What are some of the ultimate questions in life?

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I used to be under the impression that all atheists believed that way by definition. I later learned that only those atheists that are called "Strong Atheists" believe that. They might even be "gnostic atheists." In other words, they might think it is possible to know that no gods exist. I now understand that belief in any gods is like finding someone guilty in court. I would not convict anyone without sufficient evidence that they are guilty. Likewise, unless enough credible evidence is presented, I will not believe in any gods.

As Carl Sagan said: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." The claim that any gods exist is pretty extraordinary.

I don't follow your point about babies. Would you care to explain?

I read Philosophy as my means to search for answers, or at least the right questions. I have enjoyed reading Ayn Rand for an understanding of how the business world works. Whether or not you agree with her, I have worked as a CPA for almost 20 years. She has a lot of truth in Atlas Shrugged about what motivates people in the business world - like it or not.

I am...
White Male
CPA & CGMA certified
BA Degree in Accounting minor in Philosophy
Attended over 10 years in college and pursued advanced degrees

I focus on career questions, retirement, learning and education, and you could say I replaced my religion with Western Philosophy.

When I was 20 I thought one way. As I grew older experience is a very interesting teacher. Life experiences one cannot discount. I don't claim to have all the answers. The older I get the more questions I have and how I search for answers has changed. Almost 50 now I see things differently. Hard to explain. But the older you get the more you can look back and analyze.

let's keep the thread on the topic of "The Ultimate Questions" please.

I will do just that your a good moderator hyperlexian.

thanks!

All atheists believe that. An atheist can say that they don't have a belief regarding the existence of God, but they are lying. That's why I jokingly made asked the question, "Is my belief that God doesn't exist my non-position?"

There is no such thing as a non position, and it escapes me why some atheists think they are somehow shielded from any belief regarding the existence of God.



Is that true, that gnostic can mean to "think it's possible to that no gods exist"? I always just accept that it means "knowledge of your position"




I said that because a lot of atheists will say that babies are born atheist/it's the natural position, and they will include them among themselves, when the definition of atheism, which a lot of people use, describe the baby more than it describes them, because while they may lack a belief in God, they don't lack a belief in the existence of God. They certainly have a position.

And it goes back to the "ultimate question" I raised.

What is consciousness? What does it mean to exist?

What is consciousness?

Do we have free will?

Is it possible to experience pain without suffering?

A lack of belief in any gods (encountered up to that point) is not the same as believing that any particular god does not exist. That would be strong atheism regarding that particular god.

Strong Atheists must be the babtits of the athesit community

They are at the far end of that spectrum. The other end might be Islamic fundamentalists, currently. It might have been the people behind the Spanish Inquisition in the past.

Hmm I dont know much about the Spanish Inquisistion was it a conflict or war?

Why do we exist and what for?

* what's for lunch?

* aren't lazerdiscs just too-large DVDs?

* why are there people who don't like chocolate?

* do some people actually hate chocolate?

* what colour did dinosaurs have?

* why are so many religions ironically materialistic and occupied with earthly status?

* why do people ask 'how are you?', and don't seem to listen to the answer?

* why is Mr Krab's daughter a whale?

* are Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant generally crabby and socially awkward, or do they bring it out in each other?

* What IS Ian's deal against The Puppet?!

* What's that weird rap in recent versions of Lips Like Sugar, is it a cover, or?...

* Why were so many great cartoons discontinued too soon?

* How do people make GIFs with no marks?

Last edited by Bun on 01 Apr 2012, 7:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[quote="Bun"]

* why is Mr Krab's daughter a whale?

I want to know the answer to that to.

How does one pronounce Cthulhu?