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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]How can people who understand basic science also believe that there is a god in heaven protecting them and that they will live there forever after they die here on earth?[/quote]

What “basic science” rules out God?  I suspect your concept of basic science smuggles in a whole host of assumed metaphysical premises that could be disputed if made explicit.  [/quote]

The same "basic science" that rules out Leprechauns, Bigfoot, and universe-farting blue elephants.  No reason to think any are there until there is evidence.[/quote]

What would constitute evidence in your view? I suspect that most believers would take the position that the existence of the universe provides some evidence for a creator, so presumably you have some sort of unstated premise that rules that out.  It would be a more interesting conversation if you made that premise explicit.   Of course, we also all believe lots of things we don’t have *direct* evidence for, which bears on this. [/quote]

No I do not rule it out, and it is not my burden to do so.  I don't agree the existence of the universe is evidence for anything other than the universe, and despite hearing hundreds of cosmological arguments never heard one that wasn't flawed from the premises onward.  And certainly not one that had an iota of evidence for any specific god. More than welcome to listen to another, if you have it.

What are other things we believe that we don't have evidence for, "direct" or otherwise?[/quote]

It is indeed your burden to do so if you are stating that basic science proves God does not exist.  Further, you are starting with a materialist premise that is nowhere proved; it is assumed.  The idea that only things that can be observed directly exist is a metaphysical premise, not an objective fact.  Don’t get me wrong:  it’s a reasonable assumption, but it’s only that, an assumption.  So too for your view that the existence of the universe proves nothing with regard to the potential for a creator. That’s an interpretation, not a demonstrated fact. Finally you are being slippery about my question on believing things without evidence.  Who’s the “we” you are referring to?  I submit that YOU necessarily take a lot of things on faith because you believe certain authorities are reliable.  Is that not so?[/quote]

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