Intelligent people fighting for their beliefs...

Well said, SomethingSea. Here is what I would like theists of all kinds to understand: I have examined religions, gods and dogmas of all sorts. I have examined science, critical thinking, and rational thought. I was raised Christian, but as I reached adulthood, have discarded the religion and theistic belief imposed upon me as a child. This is the beauty of being an individual. I think for myself. I believe based on scientific criteria and evidence that there is no god. Is that 100% certain? No. Valid scientific theory can adjust when error or new information is found. So that if valid evidence of god's existence in some form is found, I (we) will examine it and evaluate it fairly and rationally as we have all other. Science is not and will never be religion. Religion requires faith, science requires fact and evidence.

Hi SomethingSea, the lengthy heated discussions were under Christian. Thank you for the correction there. I really meant regardless. Sorry! Still I couldn't argue anymore about there being a God. When I look at people's faces, rich or poor, when I look at the majestic mountains and the vast blue skies, when I look at the canopies of trees, and the birds, the butterflies, and the bees that come visit my garden full of flowers, I can't help but say thank you to the Almighty Who had blessed the world with so much. As to the abusive parents, there are really many bad people in the world. They chose to be bad. To me, God is so good. I do have my share of problems. Many of those problems made me cry. Yet, at the end of the day, I count my blessings and say thanks to the Great God Who made and loved me. I am not rich but I am happy with what I have. I continue to pray for the abused children, as I also pray for the children of the slums who eat roots for a day's meal.

Hi lizprice! To me, God has given us a free will to decide on our own. That is what makes us different from other living creatures. Wasn't it Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist who gave us the three laws of motion, was the same scientist whose affinity to God was evidenced by his voracious readings and study of the Holy Book? It is from the mouths of scientists and astronomers that I heard on discovery channel how they yield to one Being above who made the intricate formation of the corals under the sea exactly the same as the galaxies millions of lightyears from our planet earth. Many learned men since probably the time of Confucius had studied God and man's existence. Many great men had contended that where science ends, religion begins. The men of science had given us their generalizations. They are learned men. Why should I argue with them?

You are my evidence, dear Latrivia. You just did not pop out of some bubble, did you? Believing is a blessing. Pray for it. God grants to those who pray. Till then, I rest my case.

No, but my existence isn't evidence for anything other than my existence. Especially since there are scientific means of explaining how you and I got here.

Hi FundamentalCharlie. I will ask my daughter about the origin of matter. She's a Biology student. I do not know what is infinite regression. Could you explain further?

A-theism is not a belief, but a lack thereof. In the same way that ag-nosticism is "without knowing", a-theism is "without God(s)". Additionally, atheism and agnosticism are not categorically irrevocable. Instead, one can be an agnostic atheist. Basically, "without God because without knowledge" (i.e. has not been shown proof, but is not closed to the possibility).

There are people who traverse life's journey without ever noticing the signposts nor recognizing the clues to the meaning of life. Proof is a word often invoked by those who choose to believe otherwise. It is easy to be philosophical and argue and say what proof have you that there is a God. But at the end of the day, what proof had anyone that agnosticism is fault free. One has got to have a contention, to be called a man. Otherwise, we could be classified to the level of the beasts. Am afraid they wouldn't want us.