Again, someone uses the term strawman without grasping its meaning.
When you use a strawman as your defense, you don't set up a good, three-paragraph long defense for their side. You make them look like a blithering idiot. You mean to call him a "troll", who posts things with the intent of being flamed. However, there are much more effective ways to troll.
He's just ignorant. No, I don't mean "stupid", because that would imply he isn't capable of grasping the concept of a well-informed Christian. He's capable, but it interferes with his earlier ideas about Christians being imbeciles.
I agree with Citricsquid, he makes a lot of sense. I believe that the Big Bang is a viable theory for the creation of the universe (and also say that the order of events agrees with biblical order, if ambiguous in timescale).
You can't be a Christian and believe in the big bang. It goes against how God would have created the Heavens and Earth (Basically everything) in six days. The Bible is clear that Adam was created on the sixth day, and that he lived only 6000 years ago. So in that case the Earth would have been six thousand years old too. The immensely large gap in time between the Big Bang. Someone cant believe in both the Bible and Big Bang theory.
No, you can still be a Christian and not take the bible as literal truth. Nowadays, very few believe genesis as it was written. Old Testament isn't very Christian, anyways (there's a large disjunction between the god in the Old Testament and the god in the New Testament; "God loves everyone" is a very New Testament stance on god, to say the least).
You can believe that god caused the big bang to happen with the full knowledge that our universe would be created from it.
Exactly how I feel. I live in the Fundamentalist South, so it's kind of annoying being the only one who believes that...
Again, someone uses the term strawman without grasping its meaning.
When you use a strawman as your defense, you don't set up a good, three-paragraph long defense for their side. You make them look like a blithering idiot. You mean to call him a "troll", who posts things with the intent of being flamed. However, there are much more effective ways to troll.
Yeah, what he did was a red herring, not really a strawman at all, though I don't quite agree on your use of a strawman. It doesn't have to be used to incite or deride and doesn't need to resort to ad hominem attacks. Strawman is when you counter an unrelated or misrepresented version of your opponent's argument made to be weaker than the actual argument presented.
A good example of a strawman is going after someone's spelling rather than the argument itself or pointing out that they got one insignificant fact wrong without attacking the actual argument. In essence, you win a small victory and hope that everyone around you doesn't realize that you lost the war. You get bonus points for use of loaded topics in your strawman argument.
After reviewing parts of this thread (I have about 5 minutes left to get ready for school :| ), I have to say...
To every man his own. Why can't everyone simply realize that no matter: how many totalitarian actions, how many new breakthroughs, how many events to the contrary, there will ALWAYS be religion in some shape or form, and arguing with those of faith will just make you look like an idiot.
That being said, I'm a christian, but I hate fundamentalists. Freakin' facists.
To be fair, I'm embarrassed looking back at the way I acted just a few years ago, but even my 12-year-old self was a much smarter and better socially-adjusted person than a lot of the worthless fully-grown people who use the internet.
Oh, and I use plenty of forums, I play MMOs constantly, and I've been active on the internet since I was 10 years old, but the single most mature, wise, and clear-headed person I've ever conversed with was a 12-year old boy on a cartoon forum. He was like a goddamn poet.
Quote from CG »
arguing with those of faith will just make you look like an idiot.
Actually, ARGUING over the likelihood of the god on EITHER side is for simple, close-minded individuals who can't grasp the possibility of being wrong.
Quote from Towel »
Peri, mind telling me what servers you play on? (Sorry, I know this is horridly off-topic. But I saw no PM system on the forums, and I don't like going to the IRC.)
No problem.
Underdog's, Chrizzen's, FallM's. I believe I saw you one time on FallM's. I need moar serverz.
After reviewing parts of this thread (I have about 5 minutes left to get ready for school :| ), I have to say...
I was going to respond to your points, but I don't think I will after reading your signature.
I assure you, I am the smartest 14 year old you will ever meet on the internet. No, really.
yeah...
I was simply stating that the average 14 year old internet user speaks in bursts of poor grammar and LOLSpeak or whatever it's called.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
Also, as a reply to Peri, I have to agree with the point made under the quote of my post.
Generally, arguing opinions is pretty stupid. Generally.
I was simply stating that the average 14 year old internet user speaks in bursts of poor grammar and LOLSpeak or whatever it's called.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
Also, as a reply to Peri, I have to agree with the point made under the quote of my post.
You remind me of someone, can't quite figure out who though...
Quote from CG62 »
Generally, arguing opinions is pretty stupid. Generally.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
There's being open and then there's trying to garner attention for your age. Age means nothing, wow you're a vaguely intelligent 14 year old with the ability to construct a proper sense, woo hoo, definitely something to mention lots! I know many people in the same position as you and are younger than you. Age means nothing, there are better 11 year olds here than me and I'm older.
You don't need to mention your age, that's not to say you should hide it but sticking it in your sig? egggooootttisticallll
It's a bit of a habit I've developed whilst playing MMOs and such. If you're under 16 you're considered trash, at least from my experience.
You know what? I knew registering was a bad idea. Nothing personal, but I think I'll just stick to the actual game. Good luck in whatever future endeavors you decide to take on. I'm sure a butthurt teenager quitting isn't something new to you folks.
It's a bit of a habit I've developed whilst playing MMOs and such. If you're under 16 you're considered trash, at least from my experience.
Exactly what I thought, best to just keep your age unknown and act mature.
Quote from CG620 »
You know what? I knew registering was a bad idea. Nothing personal, but I think I'll just stick to the actual game. Good luck in whatever future endeavors you decide to take on.
I'll probably join you eventually when the community here gets too big (although it seems unlikely, as people just seem to come and go).
Also, this discussion has exceeded my expectations. I find the irony it creates simply lulzy. (The fact that a bunch of people playing a game such as Minecraft [a game with cartoonish graphics] have the ability to calmly discuss some of man's greatest debates.)
There's hope after all. I almost believed that you guys couldn't handle intricate debates without the mods breathing down your neck with a 5"6 Banhammer floating above your skulls, let alone hack discussions. You've all proven me wrong and I'm highly proud of it. Continue your discussion.
I was simply stating that the average 14 year old internet user speaks in bursts of poor grammar and LOLSpeak or whatever it's called.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
I'm certainly not going to discriminate against you or think any less of your opinions based on your age, but there are still two things wrong with it:
1) It's arrogant as ****. Using a lot of big words doesn't make you smarter, and as of yet that's the only thing that really stands out about you. A lot of kids your age can capitalize and punctuate just fine. I did.
2) Saying you're the smartest 14 year old on the internet is like saying you're the tallest dwarf at a dwarf convention. Even if it's true, it's really not that impressive.
You know what? I knew registering was a bad idea. Nothing personal, but I think I'll just stick to the actual game. Good luck in whatever future endeavors you decide to take on. I'm sure a butthurt teenager quitting isn't something new to you folks.
Why? You're interesting conversation and you can actually defend yourself. Judging the openness of a community based on a religious debate isn't really fair. Neither is judging your compatibility with us when your opening post is "I'm Christian and arguing is people of faith is stupid. Also, I'm the smartest goddamn 14 year old on the planet."
A few corrections I'd like to make in the phrasing of several of the points of debate against me:
SIGNATURE: The whole "No, really" part was intended to give it a bit of a,"Yeah right, and black is white" type of air.
ARGUING W/...: Once again, my phrasing fails me. I was intending to convey that arguing over faith is stupid, and the phrasing sounded right at the time. Sue me, I screw up a lot. Subtlety isn't my thing
But yes, I think of myself no better than anyone else. I mean, in most cases, I think worse of myself. For a long while I made up for my total lack of wit by making fun of myself, which is quite easy.
Also, how about we stop de-railing this thread. I'm not saying forget about all that has happened, but this is getting REALLY off topic.
And yes, I lurk forums I leave for a week or two afterwards, and I actually had a bit of Java problems recently that made me open up the support section. I forgot to update it, if anyone cares.
Really interesting. I got the book and I greatly recommend it. I have always been very interested in philosophy and science that has to do with how the world works and why it does. This is also what religion is about. I don't believe in religion. I try to be skeptic and think for myself. So far, this video/book seems most reasonable but I don't believe in it. I see it as a possibility until I have proven it myself. A pretty possible possibility since it solves many questions that other religions/philosophics/science cannot.
I was simply stating that the average 14 year old internet user speaks in bursts of poor grammar and LOLSpeak or whatever it's called.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
Also, as a reply to Peri, I have to agree with the point made under the quote of my post.
Generally, arguing opinions is pretty stupid. Generally.
I am DEEPLY offended by this. You sir, are the most idiotic 14 year old on the internet.
First off, you seem to have stuck as many descriptive words in your paragraphs as possible, that is nothing but trying to look good.
You MENTION your age when it is not needed.
You are arrogant.
You are a disgrace to children everywere. Well done.
Scientologist?
[but that was a fine comic xD]
---> vede claimed Notch said this (and it is awesome).
Again, someone uses the term strawman without grasping its meaning.
When you use a strawman as your defense, you don't set up a good, three-paragraph long defense for their side. You make them look like a blithering idiot. You mean to call him a "troll", who posts things with the intent of being flamed. However, there are much more effective ways to troll.
He's just ignorant. No, I don't mean "stupid", because that would imply he isn't capable of grasping the concept of a well-informed Christian. He's capable, but it interferes with his earlier ideas about Christians being imbeciles.
Exactly how I feel. I live in the Fundamentalist South, so it's kind of annoying being the only one who believes that...
Yeah, what he did was a red herring, not really a strawman at all, though I don't quite agree on your use of a strawman. It doesn't have to be used to incite or deride and doesn't need to resort to ad hominem attacks. Strawman is when you counter an unrelated or misrepresented version of your opponent's argument made to be weaker than the actual argument presented.
A good example of a strawman is going after someone's spelling rather than the argument itself or pointing out that they got one insignificant fact wrong without attacking the actual argument. In essence, you win a small victory and hope that everyone around you doesn't realize that you lost the war. You get bonus points for use of loaded topics in your strawman argument.
But as (sadly) it IS, i'll say:
Thank you.
Modder. The poster behind the pre-acquisition post #15000.
If you're trying to reach me, MCF posts/PMs are unlikely to reach me quickly. Try an e-mail instead!
To every man his own. Why can't everyone simply realize that no matter: how many totalitarian actions, how many new breakthroughs, how many events to the contrary, there will ALWAYS be religion in some shape or form, and arguing with those of faith will just make you look like an idiot.
That being said, I'm a christian, but I hate fundamentalists. Freakin' facists.
I was going to respond to your points, but I don't think I will after reading your signature.
yeah...
???
I feel kind of like I should have just let citricsquid's statement satisfy me.
Regardless, I'm already typing this, so - would you care to explain, o smart one?
---> vede claimed Notch said this (and it is awesome).
Oh, and I use plenty of forums, I play MMOs constantly, and I've been active on the internet since I was 10 years old, but the single most mature, wise, and clear-headed person I've ever conversed with was a 12-year old boy on a cartoon forum. He was like a goddamn poet.
Actually, ARGUING over the likelihood of the god on EITHER side is for simple, close-minded individuals who can't grasp the possibility of being wrong.
No problem.
Underdog's, Chrizzen's, FallM's. I believe I saw you one time on FallM's. I need moar serverz.
I was simply stating that the average 14 year old internet user speaks in bursts of poor grammar and LOLSpeak or whatever it's called.
And yeah, I'm 14. I've never made an attempt to disguise that on any forum I've ever been on, and that's quite a few.
Maybe I over generalized? Most well versed? Least idiotic? Most idiotic? I can't really tell if I offended you, anyone else, or simply made myself look like an idiot in some way I'm not yet aware of. My mind is impaired by fatigue, just had to help my dad fix the truck.
Also, as a reply to Peri, I have to agree with the point made under the quote of my post.
Generally, arguing opinions is pretty stupid. Generally.
You remind me of someone, can't quite figure out who though...
Exactly.
There's being open and then there's trying to garner attention for your age. Age means nothing, wow you're a vaguely intelligent 14 year old with the ability to construct a proper sense, woo hoo, definitely something to mention lots! I know many people in the same position as you and are younger than you. Age means nothing, there are better 11 year olds here than me and I'm older.
You don't need to mention your age, that's not to say you should hide it but sticking it in your sig? egggooootttisticallll
You know what? I knew registering was a bad idea. Nothing personal, but I think I'll just stick to the actual game. Good luck in whatever future endeavors you decide to take on. I'm sure a butthurt teenager quitting isn't something new to you folks.
Exactly what I thought, best to just keep your age unknown and act mature.
I'll probably join you eventually when the community here gets too big (although it seems unlikely, as people just seem to come and go).
There's hope after all. I almost believed that you guys couldn't handle intricate debates without the mods breathing down your neck with a 5"6 Banhammer floating above your skulls, let alone hack discussions. You've all proven me wrong and I'm highly proud of it. Continue your discussion.
I'm certainly not going to discriminate against you or think any less of your opinions based on your age, but there are still two things wrong with it:
1) It's arrogant as ****. Using a lot of big words doesn't make you smarter, and as of yet that's the only thing that really stands out about you. A lot of kids your age can capitalize and punctuate just fine. I did.
2) Saying you're the smartest 14 year old on the internet is like saying you're the tallest dwarf at a dwarf convention. Even if it's true, it's really not that impressive.
Why? You're interesting conversation and you can actually defend yourself. Judging the openness of a community based on a religious debate isn't really fair. Neither is judging your compatibility with us when your opening post is "I'm Christian and arguing is people of faith is stupid. Also, I'm the smartest goddamn 14 year old on the planet."
A few corrections I'd like to make in the phrasing of several of the points of debate against me:
SIGNATURE: The whole "No, really" part was intended to give it a bit of a,"Yeah right, and black is white" type of air.
ARGUING W/...: Once again, my phrasing fails me. I was intending to convey that arguing over faith is stupid, and the phrasing sounded right at the time. Sue me, I screw up a lot. Subtlety isn't my thing
But yes, I think of myself no better than anyone else. I mean, in most cases, I think worse of myself. For a long while I made up for my total lack of wit by making fun of myself, which is quite easy.
Also, how about we stop de-railing this thread. I'm not saying forget about all that has happened, but this is getting REALLY off topic.
And yes, I lurk forums I leave for a week or two afterwards, and I actually had a bit of Java problems recently that made me open up the support section. I forgot to update it, if anyone cares.
Really interesting. I got the book and I greatly recommend it. I have always been very interested in philosophy and science that has to do with how the world works and why it does. This is also what religion is about. I don't believe in religion. I try to be skeptic and think for myself. So far, this video/book seems most reasonable but I don't believe in it. I see it as a possibility until I have proven it myself. A pretty possible possibility since it solves many questions that other religions/philosophics/science cannot.
I am DEEPLY offended by this. You sir, are the most idiotic 14 year old on the internet.
First off, you seem to have stuck as many descriptive words in your paragraphs as possible, that is nothing but trying to look good.
You MENTION your age when it is not needed.
You are arrogant.
You are a disgrace to children everywere. Well done.