Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Siquo]

Hanlons is like Occams, but differently worded. Stupidity is the simple answer, where malice is the complicated one. I wasn't aware the statement had a name (and has a history, and Heinlein is making claims to it as well).

[Leafsnail]

You mean, like, God planned this universe (from its beginnings, starting with the big bang; that is if that theory's still vogue) out beforehand and then sorta interfered only occasionally after that?

I do, I think. That he doesn't interfere because we have free will to do what we please and to coddle us would take that away. That evolution is valid and real and science is correct and you should listen to it, but God was there at the very start before everything came into being.

Something I'd like someone who believes in theistic evolution to answer: Why did God create a worm that can only live by burrowing through eyes: the "Loa Loa" or "African Eyeworm"? (incidentally, don't google those unless you want to see lots of disgusting pictures)

"Occam's Razor" is often misused.  It's not so much "The simplest is always right" - more that "The one which makes fewer assumptions is usually right".  Since it isn't in any way proof, it really boils down to "If two theories are equally valid and produce the same results, go with the simpler one unless evidence against it emerges".

[Shades]

Something I'd like someone who believes in theistic evolution to answer: Why did God create a worm that can only live by burrowing through eyes: the "Loa Loa" or "African Eyeworm"? (incidentally, don't google those unless you want to see lots of disgusting pictures)

To give people a reason to wear wrap around sunglasses and protect their weak, juicy and tasty eyes.

"Occam's Razor" is often misused.  It's not so much "The simplest is always right" - more that "The one which makes fewer assumptions is usually right".  Since it isn't in any way proof, it really boils down to "If two theories are equally valid and produce the same results, go with the simpler one unless evidence against it emerges".

I don't think anyone here was suggesting it was used that way (the wrong one that is), although I'd admit I've head enough people swear by it like that.

[Leafsnail]

It seems to be used more as a sortof strawman than as a serious argument.

[ChairmanPoo]

The loa loa doesn't really burrow through eyes, but through the flesh around them, and the face in general. /nitpick

[Leafsnail]

I can totally understand why God would make something to do that.

Similar problem with lots of parasites: try headlice and mosquitoes (which kill millions every year) or horrible pathogens like Bubonic Plague or Ebola.  This goes back to "If God is actually doing this, he's a bastard".

[KaguroDraven]

Ah, but these things that kill us stop us from overpoppulateing the planet more than we already are, so IF god did this, maybe it was to stop us from starveing ourselves from getting huge numbers.

[Leafsnail]

I'd much prefer starvation than some of the more horrible diseases God has seen fit to inflict upon the human population.

[Shades]

To be fair if humans where something you created and so just a toy to play around with what would you do to them...

What am I saying I've seen the threads on this forum, we all know what we'd be doing and the stuff god has done has nothing on that.

[Leafsnail]

To be fair if humans where something you created and so just a toy to play around with what would you do to them...

What am I saying I've seen the threads on this forum, we all know what we'd be doing and the stuff god has done has nothing on that.

Yeah, you might.  And if you would, that would make you a bastard too.

Torturing creatures who you know have the capacity for suffering?

[Shade-o]

If he wants to keep the population down, then just smite cities or flood the world again. None of this passive-aggressive "Planet trying to kill you" crap.

[Leafsnail]

Or just not fuck it up in the first place.

If he wants us to have free will, he should leave us to deal with the overpopulation problem ourselves.

[ChairmanPoo]

Maybe he just has a remarkable fondness for parasitic worms?

[ECrownofFire]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Neutral god(s). Take the classic example of a forest fire. Is that evil? It depends on your perspective. Sickness in general just makes us stronger; natural selection and all that, right? Having pure good god(s) just does not "work" well at all. Is anybody else reminded of Epicurus's (in?)famous quote? (The one with If God is able/willing)

[Micro102]

Is there even a religion based off that?