22 Nov 11
1 edit
Originally posted by googlefudge
That is irrelevant.
The point of a thought experiment is to do a 'what if' scenario that enables conclusions to be drawn about reality.
It is a common thing to do in science to imagine what the world were different (in a specified way) and use that
as a comparison with how the world is.
It's also useful in criminal investigation (unsurprising as ...[text shortened]... tangible difference then that would tend to suggest the non-existence of god in this reality.
It's also useful in criminal investigation (unsurprising as done properly this utilises the scientific method) for trying
to determine what kind of evidence should exist if a particular version of events (your own hypothesis or a witness
or suspects version of events) was true and whether that matches reality.
That can't be science. It sounds too much like Intelligent Design detection.
24 Nov 11
Originally posted by wolfgang59The Godless universe would not have a spirituality forum.
Consider if you can a universe very similar to our own ... the only difference being that God does [b]not exist. (and all atheist theories are fact)
What would be the test to distinguish our universe from the Godless one?[/b]
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24 Nov 11
Originally posted by HandyAndyWhy? What do you mean by spirituality?
The Godless universe would not have a spirituality forum.
Do you think spirituality requires belief in a deity?
Do you think the belief in a deity only occurs if that deity exists?
Why could the universe with no god not have anyone who believes in god/s?
24 Nov 11
Originally posted by Penguinnot quite.
No, Atheism derives its existance from the existence of [b]belief in God.
--- Penguin[/b]
You are saying without theism there would be no atheism.
Therefore if everyone became atheists overnight we would all disappear! (Or at least no longer be atheists!)
😉
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24 Nov 11
Originally posted by wolfgang59We would all be atheists, but the need for the term might disappear.
not quite.
You are saying without theism there would be no atheism.
Therefore if [b]everyone became atheists overnight we would all disappear! (Or at least no longer be atheists!)
😉[/b]
In the same way as we don't have a term for people who don't believe in the existence of fairies, unicorns,
or floral teapots orbiting Neptune.
We have the word atheist because there is a need to distinguish people by whether or not they believe in god.
If everyone were an atheist then as we move into a post theist society their would perhaps no longer be the
need for the label.
24 Nov 11
Originally posted by googlefudgeAh yes the word would not be required but the concept would still exist, as would the need for winking smileys.
We would all be atheists, but the need for the term might disappear.
In the same way as we don't have a term for people who don't believe in the existence of fairies, unicorns,
or floral teapots orbiting Neptune.
We have the word atheist because there is a need to distinguish people by whether or not they believe in god.
If everyone were an athe ...[text shortened]... we move into a post theist society their would perhaps no longer be the
need for the label.