“Who made God”
If you are a subscriber to the “big-bang” theory and i’m not saying you are, then it is plossible to say that “God” (which god? the western greek image?) is the begining as in which is stated in the bible. Which is to say that he is the this mystical energy from which all springs forth from. And why is it that is easier to believe that there was some energy then a click and all began; over that “energy” being “God” created all?
“Why did God allow evil to even exist?”
Can be answered in this way but not the only answer of course. That for their to be “good” there has to be “evil” such as all the things in this existance that we know of, ying-yang, light-dark, blackholes-godmatter, etc. It could also going into somthing of the duality of man…of the universe.
“Why did God have such an imperfect design of the universe and living things?”
As stated previously by some one else that I think this comes to the point of which you are looking from or look for. Because as I’ve seen things tend to work in a harmony not quite describle by our wonderful science.
“Why are there scientific errors and contradictions in religous books?”
Well I must ask a question fo you then; why is there contradictions in science itself? But I must also answer your queston as best I can. First you must look at the way in which religions formed or how they are viewd by us the most “advanced” of all civilization of the decades. Many believe that these religous books are inspired not directly written by “God” So you have to take mans errors in to account when reading these things. Also lots of these contradictions you speak of are not contradictions at all, but often times are simply described differently or interepreted differently or are used to describe different aspects of the life/soul/ physical etc. And before you state that rediculous time-line given by the Catholics let me first tell you that no where in the bible is a time-line given of creation. So there for a day could be billions of years.
“Why did the idea of a soul and a god come from pre historic times, essentially from people who didnt know much?”
Maybe they were slightly more in touch with the spiritual side of existance? Maybe they came from a time when “God” was closer to man? As its stated in the bible and other religous text. And what gives you the right to say they dont know much? I bet they knew more of the world and its intamintacies then you or any of us.
“why is atheism more common among higher IQ people vs. lower IQ people?”
Simple put to the fact when these people of higher IQ are indroctrinated or illuminated whichever one you like they are well…indroctrinated. Plus I dont think you have this question right. I do not think its a question of high IQ but rather a question of “education”. Plus I think its so silly when people they are logically argueing that they are an athiest. Because in logic you cannot affirm something that is unknown, (look at the true meaning of atheism-greek roots).
You raise some very good points in that there are serious repurcussions depending on how we define people as being products of randomness versus the belief in free will. One of the key problems with how people choose to assign the importance of personal responsibility(free will) versus being products of randomness(How much, if any, blame should be placed on an individual) is that the absence of the belief in free will potentially leads to a decreased emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. (If you believe people should be treated as outcomes of randomness, then their choices and desires can easily be considered as less important.) Also, it would be boring and unhealthy to live life thinking of yourself as having little control over events. So, even if the amount of control one has is an overestimate, it is still probably a prefferable way to live. (Although it is a bit of a duality, one can of course acknowledge that they are outcomes of ‘chaos’ or randomness and still live their day to day lives from the viewpoint of having a large amount of control.)
But, both of those are questions about how individuals and societies define themselves, not about what is actually occurring. The larger point I was trying to make with my earlier posting is that people easily mistake random events for larger purposeful, ‘grand’ events. This admittedly doesn’t answer your question ‘Is there a God’ which is unknowable (but IMO doubtful, particularly in the way people usually think of God.) But just that things can occur without some great overseer or govenor micromanaging each and every event.
Good discussion from both you and Austin H. I understand that your opinions likely differ from mine and trackmans, but it’s nice to see that we can have a civil discussion about a topic that it is easy to become emotional and reactionary about.
Think about yourself Jstu3566
You’ve come on this planet Earth involuntarily and without invitation or your permisson, you weren’t choosing your parents. Up say to 5 years old you were completely goverened by your parents who protected you from different dangerous situations. Up say 15 y.o. you couldn’t have explained quite coherently whether you govern at all on your way or not as again your parents, if prudent, took care of your ass. Suddenly you decide you can govern something and try to build a plan for the better fate, success, secured future, career. You were being an alpha male a bit and ended up locked for 3 years. You thought once your time expires you will take it serious. But you suddenly die the 1’st day you walked out on freedom. Poker face president Barack Obama smashed that fly while being interviewed and the fly suddenly dead. It can happen with you any moment, in the night for example and the last words you would understand - can it be…No one can vouch he will wake up tomorrow, no one. What’s the point of Mike Tyson’s boxing skills when he sleeps? Actually I’m repeating myself and everything has been said in previous posts.
To think that you can govern something etc how interesting it is right?
And why mention any of this? Is your point that we might as well not even try to do anything? Is your point that our time and circumstances is partially governed by some huge metaphysical electromagnetic force that occupies the whole earth and everything within it like a cloud? Is your point that there is room for spirituall sentiments without having to be religious? Is your point that athletes - who more than anyone - who try to exercize their desire for self controll - may as well not bother?
What is the point of this discussion?
And just because a television set falls on some ones head from a third story window, it does not mean anything whatso-ever, other than that the guy was either not watching where he was walking, or was just plain unlucky.
When you know that you know nothing in the end it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be learning. Do what you want Goose323 but leave the rest to heaven. Spirituall sentiments without having to be religious? Waht the heck does that mean? There is a big Orthdox Church 100 meters (Bolt runs that dash in 9 58!) out of my house I haven’t been in there inside since it’s been built and opened like 7 years ago, though I see and hear everything what happens around. Why should I go in there, to have been called religious people? I know people who goes in church and are sinners second to none.
What you will hear after a television set lands on your empty head is you just not been watching where you was walking or unlucky bastard. And I repeat no television set will ever fall on anyone’s head just out of the blue. In this particular case, I assure you, you are not in danger of that at all. You will die a different death.