TED Community » Steve Zagata

More About Me

I'm passionate about

The ways we can shape the future through new ideas, new beliefs and technology.

An idea worth spreading

Use the intelligence and curiosity that you were born with. Keep an open mind and embrace truth.

Talk to me about

Science and religion.

People don't know that I'm good at

Song writing.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +1.80 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +2

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: You ask me how old the Earth is… "exactly". That's a silly question. Because I respond to that you say I'm out of line? Then you call me simple minded while accusing me of improper etiquette? (and comically using bad grammar in doing so). I stand by my comments and challenge you to point to one where I used foul language, called you names or personally attacked you in the way you have me.
  
  I do discuss the immoral side of religion and I will continue to question aspects of it that harms society. Many people, because they are so tied to an erroneous doctrine will lash out when exposed to the illogic of their beliefs. I understand that and have compassion for them. They may have been programmed since an early age and lack the critical thinking skills to work things out.
  
  I also understand that you did not mean to be condescending by asking what's "maxism" when clearly the author meant marxism. Or when you cut and paste definitions of easily understood terms like "Big Bang" or "Atheist" or when you ask how many books someone has read.
  
  So if you think I am exhibiting "stupidity and rancorous postulations" as you so kindly stated I will leave you to "your topic area" so you can continue bullying people that don't agree with you.
  
  You may want to flag this as you threatened, but after reading your comments you may also want to go flag yourself.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: I'm not sure what the point is of asking me how old the Earth is, do you want me to say, "I don't know, somewhere over 4 billion years old?. I'm comfortable saying "I don't know" I'm not comfortable saying "I don't know so it must be god".
  One question for you. How old do you think the Earth is?" I'm starting to think you are in that 6,000 year range and on the wrong website.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: No, the far fetched possibility I was referring to was god, not the Big Bang. Not sure how that got confused. I admit Zeus may have been responsible for the Big Bang but there are host of more attractive alternatives to consider. You use the word conjecture while I would state it as implausible bronze aged superstitious myths that have been created to fill gaps of ignorance. We flew to the moon and we flew planes into buildings, one science is responsible for, the other religion. We should know better in this day and age.
  You asked me about my god, I would lean with Einstein's interpretation or Frank Lloyd Wright's "“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.” It's okay to say "I don't know" - the -Hocus Pocus- moment comes when you don't know but you pull a god out of your hat and act like you do know. That may not be formal logic as you mentioned but neither is arguing that an invisible deity who lives in a celestial Disneyland and can read your mind exists.
• +2

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: Sure, I'm ignorant on a lot of things, like everyone else.
  Your argument seems to be that there are things we don't understand so god is a possibility. Yes, that's true but it's a far fetched possibility and like I mentioned in my other post any god past or present could fit your argument.
  I call this the "Hocus Pocus Argument". We don't know how the Universe was create so... HOCUS POCUS... it has to be god (and my god to be specific). Very weak.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: You set the bar low for this argument. Not only can any god; Zeus, Quetzalcoatl, Janus, etc be used for your analogy but any other figure the imagination can conjure up would suffice, as long as he, she or it is invisible.
  All you're stating is "I don't know how this happened so it must be god"
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 3 2012: Coincidently, Google and the online dictionaries define the word pretty much as I do: "a lack of knowledge". This can be pejorative if the person has the facts and clear evidence available to him but simple refuses to embrace the truth - like someone who thinks the Earth is 6,000 years old.
  Some people think this type of person is teaching religion but what he is teaching is ignorance - and yes I mean that in a very pejorative way.
  You argued that people can believe in all kinds of crazy things and you're right but they should also be prepared to be challenged when their views are forced upon society.
• +3

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 1 2012: Actually I am open to other explanations. The multi-Universe idea is intriguing, the idea of living in a computer simulation cannot be disproved and is worth consideration. I just don't give much credence to a bronze aged superstition based on outdated myths. Still if evidence revealed itself I would have to consider the possibility. It may be you who is stuck in one system of explanation. You believe what you believe because you were born at a certain time in a certain place brought up by certain people. Most people don't find religion, religion finds them. Let's face it, the claims for religion - virgin births, waking the dead, levitation, talking snakes, etc. is pretty far out there and you have zero proof.
  You seem like a decent enough gent so don't be taken aback by other views. This is an open conversation on the subject not simply a repository of one's views.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 1 2012: I say that you are off topic posting a video about exploring "the legitimacy of miracles and their supernatural implications."
  Glad you are busy looking for truth. From what I viewed of the video you posted you may need to remain busy.

• A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 1 2012: An hour and twenty three minute lecture? some break.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Is Atheism just another cult, with their own dogma, like religious cults?

  Oct 1 2012: If we were having this discussion a few thousand years ago you would be correct but words and language are flexible and their meanings change over time.
  
  In your same wikipedia page you will find:
  "Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities"
  All other definitions say basically the same thing. This is the meaning of the word today.
  
  By the way, it is a well known fact that the dinosaurs were atheists. I imagine this angered the boss almighty and may have had something to do with their extinction.