http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/is-atheism-irrational/?ref=opinion

I should make clear first that I don’t think arguments are needed for rational belief in God. In this regard belief in God is like belief in other minds, or belief in the past. Belief in God is grounded in experience, or in the sensus divinitatis, John Calvin’s term for an inborn inclination to form beliefs about God in a wide variety of circumstances.

I must admit that reading the interview made my head spin, but that could also have been the result of spray painting in an enclosed bathroom today too . . .

Interesting interview, however I doubt it changes anyone's mind. Furthermore I'd like to see the same interview with a nod to agnosticism rather then atheism.

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No, in answer to the thread title.

- Peter.

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Not at all - in fact it's probably more rational than almost all religions.

No imaginary diety to appease or fight over.

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First, I can't imagine that you were never told to run the fan when stinking up the loo. But what a long read. The argument seems to be based in part by imputing a position on the other in the materialism evolution part.

Plantinga is well known for the argument you included in the post. He wrote a book called God and Other Minds back in the early 70's (I think). Belief in God is not necessary. Belief in other minds and the external world is necessary for survival. Religious experience is not convincing at all to me. First of, religious experience can be interpreted in a zillion different ways and there's no evidence that religious experiences refer to anything or are anything other than just unusual brain activity.

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His argument about being agnostic on the question of whether the number of stars is even or odd being comparable to the question of atheism/agnosticism is poor. It's reasonable to be agnostic on the question of the number of stars since we know there are stars and the only issue is their number. If there is no reason to think that god exists at all, then atheism is not unreasonable. If you've looked for an object and haven't found it, then it's not unreasonable to say its not there. I've looked to see if there is a cow on my desk. I don't see it. I'm not just agnostic on that question. I'm happy to say there is no cow on my desk.

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1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

As someone who spends maybe 10 minutes/year contemplating the existence or non-existence of a supreme being(s), I don't think it's any more or less irrational than religion.

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I'm a dyslexic agnostic insomniac.

I lay in bed all night wondering if there is a dog

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I'll ask God.

Seeing as how he hasn't really answered anyone except in some scribblings from eons ago and some signs that can be interpreted any way you want, it is kinda hard to ask but if you do get in contact, can you ask for the upcoming WINNING lottery numbers to buy?

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he said he didn't give a damn about atheists but you're on his short list.

What list is that? Is there a prize? Money?

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It's a mystery.

As usual, nothing of substance other than signs to be interpreted any which way.

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