@JohnnyQB It is okay to strongly disapprove of and disagree with the person's words and behavior. But, don't try to tear them apart as a person. Don't try to humiliate them. You can let them humiliate themselves, and bait them into doing so. That is fair game.

Is any worshiping good for man and women kind?

Would it not be better to say we just get nearer and near to the truth and eliminating false pathways is the real goal?

@Mcflewster You must first define "the truth" before I can answer your question. I come from the viewpoint that different people have different, and often incompatible, truths. An example of this is any confirmed atheist and any Bible literalist.

@anglophone Just a thought that "defining the truth" may be just a question of repeating the science that is testing the truth but slightly differently or from a different angle . If you get the same answer it is more likely to be the truth. Not definitely the truth but more likely. We may have to be satisfied with that.

@Mcflewster By "truth" in the way that you use it, do you mean "a model that somebody finds more useful than another model"? The classic example of two such models is the Theory of General Relativity and Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion.

@anglophone Yes I suppose it is what I mean. Until it is proven to be incorrect a conclusion of a science cycle could be taken as the truth.

@Mcflewster Thank you for clarifying that.

According to Douglas Adams it is 42. I like this answer even knowing it is probably wrong.

@Mcflewster I had to look this up. But yes 99.9% sure it is not the answer. And when I read he, the author, was a self-proclaimed radical atheist I think 100% is a more accurate number.

@Mcflewster What is it about that answer that you like? Is it the fact that it all comes down to two numerical digits? That is quite a simple and peaceful solution to all of this. I think I read yesterday there was a whole book written on the topic and various ideas about it being put forth. Someone famous who said he knew the answer, or the meaning, but would take it to the grave. How do you see it?

@Flowerwall It is sarcasm or a joke really but it is a fact that people are looking for a simple answer and as everything reduces to mathematics, even science I suppose that it might as well be two numbers. Not one, notice, because if people are asked to give a number between 0 and 9 a grater number give 7 than any other.Why? Everything should be as simple as possible BUT no simpler.
My answer to simplicity is science itself because it is a simple set of processes which most people use everyday but don't realise they are doing science. I am doing my utmost to make science simpler to understand and use. In fact you cannot understand it without doing it.

@Mcflewster I deleted my other comment because I was probably saying it wrong, not expressing the idea correctly. Sorry. I think of seven as a life force number, that is kind of what I was trying to say in the other post. It doesn't sound very clear or well thought out but I do consider it a "one truth".

@Flowerwall You are obviously entitled to think of any fact or process as your guiding light - whatever "floats your boat". Please however explain what is meant by 'life force' and how any one number could be an example of it. I think that people choose 7 because it is 'not too big, not too small, and not in the exact middle (as in 'never sitting at the front of a lecture or classroom' thinking).

@Mcflewster I don't think of seven being a life force number as a "one truth" rather the original idea that human beings are to promote life in all of its various forms. Like in business it would mean sustainability, things that are to the betterment of the world as a whole and individually, in whatever form it may take. The polar opposite of an omnishamble, well atleast as I have read the word described "a situation that can have no good outcome". This is a very new word to me so I believe I am thinking of correctly in this way, but could be wrong as I think it's used more for politics. In family it means promoting life as well. Family members not behaving in ways that are harmful to one another to the best of their own personal ability.

As far as seven goes, I just think there are many representations of the number in religious texts, it is also a well- liked number, popular, associated with luck in many people's mind. I view it as a life force number, and that gives a special significance to it, in my mind.

@Mcflewster Do you have an aversion to the number seven? You said 42 is good, two digits, because if people are asked to choose one digit people will usually choose seven. So that makes it sound like you are not liking that number, seven. Or is that where you meant about simplicity? Two digits less simple? I thought the simplicity idea was referring to why people like the number seven. I don't study numbers or anything or ascribe particular meaning to them, but it is something to think or wonder about. I am probably just splitting hairs with my question anyway.

@Flowerwall I am trying not to draw conclusions about your posts. 42 from Douglas Adams in his "Hitchikers Guide to the Universe" I am pretty sure was intend as a joke and the fact that it was simple was part of that joke. It worked on me and I have always liked "Hitchhicker's" books.
What I do know is that you are very good about looking into data - preferably facts and trying to draw conclusions. I am sure that by doing that, one day you will discover something great and that should not go unnoticed.

@Mcflewster Wow, what does that mean? It's a compliment? But what makes you say that? Huh? I am CONFUSED. But thank you. Being told I will discover something great is like hearing a wonderful fortune by a fortune teller, it's a nice idea, feels great.

I do understand 42 was a joke. I bet with all my questions, I have made it feel less funny. Well, yeah, I guess it happens sometimes.

@Mcflewster Also I really think this was a great question to ask, the original thread idea. The "how do you intend to maintain it" part had me wondering to. I should read this over again. I think a lot of people said scientific method. Thank you for posting this!

@Flowerwall I mean that you have the best attitude to freethinking exploring and investigation of meaning by delving into words. That surely will eventually pay dividends and I just wish more people were like you. Best of luck in your journey.

@Mcflewster Thank you very much and same to you, best of luck.

Common sense is good but I feel that it is not science.

@Mcflewster Science is the rigorous application of common sense. Scientists just put a lot more effort and thinking into their common sense checking.

@ToakReon I would really like to think that was the case. Common sense is rarely systematic or thorough and is a form of popularism which has its roots in just copying your neighbour. Having said that there are much worse things you can rely upon. Science is a cyclic process that you keep repeating until things get better. Common sense depends on the experience of the people one talks to, which my be relevant or not to your exact situation. The following is perhaps not an extreme example but holding a gun in UK is NOT common sense whereas it is in parts of the USA. Science conclusions would be universal and apply to all the world of the human.

@maturin1919 I see a huge distinction between facts and truths. Ping @DavidLaDeau

@maturin1919 The story of the little boy who cried wolf is not a factual account of concordent events. It is therefore not true or fact. The moral of the is true, it is good not to lie. The story is not factual at all but is true.

@maturin1919 If truth is inherently factual, then why do believers claim that it is the truth that God exists?

@maturin1919 I have given you a clear and concise answer to your question "Care to go into what, exactly, the distinction you make is?" by challenging your assumption in the form the question "If truth is inherently factual, then why do believers claim that it is the truth that God exists?". HINT: Truth is NOT inherently factual.

@maturin1919 I personally define truth as that which is factual. With theist it is commonly qhat one wishes to believe. This is why I make the distinction. There are many truths but they are not necessarily concordant with the facts. I really don't like having to make these distinctions but it ia necessary.

@maturin1919 There is a time to pay attention as opposed to just trying to be right.

@maturin1919 It seems to me that you have failed to comprehend @DavidLaDeau's point. You further seem to be neglecting the point that different people have different truths.

@maturin1919 Words are used un different context. The word true can mean facts in some context and may mean anything that one wishes to believe. I prefer to avoid the term as it is often used to be ambigious and the word is used switching the context back and forth in order to be dishonest and "win" the argument. There is a thing called fact. I therefore like to use the word fact for facts. It relly can't be any simpler.

Occam's razor is a good tool for determining what may be the facts but it is a tool and not conclusive on it self.

@DavidLaDeau exactly the same as any other method.

Many things such as the plot of Harry Potter do follow and are coherent. This is obviously fiction. Science and Logic applied without fallacies is the methods that I prefer for determining what is real.

@JFishburnVe
Useful!, thanks
"It hangs together?"

Why do I seem to remember reading this in several home toilets (washrooms)?

@Mcflewster Good place for it! Reading words of wisdom sitting on the throne.
Thanks. I'll put it there.[mwkworks.com]

I knew someone would say that. I get calmer about religion by saying "what does this word mean to an agnostic" , although you would want me to stay angry with religion - or would you?

@Mcflewster I would want you to live fully every minute of every day & not waste your precious time on Claptrap.......

@AnneWimsey So getting rid of religion would be a waste of time?

@Mcflewster no,the question is, why let claptrap waste your life?

@AnneWimsey Who is wasting their lives?

@Mcflewster Contemplating The Easter Bunny & its' relevance to your life/actions?

@AnneWimsey Let us leave it there with the final image of the Easter Bunny, shall we?

@Mcflewster I like the Easter Bunny, pretty colors, candy, harbinger of Spring...all good!

@AnneWimsey What is not to like?. Champion of fertility too.

@Mcflewste firm pass on the fertility part.....