tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post7257662766471453696..comments2024-03-25T17:35:02.238-04:00Comments on Debunking Christianity: The Implications of the Book Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-5030952517519269572010-10-08T22:56:16.974-04:002010-10-08T22:56:16.974-04:00Re "The implications of this book are that we...Re "The implications of this book are that we should all be skeptics and trust the sciences."<br /> Agreed. In matters relating to the natural world, we should be skeptical of any evidence provided.<br /> In matters relating to supernatural phenomena, we should still be skeptical, but realize that other sources must be taken into account when looking at the "evidence", that would otherwise be ignored. i.e: the Bible. <br /> In other words, in trying to debunk Christianity (which is the purpose here), one cannot merely trust the "sciences".<br /> After all, we (believers) are told to "test" the spirits, and not by merely relying on science.Jorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08981700176336638230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-22835902222309569782010-10-02T02:24:22.293-04:002010-10-02T02:24:22.293-04:00"I have yet to see a skeptic apply their skep...<i>"I have yet to see a skeptic apply their skepticism to themselves."</i><br />I'm going to bet you don't hang around sceptics much. Just go to a sceptics in the pub and here the arguments that go back and forth, because self-examination isn't merely thinking through (as the science suggests this is more rationalisation than contemplation) but a means to test the coherence on others.<br /><br />Scepticism is a tool not an ideology, to be a skeptic is not to hold to particular doctrines or beliefs but to take an attitude towards claims of merit. Show me a position is valid, show me that a position is invalid. etc.<br /><br /><i>"I think the science also points towards the need to stop worrying about what others believe."</i><br />Indeed. Those who say that vaccines cause autism aren't to be worried about. Because the science tells us that if herd immunity drops then vaccine-preventable diseases are going to come back and people will die. But we shouldn't concern ourselves with that, just as we shouldn't concern ourselves with those who say that HIV doesn't cause AIDS or that pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicine that makes people sick or that climate change is a myth of Big Greenpeace or that someone can be healed through prayer. Scientifically the consequences of people suffering and dying show that we shouldn't say anything at all!<br /><br />Are you <i>really</i> serious? <br /><br /><i>"I believe that the science is pointing towards the fact that we do not need to debunk Christianity. Instead we need to be self examining and stop worrying about what others believe."</i><br />Yep, no need to debunk there. It doesn't matter that people use those beliefs to undermine science education, persecute homosexuals, enforce their moral agenda on others, and demonise anyone who isn't a member of that religion. No way, because the beliefs of others exist in a vacuum and have no effect on anyone else ever!<br /><br />Are you <i>really</i> serious?Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12460075520187803334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-57473022960386694342010-10-02T01:33:55.087-04:002010-10-02T01:33:55.087-04:00John,
“THEREFORE we should be skeptics.”
Actua...John,<br /> “THEREFORE we should be skeptics.”<br /><br /><br />Actually if the science is correct being a skeptic will not help self delusion. Science tells us that we lie to our selves and justify our self deception. When faced with evidence that contradicts our beliefs we ignore the evidence. <br /><br />We only look for evidence that confirms our beliefs. My problem with skeptics is that this is exactly what they do. I have yet to see a skeptic apply their skepticism to themselves. They are always applying their skepticism to beliefs that contradict their beliefs. They are using skepticism to justify their self-delusion. <br /><br />If the science is correct then we can accept the fact that skepticism will be a tool used to justify our self-delusions. The only way skepticism might work is if it is turned in ward instead of out ward. Skepticism needs self examination and honesty in order to work. However, the sciences have shown that this is not in our nature. <br /><br />I think the science also points towards the need to stop worrying about what others believe. Science tells us that no one has the ultimate truth, no one sees reality. We all have a perceptions of reality; this includes atheist. All of the evidence and the science atheist tout is just evidence for their perception of reality. <br /><br />I believe that the science is pointing towards the fact that we do not need to debunk Christianity. Instead we need to be self examining and stop worrying about what others believe. <br /><br />-HaroldMr. Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12320111903339921381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-50390582030743755292010-10-02T00:26:41.672-04:002010-10-02T00:26:41.672-04:00Alvin Plantinga should read this, but he's pro...Alvin Plantinga should read this, but he's probably re-fudging the math on his next version of the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism...GearHedEdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288513835630145996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-34110347693429199682010-10-02T00:13:57.094-04:002010-10-02T00:13:57.094-04:00This is probably just a coincidence, but the type ...This is probably just a coincidence, but the type of self-analysis required for the insight to be able to set aside cognitive dissonance and adopt a skeptical attitude isn't really encouraged in the Christian faith.LadyAtheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132821431322748921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-53572736221391754242010-10-01T22:50:58.548-04:002010-10-01T22:50:58.548-04:00"we should all be skeptics and trust the scie..."we should all be skeptics and trust the sciences."<br /><br />And we should definitely NOT be sceptical of that statement.<br />-------<br /><br />I had an atheist say to me once that “Science is the only objective source of truth,” <br /><br />Sounds like you agree.Thesauroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305052511095551483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-11703363374976406692010-10-01T19:41:41.323-04:002010-10-01T19:41:41.323-04:00It's a really good book. And if anyone can wal...It's a really good book. And if anyone can walk away from that book with epistemological certainty still intact then they haven't fully comprehended it. For me it's not become a question of <i>if</i> I'm wrong, but <i>what</i> I'm wrong about.<br /><br />This is a book that everyone should read, because it really shouldn't be so hard to admit fallibility given we are a fallible species!Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12460075520187803334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-85235774527501676572010-10-01T18:03:00.694-04:002010-10-01T18:03:00.694-04:00I'm learning alot about self-deception and sel...I'm learning alot about self-deception and self-delusion in A.A. and I can see how it cuts me off from the light of the Spirit. The book does sound interesting though.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18342042981695750691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-79780809253996378702010-10-01T17:52:43.505-04:002010-10-01T17:52:43.505-04:00The book isn't so much about God, it's mor...The book isn't so much about God, it's more about self deception. Although, you could argue that is the genesis of the God myth. <br /><br />It would be easy to apply those lessons to your faith, but it would be easy to enjoy this book and take a lot away from it without ever really plying the knowledge on your belief in God.Rhacodactylushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060040901450772177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-58936477824840524052010-10-01T17:49:59.256-04:002010-10-01T17:49:59.256-04:00Sounds like an interesting book. I'm not sure ...Sounds like an interesting book. I'm not sure it will change my views though. I trust the sciences but I also beleve in God. My psychiatrist thinks I'm doing just fine in doing so. I know I don't have all the answers today and that I make mistakes. There is only one who is perfect and all-knowing in my book and that one is God.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18342042981695750691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-75893510860895338932010-10-01T17:34:28.560-04:002010-10-01T17:34:28.560-04:00Glad you liked the book, it's definitely one o...Glad you liked the book, it's definitely one of my favorites in this field. <br /><br /><a href="http://untitledvanityproject.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">~Rhaco</a>Rhacodactylushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060040901450772177noreply@blogger.com