Welcome to the forum Karen.
"I'd be glad to but this really has to be worked through on your own, hence the seek and knock bit, that seemed to leave you non-plussed."
Not to long ago (maybe four months), I DID knock. I truly did. I asked God to reveal himself to me if he did indeed exist. Nothing happened. No euphoria, no flash of light, not even a simple sense of well being. I really am seeking the truth about the universe and I'm sure the majority of the people here are too. We are not running from God. I merely see no evidence to suggest he is there.
"Knowledge-how did all that primordial ooze manage to successfully organize itself into a functioning single cell?-the logical extension being that a higher intelligence was involved"
I have a BS in chemistry, not biology, so forgive any screwups. The "primordial ooze" was composed of simple organic molecules that have been shown through experimentation to form in a low- oxygen environments (the early earth was indeed a low-oxygen environment). These molecules, given enough time, could form into self-replicating compounds that mindlessly copye themselves.
As for the formation of a cell, one popular theory suggests that these reactions took place in little blobs of organic goo (the way oil forms little blobs when poured into water). This is a PROTOCELL. The steps to a true cell would be incredibly small.
For a far better explanation of abiogenesis and the odds of all this happening is found on
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/abioprob/
Check out the rest of
www.talkorigins.org too. Excellent source.
"Consciousness-lots of interesting new findings in this field, indicating the existence of the soul, seperate from the brain"
Please give me any books or web pages on this topic. I really do find it interesting.
However, from what I have seen so far, the brain and "soul" are the same thing. Brain damage has been shown to cause personality change. For example, google "Phineas Gage" and you will see what I mean.
Also, the idea of a soul and punisment is difficult to pin down too. Let's say I suffer brain damage and become a big, loud-mouthed jerk (moreso) but still maintain control over my actions. In my new form, I will commit more sins than before. Am I responsible for these sins to God? Am I new person entirely? If the accident wasn't my fault, why am I accountable for these actions? The line is very very blurry.
"Physics/Astronomy- the minute fine tuning of the universe and our planet in particular/the obvious interventions in our world, compared with the rest of space
and so on and so on etc. etc. "
Again, any sources would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not sure of any "obvious interventions in our world compared to the rest of space", but I ask you this: If the universe is fine-tuned for life, then why is life such a small part of it?
Also, fine-tuning is relative. Who's to say a different arrangement of universal conditions wouldn't yield life also? This type of tuning is very difficult to prove and has not been done yet.
"Evidence for the Christian God
History-the enduring and unprecedented legacy of a carpenter from a backwater in Israel"
I yield that a man named Jesus probably existed. However, other revolutionaries throughout history have survived obscurity to achieve greatness.
"the early spread of Christianity in a hostile environment"
Many religions survive hostile environments. Islam made it through the Crusades. Atheism made it to modern times too in spite of bitter persecuation. Religion survives like nothing else because it involves our eternal soul.
"the testimony of millions"
According to
www.adherents.com there are 2 billion Christians. That means there are around 4.5 billion who are not Christian. No matter what, alot of people are dead wrong. In general, testimonial evidence is very untrustworthy.
"-the personal relationship alluded to in Pascal's Wager which holds that their is nothing to lose in giving God a shot and the sure knowledge that he exists, to be gained"
There is indeed a great deal to be lost by participating in Christianity. Money (tithes), time spend worshiping, earthly enjoyments. Also, if I chose the wrong branch of christianity, eternal punishment may await.
The biggest problem with Pascal's Wager in my opinion is the nature of belief. I can't simply UNBELIEVE what I believe. I can't just choose to pay homage to a god and still be honest with myself.
Again, I welcome you to the forum and hope you post here often.
I'm sure this post is full of type-o's etc. Just pretend I did it to be funny. Forgive me for the format here. I can't seem to get the quotes to work right. Blah.
