(June 18, 2013 at 10:22 pm)Zarith Wrote:(June 18, 2013 at 9:51 pm)BettyG Wrote: If you believe that empirical verifiability is the only way to know truth, why are you using logic to convince me that I am wrong? Ergo, you apparently do not totally hold empirical verifiability as an axiom. This whole thread is a logical debate, not a scientific experiment.Supposing that the possibility of miracles cannot be ruled out, can you give good reasons for believing that they do in fact occur, and that the particular miracles you believe to have happened, did happen? The OP seems to make a hash out of special relativity and quantum mechanics in attempting to make a point that science cannot rule out this possibility, but why should anyone believe that any particular miraculous explanation merits belief?
I love science. I work in medical research. I read lab experiments all day long. I just know its limits. The scientific method has to be logical and reasonable or the experiments won't prove anything other than the design of the experiment was wrong.
I haven't gotten around to discussing reasons why Christianity is logical. I am trying to stick to the topic.
I am also a skeptic that assumes that events have natural causes unless proven otherwise. When studying a miracle, I also rule out the possibility of fraud or lunacy. C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity, said that Jesus is either a liar, lunatic or Lord. He demonstrated why the Lord option was the most reasonable. He used to be an atheist until the evidence demonstrated otherwise. (I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt). You cannot assume Jesus was a liar or lunatic unless you examine the evidence.
One cannot be skeptical of everything. In addition to evidence and logic, you have to trust those who have the proper authority. If that were not true, then there would be not point in going to school or reading books. You seem to trust David Hume like a god. Can you see the flaws in his logic?
The consequences of sin are both here and hereafter. I have that insight on experience and good authority. If you were open to why Jesus is a good authority, I would explain it. However, I sense it would be wasted effort. So I'd like to continue discussing how we can know what is true. I believe it is through science, evidence, AND logic.
You'll have to investigate them yourself because you will shoot down any evidence I present. Check out The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict., pages 358-361, 661-671. It is too much to type in a forum like this. If you refuse to read the evidence, I must conclude that you are just playing games with me.