reply to post by OldThinker
Yes! I got a star. it must be special cause probablility star that means im not random, im special, in fact i think i am god, and im telling you, i
didnt create THIS mess you call earth. that's some random crap right there bud, two eyes? two legs? two hands? in the image of me? i have three arms
and three legs, therefore the trinity, you know? god leg/arm, jesus leg/arm, holy spirit leg/arm. anyways, you dont see noone else on this forum
declaring they're god? so i guess im random and that proves with the bell curve that I AM GOD! i feel so special cause great i totally agree with
this thread now! oh, btw, i have a major in special cause statistics, so i know what im talking about, my statement above is irrefutable, so if you
even ATTEMPT to refute it ima use my cut and paste weapon on you:
"If the atheist accepts that these are the hurdles, then this is what you need to do. (If not, reconnaissance is needed to identify the atheist's
hurdles). The same numbering is used below. Links on the right identify resources that may be of use to you whatever your gods or religion. Various
combinations of hurdles follow.
A technique that might first be used is "Negative theology", identifying what may not be said about god, in order to cleanse the atheists' minds of
misconceptions. Then the positive features can be expressed.
Hurdle 1 ("any god")
You need to decide whether to help the atheist over hurdle 1 the easy way, even though this may cause extra problems with hurdles 2 and 3. If you
don't care about hurdles 2 and 3, hurdle 1 is easy! For example, if you simply define "god" to mean "the basis for the laws of physics", or
"whatever was needed for the universe to exist", I already believe in that god. I believe there is a basis for the laws of physics, and I believe
something (in the most general sense) was needed for the universe to exist.
But such a definition does nothing whatsoever to help an atheist over hurdles 2 and 3, and in fact is likely to make things harder. How can you
convince an atheist that "the basis for the laws of physics" performs miracles?
Hurdle 2 ("any listening god")
I can't supply you with the resources (arguments and evidence) you need for hurdle 2. You must identify for yourself the resources you need.
[Discussion: Where are suitable arguments and evidence? | "You need to open yourself to god"]
Helping an atheist over hurdle 2 still leaves a variety of possible gods, for example Yahweh, the Christian God, Allah, Vishnu, etc. (There are 100s
of gods currently being worshipped in the world).
An ex-atheist who has been helped over hurdle 2 now has the mental basis for a range of religious beliefs. Perhaps this is all you want, but my
observation is that religious people who want to convert atheists typically want to help the atheist over hurdle 3. A Christian is likely to want the
atheist to become a Christian, not a Muslim or a "don't know".
Hurdle 3 ("your listening god")
I can't supply you with the resources you need for hurdle 3. You must identify for yourself the resources you need.
[Discussion: Where are suitable arguments and evidence? | "You need to open yourself to god"]
Hurdle 3 uses arguments and evidence specific for your god. For example, an obvious special feature of the Christian God is that he had a son who was
resurrected. Sufficient evidence of this resurrection wouldn't itself demonstrate that all aspects of Christianity were true, (what would?), but it
would cater for all of hurdle 1 and much of hurdles 2 and 3.
An ex-atheist who has been helped over hurdle 3 now has the mental basis for a specific religious belief, for example Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism, etc. This person is a believer. "
THERE! all you non believer atheists!!
