Gwazi Magnum

Is there ever a reason to not prove something if it can be proven?

I would of added this to the "Atheism 2.0" thread. But that seems a bit full with replies to the OP, and this topic is on a more open/varied topic regardless.

Essentially to explain the question, yesterday me and two friends were at a park and at one point the topic of Voodist came up.
The friend explaining it described how they'd have some ritual, and then several hours later a dead persons spirit would come and they'd all talk to them. How everyone in the room could clearly see and talk to this dead person, and it was rather cool but no big deal.

So I asked the question "Why do they not try to prove this though? If they can do such a thing so easily, can they not do some sort of test or recording to show that it actually works?". Which essentially led to a debate where her point came down to "Why should they have to go through the Criticism and questioning to be proven? Why should they have prove themselves to Science, rather than simply being left alone to do their own thing?".

So basically the question I have here is: "Is there ever a reason to not prove something if it can be proven?"
"What is gained by proving something to another person?" (Re-worded as suggested by mdk).

Poet's lounge

WOTM = Writer of the Month

Basically, it's a contest the Guild used to have (It's alongside something similar is currently being worked on being revived however) where they would submit pieces of writing according to certain rules and themes. It was mainly a competition, but one where many people came to get the insight and advice of judges, contestants and audience members.

Someone who actually had taken part in or ran it though back on the Old Guild would be able to describe it better than I can.

Atheism 2.0 - Atheism using Religions perks.

Protagonist said The thing about Atheists is that they generally make many of the same fallacies as religious folk. This is in fact, why I consider Atheism to be a religion. They have principles, people who spread their gospel out to all mankind, and a view on providence and how the universe operates on a spiritual level.

Only if you're referring to something like atheism+. But then even, that's not really a Religion but rather third wave feminists uniting as atheists.

Atheism itself is strictly not believing in a God, it is the lack of religion or theism (Hence: A-theist). There is no code or gospel to spread around, granted many atheists tend to default to science to treat as fact. But that's not a matter of having a gospel of codes and morals to spread, that's a matter of "Here's what we experimented/tested, here's what we proved to be true". But you'll even get many atheists claim stuff like "Ghosts are real", "Aliens have landed on earth", "The Moon landing was a fake", "Spirits are real", "We will reincarnate" etc. None of which are proven by science, none of which are beliefs that atheism demands anyone to have, but you get it all the time.

Protagonist said As for the morality of religion in general: Religion has no particular ethics, it's a tool like any other for one to better themselves by creating understanding or illusion of understanding of the spiritual nature of the cosmos and the purpose of its believer. As for Christian Ethics, I can testify first-hand that an extensive reading and re-reading of the bible does not make one into an atheist.

Except you know, all the ethics of stoning disobedient children, killing those who work on Sunday or eat fish, rape victims who don't scream loud enough, supporting slavery and the rape of virgin women etc. Granted, you've also got the stuff such as shall not kill, steal, covet etc. But the Bible is full of ethics and values it tries to teach people.

Reading the Bible may not turn everyone into an atheists, but a lot of people do become atheist as a result. It is a common result of reading the Bible.
Oddly enough, if you go into enough religious debates you'll often find that atheists know more about the Bible than Christians do on average... And I'd be lying if I said personal experience didn't verify this for myself, most of my family who is christian either never bothered to read the bible, or decided it was irrelevant to being a Christian. But most atheists I know have had experience with the Bible, may it have been out of pure curiosity, the reason they became an atheist, or looking to better understanding who they may debate against.

Protagonist said Despite everything, I still hold God to an ethical standard that I would find utterly unreachable in humans.

I assume by this you mean he is so moral/upright we cannot even compare or understand? If so, I'd like to ask why the genocide of children, rape victim's and non-Christians is seen as a moral act. Especially considering they are most likely going to burn for eternity, not be happy up in heaven.

Protagonist said As for the topic of religious extremism, there's only ever been one Christian extremist. His name was Jesus Christ.

Not much I can really say here... Brovo already pointed out most of the extremist's.
Though I would also like to draw at least some attention to the KKK and the Westboro Baptists.
A good amount of Nazi's too.

Protagonist said As for the topic of "if I found out God doesn't exist, would I rape and murder?" No.

That's the reaction I expected out of people :P
It's always nice when expectations like that actually hold up.

Protagonist said The way I see it, whether or not God exists is somewhat irrelevant: we must act like he does.

Why?

If God doesn't exist, why must we act as he does rather than on a moral structure that has been debated and reasoned out?

Protagonist said To turn the tables: If you found out that God existed, what would your response be?

Assuming proper proof/evidence was given?
I'd look to find out which God, then try to find any holes/flaws with the Religion I could find and ask said God to explain why they are there.

How I think of them afterwards depends on their answer. But how I live my day to day life would largely be the same, I'd recognize _______ God as fact just like anything else in Science and move on with my life.

Poet's lounge

Brovo said This belongs in member's lounge. But there's no harm in it being here, I think, if it goes the discussion route.

*Sips tea and twirls moustache*

Hmmmm, yes.
This poem sounds very sensational...

Oh dear, this one seems a bit rash... Just cut this and this... Oh my, oh my yes that poem is now Marvelous!

Mount and Blade on sale and worskhop

Must... go... see... mods...

I already used the Floris Mod for a while now, but it will be cool to see what else there is. :P

Pokemon: The shadow journey

1Charak2 said and magic nice backstory to the pokes u get 5 masterballs XD

My god! O_O
Arceus here I come! You shall literally be MY god! "{

manapool1 said he's pretty strong

The admin is meant to be strong, and he'll be used sparingly.
The other trainer I do admit is a bit skilled, but he was designed to be a skilled trainer.

ACA supreme court ruling, re Religious Exception

See you at the anniversary. :P

Pokemon: The shadow journey

Altered the sheet again to detail the pokemon's sex, and how they were acquired.

ACA supreme court ruling, re Religious Exception

Brovo said >>acknowledge resolution to conflict by attempting to start another via implying that people cannot logic properly.Clearer?

I said some people don't get the concept of open-minded but needing proof. As was shown when they thought you were being hostile after changing your position when confronted with evidence. Honestly though, the only conflict that will show from that are those who choose to take it personally and get offended...

Or highlighting the potential conflict starter by actually starting a conflict...

XCOM Roleplay - An Open Discussion on How It Should Work

You supposed to be rushing Satelites, and autopies don't come till later if you prioritize the weapon and armor research.
Which you should cause the **Priority** research moves the story along, meaning bigger and badder enemies showing up even sooner than they would if you had left them until later.