IntenseDebate - colmoni

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - God\'s work can be see... · 0 replies · +2 points

That sets us a Poe's Law challenge - just how ridiculous a letter can we send in and still get published?

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - God\'s work can be see... · 2 replies · +4 points

Things created from nothing: virtual particles

Things of apparent design: Snowflakes, glacial erratic rocks, rainbows, planetary rings, galaxies, solar systems, stalactites & stalagmites, geological strata...and all life.

All have powerful explanatory models for their existence.

The argument from design has been debunked countless times...and yet they still wheel it out. Give it a rest.

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Queen\'s University st... · 0 replies · 0 points

Brilliant quote. I might just borrow that...

Edit: Tweeted. I can take it down if you wish, DIG ?https://twitter.com/colmo_ni/status/463974271849861120

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Queen\'s University st... · 0 replies · +30 points

Disgraceful. The poppy is only politically charged because Sinn Fein make it so. I'm pleased SDLP saw sense, their reasoning is sound.

This is similar to the LSESU when they tried to censor 'blasphemous' t-shirts because they offended Muslims.

To Sinn Fein, I echo the words of Stephen Fry; "You're offended. So f******g what?".

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Adams mural photograph... · 0 replies · -6 points

This has the appearance of a robbery of a vulnerable man showing off expensive equipment in a deprived area.

It could have been any mural. Tying in the hoopla over Adams is just click bait.

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - God only exists in ign... · 0 replies · +5 points

The field of scepticism concentrates on the testable claims of various beliefs. A scientific approach is the only way to go in this respect. So far, it has found every miracle to be completely without foundation.

Thus, application of the scientific method, not to all theology, but to truth claims, is highly successful.

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - God only exists in ign... · 0 replies · +8 points

"What do atheists believe? What do they understand?"

Have you ever tried asking, or more importantly, listening?

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Morality comes from ev... · 0 replies · +2 points

Don't be silly - it's a lifestyle choice! :-P

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Stormont blocks gay ma... · 1 reply · +4 points

It's irony alright, rich, dark and deep.

My term for unionists that cherry-pick UK laws is "buffet Britons".

I'll see if I can come up with an equivalent for the shinners.

9 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Morality comes from ev... · 13 replies · +3 points

No-one said it is easy - one must balance scenarios of conflicting benefits. Stephen Pinker's latest book charts how our society has evolved to become less violent - we are, in the developed world, less likely to die a violent death than at any time in history.

"On an evolutionary account how do you explain the origins of moral duties?"

What's a moral duty? We all buy into an informal social contact, giving up some liberties to enjoy the greater benefits of living in a society. The reason we do is because it's beneficial to us, as well as society. the two are linked.

"Evolution doesn't and can't explain our obligation to be good moral agents." - it does - we've been trying to explain it to you in the OP and comments. It appears to be passing straight through.

"Anything is permissible." - You're not paying attention to a damn thing I'm saying. Our society does NOT permit 'anything'.

"You seem to imply that there is no objective standard of morality in which case we are left with a sphere of moral relativism, which, when followed, leads to nihilism. Anything is permissible. "

So without a celestial policeman, you would immediately run out and murder, steal and rape because you think you could get away with it? If so, then you are, indeed, a psychopath.

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