20 Questions Atheists Struggle to Answer

[rayne]

Originally Posted by the_gelf

Some people who live with their eyes closed, their ears blocked and their mouth morever open aren't worth my time.

This is one of the best quotes I've read in ages.

[owheelj]

Originally Posted by Sieveboy

I wasn't really trying at all OWJ, just laughing at the weakness of it. Oh and its conscience, not conciousness.

Fair enough. I misread the conscience thing, oops. I wonder if they confused the two. I guess it's just as likely either way.

[Sieveboy]

Originally Posted by owheelj

Fair enough. I misread the conscience thing, oops. I wonder if they confused the two. I guess it's just as likely either way.

Either way that question is easily answered.

[simonecuttlefish]

Should be tons of fun. I'm gunna try this before I read anyone elses, and then compare. Should be FUN!
..........
OK . Changed my mind. I don't know where to even start. Is this some sort of nonsense language, like LOLcat speak? It's word salad with a question mark at the end!

[Darwinsbulldog]

What caused the universe to exist? [Not known, but that does not mean god caused it]
What explains the fine tuning of the universe? Random variations can make patterns].
Why is the universe rational? ()
How did DNA and amino acids arise? (chemical evolution)
Where did the genetic code come from? (chemical evolution.)
How do irreducibly complex enzyme chains evolve? (They are not irreducably complex)
How do we account for the origin of 116 distinct language families? (evolution of language)
Why did cities suddenly appear all over the world between 3,000 and 1,000BC? (Agriculture & animal domestication)
How is independent thought possible in a world ruled by chance and necessity? (The universe is deterministic with stochastic variations)
How is free will possible in a material universe? (There is no free will).
How do we account for conscience? (Evolved social mores, animals have them too)
On what basis can we make moral judgements? (see above)
Why does suffering matter? (We have empathy)
Why do human beings matter? (yes, but the unvierse does not owe us a living)
Why care about justice? (Social animals evolve social rules)
How do we account for the almost universal belief in the supernatural? (A belief in naive reality)
How do we know the supernatural does not exist? (Pointless question, if there was evidence, then the supernatural would be natural)
How can we know if there is conscious existence after death? (brain is organic and material, no evidence for disembodied souls)
What accounts for the empty tomb, resurrection appearances and growth of the church? (Eating magic mushrooms).

[rayne]

I'd like to know how any of the above questions are meant to prove that a god exists?

[Bolero]

I've encountered someone genuinely putting almost all of those questions to me at some stage or other, and every single time, it baffles me how they just haven't thought about it.

I mean, "On what basis do we make moral judgements?" or "How do we account for the almost universal belief in the supernatural?" are just such naive bullshit questions that show SUCH a complete shallowness of thought, it's hard to not answer "Really?? You fucking idiot!!".

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Q. What caused the universe to exist?
A. I did.

Q. What explains the fine tuning of the universe?
A. I needed some performance, so I fine-tuned the universe and modded it with a wing, a red shift light, and underglow neons. I'll race you if you like.

Q. Why is the universe rational?
A. Because it can be expressed as mind-over-matter. Both are integral, except in the case of theists, where it is unreal and complex.

Q. How did DNA and amino acids arise?
A. They were down there all along.

Q. Where did the genetic code come from?
A. From a book.

Q. How do irreducibly complex enzyme chains evolve?
A. Well it all started when I was a young boy, and playing around with hazardous chemicals from the shed...

Q. How do we account for the origin of 116 distinct language families?
A. Probably similar to the origin of different cults?

Q. Why did cities suddenly appear all over the world between 3,000 and 1,000BC?
A. I built them myself with my masculine buff bod.

Q. How is independent thought possible in a world ruled by chance and necessity?
A. You tell me. Aren't you the one who believes this shit randomly popped up out of nowhere?

Q. How do we account for self-awareness?
A. Magic mushrooms are not exactly an endangered species.

Q. How is free will possible in a material universe?
A. I've known Will since before the universe had materials in it. Best economics professor ever.

Q. How do we account for conscience?
A. See answer for "How do we account for self-awareness?"

Q. On what basis can we make moral judgements?
A. On the basis of not being brainwashed into a zombie-worshipping death cult.

Q. Why does suffering matter?
A. 'Coz you and your church started it.

Q. Why do human beings matter?
A. I don't know. I'm not a human.

Q. Why care about justice?
A. With fuckers like you around why not care about justice?

Q. How do we account for the almost universal belief in the supernatural?
A. See answer for "How do we account for consciousness?"

Q. How do we know the supernatural does not exist?
A. Because we are under the legal limit. Except you.

Q. How can we know if there is conscious existence after death?
A. Just jump out of an aeroplane and you'll find out. You may win the Darwin award.

Q. What accounts for the empty tomb, resurrection appearances and growth of the church?
A. See answer to "How do we account for the almost universal belief in the supernatural?"

[AustralAlien]

These questions aren't that difficult to answer. It's true that there are competing theories about the answers to some of them, but that doesn't mean voila, there is an oversized bearded man in the sky hurling balls of lightning at our homes when we disobey him.

[Life's Good]

When I was young and silly, I would often engage the true believers in arguments about what is real and what is imagined. It was a waste of time. Unless one is reasonibly objective and prepared to challenge their own ideas and views on the world, they will never be swayed by logic and facts. That is not how belief works.

Looking at these 20 questions, it predisposes a reason or plan for the universe or for our existance, by some higher force than ourselves. Like the age old questions, 'why are we here?'. What is the meaning of life? Tempted as I am to say '42' (being an old Monty Python fan), lets stick to the point. These questions assume something, so the dice are loaded. Best not to get to involved with a game that cannot be won fair and square.

These days, I will look at these sorts of things with curiosity, but that is all. No amount of evidence will convince a true believer, so why bother? It gets a bit tedious after a while.

So, isn't it ironic? They give it their best shot with 20 lame and/or narrow minded questions, only to demonstrate how inadequate their case really is. Perhaps 'seeing the light' has truly blinded them.

Thank god I am an Atheist!