Why is there evil and suffering?

[skepticscott]

98. The entire point is

that science and ethics are different disciplines, and that, as a result the knowledge gained by science and how that knowledge is used are ALSO different matters. Do you even grasp that?

And yes, it is an old chestnut, because it's a fundamentally flawed argument that keeps getting repeated by people like you, as if it's meaningful. And when you say that I claimed that "true knowledge" related to non-theology is all good, you're lying. I said no such thing. I said that science provides demonstrable knowledge and understanding and theology doesn't. When someone (i.e. you) has to lie and attribute things to me that I haven't said in order to try to win points in an argument, I know they have nothing intelligent or substantial to say.

If you have any notion that "theological"-only approaches would avoid conflict, try researching the 30 Years War, and a few other conflicts around that time to see how vapid that is. And no, it's your monumental ignorance and intellectual dishonesty that encourages scorn and dismissal.

The only rational reason to reject atheism would be convincing evidence of the existence of a god. Feel free to provide that, please. Along with your examples of the knowledge and understanding that theology has bestowed on humanity (your abysmal failure to provide same having not gone unnoticed). Rejecting a position because you're miffed at the attitude of someone who holds it, rather than because of the lack of facts supporting it, is the height of irrationality. Another rather elementary notion which seems to have escaped you.

Keep this up and all your candy will be spilled soon.