Theist/Athiest "what if?" thread

MrBishop · 11-07-2006, 02:09 PM

OK.
Suppose that you wake up tomorrow and all over the news is a piece...the first ever documented, verified and actual miracle has just occurred. Everyone on the face of the earth knows that something happened because they all heard a GONG go off in their heads at that exact moment (which is what woke you up). This is the real deal, as one would say. Proof that a supreme being exists.

The problem..?

It's not your God, and its not your religion.

*Doesn't matter what the miracle is, but it's impossible to interpret it as your religion*

So...
For the athiests. You were wrong, but then again..so was everyone else. Do you become born-again theists?
For the theists. What do you do about your current beliefs/religion/books/paraphenalia/churches/synagogues/laws etc...?

Anglorfin · 11-07-2006, 04:47 PM

Well, if the miracle was absolutely and indisputably genuine then I believe there would be quite a bit of chaos. As for myself the answer is easy. being agnostic I'd obviously start to lean toward whatever god figure the miracle is attributed to. Can't say the same about other people but I am going to assume that most people are very stubborn when it comes to religion so not many people will change. Especially atheists who always demand more proof. If there is one ambiguity at all to the miracle then no atheist will believe it.

Lief Erikson · 11-07-2006, 05:06 PM

I would suppose it to be a false prophet, a witch or wizard, some sort of magic, perhaps the anti-Christ. I believe in miracles that don't come from God- the Bible confirms their existence. So if I saw one that was proven valid, I wouldn't be all that stunned, intellectually. There are plenty of spirits that have the power to pull off miraculous signs and which also pretend to be God.

MrBishop · 11-07-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lief Erikson

I would suppose it to be a false prophet, a witch or wizard, some sort of magic, perhaps the anti-Christ. I believe in miracles that don't come from God- the Bible confirms their existence. So if I saw one that was proven valid, I wouldn't be all that stunned, intellectually. There are plenty of spirits that have the power to pull off miraculous signs and which also pretend to be God.

It'd depend on scale? Let's say...really huge kinda thing. reminiscent of Biblical era but verifiable. Tower of babel reversed...everyone now speaks the same language and only that language and the races are reunited as one.

What if this deity-like being proved that most accepted religions are wrong or at worst, misinterpretations?

Falagar · 11-07-2006, 05:18 PM

How 'bout peace in the Middle-east?

I've no idea how I'd react, it'd depend on quite a lot of things I suppose.

hectorberlioz · 11-07-2006, 07:09 PM

I'm with Leif...one has to be on one's guard.

Btw, I think some atheists would say we were being attacked by aliens who possessed mind-controlling abilities...

***Jonathan*** · 11-09-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBishop

Suppose that you wake up tomorrow and all over the news is a piece...the first ever documented, verified and actual miracle has just occurred.

Interesting supposition, MrBishop. It's fun to speculate about what the reactions would be if this actually happened.

As for my own reactions, I certainly wouldn't believe everything to be the work of Anti-Christ. I guess I'd eventually have to come to terms with the fact that a supreme being exists but I don't think it would make me a more religious person. But then there's no way I could predict how I'd react to such a sensational happening.

11-07-2006, 02:09 PM	#1
MrBishop Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 118	Theist/Athiest "what if?" thread OK. Suppose that you wake up tomorrow and all over the news is a piece...the first ever documented, verified and actual miracle has just occurred. Everyone on the face of the earth knows that something happened because they all heard a GONG go off in their heads at that exact moment (which is what woke you up). This is the real deal, as one would say. Proof that a supreme being exists. The problem..? It's not your God, and its not your religion. Doesn't matter what the miracle is, but it's impossible to interpret it as your religion So... For the athiests. You were wrong, but then again..so was everyone else. Do you become born-again theists? For the theists. What do you do about your current beliefs/religion/books/paraphenalia/churches/synagogues/laws etc...? __________________ RPG gamers talk and podcast Chucky and Larry Blog

11-07-2006, 04:47 PM	#2
Anglorfin Alasailon Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: college Posts: 861	Well, if the miracle was absolutely and indisputably genuine then I believe there would be quite a bit of chaos. As for myself the answer is easy. being agnostic I'd obviously start to lean toward whatever god figure the miracle is attributed to. Can't say the same about other people but I am going to assume that most people are very stubborn when it comes to religion so not many people will change. Especially atheists who always demand more proof. If there is one ambiguity at all to the miracle then no atheist will believe it. __________________ "and then this hobbit was walking, and then this elf jumped out of a bush and totally flipped out on him while wailing on his guitar." "Anglorfin was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of anger; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was great skill."

11-07-2006, 05:06 PM	#3
Lief Erikson Elf Lord Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 6,343	I would suppose it to be a false prophet, a witch or wizard, some sort of magic, perhaps the anti-Christ. I believe in miracles that don't come from God- the Bible confirms their existence. So if I saw one that was proven valid, I wouldn't be all that stunned, intellectually. There are plenty of spirits that have the power to pull off miraculous signs and which also pretend to be God. __________________ If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." Last edited by Lief Erikson : 11-07-2006 at 05:07 PM.

11-07-2006, 05:18 PM	#5
Falagar Death of Mooters and [Entmoot] Internal Affairs Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,870	How 'bout peace in the Middle-east? I've no idea how I'd react, it'd depend on quite a lot of things I suppose. __________________ Fëanor - Innocence incarnated Still, Aikanáro 'till the Last battle. Last edited by Falagar : 11-07-2006 at 05:19 PM.

11-07-2006, 07:09 PM	#6
hectorberlioz Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lost in the Opera House Posts: 9,328	I'm with Leif...one has to be on one's guard. Btw, I think some atheists would say we were being attacked by aliens who possessed mind-controlling abilities... __________________ ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide

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