Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 10 Dec 2013 at 2:36AM
It seems my opinions, views, thoughts and perspectives are shrouded in mystery (according to at least one person) so here is an opportunity for anyone and everyone to ask me anything and everything. Could be a topic on the board, or an old topic, or a new topic. Or anything (within the remit of the db description of course).
I will do my best to answer all questions over breakfast.
Best question wins a token!
(If there's enough demand I might create an "Ask JimC " discussion board.
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by An Apologist on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:11AM
Really, Jim--is this the best you can offer to the challenge to express and defend your perspective in all your posits? We're all aware of your admitted background in advertising--and as we all know from advertising, it is a one sided presentation of propaganda which neither expects nor acknowledges other expressed opinions on the matter. Again, you redirect responsibility for honest presentation of one's perspective onto others and pretend that this stunt of yours--where you remain in the driver's seat--reflects an honest exchange of views. Here's my challenge--previously expressed: present and be willing to defend your views on whatever matter that you would expect others to do so! Thanks for understanding what a real give-and-take discussion (hopefully for the enlightenment of all parties) is all about!
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A non-religious theist on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:25AM
Do you believe god exists in any form and why?
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by An Apologist on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:32AM
Of course I do! Nice misdirect in apparent defense of JimC who probably won't respond on topic to this challenge!
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A non-religious theist on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:34AM
Sorry An Apologist, the question was for JimC not you
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by An Apologist on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:35AM
I stand corrected and my apologies--thanks for the clarification!
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A man in tights on 10 Dec 2013 at 5:49AM
Who has more credibility, God or Piers Morgan?
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 10 Dec 2013 at 9:00AM
Thanks for contributions! The token competition will remain open for a few more days just in case there are more questions.
Answers to on-topic questions are below. Answers to off-topic questions and/or personal comments can be found here [ RGFSMCL-015 ]
| Question | Questioner | Answer | Potential Token Winner? |
| Do you believe god exists in any form and why? | A non-religious theist | If I was forced to answer only with a yes or no, I'd say "no" and the reason why is that I've yet to see any evidence to support the existence of a god or gods. A longer answer is that I consider the existence of a god or gods to be extremely unlikely because I've yet to see any evidence to support the existence of a god or gods, so I live my life on the assumption that there are no gods. However, I also believe that anything is possible in an infinite reality, so the existence of a god or gods is not impossible. There's an even longer answer which requires exploring what the word "god" actually means. Without a definition it's impossible to answer the question, so when I say the existence of a god is unlikely, I'm making unconscious assumptions about what a god is, which might be totally different to the concept of god that is in your mind when you ask the question | Yes |
| Who has more credibility, God or Piers Morgan? | A man in tights | Piers Morgan has zero credibility, without doubt, therefore God must have more credibility than Piers Morgan by definition | Yes |
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A non-religious theist on 10 Dec 2013 at 12:06PM
Part 2 to my question
Simple answer is no.
More complex answer is maybe mostly because it cant be disproved.
Then you mention infinite realities, in this case, the answer is yes.
I want to pick this apart somewhat but I really cant because I mostly agree with what you say except for the no.... I think there is a god if I had to say yes or no.
Still, you covered all bases, you should write a religious book
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 10 Dec 2013 at 8:31PM
Hmmm…
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A Born Again Christian on 10 Dec 2013 at 3:48PM
What evidence would convince you that God exists?
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 10 Dec 2013 at 8:30PM
This is a GREAT question.
There is a long answer but assuming it's the Christian God in this case, the short answer is that if I was to see Christians praying to Jesus for amputees' missing limbs to grow back, and the limbs grew back, then I would believe their God exists.
(More precisely - my level of belief would shift from 5% to at least 95% which in my view qualifies as belief. as I don't think anything can be 100% certain)
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by a Pantheist on 10 Dec at 09:10PM
Which religion do you think has the best headgear and/or facial hair? do you feel this is a requirement for a credible religion?
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 11 Dec 2013 at 8:01AM
For me, Sikhism wins the headgear/facial hair combo every time. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/13/article-0-16E8BEE0000005DC-20_634x948.jpg I think either headgear OR distinctive facial hair is a requirement for a credible religion, but not necessarily both
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 11 Dec 2013 at 8:21AM
Latest Summary…
| Question | Questioner | Answer | Potential Token Winner? |
| Do you believe god exists in any form and why? | A non-religious theist | If I was forced to answer only with a yes or no, I'd say "no" and the reason why is that I've yet to see any evidence to support the existence of a god or gods. A longer answer is that I consider the existence of a god or gods to be extremely unlikely because I've yet to see any evidence to support the existence of a god or gods, so I live my life on the assumption that there are no gods. However, I also believe that anything is possible in an infinite reality, so the existence of a god or gods is not impossible. There's an even longer answer which requires exploring what the word "god" actually means. Without a definition it's impossible to answer the question, so when I say the existence of a god is unlikely, I'm making unconscious assumptions about what a god is, which might be totally different to the concept of god that is in your mind when you ask the question | Yes |
| Who has more credibility, God or Piers Morgan? | A man in tights | Piers Morgan has zero credibility, without doubt, therefore God must have more credibility than Piers Morgan by definition | Yes |
| What evidence would convince you that God exists? | A Born Again Christian | There is a long answer but assuming it's the Christian God in this case, the short answer is that if I were to see Christians praying to Jesus for amputees' missing limbs to grow back, and the limbs grew back, then I would believe their God exists. (More precisely - my level of belief would shift from 5% to at least 95% which in my view qualifies as belief as I don't think anything can be 100% certain) | Yes |
| Which religion do you think has the best headgear and/or facial hair? do you feel this is a requirement for a credible religion? | A Pantheist | For me, Sikhism wins the headgear/facial hair combo every time. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/13/article-0-16E8BEE0000005DC-20_634x948.jpg I think either headgear OR distinctive facial hair is a requirement for a credible religion, but not necessarily both.Yes | Yes |
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by A Born Again Christian on 11 Dec 2013 at 4:05PM
There were people who witnessed Jesus multiplying food from a young boy's lunch to feed 5,000 men plus women and children (with leftovers) who didn't believe that He was God. There were people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead who didn't believe He was God. This is not a head issue for you, it is a heart issue. You have enough information and evidence to believe in God, but something else is holding you back. Only you and God knows what that is, and only God can break through that barrier. That is what I am praying for you, and that will be the evidence that God exists.
Re: Ask JimC - Win a token!
Posted by JimC on 11 Dec 2013 at 5:06PM
I'm disappointed you didn't comment on the evidence that I described.
I consider the supernatural stories in the Bible to be based on folk tales and legends, no different to thousands of other supernatural stories from our Stone Age and Bronze Age ancestors in every culture of every continent. Therefore they are hearsay at best and certainly not evidence. So the only thing "holding me back" from believing in your particular god is the same thing that "holds me back" from believing millions of things - and that is a lack of evidence.
I appreciate the prayers, that's kind of you. I think you're suggesting that if I was to start believing in God, that would count as evidence that God exists. I think there's a flaw in that logic.
And the winner is
Posted by JimC on 16 Dec
2013 at 7:46AM
Congratulations to A Born Again Christian for coming
up with this question in the "Ask JimC" thread...
"What evidence would convince you that God exists?"
A token will be on its way to you soon.
A simple question, clear concise and unambiguous. But at the same
time, a very deep question that's not easy to answer! A simple question,
but not simplistic. Aside from the problem of agreeing a definition of
"God" (or agreeing "which god?"), it's very difficult for
sceptics to answer the question without sounding closed minded, especially if
their default response is… "nothing will convince me!" It also turns
the tables on the sceptics who put the burden of proof on the believers.
So once again, excellent question.
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