Why We Believe in Gods - Dr. Andy Thomson (American Atheists 2009)

Andy Thomson explains the psychological mechanisms behind belief in his talk titled 'Why We Believe in Gods' at the American Atheist 2009 convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Check out his book by the same name: http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Believe-...

Filmed and edited by Josh Timonen.
See more at http://RichardDawkins.net

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Legionario Cruel]

So you do understand that HIGHLY improbable things happen ALL the time, don't you? IF yes, then you DO understand that the apparent improbability of a certain event does not prove the existence of deities in any way, right?

[Legionario Cruel]

You make no sense.

[Skep Tical]

Although we can not test supernatural claims with science, I do think we can test & refute them with philosophy. If a god is defined in a holy text, we can test whether those definitions are logical or contradictory. For example, the bible god is omnipotent, omnicient, and omni-benevolent. It is a paradox for an entity with those attributes to co-exist with evil. The existence of evil creates a logical contradiction to the existence of the bible god, thus refuting a religious claim with logic.

[Temptuous2112]

Are you that unaware of your own limitations? I have only read a few lines of your drivel, and I am already well aware of them.

[Gooners Rule]

As I thought all you have is rhetoric and no evidence. ...Grow up and stand on your own 2 feet.

[Kevin E]

You are living proof of God of Romans 1:28 and pseudo-intelligence. I have spent 29 years researching why I believe in God and the Bible. I've compared religions and learned why they believe what they do. I have many miracles pertaining to my life and have witnesses medical miracles of close friends. I have seen God move when man could not. So, preach your filth and respond in anger name calling (typical), and wait for the day when accountability comes calling.

[Gooners Rule]

That is not evidence that is postulation and superstition. Atheism is the non belief of any God not your Middle Eastern desert genie. You are a moral coward who cant think for himself and when I challenged you you went all hissy and gay on me. You're done. I think you might be a kid so you are blocked.

[Kevin E]

So, religious people control people by misusing the Bible, is much different that your original statement.

You haven't answered my question at all. What was the purpose of God becoming man to be sacrificed?

Evidence? Start here:

God: The Evidence: The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason in a Postsecular World

...and don't call me until after you've read the book.

[Kevin E]

Definition of ATHEISM

No, I am not like you. I believe in one God.

Atheism:

archaic : ungodliness, wickedness

a : a disbelief in the existence of deity

b : the doctrine that there is no deity

I have answered your questions directly. You just don't accept the answer. Any Christian that walks away from Christ after 30 years, I question if they even cracked the Bible open.

[Gooners Rule]

So you are an atheist like me if you don't believe in the Aztec Gods. Ha Ha Historical evidence of Jesus conquering death? What evidence? "He" doesn't control the population you idiot its the religious elites who historically controlled the population.Disprove the existence of God for which there is no evidence? I was a Christian for 30 years. Brainwashed like you! Notice how I answer your questions but you dodge mine. Intellectual cowardice.

[Kevin E]

Aztec? Really? That's your comparison? Human sacrifices to a religion that had numerous gods?

Questions: Historical evidence of Aztec sacrifices conquering death? NO Historical evidence Jesus conquered death? YES What was the purpose of God becoming man to be sacrificed? Since God provides free will, how does He "control" the population?

Why are you trying to disprove God when you've never taken the time to understand him intellectually and spiritually?

[Gooners Rule]

Bullshit...you are dodging the questions..... Christianity is intrinsically immoral. God sacrifices his only son who dies and then joins him in heaven when he is immortal anyway. The Aztec religion was also a blood sacrifice cult. Its no more detestable. Why does your imaginary vain God demand adulation? Because all religion is purely a form of controlling a population. Its just an accident of birth which God you worship. We are done now.