I think we may not be understanding one another.
It is a fallacy to accept something is true purely because an expert says so. Even experts are required to produce evidence. I'm not talking about dismissing evidence presented by experts. It's only a fallacy if we must accept their opinion simply on their say-so.
Here's why The Historical Jesus discussions invokes the fallacy:
"What was the real story behind Jesus?"
"You know, all the scholars say Jesus existed."
"Really, what evidence convinces the scholars that Jesus existed?"
"Are you saying all the scholars are wrong?"
"No, I'm just asking what evidence convinces them that Jesus existed."
"Well, all the scholars say Jesus existed."
"So I've heard but what evidence convinces them."
"Look, if all the scholars say Jesus existed, that should be good enough for you."
"Um, well call me curious. Just show me the evidence."
"Did I mention all the scholars say Jesus existed?"
"Yeah, a couple times now. Can I please see the evidence?"
***A dozen exchanges later***
"OK, here's the evidence." (Josephus, Tacitus, The Bible)
"That's it?"
"It's enough for all the scholars."
"That's hardly convincing."
"You know, all the scholars don't agree with you."
I call it the "Scholars Say Shuffle".
It is a fallacy to accept something is true purely because an expert says so. Even experts are required to produce evidence. I'm not talking about dismissing evidence presented by experts. It's only a fallacy if we must accept their opinion simply on their say-so.
Here's why The Historical Jesus discussions invokes the fallacy:
"What was the real story behind Jesus?"
"You know, all the scholars say Jesus existed."
"Really, what evidence convinces the scholars that Jesus existed?"
"Are you saying all the scholars are wrong?"
"No, I'm just asking what evidence convinces them that Jesus existed."
"Well, all the scholars say Jesus existed."
"So I've heard but what evidence convinces them."
"Look, if all the scholars say Jesus existed, that should be good enough for you."
"Um, well call me curious. Just show me the evidence."
"Did I mention all the scholars say Jesus existed?"
"Yeah, a couple times now. Can I please see the evidence?"
***A dozen exchanges later***
"OK, here's the evidence." (Josephus, Tacitus, The Bible)
"That's it?"
"It's enough for all the scholars."
"That's hardly convincing."
"You know, all the scholars don't agree with you."
I call it the "Scholars Say Shuffle".
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
