3 Wise Men and Science

The 3 Wise Men who came to see Jesus bearing gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense were men of science.  

Today, many atheists claim religion and science are incompatible. What are your thoughts on this?

Saint Miracles?

We often hear of miracles performed by saints.  They may entail the restoration of vision, hearing, limps and overall health.

• Are these miracles real?  
• Can they be explained with science?  
• Are these miracles just stories made to inflate a particular saint?

David Viviano vs Sacerdotus

**UPDATE Oct 14, 2014**

It seems that David Viviano aka Gamma Atheist does not want to go through with his acceptance to debate me.  I have messaged him on Youtube's Google plus channel and he deleted the thread.  

See this video as proof that I tried to work with him, but he got scared to debate me and ran off:




*******************************************************************************


Well it seems David Viviano aka "Gamma Atheist" has mustered up some courage to debate me and I would love to do it.  It would be an honor to engage him.  However, he needs to contact me via email to discuss the details and the logistics as I do represent an institution and am not at liberty to make my own schedule etc.  

Moreover, the debate was my idea and I had told him where the debate would be (here).  This is the purpose of this blog.  I want to keep a static log of the debate for all to view anytime.  However, this does not mean a future debate cannot happen elsewhere after this first one takes place on this blog.  So in the mean time, it would be logical to hold the debate here until the other details are worked out via email for a future debate on another forum.    

The rules and layout are found on this post below.  I will wait for David to email me. This should be fun.  I hope other atheists don't ruin it with their nonsense.  

 

.@SCDTVS okay I will debate you, civilly under these terms You come on my show and on webcam
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

.@SCDTVS I am accepting your invitation, and it should be no problem for you to accept and come on my show then right?
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

Well I'm waiting...... @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Rules and Format for Debates:

• Both sides should provide coherent reasons supported by evidence.
• No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like.
• Arguments should be stable and not wander around.
• If an argument is not clear or is too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by....**
• The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest arguments.
• If any participant fails to continue, he/she will be disqualified and deemed the loser.
• No one other than the opponent and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment on debate posts.

Format for Debates:


Opening Speech - Opponent


Opening Speech - Sacerdotus



First Rebuttal - Opponent

First Rebuttal - Sacerdotus


Second Rebuttal - Opponent


Second Rebuttal - Sacerdotus


Closing Statement - Opponent


Closing Statement - Sacerdotus

Is Heaven Real?

We all have heard about this place in books, stories and even movies.  Recently, Hollywood has been producing movies on the topic based on supposed experiences some have had of this place.

• Is Heaven Real?  
• Can there be a place where only the good go?  
• Is this place a 'place' or state of existence?  
• Can Heaven produce boredom?  

Share your thoughts on Heaven in the comment box below the post. 

Does the Soul Exist?

The Soul has been the topic of discussion since man learned to reason and think for himself.  He has wondered what he is and if the body he controls is all that exists.  Rene Descartes believed that the soul controlled the mind and body.  This soul was immaterial and self conscious.

Many religious faiths especially the Catholic Church, believe that this soul is immortal and that it is what brings life to a corpse.  However, today many philosophers, physicists, psychologists and neuroscientists believe the soul does not exist and the brain is responsible for cognitive functions including the sense of self.

• What do you think?  
• Does the soul exist?  
• What evidence can be used to support the existence of a soul or non existence?  
• How can science study the soul?

Universe From Nothing

From the Book of Genesis to Modern Physics, humanity has wondered what the universe is made out of and how it came to be.  Did it come from 'nothing' or from 'something?'  Today's physicists believe the former.  Does this prove or disprove God?  

Evolution - Does it disprove God?

Since Charles Darwin proposed the idea that organisms have evolved from a common ancestry, the idea has been used by atheists as a declaration for "God is dead."  Evolution as a natural process is believed by atheists to refute the necessity of a creator or God.

• Is this true?  
• What makes the Theory of Evolution a victory for atheism?  
• What makes the Theory of Evolution compatible with God as Creator?

God does not exist Contest.

1. Are you an atheist who believes God does not exist?  
2. Do you have falsifiable evidence for this claim?  

I am interested in seeing your research and how you have reached this conclusion.  
Rules:

• Send me your evidence via word format minimum of 15 pages 12 pt font, double-spaced.
• Be sure to include cites and the methodology used to reach this conclusion.
• All documents should be free of jargon, fallacies, popular "new atheism" juxtaposition from Dawkins et. al, and mathematically coherent.
• Winner will be notified by EMAIL. 

Is the Bible a collection of 'Myths?'

The Bible is the world's most renown book.  It holds the record for being the top best selling book ever in human history and can be found nearly anywhere across the globe.  The Bible is also said to have been the first book ever printed by modern press technology.

Many atheists have questioned its authenticity and claim it to be nothing but a collection of myths - many which they claim were borrowed from other mythologies.

• What do you think about the Bible?  
• Is it truly the Word of God or just a hoax?  
• Does it convey history or is it a collection of myth and/or a retelling of previous myths.  

The Birth of Christ

Some have questioned whether Christ is real or not; whether He is a borrowed figured from paganism or not.  What are some ideas you have on the Birth of Christ and its historicity?

Has Science destroyed God?

• Many atheists believe that science has eliminated the possibility of God.  
• Is this true? 
• Have the scientific discoveries of the last 500 years been enough to completely disqualify God as the prime cause or mover of the universe? 

Post your thoughts below to get the conversation started. 

What is 'Reality?'

Atheists often claim that theists are not realistic when promoting faith.  They claim that all we need to study and know is what is in 'reality.'  To them, God is an imaginary being that is not present in 'reality.'

However, what is 'reality?'  

This universe is mostly empty space.  Solidity is an illusion created by forces generated by electrons.  We really cannot confirm what 'reality' is and studies show that this universe might be a computer program of sorts.

So...

What is 'reality?'

Free Will

• What is Free Will?
• Can Free Will Exist?
• How can we have Free Will while God is Omniscient?

These are some of the questions Philosophers have tackled for centuries.  What are your thoughts on them?  Is there really a problem with Free Will or a problem with our understanding of it?

Sacerdotus Radio

People always have told me that my big mouth would get me somewhere... well it has.  I am not only Social networks, but also on the radio.

I will be hosting a 30 min. long program where I will discuss all kinds of topics just like I do here on my blog.

There will be a number for callers to call in and join the discussion and ask questions; also a chatroom.  I will also invite guests and co-hosts to join me.

I'm hoping that this will be a great success and that listeners will enjoy it and have fun at the same time.

Please donate to my blog if you can so that in the future, I can expand the time to 2 hours or more.


The radio program can be listened to on my blog, facebook or here:

Debate Challenge To Rosa Rubicondior

Since Rosa Rubicondior lost the last debate by forfeit.  I will give him another chance at redemption.  

I challenge him to a video debate on Skype that will be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, my blog and You Tube.  In this debate, both parties must rely solely on science in order to answer the follow:

• God, can He be proven to exist?  
• Can He be proven not to exist?

The rules are as follow:

1. Both sides must provide coherent reasons supported by evidence.
2. No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like or face forfeit.
3. Arguments should be stable and not digress.
4. If an argument is not clear or too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by....**
5. The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest argument and maintained logical coherence.
6. No one other than RosaRubicondior and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment or participate.  

Format:

Opening Speech - Opponent

Opening Speech  - Sacerdotus

First Rebuttal - Opponent

First Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Second Rebuttal - Opponent

Second Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Closing Statement - Opponent

Closing Statement  - Sacerdotus

Stevie vs Sacerdotus

@sacerd0tus my offer of a debate on your assertion that empiricism may be used to prove the absence of the supernatural. Then we can start!
— HastonianBarbarian (@StevieBryant) May 12, 2013

@sacerd0tus what fear? I will debate you on Skype or blog and conclusively disprove your version of god, given just one simple condition.
— HastonianBarbarian (@StevieBryant) May 12, 2013

Rules:

1. Both sides should provide coherent reasons supported by evidence.
2. No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like.
3. Arguments should be stable and not wander around.
4. If an argument is not clear or too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by....**
5. The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest argument.
6. No one other than Stevie Bryant and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment.  

Format:

Opening Speech - Opponent

Opening Speech  - Sacerdotus

First Rebuttal - Opponent

First Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Second Rebuttal - Opponent

Second Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Closing Statement - Opponent

Closing Statement  - Sacerdotus

Alien Life and Religion

On the news there was a report that NASA discovered 3 "Earth like" planets. In light of this, life on other worlds is most likely a reality.

• If intelligent life does exist and makes contact with us or we with them, will this force world religions to rethink certain ideas? 
• Will these beings need salvation? 
• What if they have a different view of God(s)? 
• Will they have a soul? 
• What if they claim to have "engineered" the human race by manipulating the genetic pool in primitive Earth?

Is "Easter" Possible?

We have just celebrated Easter which for Christians is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Did the Resurrection really happen?
• 
  
• What is the evidence for this event?
• 
  
• Is it possible for a human being to return to life after 3 days?

What do you think?

Ms Grumpy vs Sacerdotus

@sacerdotus @mikecannytalk @prophecy_yec @logicbobomb @karlmeyer I'll debate you right now..on Twitter you coward
— Idiot Immolator (@MsGrumpy) February 25, 2013

This is the debate and its rules:



God, can He be proven to exist?
Can He be proven not to exist?



Both sides should provide coherent reasons supported by evidence.
No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like.
Arguments should be stable and not wander around.
If an argument is not clear or is too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by....**
The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest arguments.
If any participant fails to continue, he/she will be disqualified and deemed the loser.
No one other than Idiot Grumpy and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment here.

Format:

Opening Speech - Opponent

Opening Speech  - Sacerdotus



First Rebuttal - Opponent

First Rebuttal - Sacerdotus




Second Rebuttal - Opponent

Second Rebuttal - Sacerdotus



Closing Statement - Opponent

Closing Statement  - Sacerdotus




****************************

Idiot Grumpy had till 12 midnight Eastern time to post an opening statement and failed to do so.  She has therefore forfeited the debate and is declared the loser.  Perhaps when she musters up some courage, we can truly debate.

Brian Fuller vs Sacerdotus

https://twitter.com/TheBrianFuller/status/303604116305883136
https://twitter.com/TheBrianFuller/status/303601188933341184
https://twitter.com/TheBrianFuller/status/303445613771620352




March 11, 2013 - Brian still did not show up, so he forfeits.  He is declared the loser of the debate for not showing up.





This is the debate and its rules: 

God, can He be proven to exist?
Can He be proven not to exist? 

• Both sides should provide coherent reasons supported by evidence. 
• No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like. 
• Arguments should be stable and not wander around. 
• If an argument is not clear or is too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by....** 
• The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest arguments.
• If any participant fails to continue, he/she will be disqualified and deemed the loser.  
• No one other than Brian Fuller and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment here.

Format:

Opening Speech - Opponent

Opening Speech  - Sacerdotus

First Rebuttal - Opponent

First Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Second Rebuttal - Opponent

Second Rebuttal - Sacerdotus

Closing Statement - Opponent

Closing Statement  - Sacerdotus