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Showing results 1 to 50 of 500
Search took 3.09 seconds. Search: Posts Made By: psionl0
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Today, 12:15 AM
Replies: 0
Views: 1
Posted By psionl0
Could we do a better job with the world than God did?

Rather than derail the other thread, I thought that this topic deserved its own thread.

Normally the existence of all of the evil in this world is taken as evidence that there is no god or that if...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 10:22 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Like I said previously, God given free will is a...

Like I said previously, God given free will is a supernatural concept. In a deterministic universe there is no free will.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 09:15 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
The brain is a neural network. It responds to...

The brain is a neural network. It responds to stimuli and stimuli history (with perhaps some random quantum factors randomizing the responses). If you want to employ the "god of the gaps"...
Forum: Economics, Business and Finance Yesterday, 08:42 PM
Replies: 2,636
Views: 180,770
Posted By psionl0
You posted about a "handful of exemptions" and...

You posted about a "handful of exemptions" and "how little non-criminal activity bitcoin gets used for". Clearly you are saying that the bulk of bitcoin transactions are criminal in nature. Without...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 06:53 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
I don't live in Afghanistan so that is not a...

I don't live in Afghanistan so that is not a problem I see personally. Unfortunately, the cruel mistreatment of people who's opinions or morals are "incorrect" is still a common place occurrence in...
Forum: Economics, Business and Finance Yesterday, 05:34 PM
Replies: 2,636
Views: 180,770
Posted By psionl0
He didn't say that. Open your eyes. You...

He didn't say that. Open your eyes.


You have no data whatsoever on the percentage of bitcoin transactions that are for criminal purposes. As usual, you are making up your own "facts".
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 05:16 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Could we? War, poverty, hunger, disease,...

Could we?

War, poverty, hunger, disease, crime, injustice etc seem to be just as prevalent as they have always been and I see little evidence that any real solutions are on the way.

Some of us...
Forum: Economics, Business and Finance Yesterday, 04:31 PM
Replies: 2,636
Views: 180,770
Posted By psionl0
That's because you are looking at this thread...

That's because you are looking at this thread with both eyes closed:
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 06:48 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
I am not defending this. I am only putting up the...

I am not defending this. I am only putting up the biblical explanation of why evil exists. Other passages suggest that evil will increase towards the end times (Matthew 24:12...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 04:42 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
It was a while ago...

It was a while ago (http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=13871631#post13871631) when I offered biblical verses that might explain why God allows evil to persist in this...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy Yesterday, 04:37 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
It doesn't. You are attempting to make a circular...

It doesn't. You are attempting to make a circular definition of free will.

Free will is a God given ability to defy your biological programming. It may or may not exist but if it exists, it is not...
Forum: Economics, Business and Finance Yesterday, 01:29 AM
Replies: 2,636
Views: 180,770
Posted By psionl0
But you are definitely wrong. Your assertion...

But you are definitely wrong.

Your assertion that the bigger fool theory applies uniquely to bitcoin and no other instrument of speculation and that only criminals use bitcoin has been repeated...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 16th August 2022, 06:20 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
People at the top tend to become "megalomaniacal...

People at the top tend to become "megalomaniacal and dictatorial" regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof). An atheist would simply find a different way to justify their actions.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 16th August 2022, 06:16 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
I don't find that a particularly useful...

I don't find that a particularly useful definition. In a deterministic universe, people are only doing what they were programmed to do from the beginning. How in any universe is that "free"?
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 16th August 2022, 06:11 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
To be honest, I have thought about it but can't...

To be honest, I have thought about it but can't get all that excited about Scumo wearing multiple ministerial hats even though these ministerial positions were already filled.

The secrecy aspect...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 16th August 2022, 06:05 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
Most fundys I have dealt with do little more than...

Most fundys I have dealt with do little more than go to church on Sundays or do some "good works" (charitable donations etc).

I have never met any who said that we don't have to care about ruining...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 16th August 2022, 06:02 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
Of course he is (though not necessarily about his...

Of course he is (though not necessarily about his religion). He is a politician. Just look at the pathetic excuses he comes up with for his multiple ministerial hats.
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 16th August 2022, 05:29 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
Correct but the objective here is to vilify Scott...

Correct but the objective here is to vilify Scott Morrison further and make him appear worse than he actually is. So claim (without any evidence whatsoever) that he is doing these things for the sake...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 15th August 2022, 10:32 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
The GG does whatever the PM tells him to. GGs...

The GG does whatever the PM tells him to. GGs are hand selected for their willingness to not question what the PM says. (Retired soldiers usually make nice compliant GGs).

So if Morrison says,...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 15th August 2022, 10:02 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
So what? Morrison also eats hot dinners, sleeps...

So what? Morrison also eats hot dinners, sleeps in a bed, has showers etc etc. You can just as easily make links between his political actions and these incidental things as you can to his...
Forum: USA Politics 15th August 2022, 09:58 PM
Replies: 35
Views: 633
Posted By psionl0
Never attribute to malice that which can be...

Never attribute to malice that which can be attributed to ignorance.
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 15th August 2022, 09:28 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
None of this has anything to do with the fact...

None of this has anything to do with the fact that he is an amoral politician.


ftfy.


Because he is an amoral politician.
Forum: USA Politics 15th August 2022, 08:38 PM
Replies: 35
Views: 633
Posted By psionl0
That is absolutely true. Since the government and...

That is absolutely true. Since the government and courts hate individual rights, the bill of rights has been interpreted into oblivion.

Double jeopardy? No problem. Call it the "separate...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 15th August 2022, 08:28 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
The idea that Morrison did what he did only...

The idea that Morrison did what he did only because he is a fundy christian is purely a made up fairy tale. You are only throwing religion into the mix because you think that otherwise Morrison...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 15th August 2022, 06:35 PM
Replies: 307
Views: 5,226
Posted By psionl0
What crap. There is no indication that a PM...

What crap. There is no indication that a PM wouldn't do this if they were an atheist. Considering that all MPs think that they are better than their constituents once they get elected, I would say...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 15th August 2022, 06:22 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
You don't. Free will is not a scientific concept....

You don't. Free will is not a scientific concept. It is more of a "supernatural" quality.

In a deterministic universe, there is no free will. Every thought/action is pre-programmed. Even in a...
Forum: USA Politics 15th August 2022, 07:07 AM
Replies: 35
Views: 633
Posted By psionl0
I think you are misinterpreting it. At the...

I think you are misinterpreting it.

At the time the constitution was ratified, there was a fear that if it included a bill of rights then only those rights would be protected and other rights...
Forum: USA Politics 15th August 2022, 03:47 AM
Replies: 35
Views: 633
Posted By psionl0
This is too vague to comment on. Give us some...

This is too vague to comment on. Give us some specific examples of interpretations that you either agree with or disagree with.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 09:43 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
It means free will. If you chose which button to...

It means free will. If you chose which button to press without being controlled then you exercised free will. That's it! Finito! The End! Nothing else matters.


So what? This is about exercising...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 07:31 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Yes and free will is a part of this problem.

Yes and free will is a part of this problem.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 07:28 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Of course. You don't have to know the effects of...

Of course. You don't have to know the effects of every choice in order to make a choice. As I already pointed out, all that matters is whether you were programmed to make a certain choice or you...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 07:06 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
This thread is about why God (if he existed)...

This thread is about why God (if he existed) would permit evil in this world. It is not a scientific question and therefore can't be answered scientifically.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 07:04 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Exactly. And if you make your own decisions then...

Exactly. And if you make your own decisions then you are exercising free will.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 14th August 2022, 07:02 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
I don't see how being in control of your choices...

I don't see how being in control of your choices would prevent you from choosing differently if the same circumstances were repeated.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:56 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
What is not relevant is that the machine was...

What is not relevant is that the machine was rigged. What is not relevant is that you were deceived about the effect of each button on the machine.

The only relevant aspect was that you had a...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:46 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Did somebody force you to press button A or did...

Did somebody force you to press button A or did you choose to press the button yourself?
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:44 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
I am only arguing about free will. It is other...

I am only arguing about free will. It is other people who keep trying to change the subject.

This is not about unfairness, coercion, deception, Hobson's choices etc. It is only about whether the...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:42 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
If some of your choices (no matter how few) might...

If some of your choices (no matter how few) might not be made of your own free will then there is absolutely no free will whatsoever is a false dichotomy.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:17 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
You changed the subject again. You even equated...

You changed the subject again. You even equated free will with involuntary actions.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 09:15 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Free will doesn't mean freedom of choice. Either...

Free will doesn't mean freedom of choice. Either you make your own choices (good or bad) or somebody makes them for you. In the latter case, deception is irrelevant because you aren't making a choice.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 06:12 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
What does any of this have to do with free will? ...

What does any of this have to do with free will?

The only relevant question is "did they make that choice themselves or did somebody program them to make that choice"?
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th August 2022, 08:15 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Somebody else who has no idea of what free will...

Somebody else who has no idea of what free will is.

Punishing somebody for making a choice you don't like is not the same as programming them to make a certain choice.

You might think that the...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 12th August 2022, 08:06 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
:confused:

:confused:
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 12th August 2022, 12:51 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Yes. Any rule that says you are allowed to...

Yes. Any rule that says you are allowed to imagine a god exists but you are not allowed to imagine that he gave people free will is silly in the extreme.


People make bad choices all the time -...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 11th August 2022, 06:42 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
You are starting to remind me of that poster who...

You are starting to remind me of that poster who thinks "free will" means freedom from all suffering. You are deliberately so all over the place that it is impossible to tell what you truly believe....
Forum: Economics, Business and Finance 11th August 2022, 08:33 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 290
Posted By psionl0
I get your point. Without a change in tax laws,...

I get your point. Without a change in tax laws, the big corporate evaders are not going to pay more taxes even if we employ more tax officers.

However, small fry also try to evade taxes and a...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 11th August 2022, 08:15 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
If God has not created people with free will then...

If God has not created people with free will then that means that he has programmed every single choice that every individual ever made and will ever make. It means that he created many people for...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th August 2022, 08:20 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
You have no time for the notion of a god at all...

You have no time for the notion of a god at all (other than to conclude that there is no such thing).

The idea that a fictional god can not create people with free will is just silly. Like I say,...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th August 2022, 01:03 AM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
That is the exact opposite of what "most if not...

That is the exact opposite of what "most if not all Christian churches" teach (at least, the ones I have heard of).

"Lest ye repent . . ."
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th August 2022, 09:12 PM
Replies: 272
Views: 4,684
Posted By psionl0
Who makes up these rules? There is no argument...

Who makes up these rules? There is no argument that God gave no free will whatsoever.
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