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Stephen Fry on Confronting God After Death

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I think the funnier bit is that god put adam in the garden. And kinda went "here, work this garden and take care of it". "you're free to eat this stuff but not that". That was about the extent of the communication between god and the first human ever, according to the bible. Does noone wonder about the first thing god actually said to the first human? That's how you can tell it's a made up story.
Anyway, then because Adam was lonely and or needed a helper this god created a bunch of animals. However there was not a suitable helper among them! Imagine that. What a cock up on the part of god. Seriously strange that he didn't realize there wouldn't be a suitable helper amongst the animals.
Also, technically, god only banishes adam (the man) from the garden but not eve.

When cain gets punished by god for killing abel he is worried that anyone he meets when wandering around will kill him. But are there even any other people around at that time other than his mom and dad? At any rate they should all be close family members right? why is he talking like he doesn't know them? So many dumb things on every page.

Other weird stuff:

19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

OK so how did Adam name the animals? What language did he name them in? God's Original Language, or something else? Are these names still used today? I doubt it. And it must've taken him forever to name all of them considering the number of species. Then again species isn't even a concept in the Bible...

22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

Adam knows etymology, dafuq? Isn't there only like one language at this point? Language shouldn't have evolved this much either to derive 'woman' from 'man'.
 
This is what I'm curious about. I wonder if dead babies are like heaven's version of cockroaches, they're just fucking everywhere, literally anything will kill those little bastards and send them poor Abraham's way.
Dude has a pretty shit deal, if you think about. Trapped in a (metaphorical) garden with an infinite stream of babies he has to teach some sort of unified morality.
 
Dude has a pretty shit deal, if you think about. Trapped in a (metaphorical) garden with an infinite stream of babies he has to teach some sort of unified morality.

What if the baby had a massive learning disability and couldn't ever understand? I mean I'm having a hard time with metaphors, so maybe I wont be able to understand this unified morality. I'm so fucked.
 
Why do kids need to learn anything in heaven. What, can you steal in heaven? Is there shit to steal? Do they grow up? Will they hit puberty in heaven?
 
Dude has a pretty shit deal, if you think about. Trapped in a (metaphorical) garden with an infinite stream of babies he has to teach some sort of unified morality.

Poor guy. Have you tried to teach a baby? They're so inattentive, can't even teach em to stop shitting themselves but Abraham's gotta teach them all the facets and details about morality and good vs evil, Christ.
 
Well, it was my perception that one day I posted such skepticism of evidence in a practical police shooting thread, to which I was promptly banned for one month, at least according to the evidence that I was unable to log in, and a message kept telling me that I was not allowed to access the forums for one month due to doing so. Emotions seems to get more inflamed in practical threads. Given all this information, it seems more likely than not that skepticism is less well received in normal threads.

That and historical records that I have looked at have said that Socrates was killed for it too.

Yes but how do I know that ban actually happened? Or that those historical records even exist or aren't fabricated?

I don't think you can say what is more likely than not, since there's no definitive proof either way.
 
Why do kids need to learn anything in heaven. What, can you steal in heaven? Is there shit to steal? Do they grow up? Will they hit puberty in heaven?

Lol, its an easy concept. The reality isn't the same, but for some reason they need to know right from wrong. Even though it isn't a physical realm like earth. It's obvious bro.
 
I mean when you stub your toe it hurts in the moment, but you know it'll get better after.
I'm not going to get emotional and cry over my stubbed toe though. Nor am I going to beg and plead that the pain be over. Because I know the pain will not last long. So actually your analogy supports what I'm saying. Now if I had permanent damage, like, say, my toe disappeared. I may wish I had it back... or if my child died and I (sub)consciously knew I would never see him/her alive again.
 
Other weird stuff:



OK so how did Adam name the animals? What language did he name them in? God's Original Language, or something else? Are these names still used today? I doubt it. And it must've taken him forever to name all of them considering the number of species. Then again species isn't even a concept in the Bible...



Adam knows etymology, dafuq? Isn't there only like one language at this point? Language shouldn't have evolved this much either to derive 'woman' from 'man'.
Yeah I was wondering about the language too. Makes no sense. I suppose god could have embued him with language. At any rate, why would god wonder what adam would name the animals? Shouldn't he already know? Lots of things in the first few pages of the bible indicate that god is not omniscient, why do christians keep claiming that he is? If the christian god ever said he was, he is clearly lying.
 
Yes but how do I know that ban actually happened? Or that those historical records even exist or aren't fabricated?

I don't think you can say what is more likely than not, since there's no definitive proof either way.

More likely than not deals with probability. When there is evidence of something, and then no evidence to contradict that evidence, something is more likely than not. This is epistemic probability. I am not claiming that I know the ban happened, or that the ban did not happen. Yet there is some evidence that tends to suggest a ban did indeed happen. Unless I see evidence that a ban did not happen, then it is more probable that a ban did happen than it did not happen.

And yes, the same can apply to arguments about theology. I would have absolutely no problem should someone start saying that "it is more likely than not that God does not exist", something I think is highly supported. There is a difference between "more likely than not" and "God does not exist". I am trying to promote intellectual modesty.
 
More likely than not deals with probability. When there is evidence of something, and then no evidence to contradict that evidence, something is more likely than not. This is epistemic probability. I am not claiming that I know the ban happened, or that the ban did not happen. Yet there is some evidence that tends to suggest a band did indeed happen. Unless I see evidence that a ban did not happen, then it is more probable that a ban did happen than it did not happen.

And yes, the same can apply to arguments about theology. I would have absolutely no problem should someone start saying that "it is more likely than not that God does not exist", something I think is highly supported. There is a difference between "more likely than not" and "God does not exist". I am trying to promote intellectual modesty.

Except you haven't provided evidence. You claiming you were banned is not evidence of a ban. You claiming you were banned for skepticism is not evidence that you were banned for skepticism. You claiming that was why Socrates was killed is not evidence that is why he was killed.

Otherwise, I claim you did not get banned. I claim that is not why Socrates was killed. Now we have equal evidence. Equally likely.
 
Except you haven't provided evidence. You claiming you were banned is not evidence of a ban. You claiming you were banned for skepticism is not evidence that you were banned for skepticism. You claiming that was why Socrates was killed is not evidence that is why he was killed.

How does he even know Socrates existed? What the hell is a "Socrates", do you know him?
 
I'm not going to get emotional and cry over my stubbed toe though. Nor am I going to beg and plead that the pain be over. Because I know the pain will not last long. So actually your analogy supports what I'm saying. Now if I had permanent damage, like, say, my toe disappeared. I may wish I had it back... or if my child died and I (sub)consciously knew I would never see him/her alive again.

The point I was making is that, pain is still pain- even for believers. You may believe in something but a normal human would still grieve because of 'what could have been'. Even if they believe they'll see them again, it doesn't stop them from feeling that loss in the moment.

A lot of times crying about a child's death can be more than the child, but also about the person grieving about what they lost (this observation has a lot to do with ego as well).
 
Question: If Genesis is a metaphor for evolution, why does it still get the order wrong and put the evolution of plants millions of years before the existence of the sun, and put the existence of birds before the existence of mammals?

Can't speak for genesis as I think Torah and Gospels were corrupted by scribes later on (such as using son of God) but most abrahamic faiths at its core believe evolution exists as science says but are guided evolution. My view I subscribe to : http://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_4_section_5.html


I am enjoying the hilarity of people who reject God here trying to ask questions of those in a mocking way from those who believe in a God. But I am still answering because truth should always be given even in such moments, it's like you Guys believe in God but don't like Him lol. So childish but enjoyable discussion
 
Dude has a pretty shit deal, if you think about. Trapped in a (metaphorical) garden with an infinite stream of babies he has to teach some sort of unified morality.
I wonder if these teachings include things like don't murder or don't fuck another man's wife etc. And the kids would go "whaaaaaaaaaaat?" Is there even sex in paradise? Or is the sex only metaphorical? Sheesh that would be a bummer.
 
Except you haven't provided evidence. You claiming you were banned is not evidence of a ban. You claiming you were banned for skepticism is not evidence that you were banned for skepticism. You claiming that was why Socrates was killed is not evidence that is why he was killed.

Otherwise, I claim you did not get banned. I claim that is not why Socrates was killed. Now we have equal evidence. Equally likely.

By all accepted definitions of evidence, that is indeed considered evidence. First hand experience, although not 100% proof positive of something, is generally accepted as inductive support for a proposition. Feel free to try and rewrite the rules of inductive reasoning as defined by our elders. That would be vastly amusing. There is a difference between support for a proposition, and proof of a proposition. First hand experience, although not proof, is support, support which tends to make a thing more likely than not.

Did you, personally, experience me not being banned between the dates that I see listed on my profile? That would be startling evidence indeed, something I would like to see proof of. Perhaps a screenshot or testimony from other people.
 
I wonder if these teachings include things like don't murder or don't fuck another man's wife etc. And the kids would go "whaaaaaaaaaaat?" Is there even sex in paradise? Or is the sex only metaphorical? Sheesh that would be a bummer.
Only prudes in heaven.
 
It's amazing how biblical stories which for centuries were when read (either explicitly or by allusion and allegory) never revealed the truths about life until after those discovers had been made through science. Then all of a sudden people claim it was always there, that the bible had had it all along. It's actually an insult.
 
I am enjoying the hilarity of people who reject God here trying to ask questions of those in a mocking way from those who believe in a God. But I am still answering because truth should always be given even in such moments, it's like you Guys believe in God but don't like Him lol.

Nah, it isn't anything like that. I don't like people declaring something is the 'truth' and then getting all hurt when people mock them about not providing any evidence. lol.

That same ole tired, its like you guys belive in god but are mad at him...lol, so original.
 
By all accepted definitions of evidence, that is indeed considered evidence. First hand experience, although not 100% proof positive of something, is generally accepted as inductive support for a proposition. Feel free to try and rewrite the rules of inductive reasoning as defined by our elders. That would be vastly amusing. There is a difference between support for a proposition, and proof of a proposition. First hand experience, although not proof, is support, support which tends to make a thing more likely than not.

Did you, personally, experience me not being banned between the dates that I see listed on my profile? That would be startling evidence indeed, something I would like to see proof of. Perhaps a screenshot or testimony from other people.

So a claim by a person is evidence? Then I can just counter claim whatever you claim and then it is evidence in the opposite direction. And I don't have such a screenshot, but as you said absence of evidence doesn't mean the evidence doesn't exist. But I am claiming Socrates didn't die from skepticism, and you were not banned for being skeptical. Thus there IS evidence (by your own admission) that you weren't banned for skepticism.
 
The point I was making is that, pain is still pain- even for believers. You may believe in something but normal human would still grieve because of 'what could have been'. Even if they believe they'll see them again, it doesn't stop them from feeling that loss in the moment.

A lot of times crying about a child's death can be more than the child, but also about the person grieving about what they lost (this observation has a lot to do with ego as well).
This makes no sense though as I've just explained. If they believed in an afterlife it would just be like stubbing your toe. There is no "what could have been" because nothing has ended. You're not really losing something. Your child is still within reach. If I take your phone and say I will give it back in 5 seconds. Will you be mad? What if I'm god?
You can even get on the line with god supposedly and ask how your child is doing. What is he going to do? Not tell you? That would make god a douche bag.
 
So a claim by a person is evidence? Then I can just counter claim whatever you claim and then it is evidence in the opposite direction. And I don't have such a screenshot, but as you said absence of evidence doesn't mean the evidence doesn't exist.

A claim, by itself, can be evidence that should be weighed whenever making a determination. However, my claim goes beyond merely the claim. It lies in the title I see under my name, the title given to me for trying to introduce skepticism in a practical argument, and the record sheet that is on my account for posting that. A contrary claim without supporting evidence is also evidence, but not persuasive or controlling evidence.

It is a scale that can sway back and forth. On my side, I see more than a mere claim of evidence of a ban. You are welcome to deny the existence of the tag under my name if you would like. But once you deny it, I would like some proof.
 
Nah, it isn't anything like that. I don't like people declaring something is the 'truth' and then getting all hurt when people mock them about not providing any evidence. lol.

It is the truth theists believe in which leaves Those who mock get their panties in a bunch because of belief. It's a bit confusing seeing people so worked up over another persons deep belief as if they are evangelicals of atheism
 
A claim, by itself, can be evidence that should be weighed whenever making a determination. However, my claim goes beyond merely the claim. It lies in the title I see under my name, the title given to me for trying to introduce skepticism in a practical argument, and the record sheet that is on my account for posting that. A contrary claim without supporting evidence is also evidence, but not persuasive or controlling evidence.

It is a scale that can sway back and forth. On my side, I see more than a mere claim of evidence of a ban. You are welcome to deny the existence of the tag under my name if you would like. But once you deny it, I would like some proof.

Your tag says "Schrodinger's Jackass" and links to a post you made, but I'm not sure how that is evidence that you were banned for skepticism. Maybe a mod didn't think you were a jackass for that comment, or perhaps jackass means something different to them than it does to you. I'm finding your evidence extremely underwhelming.
 
Can't speak for genesis as I think Torah and Gospels were corrupted by scribes later on (such as using son of God) but most abrahamic faiths at its core believe evolution exists as science says but are guided evolution. My view I subscribe to : http://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_4_section_5.html


I am enjoying the hilarity of people who reject God here trying to ask questions of those in a mocking way from those who believe in a God. But I am still answering because truth should always be given even in such moments, it's like you Guys believe in God but don't like Him lol. So childish but enjoyable discussion

Kinda like that weak cure for cancer written in the bible?
Just put in Blackholes described in X religion in google and pretty much every major
religion will have a passage describing them.
 
It is the truth theists believe in which leaves Those who mock get their panties in a bunch because of belief. It's a bit confusing seeing people so worked up over another persons deep belief as if they are evangelicals of atheism
Replying to posts on a message board doesn't equal being worked up. I'm not exactly frothing at the mouth here.
 
It is the truth theists believe in which leaves Those who mock get their panties in a bunch because of belief. It's a bit confusing seeing people so worked up over another persons deep belief as if they are evangelicals of atheism

Nah, not worked up about it at all. No issue when you declare it is your deeply held believe. The issue starts when you feel like that believe is somehow the 'truth'.

Replying to posts on a message board doesn't equal being worked up. I'm not exactly frothing at the mouth here.

Nah, you mad bro, mad at god. I know it.
 
So why do kids get such drastically different experiences from adults. Why can't kids just go straight to hell? How is it fair to get out of potential hell while someone else is given the opportunity? And if Hell isn't permanent why bother with earth? Why aren't we all born in purgatory and taught from there.
 
Replying to posts on a message board doesn't equal being worked up. I'm not exactly frothing at the mouth here.

I am just seeing reactions from folks here over beliefs in a sense that they don't believe something exists but get worked up as if they do. It's one thing to get angry at something that exists and another to get angry In what some view as nothing or thin air. Quite odd


It's like in their subconscience they are afraid there might be a God but to show showmanship they ridicule the belief of someone as if it exists

In simple words: getting angry at something which they don't beleive exists...
 
This makes no sense though as I've just explained. If they believed in an afterlife it would just be like stubbing your toe. There is no "what could have been" because nothing has ended. You're not really losing something. Your child is still within reach. If I take your phone and say I will give it back in 5 seconds. Will you be mad? What if I'm god?
You can even get on the line with god supposedly and ask how your child is doing. What is he going to do? Not tell you? That would make god a douche bag.

But it does make sense. Being a believer doesn't make you a robot. Like I said, there's ego at play here as well. If you take someones phone or misplace it, they'll still be a bit miffed. It's an emotional reaction in the moment.

Edit: There's a literal reaction to when you stub your toe or receive pain. You might know it'll go away, but in the moment that you receive that pain guess what it is? Pain. C'mon brah.
 
What if the baby had a massive learning disability and couldn't ever understand? I mean I'm having a hard time with metaphors, so maybe I wont be able to understand this unified morality. I'm so fucked.

If the disabled baby can learn freely in the afterlife it says the soul is unlocked when free of the physical body, which means God got some kick out of imprisoning them in a disabled body unable to fulfil their potential.

If every dead baby can learn the lessons they need to be a good person and reach peak adult form in this metaphorical garden without suffering, it also means Earth is a really shitty place to learn as it turns people bad who wouldn't otherwise be bad. So God is responsible for that too.

Basically God seems to be a sadist who think unnecessary suffering has merit, and turns people bad just to say look how bad they are and punish them for all eternity.
 
I am just seeing reactions from folks here over beliefs in a sense that they don't believe something exists but get worked up as if they do. It's one thing to get angry at something that exists and another to get angry In what some view as nothing or thin air. Quite odd

You seem to be having a really hard time with this. Not angry, not mad, not going to have an issue drinking some beer and watching the game in a couple hours. Why are you projecting so much? I think you are insecure because others don't share your belief. Yep, gonna go with that. Oh wait, that isn't how this works.

It's like in their subconscience they are afraid there might be a God but to show showmanship they ridicule the belief of someone as if it exists

In simple words: getting angry at something which they don't beleive exists...

Keep projecting, I think it is kinda of cute.
 
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^ lol
Video is worth it for this.
 
So why do kids get such drastically different experiences from adults. Why can't kids just go straight to hell? How is it fair to get out of potential hell while someone else is given the opportunity? And if Hell isn't permanent why bother with earth? Why aren't we all born in purgatory and taught from there.

YUvRnGk.gif
 
So why do kids get such drastically different experiences from adults. Why can't kids just go straight to hell? How is it fair to get out of potential hell while someone else is given the opportunity? And if Hell isn't permanent why bother with earth? Why aren't we all born in purgatory and taught from there.

What I don't get is people who lived during Jesus' life have an unfair advantage, the rest of us just have to have faith. What kind of bullshit is that?
 
You seem to be having a really hard time with this. Not angry, not mad, not going to have an issue drinking some beer and watching the game in a couple hours. Why are you projecting so much? I think you are insecure because others don't share your belief. Yep, gonna go with that. Oh wait, that isn't how this works.

It'd quite obvious I see a sense of insecurity. I am not insecure, I am quite firmly secure in my belief that there is a God but you seem to be very curious as if God exists but then mock and reject. It's just confusing do you believe in God or no that someone who describes him negatively but in the next sentence say I don't believe there is a God. Well then who are being negative against lol
 
So why do kids get such drastically different experiences from adults. Why can't kids just go straight to hell? How is it fair to get out of potential hell while someone else is given the opportunity? And if Hell isn't permanent why bother with earth? Why aren't we all born in purgatory and taught from there.
Yeah I'm wondering the same thing. What the point of building societies. Making progress in technology etc. Continue having endless babies. Taking care of the elderly. It makes no sense if earth was just a short stop over to paradise.
 
It's just confusing do you believe in God or no that someone who describes him negatively but in the next sentence say I don't believe there is a God

Its just confusing do you believe in unicorns or [know] that someone who describes them negatively but in the next sentence say I don't believe there are any unicorns. Well then who are [they] being negative against lol
 
I am just seeing reactions from folks here over beliefs in a sense that they don't believe something exists but get worked up as if they do. It's one thing to get angry at something that exists and another to get angry In what some view as nothing or thin air. Quite odd


It's like in their subconscience they are afraid there might be a God but to show showmanship they ridicule the belief of someone as if it exists

In simple words: getting angry at something which they don't beleive exists...
In even simpler words: I'm not mad, angry enraged or even annoyed. Despite the fact that we have Schrödinger's moron and someone who proclaims an ancient prophet teaching toddlers the intricacies of morality in a metaphysical Zen garden to be common knowledge in here.

If anything I'm bored out of my mind.
 
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