Questions for the Experts <( Thats You!!)

[JustAJ]

A few ransoms questions that I would really like a diversity of answers for:


1. How do u be "freethinking".   I think I get it but just wondering what others think


2.  It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

3.  Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution  and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence).  Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.  


Feel free to e mail me about any of this.  I would love to have a back and forth with someone( in a non creepy way...)
My E mail is   aj.ob2012@gmail.com.

[Davin]

1. How do u be "freethinking".   I think I get it but just wondering what others think

You think for yourself and question authority.

2.  It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

I don't align with political parties at all, I don't like political parties.

3.  Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution  and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence).  Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.

There aren't really any big gaps in either and the gaps that are there aren't something the sheds any doubt on the theories in any way... except for people that don't know much about them and/or the scientific method.

[Squid]

Sorry guys but evolution...has a few gaps in it.

Would you be able to provide an example of the "gaps" which would reflect upon the theory in a way that would warrant placing it in a questionable category?  Actually, if you would like to discuss it, please feel free to start a new thread as I don't want to hijack this thread.

[TheJackel]

1. How do u be "freethinking".   I think I get it but just wondering what others think

Freedom to not be bound to dogmas with the ability to accept being wrong while at the same time being open to new information and observation they may shed new insightful light on any given subject.

2.  It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

Stereoptypical fallacy.. And beliefs always affect political view. Hence, I am secular and do not believe Government should have any particular bias, display bias, or legislate religious ideological constructs. Neutrality, otherwise you end up with places like Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

3.  Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution  and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence).  Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.

A few gaps? A few gaps hardly equate to "we don't know" vs filling in a deeper understanding of the gaps.. In contrast, the GOD theory has one massive gap called zero evidence to even remotely give it any credibility over anything else one can possibly imagine.. Hence there are two words that give the answer to all existence, and one of these words is a provable tangible and the other is completely as intangible as magical pixie fairies.. Here we have the tangible "Energy" being source universal set that solves infinite regress, and "GOD"  to which is intangible and can not solve infinite regress, or represent a universal set.

[Sophus]

1. How do u be "freethinking". I think I get it but just wondering what others think

I would define it as thinking above and beyond the traditional thoughts of the herd. A Freethinker is someone who is free to question anything openly and follow that trail of thought wherever it goes.

2. It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

I would define myself as a liberal but I am most definitely not a Democrat. There's a tendency for atheists to be liberal but not always. You may want to look into the Objectivist Party.

3. Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school. And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence). Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.

On an Epistemology level I agree: we don't know anything. We only have levels of confidence and even those can or could be deceiving.

On a scientific level: There's no good reason to doubt the theory of evolution in general. There is so much evidence for it. If you invest the time to learn about it I have no doubt you'll agree. We can answer a few questions (Squid's the best at it!) but there is so much fascinating information out there on the subject it seems a shame to limit your knowledge on it based on our brief responses.

Some good books on the evidence would be: Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne or The Greatest Show On Earth: The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins

For a good understanding of the theory itself: The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins
There are some good web resources as well I'm sure you could find.

As for the Big Bang, there are multiple "sub-theories" on the specifics. Its evidence may be as strong as evolution's however I think it is strong enough to draw certain, more broad conclusions. (For example our universe is expanding thus there had to have been an initiator)

[i_am_i]

I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  

What does this mean: How do u be "freethinking?"

Find yourself another school ASAP, one that teaches how to spell and write properly.

[Sophus]

I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  

What does this mean: How do u be "freethinking?"

Find yourself another school ASAP, one that teaches how to spell and write properly.

"How do you be 'freethinking?'" or "How do you become 'freethinking'?". Needn't be discourteous; I think JustAJ may be genuinely interested in learning.

[TheJackel]

I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  

What does this mean: How do u be "freethinking?"

Find yourself another school ASAP, one that teaches how to spell and write properly.

"How do you be 'freethinking?'" or "How do you become 'freethinking'?". Needn't be discourteous; I think JustAJ may be genuinely interested in learning.

No, but we can freely ignore discourteous behavior. Just think of free-thinking as the freedom to think for yourself, and to make up your own mind without being subjected to external controllers.

[i_am_i]

I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  

What does this mean: How do u be "freethinking?"

Find yourself another school ASAP, one that teaches how to spell and write properly.

"How do you be 'freethinking?'" or "How do you become 'freethinking'?". Needn't be discourteous; I think JustAJ may be genuinely interested in learning.

My apologies. Bad writing and poor spelling, I don't know, it just realy gets to me. To me it's slack, it's sloppy and when I see it I find it very hard to take whatever point is trying to be made seriously. To me it displays a lack of thought and preparation.

"Free" thinking? Try "THINKING," goddamnit. Hell, what's the use?

I shall now retreat to my dusty old library for a tepid cup of tea. BLAH!

[Whitney]

1. How do u be "freethinking".   I think I get it but just wondering what others think

You develop your own life philosophies based on what you have discovered to be true as opposed to what you have been told is true.  It's a evidenced based thought process that is used in all parts of one's life in one way or another.  It's also a word that is generally used to describe atheists, agnostics, and deists who do not follow a religion.

2.  It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

Most tend to be socially liberal because imo that's the only intelligent approach to living in a free society and most people do value personal freedom.  I would not agree that most are democrats quite a few are libertarian or independent and I know some who are fiscally conservative to where they would be a republican if that party were not run by religious nuts.

3.  Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution  and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence).  Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.  

Well we don't know how all this happened...but there aren't any significant holes in evolution or big bang theory; neither of those tell us how all of this happened they are merely pieces of the puzzle.

[JustAJ]

I'm sorry for the bad spelling. I write most of these on my IPhone and they are usually typed and sent fast but I will try to spell-check alittle closer.

For the third question on evolution I should have worded it better. In all honesty I don't know enough about it to even claim it has gaps, I have just heard that it all fits together except for a few pieces.  But once again I know next to nothing on the topic.

[Squid]

For the third question on evolution I should have worded it better. In all honesty I don't know enough about it to even claim it has gaps, I have just heard that it all fits together except for a few pieces.  But once again I know next to nothing on the topic.

Well, my friend, you've come to an excellent place to learn if you wish.  Try looking at some of the thread over in the ID/Creationism forum and you'll find a lot of information as well as common arguments and criticisms which are addressed.

[winli]

Find yourself another school ASAP, one that teaches how to spell and write properly. lol




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[Asmodean]

1. How do u be "freethinking".   I think I get it but just wondering what others think

It has to do with seeing the issue from multiple sides and avoiding conclusions until it is thoroughly examined.

2.  It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

Of course they affect political views since such views are defined by who we are, which our beliefs are a big part of.

3.  Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution  and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school.  And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence).  Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.

We know evolution took place about as well as we know that water is wet. Some people do not feel like accepting that knowledge for what it is though because it screws with their worldview. We have to ask questions and look for the answers in order to gain understanding of the world though, so "I don't know" is... Just not enough sometimes.

[Thumpalumpacus]

1. How do u be "freethinking". I think I get it but just wondering what others think

Follow the evidence, no matter where it leads, no matter which of our favorite preconceived notions fall to the wayside.

2. It seem like most atheists are democratic liberals ( no offence I don't want a political argument). Just wondering if anyone thinks belief affects political view and how.

Sure it does.  

3. Why can't people just accept " we don't know". Sorry guys but evolution and the big bang theory and such has a few gaps in it ( I believe, not to well educated in it thanks to my crappy catholic school. And I think god is just a made up reason to explain these things( again no offence). Why can't people just relize that there isn't a definite answer and that we don't know how all this happened.

I have no problem accepting "we don't know".  I have a problem saying, "We don't know, and it's pointless to try to learn."  The fact that an explanation is incomplete should not be a justification for quitting the job of learning.  It should rather be a call to renew our efforts.

[strike:ema2kaaq]Bad[/strike:ema2kaaq] Poor writing and poor spelling, I don't know, it just rea[l]ly gets to me.

I love irony.