Certainly I can prove religion exists.

Well yes, I thought you understood what I meant. You can't prove the supernatural to exist.

Only a fool would deny something so obvious as gravity, life, or the existence of God.

I can test for the existence of gravity. I can test for the existence of life. I can't test for the existence of God.

Now just for fun.....let's look over the edge...

I am reminded of the movie "Matrix", The character Thomas A. Anderson was content with his unshakable reality, until he took a step which shattered it forever.[life is but dream...shaboom]

Abandon your paradigm occasionally. Explore the possibilities. Your reality will still be there when you return![if you still want it.]

Perhaps, reality is but a sensory illusion...
[You can't prove it isn't!]
Perhaps you and I only communicate in a dream. Is it mine or yours?
Maybe it's mine and you don't exist, or perhaps it's yours and

I say it again M and Grew, you guys are to smart not to believe in God, witch means one thing, you have been indoctrinated big time.

I grew up in Methodist and Souther Baptists churches. If there was any indoctrination, it was on the side of Christianity, not atheism.

True, but the intent was to show a parallel.
many people want to be willfully blind to scientific fact, just as spiritual blindness is often willful

But I can prove that evolution happens, empirically. Moreover, I can tell you how to prove that evolution happens, and guarantee a result. You can't do the same with regards to religion or spirituality.

That's not fair, sam, Floyd has been perfectly civil with me.

You're right, and I apologize to Floyd for my intemperance.

""The problem with "spiritual" evidence is that it can't be shared with someone who doesn't already possess it.""
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Whether one chooses to access it or not, every man is given a measure of faith[even the size of a mustard seed is adequate].
''''''''''''''''''''''''

""Unless we're both wrong, in which case we may both be in the same boat.""
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
My point was not whether the theology is right. It is whether there is a God , If not, I am assuming no awareness after death of the body, thus we would not know.
In the Case of a living God, we will both know whether we are both saved or not.

Boy and is he gonna get it, right Floyd? Betcha looking forward to his damnation. Right?

Real Christians don't what this to happen to you, real Christians are still sinners,and there is always hope while you still breathe.

and Floyd I believe is the real deal.

And you get all bent when arguing with those who don't ignore evolution, they just don't see the natural evidence of it's existence.

We're not talking about science, we're talking about religion.

Spiritual blindness does not constitute a lack of evidence, it's just spiritual blindness,willful or otherwise.
I understand both,skepticism is healthy,but a closed mind is unscientific.

The problem with "spiritual" evidence is that it can't be shared with someone who doesn't already possess it.

Very soon the issue will be settled for both of us, if you are right neither will ever know.
The Gospel Truth is,however.....we will both know.

Unless we're both wrong, in which case we may both be in the same boat.

Boy and is he gonna get it, right Floyd? Betcha looking forward to his damnation. Right?

That's not fair, sam, Floyd has been perfectly civil with me.

It is not God's will that any should perish

Not God's will, but all too many "Christians" of my acquaintance would have it otherwise. But you know, the guy had it right: The last Christian died on Calvary.

I understand both,skepticism is healthy,but a closed mind is unscientific.
Very soon the issue will be settled for both of us, if you are right neither will ever know.
The Gospel Truth is,however.....we will both know.

Boy and is he gonna get it, right Floyd? Betcha looking forward to his damnation. Right?

And you get all bent when arguing with those who don't ignore evolution, they just don't see the natural evidence of it's existence.

Spiritual blindness does not constitute a lack of evidence, it's just spiritual blindness,willful or otherwise.
I understand both,skepticism is healthy,but a closed mind is unscientific.
Very soon the issue will be settled for both of us, if you are right neither will ever know.
The Gospel Truth is,however.....we will both know.

Parables are fine. In fact parables are great. If people were willing to use the bible merely as a source of parables and as a historical document (i.e a window into some of the ideas of the times) then I doubt anyone would have a problem with it being used in our secular schools.

Thomas Jefferson wrote just such a Bible.

Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, there's a lot of history to learn from and about. In other words, some of Jesus' parables are applicable to today's life; I occasionally tell some to my 4-year-old, and allow him to think about the interesting things that other people believe in.

Parables are fine. In fact parables are great. If people were willing to use the bible merely as a source of parables and as a historical document (i.e a window into some of the ideas of the times) then I doubt anyone would have a problem with it being used in our secular schools.

The problem as always, is that there are enough screaming fundies who demand it be taught as literal truth, even the parts that contradict the other parts and the parts that contradict empirical fact.

They ruin it for everyone.

A great message to atheist's everywhere!

Floyd, atheists don't ignore God, we just don't see any evidence of his existence.

Anyway, with regards to why Michael the atheist has his kids attending a church, I would guess it is for one of the following reasons:

Add "Family" to the list too. I don't have a problem with churches, nor people who believe in something I don't.