[QUOTE="Mr_Mohawk"][QUOTE="notconspiracy"][QUOTE="Mr_Mohawk"]

I'd say evolution is in conflict with christianity (i'm playing devil's apprentice here) because there has to be a cut-off point for salvation. either God allows conciousness with no chance of salvation (was god incarnate as an austrolapithecus?) or you get homo erectus in heaven, both scenarios are a problem.

notconspiracy

Some benevolent deity, to allow consciousness but no option other than damnation.

That is the definition of damnation in Judaism.

There are many ways round the problem of evil. 1. God has a master plan we cannot comprehend. Infallible but not very satisfying.

2. Life's a test. Just look at Job. Can be backed up by the bible, but the use of infinity (as in infinite bliss) speaks of mathematical trickery.

3. Doctrine of free will. Explains human evil, but has problems with God's omniscience.

[QUOTE="Mr_Mohawk"]

I'd say evolution is in conflict with christianity (i'm playing devil's apprentice here) because there has to be a cut-off point for salvation. either God allows conciousness with no chance of salvation (was god incarnate as an austrolapithecus?) or you get homo erectus in heaven, both scenarios are a problem.

notconspiracy

Some benevolent deity, to allow consciousness but no option other than damnation.

I'd say evolution is in conflict with christianity (i'm playing devil's apprentice here) because there has to be a cut-off point for salvation. either God allows conciousness with no chance of salvation (was god incarnate as an austrolapithecus?) or you get homo erectus in heaven, both scenarios are a problem.

If you look at Genesis 2 and the Tower of Babel, god doesn't come across all that well. Genesis 2, God lies, serpent tells truth. Tower of Babel: all humanity works together; God feels threatened, makes them all speak different languages. This happens, imo, because these stories are adapted from the Jahwist source; basically babylonian folk traditions featuring good and bad deities, but there can only be 1 in the bible, so somewhere something' going to have to give.

a posteri arguments are the same as deductive reasoning, so it is entirely relevent.

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

What matters to me is that Hitler fought the 2nd world war on the basis of his interpretation of christian principles, as transmitted to all of his followers.

LJS9502_basic

Historically wrong. Hitler fought WWII on the basis of the WWI treaty.:roll:

certainly a major factor, but it is also true that he was motivated by a hatred of communism and anti-semitism (quite possibly due to rejection from archetectural colledges by Jews; he also blamed them for putting pressure on Germany to surrender in the first world war).

As to the original topic, Aquinas, Aristotle and Paley all have a posteri arguments for theism. It is possible to make them.

[QUOTE="dgbeard45"]Intelligence is inherentxaos

I was reading an article in new scientist about inherited intelligence just today. current thinking is that 50% is attributed to environmental factors, and the rest the contribution of literally thousands of genes.

As to the IQ bragging; It is split into two areas. I scored 153 on the verbal reasoning and 84 on the non-verbal reasoning. A difference between the two in excess of 10 is unusual.

I took one on the internet and got 133; but I wouldn't put much trust on the ones on the internet.

No clinical study has shown weed to be addictive. It is true that weed does have carcinogenic properties similar to tobacco, and is in fact worse because cannibis burns at a higher temperature than tobacco, but a person might smoke 20 cigarrettes a day, but one joint. It works out roughly the same.

There can be serious consequences with this drug, but this ais largely because it is an illegal substance. If one legallized it, one could control the stronger strains, and if a high rate of tax was put on it, then much good could come out of it. It is true that a taboo becomes more desirable.

Never trust anti-drugs campaigns. I have heard the most ludicrous BS about acid that is contradictory to all accounts I have seen from users.

TC, If you were really this guy's friend you would honestly tell him you weren't comfortable with him doing it but respect his life choice.