Subconsciousless

After much contemplation and research about the whole theism vs. atheism debate, it seems to me that theists refuse to be fair because they frequently change their definition of god in contradictory ways. For example, if their idea of a personal god is questioned, they shift their definition of god to one that is impersonal and beyond human understanding ("god works in mysterious ways"). But if their idea of a mysterious god beyond human understanding is questioned, they shift their definition of god to one that is personal. Since theists are making the positive claim, they should be the ones responsible for consistently defining their terms, just as a researcher must come up with their operational definitions and hypotheses, right? Is it just me, or are theists trying to cheat?

When I first saw Pastor Kerney Thomas on early morning TV, I thought it was a hilarious joke. I understand how people can believe in religion, but not when it is presented to them like this. Here are some clips I found on youtube.

Funny Screaming Pastor - Kerney Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8KxXHibv6A&feature...

JESUS HANKIERCHIEF CURES BACK PAIN! *MUST SEE* Kerney Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx0bHOsBtPc&feature...

Kerney Thomas cures aids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsLVHYX0CUo&feature...

To me, Pastor Thomas seems like a possibly mentally ill con man. But he must have a following of people who give him money or he wouldn't be able to stay on the air and maintain his ministry. I don't understand. How can anyone take this man seriously?

Also, if abortion is murder, couldn't miscarriage be interpreted as involuntary manslaughter? What should be the penalty for that?

Let's say that god is responsible for creating the universe. Doesn't that still leave the questions of exactly how god did it unanswered? How would creationism/intelligent design help further science in any way?

The developmetal disability would impair their cognitive development, greatly limit the child's ability become a productive independent adult and probably significantly shorten their life expectancy. Knowing this, would you still go through with the pregnancy or abort? Please explain your reasons.

Is it just out of fear of the bad things God could do to us? Even if God created and designed humanity, humans still endure great suffering in life, whether that suffering be directly caused by God or indirectly by our God given free will. I think we can all agree that life isn't a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after. Should we really worship a God who is the architect of our suffering or turns a blind eye to it?

Is it just out of fear of the bad things God could do to us? Even if God created and designed humanity, humans still endure great suffering in life, whether that suffering be directly caused by God or indirectly by our God given free will. I think we can all agree that life isn't a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after. Should we really worship a God who is the architect of our suffering or turns a blind eye to it?

If you do, how does that choice work? How could someone possibly decide to begin living in the first place?

Surely, we do not start life exercising free will. We don't choose to be born in the first place or the conditions of our birth (time/place, who our parents are, genetic inherience, congential defects or lack therof etc.) And we really don't have any control over our what happens to us in our early formative years. How we are nutured, raised and provided for, good or bad, really isn't up to us. I think we can all agree on that much.

So at what point in life does free will become a factor? Is free will even possible when there are so many influential factors beyond our control?

Surely, we do not start life exercising free will. We don't choose to be born in the first place or the conditions of our birth (time/place, who our parents are, genetic inherience, congential defects or lack therof etc.) And we really don't have any control over our what happens to us in our early formative years. How we are nutured, raised and provided for, good or bad, really isn't up to us. I think we can all agree on that much.

So at what point in life does free will become a factor? Is free will even possible when there are so many influential factors beyond our control?

I've heard many people say they think suicide is wrong and selfish because of they'll hurt their loved ones. But what if they have no loved ones? Let's say one is an orphan without children, siblings, a significant other or close friends. Do you think they should have the right to kill themselves if they wanted to?

(Not about me or anyone I know, just hypothetical)

I just read an article on strategies for happiness linked to the yahoo home page. Here's the link:

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/theprinc...

The section of the article entitled "Turn it Over!" is especially relevant to my question. After reading what the author thinks, I am eager to know, do you think there is a relationship between spiritual faith and happiness?

I just read an article on strategies for happiness linked to the yahoo home page. Here's the link:

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/theprinc...

The section of the article entitled "Turn it Over!" is especially relevant to my question. After reading what the author thinks, I am eager to know, do you think there is a relationship between spiritual faith and happiness?

I just read an article on strategies for happiness linked to the yahoo home page. Here's the link:

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/theprinciples/8059...

The section of the article entitled "Turn it Over!" is especially relevant to my question. After reading what the author thinks, I am eager to know, do you think there is a relationship between spiritual faith and happiness?

Are they having children for the right reasons?

Are they equipped to economically and emotionally provide for children?

Are they doing a good job raising children to be well-adjusted and productive members of society?

If you are a parent, do you think you're a compent parent?

For the sake of argument, I'll assume that God exists and is the creator of the universe and humanity. Even so, why should we worship God? Surely, life can be entertaining, joyful and fun. But at the same time, life is full of suffering and injustice. Many many people go through tragedies and live horrible lives through no fault of their own. If this is God's work, I think God has a lot of room for improvement. He doesn't need worship, he needs a performance review.

...isn't it a lot worse for the child to be unwanted and raised by grossly unfit parents?

I don't think it's fair to the child to bring them into the world then screw up the child's life because you're such a lousy parent who never wanted to be a parent in the first place. If abortion is murder, that's cruel torture with affects that last a lifetime, which I think is worse. Of course adoption is an option, but a lot of those kids end up as wards of the state, which usually doesn't give them a very good life either.

So if you think abortion is bad, do you really think sabotaging kids' lives with a crappy childhood is a better alternative?

How do the parents go from regarding the child as an unwanted accident to regarding the child as someone they want and love? Do they have some kind of epihphany that changes their outlook? Do they find it harder to love a child that is the product of unwanted pregnancy?