NationStates Jolt Archive

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

Why does there need to be a 'why' in either case?

It would be better to put 'How'.

Why does there need to be a 'why' in either case?

It would be better to put 'How'.

Nope, that slight change of meaning changes everything. I'd be getting a lot of big bangs and just becauses if I did that.

Why does there need to be a 'why' in either case?

It would be better to put 'How'.

That, as it appears, is the failing of the suffix "-ism".

Not too many "-ism"'s begin well. Not many, at least.

you know what I thought was funny the other day?

atheist is a theist if you put in a space......like theists are all spaced out.....sorry.

I was thinking about my therapist, and how if you added a space he would be all scary, and then I was thinking about what other words I could add a random space in to mess up........and I remembered atheist.

anyway, I don't know the answers to either of your questions......just thought I would share a random thought.

Oh Why does anything exist? How does-....oh hell who cares Let's drink!

anyway, I don't know the answers to either of your questions......just thought I would share a random thought.

Then to Cthulhu you go!

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

Well, I'm not really either, but I'll take a crack at the questions.

1) If existence didn't exist, there'd be nothing. And 'nothing', as defined by physics, is a (true) vacuum, and (true) vacuums cannot exist. Nothing denied, existence must be affirmed.

It's full of holes but it's all I could get.


2) God exists because God used to be Existence itself.

Um... even worse than #1 but there you go.

EDIT: Alternate #1

1) Existence exists because there is logically no other way of being. Even if existence didn't exist, something would have to, even if it was nothing. Whether nothing exists or something does, existence has to take place.

More confusing and the argument isn't fully developed, but much more solid in the end.

Existance exist because existing the existance exists. because the existance or lack there of would only exist at half capacity, lending itself to the existance of non-existance if it where to ever truely exist.

1) If existence didn't exist, there'd be nothing. And 'nothing', as defined by physics, is a (true) vacuum, and (true) vacuums cannot exist. Nothing denied, existence must be affirmed.

It's full of holes but it's all I could get.


Why do physics exist?

Existence exists because humans decided that was the alternative to "life". It's a human concept.

Well, I'm not really either, but I'll take a crack at the questions.

1) If existence didn't exist, there'd be nothing. And 'nothing', as defined by physics, is a (true) vacuum, and (true) vacuums cannot exist. Nothing denied, existence must be affirmed.

It's full of holes but it's all I could get.


2) God exists because God used to be Existence itself.

Um... even worse than #1 but there you go.

EDIT: Alternate #1

1) Existence exists because there is logically no other way of being. Even if existence didn't exist, something would have to, even if it was nothing. Whether nothing exists or something does, existence has to take place.

More confusing and the argument isn't fully developed, but much more solid in the end.

Speaking of "solid in the end" - i watched "Farce of The Penguins" last night :eek:

.

Oh yeah, nice stab at the subject matter. I'll add something to it here shortly, if that's all good.

Speaking of "solid in the end" - i watched "Farce of The Penguins" last night :eek:

.

Oh yeah, nice stab at the subject matter. I'll add something to it here shortly, if that's all good.

Go ahead. It might cover for the fact that my brain isn't working fully.

Why do physics exist?

Umm... that's one of the aforementioned 'holes'...


Try the second argument for that one, it's more stable.

Existance exist because existing the existance exists. because the existance or lack there of would only exist at half capacity, lending itself to the existance of non-existance if it where to ever truely exist.As someone so sweetly put to me last night ...
*I want you to have my babies. Millions of 'em.*

There's a bumpersticker out there with a vacancy that can only be filled by your quote here. :)

Umm... that's one of the aforementioned 'holes'...


Try the second argument for that one, it's more stable.

I know, I for some reason felt like I should respond to it. I don't know why.

As for the second one, your right, it is very solid. I can't break that at this time at night. I'll give it some thought though.

Go ahead. It might cover for the fact that my brain isn't working fully.

Oddly enough, a few other posters jumped on it already. :)

you know what I thought was funny the other day?

atheist is a theist if you put in a space......like theists are all spaced out.....sorry.

I was thinking about my therapist, and how if you added a space he would be all scary, and then I was thinking about what other words I could add a random space in to mess up........and I remembered atheist.

anyway, I don't know the answers to either of your questions......just thought I would share a random thought.

Here you go Ma'am Smunkee - I was at an advertising agency where they name all their meeting rooms with words that I suppose are supposed to inspire.

Of course they need a sign to indicate whether there's a meeting going on inside as well so that people don't interrupt.

This (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb281/Barringtonia_bucket/DSC000071.jpg), I feel, was a mistake.

Your 'space' comment reminded me of it but I had to get it off my phone

Here you go Ma'am Smunkee - I was at an advertising agency where they name all their meeting rooms with words that I suppose are supposed to inspire.

Of course they need a sign to indicate whether there's a meeting going on inside as well so that people don't interrupt.

This (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb281/Barringtonia_bucket/DSC000071.jpg), I feel, was a mistake.

Your 'space' comment reminded me of it but I had to get it off my phone
That made me smile.

That made me smile.
Stories of tortures
Used by debauchers
Lurid, licentious, and vile
Make me smile
... Tom Lehrer makes me smile.
And, if photo history is to be trusted, apparently me dealing with gas as a child also made me smile.

*...*

For atheism:
Why does existence exist?

And for monotheism:
Why does God exist?
*...*

I think the monotheists have an easier task ahead of them, like "God exists by his own will, and to ask why is to question his very existence."

Why does existence exist? Because it exists.

That's not a fatuous answer, it's the only answer necessary to your question. "Existence" could be anything, and the answer would be the same.

Why is black black? for instance. Or: Why is God God?

But I see from the thread what you are driving at. You need the concept of perception I think.

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

Big Bang

and

Just because.

Well, being a monotheist, I'll answer the second question.

Beats me. I hardly understand the purpose of my own life; don't ask me the same about God's.

The lack of big bangs in this thread must be rectified immediately!

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1637/bigbangsdd8.jpg

I hardly understand the purpose of my own life; don't ask me the same about God's.

:eek:

GOOD answer!

*bows*

orange juice + chaos = the universe

orange juice + chaos = the universe

Sounds like Zaphod Beeblebrox ....

Why does existence exist?


Not an atheist, but:

Because if existence didn't exist, you wouldn't be here to ask that question.

Not an atheist, but:

Because if existence didn't exist, you wouldn't be here to ask that question.Anthropic Principle?

The whole point of atheism is that there is no "why".

EDIT: A lot of people beat me to that... need to start READING threads...

1) Because if existence didn't exist it wouldn't be existence. So thats why existence exists.

Why does existence exist?

This question is as clear as water, there simply is no reason.

Reason is a human way of thinking not bound to any natural of evolutonary process.

This thread failed to make me laugh out loud :mad:

I demand a refund.

This thread failed to make me laugh out loud :mad:

I demand a refund.

There's a forum where you can register this complaint.
I think Ruffy mods it.

1) Because if existence didn't exist it wouldn't be existence. So thats why existence exists.

Tautology, anyone?

That, as it appears, is the failing of the suffix "-ism".

Not too many "-ism"'s begin well. Not many, at least.


Are you a Rastafarian?

Are you a Rastafarian?And Rastafarianism is a very bad -ism indeed.

Are you a Rastafarian?

Erm, no. Closer to a "Pastafarian". :p

Well, being a monotheist, I'll answer the second question.

Beats me. I hardly understand the purpose of my own life; don't ask me the same about God's.How do you - being a monotheist - know about God's life in the first place?

And Rastafarianism is a very bad -ism indeed.

Yes, It's simply awful for someone to sit around listening to reggae and smoking pot.

Erm, no. Closer to a "Pastafarian". :p

Sounds delicious.

The reason I asked was because Rastarians reject -isms.

I do as well, they confine you're thinking.

Sounds delicious.

The reason I asked was because Rastarians reject -isms.

I do as well, they confine you're thinking.

It might be worth perusing here, if you're interested :

http://www.venganza.org/

:)

Yes, It's simply awful for someone to sit around listening to reggae and smoking pot.The awful part is claiming that a certain dead emperor is god, the racism, and the rejection of personal hygiene.

The awful part is claiming that a certain dead emperor is god, the racism, and the rejection of personal hygiene.

And that's bad compared to all the other hateful religions out there?

And that's bad compared to all the other hateful religions out there?Rastafarianism is pretty hateful. There are a lot of fundamentalists and fanatics among Rastas. And not a small part of them likes to see all non-Ratsas (="Babylonians") dead or dying. They especially hate catholics, gays, and british.

Rastafarianism is pretty hateful. There a a lot of fundamentalists and fanatics among Rastas. And not a small part of them likes to see all non-Ratsas (="Babylonians") dead or dying. They especially hate catholics, gays, and british.

Learn something new everyday!

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?

Because that's what the word existence means

1. The fact or state of existing; being.
2. The fact or state of continued being; life: our brief existence on Earth.
3.
a. All that exists: sang the beauty of all existence.
b. A thing that exists; an entity.
4. A mode or manner of existing: scratched out a meager existence.
5. Specific presence; occurrence: The Geiger counter indicated the existence of radioactivity.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

Because you do.

You assign meaning to things.

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.

existance exists to validate existance!

and, although i am a atheist and feel religion is irational;

God exists to give troubled people a sense of purpose

So today I was thinking about atheism and monotheism, and I came to this sort of (I'm not even sure of the right term to use here, so I'll use) paradox with the both of them, brought upon by two simple questions.

For atheism:

Why does existence exist?


And for monotheism:

Why does God exist?

If you can answer these questions, I'll put in the good word for you when Cthulhu forcefully takes the presidency in '08.
1. It's kinda like the lottery. You don't have to play, but if you don't play, you can't win.
2. It may be we invented gods because the mammalian brain is prewired to form causal relationships.
Here you go Ma'am Smunkee - I was at an advertising agency where they name all their meeting rooms with words that I suppose are supposed to inspire.

Of course they need a sign to indicate whether there's a meeting going on inside as well so that people don't interrupt.

This (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb281/Barringtonia_bucket/DSC000071.jpg), I feel, was a mistake.

Your 'space' comment reminded me of it but I had to get it off my phoneWorth the price of admission! Thanks for that, Barringtonia!

Why does existence exist?
What are you trying to ask? Can you write a longer, less ambiguous question with the same meaning?

You assign meaning to things.
Be-all/end-all of religious debate.
Fo sho'.

Why does existence exist?Does it?

Why does God exist?Because ancient Jewish "scholars" invented him.

Because Jewish "scholars" invented him.

Yup, they slipped the Vedas into India under cover of night. Sneaky bastards :rolleyes:

Yup, they slipped the Vedas into India under cover of night. Sneaky bastardsSneaky bastards they were indeed, but what do the Vedas have to do with the God (by which he surely means the biblical one) ?

Sneaky bastards they were indeed, but what do the Vedas have to do with the God (by which he surely means the biblical one) ?

It was all "who ya know/who ya blow" back then ... kinda like it is now ... difference being it was more like a huge herpes outbreak.

Sneaky bastards they were indeed, but what do the Vedas have to do with the God (by which he surely means the biblical one) ?

There's no clear indication of that. He could have, and it's possible he did, but the question was literally phrased as "Why does God exist?" Without any specifics. I think it's silly to just assume he means the biblical god, and the question is equally valid/invalid for the Vedic God, and others.

There's no clear indication of that. He could have, and it's possible he did, but the question was literally phrased as "Why does God exist?" Without any specifics. I think it's silly to just assume he means the biblical god, and the question is equally valid/invalid for the Vedic God, and others.There is only one Vedic god?
And really, when people use god with capital g they mean the biblical god, especially on this forum.

There is only one Vedic god?

Yes. There is one Vedic God, expressed in many different forms.

Yes. There is one Vedic God, expressed in many different forms.Mitra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra)?

Mitra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Concept of God
Hinduism is sometimes considered to be a polytheistic religion, but such a view oversimplifies a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism,[14] pantheism, monism and even atheism. For instance, the Advaita Vedanta school holds that there is only one causal entity (Brahman), which manifests itself to humans in multiple forms[15] while many scholars consider the Samkhya school of thought to have had atheistic leanings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HinduismThat's almost like ancient Egyptian religion then. :)
I fact, I believe that they have a common (proto-sumerian) origin.

Does it?
If it didn't, there'd be no words on the monitor.

That's almost like ancient Egyptian religion then. :)
I fact, I believe that they have a common (proto-sumerian) origin.

I can see that, though I don't know enough about the history of Hinduism to answer definitively.