RE: Faith is a measure of irrationality
June 30, 2014 at 2:56 am
(This post was last modified: June 30, 2014 at 3:01 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Great points Mason. I'd love to make a contribution with regards to having an idea what sorts of evidence one might be looking for. A christian might tell you that those things are in the bible. But heres my beef.
If I told a christian that there was no god, and that the evidence that there was no god was in locker 34c at my local metro station - and upon arriving at the local metro and opening locker 34c there is a handwritten note (in my pen) stating "there is no god" - what are the odds of that person losing their faith?
So when the believer is told that the sorts of evidence that prove the claim would be a, b, and c - by the bible - haven't they allowed the claimant to pigeonhole their perceptions? To guide them to exactly what the claimant wants them to see? I can't be the only person who sees the potential for mischief here, nor can I be the only person who understands why the contents of locker 34c are suspect - even when we experience them to be true. After all...that note was where I said it would be, wasn't it? Similarly, I don't think that any of these claimed experiences actually had the effect that is being attributed to them. I mean, any believers who want to correct me here - and tell me how convincing and persuasive my note is can just leave some money in 34c - but I'm not expecting to get rich, you know?
(I find that reformulating arguments in favor of god as arguments against god demonstrates to the claimant exactly what;s wrong with their claim. They;re more likely to notice problems with a claim you make, and especially so with a claim against god that you make - so thanks for humoring me in this thread in that regard)
If I told a christian that there was no god, and that the evidence that there was no god was in locker 34c at my local metro station - and upon arriving at the local metro and opening locker 34c there is a handwritten note (in my pen) stating "there is no god" - what are the odds of that person losing their faith?
So when the believer is told that the sorts of evidence that prove the claim would be a, b, and c - by the bible - haven't they allowed the claimant to pigeonhole their perceptions? To guide them to exactly what the claimant wants them to see? I can't be the only person who sees the potential for mischief here, nor can I be the only person who understands why the contents of locker 34c are suspect - even when we experience them to be true. After all...that note was where I said it would be, wasn't it? Similarly, I don't think that any of these claimed experiences actually had the effect that is being attributed to them. I mean, any believers who want to correct me here - and tell me how convincing and persuasive my note is can just leave some money in 34c - but I'm not expecting to get rich, you know?
(I find that reformulating arguments in favor of god as arguments against god demonstrates to the claimant exactly what;s wrong with their claim. They;re more likely to notice problems with a claim you make, and especially so with a claim against god that you make - so thanks for humoring me in this thread in that regard)
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
