RE: Atheists who become Christians
December 25, 2014 at 4:52 am
(This post was last modified: December 25, 2014 at 5:02 am by robvalue.)
Nope: yeah I see what you mean. I guess if someone is utterly convinced they have had a "supernatural" experience, then they are in some way being internally rational in believing it. Like you say, you can't stop yourself believing something you believe. Arational is a good way to describe that. Good point.
But then it can't be considered rational to anyone else, except by taking on confidence that the person has their own reasons. I could never be convinced of the truth of someone's claims merely on their own testimony, if it's something that goes against what I know about reality. I think a lot of people have very low standards of evidence and are easily fooled by their mind. How can I differentiate between all the people making such claims? Like you say, I can't.
But I mean... If you experience something supernatural, then by definition it's not supernatural. By my definition anyway.
Someone asking me to make a special case and "just believe them" is misguided I'm afraid. I'm not trying to tell other people to stop believing things, that would be absurd. But if they are saying I should believe it too, then I need to be convinced.
For example, a Muslim would ask me to believe something contradictory to a Christian. Even two christians would tell me to believe contradictory things. They can't all be right. (But they can all be wrong.)
But then it can't be considered rational to anyone else, except by taking on confidence that the person has their own reasons. I could never be convinced of the truth of someone's claims merely on their own testimony, if it's something that goes against what I know about reality. I think a lot of people have very low standards of evidence and are easily fooled by their mind. How can I differentiate between all the people making such claims? Like you say, I can't.
But I mean... If you experience something supernatural, then by definition it's not supernatural. By my definition anyway.
Someone asking me to make a special case and "just believe them" is misguided I'm afraid. I'm not trying to tell other people to stop believing things, that would be absurd. But if they are saying I should believe it too, then I need to be convinced.
For example, a Muslim would ask me to believe something contradictory to a Christian. Even two christians would tell me to believe contradictory things. They can't all be right. (But they can all be wrong.)
Feel free to send me a private message.
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum