Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Atheism

2007-03-20T22:34:25Z

Xenu:

Atheism is disbelief in the existence of a [[God|god]] or gods.

Atheism is a worldview based in reason and rationality rather than myth. Many people have argued that there really should be no need for a term like atheism, citing, for example, that there's no comparable term for someone who doesn't believe in astrology. Rather, it is argued, atheism should be the considered the norm and religious faith regarded as peculiar. Exactly why religion has persisted till modern times is a question of considerable debate, however, no consensus answer has emerged.

Atheism has been challenged by [[George Hammond]], who believes that data from psychometric experiments offers a conclusive scientific proof of God's existence.

Well-known Atheists include [[Stephen Hawking]], [[Stephen Jay Gould]], [[Carl Sagan]], [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Douglas Adams]], [[William Borden]],[[Sam Harris]], [[Jeremey Alliadiaere]], [[Gary Neville]] and [[Ricky Gervais]].

== Atheist morality ==

Atheists often base their [[moral code]] upon [[emotion]], [[experience]], empirically derived ethics, or some combination thereof.{{fact}} It is important to note, however, that just as many religions disagree on specific moral points, and there is sharp disagreement within many religions (e.g. denominational disputes within Christianity), atheists differ substantially from each other in the details of their moral beliefs. Thus, it is difficult at best to summarize the beliefs of the "average atheist."

Atheists typically hold that no religious text can be our only source of morality although all of them may contain useful ideas or principles. As atheists do not believe in any form of deity, books purported to be based upon the wishes of such deities are inherently suspect. Additionally, many atheists point out that all religious texts contain, and often ascribe to God, extremely immoral acts such as the Israelite expulsion of heathen nations from Canaan (i.e. [[ethnic cleansing]]), the stoning of [http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/gay/long.htm homosexuals] to death, questionable treatment of [http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/gen/19.html#1 women] and the institution of [http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/says_about/slavery.html slavery]. Additionally, atheists often point to a large number of prominent [http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html contradictions] present in the bible and other religious texts. The presence of such contradictions challenges claims that these works are the infallible word of God.

Atheists sometimes subscribe to the secular humanist idea that it is far more desirable to do what is right because you believe that it is right, rather than because you fear divine punishment or desire divine reward. This view is illustrated by celebrated atheist [[Albert Einstein]]:

:“A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death”.

Atheists sometimes condemn religious desires for exclusive reward (and the punishment of others) such as are found in all religious texts.

== Origins ==

An atheist would claim that Atheism has existed for as long as man. That man evolved, then Religion was invented by man.

A Christian would claim it can be traced back to specific date, as Adam and Eve believed in God so at some point somebody must have stopped believing.

=== Christian View of Origins ===

It is difficult to trace the origins of atheism as a result of the incomplete historic record. It is known that ancient Greece produced a theory of materialism as early as the 5th century BC. Materialism is a philosophical position that the material is all that exists. Therefore, it automatically excludes immaterial beings. In addition to materialism the Greeks also considered Spiritualism, in which the material world is an illusion and only spirit exists, as well as dualism, in which both the material and the spiritual exist (e.g. Christianity). It is important to note that while many atheists are strict materialists, some are not. As an example, some philosophical systems generally regarded as religions (i.e. Buddhism) lack deities and thus could be regarded as "atheistic faiths," or forms of non-materialistic atheism. In any case, it is likely impossible to determine the true origins of atheism as it was presumably the default belief of most humans prior to the development of religion.

The writer of the Book of Psalms knew of atheists and atheism and registered disapproval in Psalm 14: "The Fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." The book of Psalms precedes the 5th century BC by hundreds of years {{fact}}.

== Prejudice Against Atheists ==
Research by Penny Edgell, Joseph Gerteis and Douglas Hartman in the American Sociological Review [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asoca/asr/2006/00000071/00000002/art00003 indicates] that most Americans would be more willing to vote for a gay or Muslim presidential candidate than an atheist. The same study indicates that 47.6% of Americans would disapprove of their child marrying an atheist. More recent [http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26611&pg=1 Gallup polls] confirm this finding. In addition to discrimination in voting practices and marriage, George H.W. Bush has previously [http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm stated] that he does not believe atheists should be considered citizens of the United States.

However this is not the case around the world, in the Great Britain 2001 census 15.5% of the population identify themselves as having no religious beliefs [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=293 2001 Census].

== The Problem of Evil==

One argument against belief in all-powerful entities ('gods') is the problem of evil. First identified by the philosopher and materialist Epicurus (341-270 BC), this problem points out the difficulty created by the mere existence of evil:

:Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
:Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent.
:Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
:Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

A number of responses to this logical paradox have been put forth including those which assert human ignorance as the culprit, the concept of free will and the specific writings in some faiths which discuss the co-existence of good and evil (such as the book of Job in the Christian and Jewish faiths).[http://www.iep.utm.edu/e/evil-log.htm] Many Atheists, however, do not regard such evasions as convincing solutions to the underlying problem.

==References==

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[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Washington Monument

2007-03-20T22:17:21Z

Xenu:

The Washington Monument is an [[obelisk]] structure that stands 555 feet tall in Washington, D.C. Engraved on its metal cap is the Latin phrase "Laus Deo," meaning "Praise be to God." The use of [[God|God's]] name on our national monuments has been challenged by [[atheism|atheists]], but due to [[George Hammond|George Hammond's]] scientific proof of God, this argument is without basis.

Brain

2007-03-20T22:09:00Z

Xenu:

The '''brain''' is the part of the [[central nervous system]] found at the top of the [[spinal cord]], and is divided into three separate areas, the [[forebrain]], the [[midbrain]], and the [[hindbrain]]. The brain is involved in higher functioning such as decision-making, speech, and all of the [[senses]].

According to [[George Hammond]], the brain exhibits three-axis symmetry. George Hammond's research into the structure of the brain may have led him to the world's first scientific proof of [[God]].

==References==

* Martin, JH (2003). Neuroanatomy text and atlas 3rd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill.

* Kandel, ER; Schwartz JH, Jessell TM (2000). Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed., New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-8385-7701-6.

{{stub2}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Neuroscience]]

Gravitation

2007-03-20T22:06:33Z

Xenu:

'''Gravitation''' is a phenomenon which attracts all objects within the [[universe]] to each other <ref>New Oxford American Dictionary, 2nd Edition</ref>. In modern physics, it is explained by the [[general theory of relativity]]. Before general relativity, gravitation was described by [[Issac Newton | Issac Newton's]] [[law of universal gravitation]], which is still useful in most situations.

Gravitation is responsible for making objects accelerate towards each other as well as for the formation of the [[earth]] and [[sun]], the [[stars]] and the [[planets]].

[[George Hammond]] has discovered gravitational effects inside the [[brain]] that may prove the existence of [[God]].

== References ==
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<references />

Proof

2007-03-20T22:04:08Z

Xenu:

==Mathematical proof==

A mathematical proof is a step-by-step demonstration of the truth or falsity of a mathematical theorem.
Proofs build on [[axiom | axioms]], which are statements that are assumed to be true without proof,
as well as previously-proved [[theorem | theorems]].

Several types of proofs are widely used, such as [[proof by contradiction | proof by contradiction]]
and [[proof by induction | proof by induction]]. Proofs that rely only on certain simple forms of reasoning
are sometimes called [[elementary proof | elementary proofs]].

[[Andrew Schlafly | Andrew Schlafly]] cited the lack of a Wikipedia page on "elementary proof" as
proof of [[Examples_of_Bias_in_Wikipedia | bias in Wikipedia]]. Ironically, at that time Conservapedia did not even have a page on "proof".

==Scientific proof==
Unlike the [[theorem | theorems]] of [[mathematics | mathematics]], [[science | science]] does not seek to prove that its [[theory | theories]] are true. Instead, the [[scientific method | scientific method]] seeks to check whether the predictions implied by a theory are observed in nature. Therefore, as philosopher of science [[Karl Popper | Karl Popper]] argued, science can only hope to show that a theory is false. But scientists recognize that science ''can never prove'' that a theory is true. Therefore scientists never claim that their theories are [[fact | facts]]. Instead, science searches for theories that are not disproved by currently-known experimental observations. Insofar as theories are consistent with nature, they may serve as a guide to improve [[technology | technology]].

==Biblical proof==

God is the [[creation|creator]] of the universe. He is [[omnipotence|omnipotent]], [[omniscience|omnicent]] and [[omnipresence|omnipresent]]. The proof[http://www.parentalguide.com/Documents/Bible_Desk/proof_bible_true.htm] of this and all other things can be found in the [[Bible]]. While this is evidence enough for [[Christians]], it is notable that [[George Hammond]] may have found proof of the existence of God independent of the Bible.

===Problem of Evil===

Without editing the previous subtopic, I must challenge its assertions:

Omniscience - Infinite knowledge

Omnipotence - Infinite power

Omnipresence - The property of transcending the boundries of space and time

Evil - The antithesis of good

If one follows the new testament and asserts God is benevolent (all-good)...

Why does evil exist in the world?

God's omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresense, or goodness must be suspect, unless one accepts that evil does not exist.

For more information please see the Stanford Free Philosophy Archive @ http://plato.stanford.edu/search/searcher.py?query=problem+of+evil

Intelligent design

2007-03-20T22:00:59Z

Xenu:

Intelligent Design is the hypothesis that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, rather than natural processes, such as [[evolution]][http://www.discovery.org/csc/topQuestions.php]. The hypothesis on intelligent design leaves the identity of the intelligent cause open, since this question is not accessible by scientific investigation [http://www.ideacenter.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/1341]. Many proponents however admit to believe the intelligent cause to be [[God]].

Intelligent design looks to the order of the world as evidence of a designer, but [[George Hammond]] may have found stronger proof based on psychometric experiments.

To date there has been one peer-reviewed article supporting Intelligent Design in the ''Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington'' [http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=2640] However, the journal later withdrew the article citing improper reviewing practices. [http://www.biolsocwash.org/id_statement.html]

Design hypothesis enjoys a small amount of stated support within the worldwide scientific community (creationist scientists report there is widespread discriminatory action against creationist scientists[http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v9/i2/suppression.asp]), but it is steadily growing. From 2001 to 2007 over 700 scientists had signed the pro-Intelligent Design manifesto ''A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism'' published by the leaders of the design movement, the Discovery Institute. [http://www.dissentfromdarwin.org/] This has caused some scientists to question the claim of the dominant scientific community that evolution is the best explanation for the origin of life and call for public school science students to study the evidence supporting it in greater detail.

In a recent trial in Dover, Pennsylvania Judge John E. Jones III ruled that Intelligent Design was not valid science and "cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents".

In a speech to the Anti-Defamation League, Jones said that "had I decided the Dover matter in a different way, I would have then engaged in just the kind of judicial activism which critics decry," stating that he was bound by "over a half century of strong legal precedents."[http://www.adl.org/Civil_Rights/speech_judge_jones.asp]

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Politics]]

Theistic evolution

2007-03-20T21:57:22Z

Xenu: /* Theistic evolution and Intelligent Design */

'''Theistic evolution''' or "Evolutionary Creation" is a belief that [[creationism]] is compatible with the [[Theory of Evolution|theory of evolution]].<ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1990</ref><ref>"the first part (18 k) emphasizes that some evangelical Christians with conservative theology think God created through a process of evolution; the second part (also 18 k) begins by acknowledging that 'the greatest [perceived] problem with evolutionary creation is that it contradicts the traditional literal interpretation of the opening chapters of the Bible' and explains why, with a credible interpretation that allows good theology, this perceived problem isn't an actual problem."http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/wic.html</ref> <ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/methods2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/te-guided.htm#top2 "another old-earth view, evolutionary creation (also called theistic evolution), natural evolution was God's method of creation, with the universe designed so physical structures (galaxies, stars, planets) and complex biological organisms (bacteria, fish, dinosaurs, humans) would naturally evolve." </ref> In most forms it asserts that life evolved from a common ancestor created by God, who then steered evolution indirectly as a process of creation, and later gave souls to the first humans to raise them above the animals. Proponents of theistic evolution often emphasize the overall message of Genesis and assert that the details of the story are not meant to be taken literally.<ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/methods2.htm</ref> <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/theistic_evolution.asp</ref> <ref>http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-god.html</ref> Theistic evolutionists reject special creation of nature and its inhabitants and mankind as declared in Genesis chapters one and two and agree that humans and apes shared a common ape-like biological ancestor. The position has come under attack from a variety of sources - Young Earth Creationists raise all of their standard objections to evolution as well as various theological and exegetical problems. Meanwhile, various agnostics and atheists have accused proponents of theistic evolution of not going far enough or of tacking on various ideas for their own emotional comfort and not for any evidence-based reasoning.

==Theistic evolution and Intelligent Design==

Although superficially similar to [[Intelligent Design]], Intelligent Design proponents have made clear that they are not the same thing, and in fact [[William Dembski]] has gone so far as to say that "As far as design theorists are concerned, theistic evolution is American evangelicalism's ill-conceived accommodation to Darwinism."<ref>''What every theologian should know about creation, evolution, and design'' Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Transactions 3(2), William Demsbki</ref>

The primary difference is the percieved role of proof. While most theistic evolutionists are content to accept God on faith alone, Intelligent Design seeks to prove the nessicary existance of God in the creation of life by scientific means. Recently, [[George Hammond]] may have settled this question by finding a strong proof of God in psychometric data.

== Criticisms of Theistic Evolution ==

Theistic evolution has been critized from a larger variety of directions, including Young Earth Creationists, Old Earth Creationists, atheists and agnostics. [[Old Earth Creationists]] and [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationists]] generally consider Theistic Evolution to be heretical or at best, contrary to Biblical teachings and possibly dangerous. <ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c015.html</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1990</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref>. However, many Young Earth Creationists agree that correct knowledge of how God created humanity and such is not a necessary condition for salvation.<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c015.html</ref><ref name="Gish"> "belief in the historicity of Genesis is not essential to our salvation." Duane Gish ''Is it possible to be a Christian and an evolutionist?'' http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref> A notable proponent of theistic evolution is biologist [[Ken Miller]].<ref>http://bioinfo.med.utoronto.ca/Evolution_by_Accident/Theistic_Evolution.html</ref>
Proponents of theistic evolution have been accused of subtly undermining science piece by piece.<ref>http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2006/11/ed-brayton-speaks.html</ref>
Theistic Evolution can also be said to be a contradictory idea as Evolutionary theory is usually perceived as contrary to Christian Creation stories.

== References ==
<references/>

Creationism

2007-03-20T21:39:39Z

Xenu:

Creationism is a term with a variety of meanings. Most generally, creationism is the belief that the universe was originally created by God.[http://www.creationism.org/english/index.htm]. Creationism can also mean a belief in a creation according to a literal interpretation of the creation stories in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Some forms of creationism (especially the more literal forms) conflict with [[evolution|evolution]] while others do not.[http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp]. Not all Christian denominations embrace creationism with the more literal Genesis interpretations. Many non-Christian sects believe in a form of creationism, including American Indian religions, Hindus, and the Classical Greek and Egyptian polytheistic religions. Creationism is not a science, it is a belief and therefore is not required to undergo any form of scientific inquiry. Nevertheless, [[George Hammond]] has put forth a scientific argument proving the universe is only several thousand years old.

== Types of Creationists ==

There are many different types of creationism, and this list is not meant to be exhaustive but to deal with only the major categories.

*[[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationists]] generally accept a literal or nearly literal interpretation of Genesis and insist that the world is around 6000 years old. Traditionally, Judaism supported young earth creationism. [http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i2/tradition.asp] In addition, a majority of the early [[church fathers]] supported the young earth creationist view. [http://www.robibrad.demon.co.uk/Chapter3.htm] An example of a Young Earth Creationist ministry today is [[Answers in Genesis]].[http://www.answersingenesis.org/]

*[[Old Earth Creationism|Old Earth Creationists]] agree with the theory that the age of the earth is around 4.5 billion years but generally do not accept the theory that all life on earth evolved from a common ancestor. Old Earth Creationists generally reconcile the age of the earth with Genesis by positing that the days in Genesis were not 24 hour days or by inserting gaps between various verses in the Bible. There is no general agreement among Old Earth Creationists on whether or not there was a global flood. An example of a major Old Earth Creationist ministry is Reasons to Believe [http://www.reasons.org].

*[[Theistic Evolution]] is the belief that God created the universe and did not intervene directly in physical evolution. In general, theistic evolution accepts the age of the earth and common descent. Theistic evolutionists believe that at some point God intervened in a metaphysical fashion to give souls to some small group of human ancestors. The Catholic Church holds that this is consistent with the Catholic faith. <ref>[http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Dossier/0102-97/Article3.html Mark Brumley, Evolution and the Pope]</ref>.

== Controversial Classification ==

It is unclear if [[Intelligent Design]] amounts to a form of creationism and if so, where to place it in comparison to the other forms of creationism. This is due to the concept having many different definitions and proponents espousing different ideas. For example, one major proponent of Intelligent Design is [[Paul Nelson]] who a Young Earth Creationist, while [[Michael Behe]], another major proponent, accepts common descent. [[William Dembski]] has stated unequivocally that Intelligent Design is not theistic evolution and they should not be considered the same<ref>''What every theologian should know about creation, evolution, and design'' Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Transactions 3(2), William Demsbki</ref>. Dembski has also asserted that Intelligent Design is the [[Logos]] in terms of information theory<ref>[http://touchstonemag.com/archives/issue.php?id=49] ''Signs of Intelligence:
A Primer on the Discernment of Intelligent Design'' Touchstone Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 4 July-August 1999</ref>, while Dembski and others have given other definitions that do not include any specific theological references. Arguably, intelligent design can be summarized as the notion that at some point in the past, in some way, some entity(possibly God) created life, or altered life at some point, or created the universe to be compatable with life. Behe and others have stated that Intelligent Design is not religious in nature but in the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District|Dover trial]], Judge John E. Jones III, a [[Republican]] and a [[US Federal District Judge]], ruled as a one of his findings that Intelligent Design was essentially religious in nature. The opinion met with wide accolades, but some criticism that it borrowed too heavily from the ACLU's briefs. [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53330] Nonetheless, it has been embraced by the legal community, and has quickly become the subject of renewed scholarship on the scope of the First Amendment.<ref>Richard B. Katskee, "Religion in Public Schools," 5 First Amend. L. Rev. 112 (2006)</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Lists of Creationists]]

==External links ==

===Young Earth Creationist Organizations ===
*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/ Answers In Genesis - Get Answers]
*[http://www.creationontheweb.com/ Creation Ministries International]
*[http://www.icr.org Institute for Creation Research]
*[http://trueorigins.org TrueOrigins.org]
*[http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/index.html Center for Scientific Creation]
*[http://creationwiki.org/Main_Page CreationWiki] - Although not completely Young Earth, [[CreationWiki]] is a mainly Young Earth Creationist Wiki.

=== Old Earth Creationists ===

[http://www.reasons.org Reasons To Believe, an Old Earth Creationist Ministry]

==References and Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Religion]]