Scientific knowledge versus spiritual knowledge
February 3, 2016 at 10:49 pm
(This post was last modified: February 3, 2016 at 10:50 pm by LadyForCamus.)
(February 3, 2016 at 7:41 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: Please understand that I cannot give you, in just a few posts, a comprehensive summary of everything I think and why I think it. You accused me of being evasive at best, dishonest at worst. You have asked me many questions about me that, to my mind at least, are tangential to the discussion in this thread. My admiration of Swedenborg’s comprehensive exegesis of Genesis, Exodus, and the Apocalypse doesn’t directly affect my thoughts about first principles and fundamental philosophical problems that date back to the pre-Socratics. From your line of questioning about my theological views, I get the sense that you feel my belief in God undermines anything else I may have to say. You may not in actuality be so prejudiced and maybe your questioning represents genuine curiosity. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
I haven't read your post in its entirety yet because it is late, but I think it's important that I clarify on the more personal stuff.
I do NOT feel your belief in God undermines anything else you may have to say. That would be an utterly lazy, dismissive, and closed-minded way to relate to fellow humans. I apologize if I gave you that impression, it was not my intention.
-Most- of the time my questions regarding your theological views are genuine, and I am sincerely curious. I suppose mostly because you don't talk about them very much, which is simply a different approach taken compared to what I've seen from other theists here at AF.
The reason I questioned your honesty in this particular discussion is because earlier in the thread you openly admitted to believing in supernatural phenomena such as visiting heaven and speaking with angels (which is fine), but then later made a point to respond defensively when I suggested you might believe the human mind capable of existing separate from the physical brain.
It came across to me as knee-jerk reaction:
I never said any such nonsense!
This points to a lack of continuity (IMO) with regards to what you believe is possible. I thought perhaps dishonest intentions; as though admitting such a belief wouldn't have suited you in that particular circumstance, but maybe it was a simple lack of comprehension on my part. I just don't think it is fair to hop beliefs based on the subject matter, or based on who is participating in the discussion.
When I asked you point blank what you believe, I meant only whether or not you believe the mind can exist outside the brain. I wanted to know where you draw your personal line in the sand between 'possible,' and 'impossible' so that we could continue on with the discussion. I don't think that it was an unfair question as it related to the topic.
Anyway, I hope this clarifies some things, and I will revisit the rest of your post tomorrow when I have fresh eyes!
Nay_Sayer: “Nothing is impossible if you dream big enough, or in this case, nothing is impossible if you use a barrel of KY Jelly and a miniature horse.”
Wiser words were never spoken.
Wiser words were never spoken.
