before it.
And whilst we're at it, the universe is 13billion light years in diameter and continually expanding....into what? It can't be empty space, because empty space is still something tangible, and science has also been unable to explain that as well.
MOK, I prefer to believe that life holds some sort of purpose and that there is a reason for our existence.
point is it doesn't have to. It doesn't dwell on the ifs and buts, it deals with what we observe and theorize, and seek to find, until it becomes illogical and the unfindable - probably because it doesn't exist so we must change our outlook. The second you start adding the why, it will fall apart. Science doesn't answer the why, that is religions job.
This system to which you refer is an abstract ideal. (An omnipotent deity, if you like ). I think you are removing the human factor that is present in much the same way as it is in organised religion.
Science in reality is an industry where the shekel comes into play whether you like it or not. (Organised religion ringing any bells ?).
The example you gave as science overcoming individual failings is more akin to a soap opera if you have followed it closely. Wakefield may or may not be dishonest and incompetent (he still protests his innocence on both counts) but the treatment he has received suggests to me that the industry is working to protect the industry much like any other. It is all about the bottom line. (Organised religion ringing any bells ?).
One of numerous side effects.
Which is exactly my point. Your entire logic is "science hasn't proven this, therefore that is evidence for X," which I assume I don't have to explain is flawed at best. The questions you pose are all very interesting. Unfortunately, the existence of such questions are not evidence for the existence of any god. It doesn't take a genius to realise that if and when these questions are eventually answered, they'll only replaced with new questions.
Like SSRI's.
I am ? Would not be the first time.
You are a prophet perchance ?
Your assumption has been falsified. He is after all (or was until last year) a fully licensed medical practitioner. I try my very best to avoid those kind of folk. (Qui medice vivit misere vivit)
Your scientific conclusion for the collated data is that Wakefield should be run out of town,vaccines do no harm and are essentially the elixir of life.The Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 needs to be repealed forewith.
How do you think those scientists hugging and cuddling their grants, subsidies and tenures would feel about some upstart turning the system upside down and threatening to take away their cash cows ? How would you feel if you were one of them ? Would you take one in the name of science ? Tell me again how the system works.
Among other drugs, yeah.
I use SSRIs and they work for me, which backs up the science IMHO. But it's only my opinion.
I bought the pitch and came to browse.
A question arises about your interpretation (and differentiation) of body and soul. (Entry : Wednesday, January 20, 2010)
My understanding is that the Hebrew here is nephesh hhayah, and consequently any differentiation is in error. Thoughts ?
Science is a lovely thing and I never quite understood the animosity science and religion have toward one another for some people. For me, science has done more to strengthen my faith than any other tangible means.
I am not at all religious/theistic, but I'm not atheist either. I am in the 'safe' boat of agnosticism. We don't know, and we don't pretend we do, either.