Hitchens addresses Intelligent Design (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, October 21, 2012, 15:56 (4417 days ago) @ dhw


> DAVID: The last stop on the road of life is either an afterlife or nothing, and we all find out. But we all have to wait, because no one really knows until he gets to that final station. I'm more comfortable having chosen.
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> dhw: An admirable summary, and I have nothing but respect for your choice. However it would be interesting to know exactly what you have chosen. Some religions offer a pretty terrifying concept of the afterlife (see below),-You forget, I don't use religious concepts. Religions are part of the problem.-> dhw: And so despite your often repeated warnings about attributing qualities to the Universal Intelligence, this suggests that you do have particular qualities in mind.-I use the descriptions found in near to death experiences. Everyone on the other side seems happy.-> dhw: Even if there is a conscious afterlife, we may still not find out those truths, as your God may continue to remain hidden.-The ultimate truth appears to be revealed in the NDE tales 
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> dhw: (I really can't think of "hell" as anything but the invention of power-hungry humans to scare their flocks into obedience ... but I could be wrong!)-You are not wrong. I have always (see past entries) characterized the heaven/hell approach in religion as a childish invention. Candy if you are good, and punishment if you are bad. Hillel and Jesus preached goodness for goodness sake. -> dhw: I am very comfortable with my choice not to choose. After all, it's not knowing that makes the subject so endlessly fascinating.-You started this website because of a desired response to Dawkins. He was so positively atheistic. Was this site to provide a measured agnostic stance on the fence, or did you hope to see answers that might lead to a choice? What I have provdied has balanced the rantings of Dawkins and others, and I think proof beyond a reasonable doubt that there is an underlying greater power, a universal mind. And yes it is inconceivable if approached out of thin air. But you have admitted chance is not an option, so my UI wins.