Author Archive for SapientPage 2 of 4

I’m more active, you love it, I’m glad.

Published
by
Sapient
on October 27, 2011
.

It didn't go unnoticed that I am more active over the last few weeks.  I'm glad to have the time again, and I'm glad you told me you were happy to see me more active.  My better computer was out of commission for a little while... like 9 months. I was on a laptop with a wireless connection and very busy since March.  The better computer has been fixed and the main room I conduct business in, has been revised over the summer.  I was almost finished the room but then I fixed the computer and well... it'll probably be the spring before I work on the room again.  Now that I'm moving fast online again I can cover a lot more territory.  I'm right back in the swing of things.  My real job is somewhat seasonal and it'll be slow until March.  I'll get less hours.  Those hours will be spent here.

I'm extremely comfortable in the workspace I have now.  I think I was having a hard time getting comfortable in the RRS workspace by myself, I had to overhaul my workspace.  I was at an 8 foot by 8 foot desk with 3 computers by myself.  I kept the setup for a while thinking that I would bring new hosts into the fray and continue the show as it was, or that me and the other hosts would want to have a reunion.  I've moved on from that idea. During the summer I converted the room, stripped the wallpaper, sold the fish tank, brought the tv in, brought the couch in, cut the desk in half, ran new wiring, and new lighting.  I share the space with my son at my side, he uses the computer all the time.  We have a couch in front of the desk, and a big screen tv that can be seen from the whole room.   It's very easy to work the type of excessively ridiculous hours I like to work in this setup.  

I think my trials made me want to distance myself from people, at least in terms of activism.  I was let down by the people I cared for the most.  So it took some time to realize I wouldn't feel comfortable with new show hosts.  Only because I would feel the inevitable end in sight.  Maybe with time that will change.  I'm finding that I'm the only constant.  Even my very close friend Jake, who led me to atheism 13 years ago and taught the InfidelGuy, closed doors on atheistnetwork.com this past year.  I don't know why my drive to continue this fight outlasts everyone around me, but I'm realizing that almost always that is what happens.  I've made the 10 year club!  Although I can't give you an exact date.

My activism will continue at full force through the winter.  We hope to meet a deadline to upgrade to a new server in February, although preliminary fundraising efforts could use a kick. 

I purchased a new domain this week.  www.AtheismUnited.com 

The goal is to unilaterally support other atheist groups, to expand atheism awareness, and to make a political impact.  I am mentoring the man who will hopefully be the future President of 501c3 Atheism United Lance Sievert. Join his facebook group if you are an atheist organizer Atheism United Headquarters on facebook.

Please join the discussion on our site: Atheism United (Can you see it?)

Oh... and women... I gave up on women.  If you want me ladies, come find me, I'm too busy with my activism to notice that I should say something. 

 

 

OLD OFFICE SETUP:

NEW SETUP (almost same camera angle):

Different light level and a different view:

Debunking a proof for god

Published
by
Sapient
on October 25, 2011
.

I received an email from Matt [last name removed to protect privacy] a few weeks ago, and it was an argument against god.  I think Matt answered his own questions in this one.  But he wanted to know what I had to say about him. I think you give it more credit than it deserves in your answer.  Frankly his argument is rather stupid.  

Sye Bruggencate can't prove that there are absolute morals, much of academia would argue against absolute truths.  Even if we accept absolute morals and truths, God certainly wouldn't logically follow.  What would logically follow is that "there are laws and absolutes."  

The argument is ridiculously stupid.  He is trying to look intelligent and only makes himself look like a fool or a liar.  Matt on the other hand comes off as intelligent and hitting the nail on the head.  His email is all that is needed on this subject.  Join the forum so you can explain things like this to the next theist that comes here. [edited] 

I really appreciate your kind words.  I applaud your efforts as well in debunking the irrational and ridiculous.  Keep it up! 

Here is the letter Matt sent me, please feel free to comment:

 

I follow some of the material published by the Rational Responders and I find you are a welcome addition to atheists in general, with sound reasoning and skepticism. I myself am a third generation atheist. To get to the point I came across Sye Bruggencate's Proof That God Exists website (proofthatgodexists.org) dictating that the Christian Worldview not only is the correct among religions, but is the only worldview to explain who we are and how we arrived. His proof (transcendental):

There are Absolute Truths

There are Laws of Logic

There are Laws of Mathematics

There are Laws of Science

There are Absolute Morals

The Mentioned Laws are Immaterial/Universal/Unchanging

[God Exists because this is only possible through God]

(The Proof: You Cannot Prove Anything Without God)

Maybe I am mistaken, but this is a weak argument for the Christian worldview. What it proves is man's ability to observe, reason abstractly, infer, and apply rationality. And to get purely technical about the "Laws of Nature" (Bruggencate assumes these laws to be absolute as the result of his loving and benevolent God), the "Law of Gravity" is not immaterial as he claims (space time curvature). Neither is mathematics as he claims. Mathematics exists within the mind of reasoning and intelligent organisms; nature does not need mathematics or its laws.

Within our brain and its structure the mind exists, ergo mathematics is not immaterial just as computer software is not immaterial (code --> binary --> logic gates --> semiconductors --> electrons). It is the result of the function of the brain, just as thought is. It is material. Bruggencate makes a philosopher's mistake by understanding abstract arugments, but trying to interject them into fields he may not understand (such as physics).

The strong and weak forces exists because of subatomic interaction, not the other way around. An argument for magic (absolutes in nature concieved by God) is presented, and I myself was not presuaded. Bruggencate's argument proves man's rationality, from observed phenomena to abtract thought and inference. Thusly, he proves man is godlike ( a reflection no doubt he ignores, much the same way athiests 'deny God'), not that there is an all powerful diety because only He can be absolute.

And, (if you are actually reading this and finding it wordy, I will make this brief) he tries to impose the Universal Morals argument. I would find it univerally amoral to molest children (an example he uses to stop you in your tracks if you do not believe moral absolutes exist) but that has not been then the case throughout history (ancient Sparta for instance).

If morals are not absloute thoughout human history, how am I to claim they will remain as they are today in the future? I cannot. I can only claim what I believe, and I am a product of present day societal conditions. Society thrives on a self-sustaining structure which promotes progress, causing morals to evolve as civilization does. Giving credit to the divine is illogical as history demonstrates.

Nature has morals. What are those? Survive, reproduce resist extinction. It is what we do every day. It is what life does every day.

In sum, I offer that theists have cause and causality reversed, thus attributing existence to the supernatural.

Well, thank you Sapient for your endeavors and hard work defending an athiestic perspective in life. I find it a noble pursuit to generate material that makes the superstitious think beyond justification. If you would care to comment on Sye Bruggencate's argument, I would like to know your thoughts.

Matt

 

Thank you very much Bob Spence

Published
by
Sapient
on October 23, 2011
.

Bob Spence,

I could have done this in private, but I think everyone should know why you now have a different look to the site. I have made you a site admin giving you Zeus power.  Funny how we don't believe in gods yet both are "Zeus" on this website.  

I wanted to elevate your power so you could learn more about how it operates in hopes that you'll be able to expand your role here.  Hopefully you will be able to play an on call role for us when we upgrade and overhaul the site for the year 2012.  Please be careful with the elevated power, and we can talk in private more about how to figure it out.  I get that you probably wouldn't want the power, but please accept it, and help me out in the future.

I am so glad to have gotten to share webpages with you over the years.  You and I go way back.  I can't even remember the years.  It has been a pleasure working by your side on message boards and over the airwaves.    We've been through a lot together and through thick and thin you are right there to bring another cogent argument for science and rationality.  You are a gentleman and a scholar.  You are calm, patient, rational, sane, loyal, and brilliant...  thanks for being here.

 

In Rationality,

Brian Sapient

 

P.S. Brian37... feel free to continue the love...

Atheism and Naturalism and Vanilla Marriage

Published
by
Sapient
on October 20, 2011
.

Two new books got added to the Amazon books on the side of some pages of the site.  

 

 

 

 

Nick Covington posts here under the name Switch89 and he has a great blog at Aigbusted http://aigbusted.blogspot.com  

Rich Woods is a long time friend of RRS, he is a speaker, author, and internet show host.

Please support these guys, enjoy their book!  

 

 

Prayers to Jake website has died…

Published
by
Sapient
on October 15, 2011
.

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of a website that is near and dear to my heart.  Sadly PrayersToJake.com is now owned by an asian outlet with the interest of capitalizing on the power of the domain name.  Jake lost focus for a minute there and it got stolen.  You may already know that Jake has been taking some time away from kicking ass on the internet.  He put atheistnetwork.com to sleep a few months back.  

His site atheistnetwork.com is where I became an atheist primarily because of his line of questioning.  His site will always be important to me, and thankfully he hasn't lost that domain.  His knowledge, time, effort, and level headed approach has changed me immeasurably.  The clarity and patience that he had while volunteering for him in my first few years of activism is something I'll remember forever.  He is like no other man I know, and at times the many people who knew him on his message board would consider him worthy of prayer.  

A legend grew that he was godly.  People started praying to Jake, I'm sure there was an early thread call "Pray to Jake" and people did in fact do so.  I promise you, atheists literally prayed to Jake.  People reported their findings and prayers were in fact answered.  I had several instances where I was spooked by how helpful Jake was in answering my prayers.  Jake bought the domain and I slapped a website on it to bring more people into the prayers to Jake club.  

On this site, I've referred to prayerstojake.com many times.  I'll miss it.  But I won't miss praying to Jake.  From time to time I will allow myself to pretend.  I will allow myself to pray to a man that has helped make me who I am.  It might have a calming effect for me.  And when my prayer is answered, I'll allow myself to pretend that maybe Jake answered my prayer, even while knowing that he didn't. 

 

May all your prayers to Jake be answered.

 

 

 

Jake has youtube videos addressing religion here: http://www.youtube.com/user/chronicbudha

Atheistnetwork.com formed a small group of ex atheist network people at: http://www.atheistnetwork2.com I however consider RRS forums home to all atheist network folks.

 

Compliment others

Published
by
Sapient
on October 12, 2011
.

I’ve learned a random life tip that has helped me a bit last month. My father in fact sent me an e-mail explaining his epiphany. He said that he had just learned that if you compliment someone when meeting them, they are more likely to like you. We both realize that the compliment should be genuine. 

Since he has given me the advice I have had many opportunities to utilize the tip. Using it at first felt a little foreign to me. That personality trait wouldn’t typically come up in my line of work as I would have typically felt the need to maintain a more professional and business oriented relationship with the people I deal with.    I have complimented around a dozen people in the last month and have had positive relationships each time. I had someone compliment me on Sunday and I could feel the effects of the compliment drug instantly. I’ll wait for a scientist to post an endorphin related explanation. I went from being cautious in a time interaction with someone to liking them in a matter of moments.   

The point? Complimenting people when you first meet them sounds like a good idea, if you mean it. It might not be in your personality type, but maybe it should be. If we all embraced these more positive qualities of humanity, and extend it to acts of service and goodwill we are more likely to have a positive future. 

It goes without saying that I have some readers on this site that embrace these ideas already.  

 

9-11 Never Forget

Published
by
Sapient
on September 11, 2011
.

I will never forget that religion caused 9-11.

I will never forget the mentally incompetent people who thought a cross was formed in the rubble.

I will never forget the clueless people who stated "God Bless America" after Allah apparently put Jesus in a choke hold.

I will never forget the Christian President who thought he was on a mission from God, and that he is responsible for over 200,000 deaths.  I will never forget he was well liked by other Christian folks.

I will never forget 9-11 as a day that shows just how much religion must be gone.

I will never forget that 9-11 was a day that made religious people more religious, and just how brainwashed those people must be to come to that conclusion.

I will never forget that 9-11 marks a day in which I recognized how much a good human must speak up against religion for the good of society.

I’m not a Godsend

Published
by
Sapient
on April 4, 2011
.

 I had to go to the post office this morning to pick up a package.  It was a replacement golf shaft and it came in a tall narrow box the size you'd expect of a golf club.  As I was walking out of the post office an older lady saw me and asked "where did you get that box?"  I said "I just picked this item up, the box was mailed to me."  She said "Oh, because I've been looking for a box like that for a while.  I have a very large poster that I need to send and I can't find a box to mail it in."  I had wanted to keep this box as I need to send my old shaft back to the company that mailed me the new one, however I have access to this type of box, I can get one for free whenever I want.  It took me a second to react and as she was walking away I called her back.

I said "hold on a second."  I opened the package and put the shaft in my trunk, and I handed her the box.  She said "oh thank you so much, aren't you just a Godsend."  I said "I don't believe I am, I don't believe in God and I do good deeds on my own volition, because if we all do good deeds for each other I will receive good deeds back from others.  I'm glad I was able to help you."  She smiled and walked away.  

It was a good start to the day.

 

Logidea University makes a video with some of my accomplishments…

Published
by
Sapient
on December 3, 2010
.

 Thanks very much to Logidea University for the nice video about my work, I appreciate it:

 

 

Read my acceptance of the PhD in Heresy here.  (you can get one for yourself)

 

Do any Holiday Shopping through these Amazon links to help RRS!

Published
by
Sapient
on November 22, 2010
.

Parent Claus is bringing the kids presents?  Don't want to hear O Holy Night while you shop for those gifts?  Want to help support the Rational Response Squad network of websites while buying Grandmom a necklace for the Winter Solstice? Consider doing any necessary holiday shopping through the links below and Amazon will reimburse RRS a commission!

We are trying to avoid having to have a donation drive this year, like almost all atheist orgs we have a significant shortfall this year.  Please click these links before going to Amazon.com to make any purchases!  

Top Holiday Deals event, Nov. 30-Dec. 23. 


Top Holiday Deals: http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=384082011&tag=HTTPWWWRATION-20


Save on the 3D experience with bundles from top manufacturers: Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba and Panasonic will run promotions before year's end.

Toys

New this year: Save 25% or more on popular kids' gift items in the Holiday Toy List using this link -  Toy List

Kindle

Kindle is the #1 Bestselling, #1 Most-Wished-For and #1 Most-Gifted product on Amazon.com.

This year Kindle Fire is taking the world by storm.


Books: Amazon.com Best Books of 2010

Discover Amazon.com Editors' Picks for the Top 100 Books of the Year, including the unanimous #1 favorite, Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The Best Books of the Year is one of the most eagerly anticipated annual events in Books, and with our wide selection of editors' picks, Top 100 Customer Favorites, and Top 10 lists in nearly two dozen categories, it's a perfect destination for any holiday shopper looking for that perfect gift. For a full list of the Best Books of 2010 go here.

Music

Clothing: Special Holiday Clothing Sales

The amazingly stocked Denim Shop is also on sale from November 16-December 16, with $20 off orders of $100 or more.

Denim Sale: $20 off $100 http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=2445461011&tag=HTTPWWWRATION-20

Kitchen, Home and Pets

Sports & Outdoors

Endless Jewelry Store

Endless.com now offers jewelry from your favorite brands- from Nicky Hilton, Mizuki, GURHAN, Devon Leigh and other well known fashion brands to niche and unique brands that are hard to find elsewhere. With over 2,000 unique products, you’ll find the best selection of bridal, statement jewelry, and everyday fashion with free shipping and free returns. Endless will add selection continuously so check back often for the latest designs. 

 

Do any Holiday Shopping through these Amazon links to help RRS!

Published
by
Sapient
on November 22, 2010
.

Parent Claus is bringing the kids presents?  Don't want to hear O Holy Night while you shop for those gifts?  Want to help support the Rational Response Squad network of websites while buying Grandmom a necklace for the Winter Solstice?  Do some shopping through the links below and Amazon will help pay for our new server!  This really works and it's a huge help.

Please make your purchases by clicking any of these links and starting your Amazon shopping experience there.   

TV

GPS

MP3s

Movies

Software 

Computers

Endless.com

Office Products

Best Books of '11

Car Accessory Deals

Book of the Month Site

Video Game Deals Page

4 for 3 Promotion in Kitchen

Audio and Home Theater Deals

Consumer Electronics Deals Page

New Video Game Downloads Releases

Amazon Home Kitchen and Lawn Gift Guide

Instant Video Movies Best Sellers on Amazon

Amazon Tools - Get Up to 50 Off our Favorite Gifts

Amazon Special Offers in Grocery and Gourmet Store 

 

Please click these links before going to Amazon.com to make any purchases!  

Top Holiday Deals event, Nov. 1-Dec. 24. 

Shop Amazon's Holiday Toy List

KINDLE
Kindle is the #1 Bestselling, #1 Most-Wished-For and #1 Most-Gifted product on Amazon.com.

This year Kindle Fire is taking the world by storm.

Save on the 3D experience with bundles from top manufacturers: Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba and Panasonic will run promotions before year's end.

Music


My comment to Pastor Bill Randles about Blasphemy Challenge

Published
by
Sapient
on November 17, 2010
.

I just posted a comment in response to a blog post that discussed new atheists and the Blasphemy Challenge. (I still encourage creating Blasphemy Challenge videos)

 

Here is what I had to say...

Quote:

We are not assaulting children and the naive.  We are trying to help them escape their fear.  You would have people believe there is an eternal torture that awaits them if they don't believe and think certain things.  Those things are not proven or provable in any meaningful sense... yet millions believe due in large part to fear.  You may not think much of the fear of hell today, but as a child it is essential to the brainwashing of almost all Christians.  

 

So sir, for you to use language claiming it is atheists who are "assaulting" others, is highly ironic considering you are using more fear tactics to scare someone back into faith.  We are doing this for you, or anyone who was brainwashed by religion... not because we're into Satan or assaulting people.  Watch some Blasphemy Challenge videos and you'll see just what kind of people took the challenge, the point was to show off how normal atheists are, we're not a group of devil worshipping baby eating child assaulters as you and your ilk would like to scare Christians into thinking.

 

In Reason,

 

Brian Sapient

www.RationalResponders.com

 

I was responding primarily to this portion of his post:

Quote:

Shocking, isn’t it? I am showing you this not to shock you but to alert you to the reality of the assault upon your children and the naive.

 

...

The point is that this movement is spiritual in its essence. This is  Satanic,it is an assault on the faith by the Father of lies, designed to blaspheme God and to damn souls. They have free rein on our campuses and places of higher learning. Unfortunately a good many young people are seeing these New Atheists as rock stars, they are emulating them mimicking their arguments, and renouncing their faith.

 

Here is the original post by Pastor Bill Randles.

 

I received an Honorary PhD in Heresy!

Published
by
Sapient
on November 13, 2010
.

Thanks to www.doctorofdisbelief.com for awarding me an Honorary PhD in Heresy.  I am fueled today by the excellent write up that went along with the award.  Check it out at the site here.

Here's a snippet...

 

 

Brian Sapient is a self-described:

"Pacifist agnostic atheist non-cognitivist freethinking darwin loving scientific treehugger who loves Philly Sports. Proudly led thousands away from religion!"

Mr. Sapient is perhaps responsible for more motivated activist atheists than almost any other single individual in America.

Who among us can forget watching Brian and Kelly O'Connor prove that Ray "the Way of the Master" Comfort was just another ill-informed religious banana-peeling huckster on national broadcast TV? That was a first, and remains a classic. The religious sat up and took notice. Times had changed. Atheists were now well prepared, well spoken and well received by a previously hidden segment of society. 

This single action gave voice and hope to countless atheists that the time for change had arrived. We could be public, proud and assert our rights.

Read the entire blog here.

 

Do you use twitter?

Published
by
Sapient
on November 2, 2010
.

 I want to make sure I'm following any RRS forum users on twitter.  So do you use it?  If so please drop me a line here so I can follow you.

 

Follow me @RationalSquad and @BrianSapient

I have a daily newspaper compiled with links from RRS fans/supporters/activists.  Check it out, read it daily, like it on facebook, you get the drift: http://paper.li/rationalsquad/rational-response-squad

 

 

Twitter debate I had with Philadelphia Eagles DT Jeff Owens

Published
by
Sapient
on October 25, 2010
.

*UPDATE 7-29-11*   Jeff Owens was released from the Philadelphia Eagles today.  I don't think he ever got playing time.  Today he was waived/didn't pass physical.  I sent him a tweet, but feel bad for him.

http://twitter.com/#!/rationalsquad/status/96794836602068992

 

 

 

 

I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan which is why I follow many of the players on Twitter.  Occassionally one of them will tweet something about God and I just can't keep my trap shut, I say something.  Today Jeff Owens responded to my tweet and was willing to indulge me in a day long back and forth conversation (transcript below).  I hope he got something out of it, maybe someday it'll lead him to question.  Should he choose to, I would be glad to show him what I've learned over the years, what I've managed to become after shedding my Christian roots.  Should he choose to I would be glad to show him just how powerful he is, how amazing his coaches and family have been for him, and how he managed to reach the NFL without any help from invisible powers in the sky.  

Jeff Owens is currently a practice squad DT for the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 7th round of the NFL draft in 2010.  He goes by jeffowens95 on twitter.  My responses to Jeff came from @rationalsquad (I also use @BrianSapient).

Since twitter posts show up in reverse chronological order I've attempted to piece them together, put them in chrono order, and make the discussion a little easier to read.  The following is what we said:

 

 

Jeff Owens: Good morning twitter fam, this is another day to give thanks for all the many blessing God has given us... #ThankYouJesus!!!!

Brian Sapient: There is no rational reason to believe in a god or thank it for blessings. Thank the people that raised you for doing it well.

Jeff Owens:  There is a God, and he loves you

Brian Sapient: A nice sentiment, but we have no solid evidence a God or Jesus exists. The bible is full of flaws, have you read it?

Jeff Owens: I read it daily, so if there isn't any proof of a God who made the earth???

Brian Sapient: How do you justify God condoning and making rules about slavery in the bible? Video on Earth formation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8-KMR0nx8

Jeff Owens:  that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Brian Sapient: Can you come up with a good reason that God would condone and advise on how to keep slaves? Doesn't seem loving in the least.

Jeff Owens: have u ever read the bible???

Brian Sapient: Of course Jeff. It was because I read the bible that I realized the story isn't possible. All loving God that didn't love all?  An all knowing God that doesn't know where Adam is when he gets to the Garden, or who told them he was naked.  An all knowing God that didn't know the serpent he created would trick Adam and Eve, a God not loving enough to plan better.  Those ideas that I just mentioned, we're just talking the first few pages. There are too many contradictions for it to be...

Jeff Owens: you should read a book call Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren...

Brian Sapient: I've read it, I even own a site that is responding to his "Purpose of Christmas" http://www.thepurposeofchristmas.net

Jeff Owens: I just started reading it, it will enlighten you on what God has call you to do in life, we live to serve God

Brian Sapient: Seriously Jeff you can't honestly say that allowing and condoning slavery was good or just or worthy of worship. Can you?

Jeff Owens: that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Jeff Owens: I'll worship Christ no matter what, like Job he loss his family his fortune and his health, but he worship God no matter what

Brian Sapient: Even if I could prove that Christ never existed and the God of the bible is impossible you would continue to worship?

Jeff Owens: That's one thing you can't prove, there is a God and I believe that you believe that too

Brian Sapient: Ok so you don't want to answer that question along with why God condoned slavery. I understand what's happening there.

Brian Sapient: Are you interested in books that challenge your beliefs at all? I would be glad to give you several.

Jeff Owens: no I'm not I love worshiping God

Brian Sapient: What if you're wrong Jeff? What if you're wasting the only life you get on a fantasy? Not worshiping God is nice as well man.

Jeff Owens: I have faith

Brian Sapient: Faith is useless man. You can have faith in smurfs or goblins too, that doesn't change the fact that you could be wrong.

Jeff Owens: Jesus will never leave you or forsake u

Brian Sapient: That's a sweet sentiment Jeff, but tell that to the people who will die of starvation or cancer today. They pray too you know.

Jeff Owens: everybody have a path

Brian Sapient: Dear people dying of cancer or starvation: Everyone has a path. Hope that makes you feel better. @jeffowens95

Jeff Owens: yes we all do... Retweet this, Christ died for our sins there is no greater love!!!

Brian Sapient:  I don't believe God came down to Earth to sacrifice himself to himself so that we can escape his wrath. It makes no sense.

Brian Sapient: Here's a list of contradictions in the bible if any of this conversation has you curious. http://tinyurl.com/2t8ou

Jeff OWens: do you believe in UFOs???

Brian Sapient: We don't have scientific proof of aliens in UFOs yet, but we have more evidence for them than Jesus/God. You?

Jeff Owens: how can u believe in UFOs but not God????

Brian Sapient: You didn't understand me, I didn't say that. I said we have more EVIDENCE for UFOs than God. Neither are firmly proven.

Jeff Owens: Final Thoughts: there is a God and he love you, he sent his son to die for you, he created all things

Brian Sapient: My Final Thoughts: You and all other XIANS can't prove that God is real and therefore might as well worship aliens or smurfs.

 

Twitter debate I had with Philadelphia Eagles DT Jeff Owens

Published
by
Sapient
on October 25, 2010
.

*UPDATE 7-29-11*   Jeff Owens was released from the Philadelphia Eagles today.  I don't think he ever got playing time.  Today he was waived/didn't pass physical.  I sent him a tweet, but feel bad for him.

http://twitter.com/#!/rationalsquad/status/96794836602068992

 

 

 

 

I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan which is why I follow many of the players on Twitter.  Occassionally one of them will tweet something about God and I just can't keep my trap shut, I say something.  Today Jeff Owens responded to my tweet and was willing to indulge me in a day long back and forth conversation (transcript below).  I hope he got something out of it, maybe someday it'll lead him to question.  Should he choose to, I would be glad to show him what I've learned over the years, what I've managed to become after shedding my Christian roots.  Should he choose to I would be glad to show him just how powerful he is, how amazing his coaches and family have been for him, and how he managed to reach the NFL without any help from invisible powers in the sky.  

Jeff Owens is currently a practice squad DT for the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 7th round of the NFL draft in 2010.  He goes by jeffowens95 on twitter.  My responses to Jeff came from @rationalsquad (I also use @BrianSapient).

Since twitter posts show up in reverse chronological order I've attempted to piece them together, put them in chrono order, and make the discussion a little easier to read.  The following is what we said:

 

 

Jeff Owens: Good morning twitter fam, this is another day to give thanks for all the many blessing God has given us... #ThankYouJesus!!!!

Brian Sapient: There is no rational reason to believe in a god or thank it for blessings. Thank the people that raised you for doing it well.

Jeff Owens:  There is a God, and he loves you

Brian Sapient: A nice sentiment, but we have no solid evidence a God or Jesus exists. The bible is full of flaws, have you read it?

Jeff Owens: I read it daily, so if there isn't any proof of a God who made the earth???

Brian Sapient: How do you justify God condoning and making rules about slavery in the bible? Video on Earth formation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8-KMR0nx8

Jeff Owens:  that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Brian Sapient: Can you come up with a good reason that God would condone and advise on how to keep slaves? Doesn't seem loving in the least.

Jeff Owens: have u ever read the bible???

Brian Sapient: Of course Jeff. It was because I read the bible that I realized the story isn't possible. All loving God that didn't love all?  An all knowing God that doesn't know where Adam is when he gets to the Garden, or who told them he was naked.  An all knowing God that didn't know the serpent he created would trick Adam and Eve, a God not loving enough to plan better.  Those ideas that I just mentioned, we're just talking the first few pages. There are too many contradictions for it to be...

Jeff Owens: you should read a book call Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren...

Brian Sapient: I've read it, I even own a site that is responding to his "Purpose of Christmas" http://www.thepurposeofchristmas.net

Jeff Owens: I just started reading it, it will enlighten you on what God has call you to do in life, we live to serve God

Brian Sapient: Seriously Jeff you can't honestly say that allowing and condoning slavery was good or just or worthy of worship. Can you?

Jeff Owens: that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Jeff Owens: I'll worship Christ no matter what, like Job he loss his family his fortune and his health, but he worship God no matter what

Brian Sapient: Even if I could prove that Christ never existed and the God of the bible is impossible you would continue to worship?

Jeff Owens: That's one thing you can't prove, there is a God and I believe that you believe that too

Brian Sapient: Ok so you don't want to answer that question along with why God condoned slavery. I understand what's happening there.

Brian Sapient: Are you interested in books that challenge your beliefs at all? I would be glad to give you several.

Jeff Owens: no I'm not I love worshiping God

Brian Sapient: What if you're wrong Jeff? What if you're wasting the only life you get on a fantasy? Not worshiping God is nice as well man.

Jeff Owens: I have faith

Brian Sapient: Faith is useless man. You can have faith in smurfs or goblins too, that doesn't change the fact that you could be wrong.

Jeff Owens: Jesus will never leave you or forsake u

Brian Sapient: That's a sweet sentiment Jeff, but tell that to the people who will die of starvation or cancer today. They pray too you know.

Jeff Owens: everybody have a path

Brian Sapient: Dear people dying of cancer or starvation: Everyone has a path. Hope that makes you feel better. @jeffowens95

Jeff Owens: yes we all do... Retweet this, Christ died for our sins there is no greater love!!!

Brian Sapient:  I don't believe God came down to Earth to sacrifice himself to himself so that we can escape his wrath. It makes no sense.

Brian Sapient: Here's a list of contradictions in the bible if any of this conversation has you curious. http://tinyurl.com/2t8ou

Jeff OWens: do you believe in UFOs???

Brian Sapient: We don't have scientific proof of aliens in UFOs yet, but we have more evidence for them than Jesus/God. You?

Jeff Owens: how can u believe in UFOs but not God????

Brian Sapient: You didn't understand me, I didn't say that. I said we have more EVIDENCE for UFOs than God. Neither are firmly proven.

Jeff Owens: Final Thoughts: there is a God and he love you, he sent his son to die for you, he created all things

Brian Sapient: My Final Thoughts: You and all other XIANS can't prove that God is real and therefore might as well worship aliens or smurfs.