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God is in the neurons

  • 03-12-2011 9:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭


    This is fascinating. Basically it explains the scientific neurological reason for why hardcore religious people are impossible to argue with and why it's impossible to get them to think rational and logical.

    "If their opinions are challenged, their brains emit the same chemicals that are emitted when humans are in dangerous situations and are trying to survive. The more primitive part of the brain kicks in and interferes with rational thinking, and the limbic system can knock out most of their working memory, physically causing "narrow-mindedness""



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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Deus Ex Neurotica?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    This is fascinating. Basically it explains the scientific neurological reason for why hardcore religious people are impossible to argue with and why it's impossible to get them to think rational and logical.

    The video can be dismissed out of hand since your remarks enscapsulate it's position.

    1) You can argue with religious people. Happens on boards all the time

    2) There is nothing irrational or illogical about the Christian position. Don't confuse a person believing water can be turned into wine with a person thinking irrationality.

    What you might have meant was that it's impossible to get them to think only materialistically and naturalistically. But since those ideas are philosophical constructs (and are belief based, much like religion) all you're really saying is that religious people aren't prepared to believe in your particular god.

    Since you won't believe in theirs, you're hardly in a position to complain.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    The video can be dismissed out of hand since your remarks enscapsulate it's position.

    1) You can argue with religious people. Happens on boards all the time

    I think he meant in a structured reasonable fashion. You can argue with a insane homeless person about the people trying to steal his thoughts, but you aren't going to get very far.
    2) There is nothing irrational or illogical about the Christian position. Don't confuse a person believing water can be turned into wine with a person thinking irrationality.

    There are tons of things irrational and illogical about the Chrsitian position. Christians though have a hard time accepting this when it is put to them (possibly for reasons explained in this video).

    Ah but Zombrex, isn't that just my atheist biased opinion, isn't it I how simply cannot accept when a Christian tells me the rational reasons.

    Well a little test I like to perform is whether or not the rational reasons given for Christianity would also force believe in any other religion if equally applied to that religion.

    All reasons I've encountered so far would, yet Christians don't accept these other religions (in fact if you want a chuckle go read Newsite's argument that Scientology is clearly nonsense and can we all stop please comparing Christianity to it).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 588 ✭✭✭MisterEpicurus


    The video can be dismissed out of hand since your remarks enscapsulate it's position.

    This is the exact response which the video is trying to explain. Thanks for immediately demonstrating why the nature of this video was required;

    "If their opinions are challenged, their brains emit the same chemicals that are emitted when humans are in dangerous situations and are trying to survive. The more primitive part of the brain kicks in and intervenes with rational thinking, and the limbic system can knock out most of their working memory, physically causing "narrow-mindedness""

    ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Zombrex wrote: »
    There are tons of things irrational and illogical about the Chrsitian position.

    What would figure as number 1 on your list?

    Ah but Zombrex, isn't that just my atheist biased opinion, isn't it I how simply cannot accept when a Christian tells me the rational reasons.

    Well a little test I like to perform is whether or not the rational reasons given for Christianity would also force believe in any other religion if equally applied to that religion.


    Such as?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 820 ✭✭✭Newsite


    Zombrex wrote: »
    I think he meant in a structured reasonable fashion. You can argue with a insane homeless person about the people trying to steal his thoughts, but you aren't going to get very far.



    There are tons of things irrational and illogical about the Chrsitian position. Christians though have a hard time accepting this when it is put to them (possibly for reasons explained in this video).

    Ah but Zombrex, isn't that just my atheist biased opinion, isn't it I how simply cannot accept when a Christian tells me the rational reasons.

    Well a little test I like to perform is whether or not the rational reasons given for Christianity would also force believe in any other religion if equally applied to that religion.

    All reasons I've encountered so far would, yet Christians don't accept these other religions (in fact if you want a chuckle go read Newsite's argument that Scientology is clearly nonsense and can we all stop please comparing Christianity to it).

    Still flogging the clearly laughable Scientology argument I see :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    This is the exact response which the video is trying to explain. Thanks for immediately demonstrating why the nature of this video was required;

    "If their opinions are challenged, their brains emit the same chemicals that are emitted when humans are in dangerous situations and are trying to survive. The more primitive part of the brain kicks in and intervenes with rational thinking, and the limbic system can knock out most of their working memory, physically causing "narrow-mindedness""

    ;)

    Perhaps the OP could explain then how the intervention that produces rational thinking also makes it impossible to get them to think rationally. That doesn't sound all that rational tbh.

    :)

    OP wrote:
    are impossible to argue with and why it's impossible to get them to think rational and logical.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭FootShooter


    The video can be dismissed out of hand since your remarks enscapsulate it's position.

    1) You can argue with religious people. Happens on boards all the time

    2) There is nothing irrational or illogical about the Christian position. Don't confuse a person believing water can be turned into wine with a person thinking irrationality.

    What you might have meant was that it's impossible to get them to think only materialistically and naturalistically. But since those ideas are philosophical constructs (and are belief based, much like religion) all you're really saying is that religious people aren't prepared to believe in your particular god.

    Since you won't believe in theirs, you're hardly in a position to complain.

    Did you even bother watching it? I quoted like one frame of the film, and you dismiss the whole movie. And what is it that can be dismissed about the movie? It's validity? Are you saying you can prove that these neuroscientists are wrong?

    1) Of course you can argue with them, but you won't get anywhere. You can throw every argument that exists against there being a God or what not. They will simply go into a defensive fetal position and come up with a non-logical irrational counter response/argument.

    2) Everything about Christianity and religion is all about being as non-logical and irrational as possible. Faith is defined as believing without any proof at all, irrational. Believing water can be turned in to wine because you read in it some book that's over 2000 years old, irrational.

    My particular God? I don't believe there is any God at all, nor hell or heaven or any of the stuff that's in the bible. Why do you think I posted this in the atheism forum? Again you are thinking irrational and not being logical. Try to ignore those chemicals that were emitted when you read my post, and you'll see things a bit more clear.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,092 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    @antiskeptic,

    Explain for a moment (since you mentioned it above), how believing water is turned into wine, is logical, or rational?

    Or is this metaphorical?

    I always get confused.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭FootShooter


    Perhaps the OP could explain then how the intervention that produces rational thinking also makes it impossible to get them to think rationally. That doesn't sound all that rational tbh.

    :)

    It's supposed to be interferes with rational thinking. I misquoted the thing, fixed it now. So I take it you didn't watch the film then.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,260 ✭✭✭Sonics2k


    Such as?

    I'd say Jonah living inside a whale for 3 days is a pretty big one.

    Surely no adult can actually believe that happened?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,092 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    Or the whole loaves and fishes thing...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,260 ✭✭✭Sonics2k


    Or the coming back from the dead bit.

    Or in the case of Mormons, coming back from the dead, ending up in North America and meeting the Lost Jewish Tribe.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    CiaranMT wrote: »
    @antiskeptic,

    Explain for a moment (since you mentioned it above), how believing water is turned into wine, is logical, or rational?

    Or is this metaphorical?

    I always get confused.

    The Christian position is held irrational and illogical (water into wine being an example of that). I'd prefer that you enlighten me regarding the illogicality of this occuring. Or the irrationality of believing it occurring.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭Mark200


    Or Joseph being satisfied with his pregnant wife's insistence that she is still a virgin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    It's supposed to be interferes with rational thinking. I misquoted the thing, fixed it now. So I take it you didn't watch the film then.

    Why would I - since you summed up it's conclusions. I'm more interested in whether people can support their own position than watching youtube videos they happen to post up. There's so much tripe on the internet afterall.

    Christianity. Illogical / irrational. You were saying..


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The Christian position is held irrational and illogical (water into wine being an example of that). I'd prefer that you enlighten me regarding the illogicality of this occuring. Or the irrationality of believing it occurring.

    What specific, verifiable, testable evidence do you have that water can be turned into wine (or any other similar magical event in the bible)?

    If you do not have any of the above or cannot point to it, then the position that the water turned into wine is not based on evidence or observation, and is not rational.

    Why exactly do you believe believe that this actually occurred?
    If you answer is because you simply believe what is written in the bible regardless of what you can actually verify yourself, then this is faith.
    Faith is belief without reasoning or evidence and often in spite of it, hence it is not logical.

    This applies not only to the minor magical events, but to the core required beliefs you need to hold to be a Christian.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭FootShooter


    Why would I - since you summed up it's conclusions. I'm more interested in whether people can support their own position than watching youtube videos they happen to post up. There's so much tripe on the internet afterall.

    Maybe because I didn't sum up it's conclusions? I summarized the 4-5 first minutes of it maybe. Skip to 22 minutes in and you'll get a nice summary of what the film is all about.

    And yeah, neuroscience is tripe....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    I'm sure it applies to any 'locked in ' belief, be it political , religious , footie, etc.

    I'm sure it had its use (two blue rocks clashed together make fire) then when things start getting a bit more complex (the last 100 year or so), well...


    still, wonder will they find a drug to 'cure' it? :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    Mark200 wrote: »
    Or Joseph being satisfied with his pregnant wife's insistence that she is still a virgin.
    yeah. Joeseph talked big 'round the campfire, but i'm told he cried himself to sleep...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    heh heh. Brilliant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    And yeah, neuroscience is tripe....

    Neuroscience is science. And not all of us genuflect before it's altar like atheists are wont.

    Don't get me wrong, I value Dispirin like the next man but..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    JimiTime wrote: »
    heh heh. Brilliant.
    thank you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    ArtSmart wrote: »
    thank you.

    I meant the OP, but your post was very good too
    *rubs artsmarts head condescendingly*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    JimiTime wrote: »
    I meant the OP, but your post was very good too
    *rubs artsmarts head condescendingly*
    I likes a good rub now and then I does.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    King Mob wrote: »
    What specific, verifiable, testable evidence do you have that water can be turned into wine (or any other similar magical event in the bible)?

    If you do not have any of the above or cannot point to it, then the position that the water turned into wine is not based on evidence or observation, and is not rational.

    Could you provide evidence for that position?


    Why exactly do you believe believe that this actually occurred?
    If you answer is because you simply believe what is written in the bible regardless of what you can actually verify yourself, then this is faith.
    Faith is belief without reasoning or evidence and often in spite of it, hence it is not logical.

    The bible has a slightly different definition of faith than yours. It says that faith is something undergirded by evidence and that the evidence is spiritually discerned. Alot of that evidence is contained in the Bible (which describes a world which, somewhat remarkably, operates precisely according to the model posed by the Bible - even thousands of years after it was written) but isn't discerned by someone like yourself (you would be what the bible calls "spiritually blind")

    The question then isn't so much about whether I'm dealing with the evidence in a rational way but how it is I can show you it so that you can evaluate my assessment.

    Is the problem that I'm deluded? Or is it that you're blind? Until we can answer that question then it's a bit premature of you to go flinging mud around.


    :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,092 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    So the water into wine bit.. Still looking for an explanation into how a belief of its possibility is rational.

    Also, watch the video, it's actually quite fascinating. Obviously, a poster like yourself will take issue with findings presented therein, but they're not actually the main bit of the video, for me anyway, but then I am a Psychology student :o


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Could you provide evidence for that position?
    What position?
    That if you don't have any evidence then a position cannot be based on any evidence?

    I would have thought that was self explanatory.
    The bible has a slightly different definition of faith than yours. It says that faith is something undergirded by evidence and that the evidence is spiritually discerned. Alot of that evidence is contained in the Bible (which describes a world which, somewhat remarkably, operates precisely according to the model posed by the Bible - even thousands of years after it was written) but isn't discerned by someone like yourself (you would be what the bible calls "spiritually blind")

    The question then isn't so much about whether I'm dealing with the evidence in a rational way but how it is I can show you it so that you can evaluate my assessment.
    Ah sorry my bad I was using the actual definition of the words, not double speak bible ones.
    If evidence cannot be verified independently, it's useless and indistinguishable for fiction and delusion.

    I was referring to actual evidence, which you clearly have none, hence why you have to invent a special kind of evidence that I can only see if I accept as true without and before verification.
    This is not rational or logical.
    Is the problem that I'm deluded? Or is it that you're blind? Until we can answer that question then it's a bit premature of you to go flinging mud around.

    :)
    Well the thing is, there a lot more religions out there which you'd agree that are based on scams and delusions.
    I see no reason to distinguish your flavour from theirs.
    So do you have any particular way of knowing that these ones are all wrong while your are right, without first needing to accept that premise beforehand?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    CiaranMT wrote: »
    So the water into wine bit.. Still looking for an explanation into how a belief of its possibility is rational.
    dude, you never being to a wine bar in Cavan?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,943 ✭✭✭wonderfulname


    Could you provide evidence for that position?

    Water - H2O

    Fermentation as seen in wine - C6H12O6 _ 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO

    Other "evidence" includes the fact that water is not grape juice and fermentation cannot happen instantaneously, and of course that magic doesn't exist.

    It is not remotely possible, I can't believe adults believe this crap, or that I just answered that.

    By the way this is a wonderfully ironic thread...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,092 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    ArtSmart wrote: »
    dude, you never being to a wine bar in Cavan?

    I hope I never have to cross into that place...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    CiaranMT wrote: »
    I hope I never have to cross into that place...
    tsk. a bag of colourful beads, and you'll be grand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,092 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    ArtSmart wrote: »
    tsk. a bag of colourful beads, and you'll be grand.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    King Mob wrote: »
    What position?

    The position that if you haven't evidence of the kind you limit things to then the postion held is irrational. In other words - provide evidence of the kind you limit things to in order to support your own position. Else it's not rational (according to you)

    Ah sorry my bad I was using the actual definition of the words, not double speak bible ones.

    Hmm. A biblical word defined in the bible will clearly trump any definition of a biblical word defined elsewhere. I'm not interested in non-biblical faith.


    If evidence cannot be verified independently, it's useless and indistinguishable for fiction and delusion.

    Do you assume people around you are a fiction or a delusion. You cannot verify their existance independently of yourself.


    I was referring to actual evidence, which you clearly have none, hence why you have to invent a special kind of evidence that I can only see if I accept as true without and before verification.
    This is not rational or logical.

    See my remarks on the limitations of 'verification' above. Ultimately, you are the arbitrartor as to what you decide is evidence or not. All other attempts to point to what others say is bootstrap-ism.

    Well the thing is, there a lot more religions out there which you'd agree that are based on scams and delusions.
    I see no reason to distinguish your flavour from theirs.
    So do you have any particular way of knowing that these ones are all wrong while your are right, without first needing to accept that premise beforehand?

    The question was your blindness vs. my delusioin. And how you establish your position over mine. Could you answer me that question rather than pose the same at me?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Water - H2O

    Fermentation as seen in wine - C6H12O6 _ 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO

    Other "evidence" includes the fact that water is not grape juice and fermentation cannot happen instantaneously, and of course that magic doesn't exist.

    It is not remotely possible, I can't believe adults believe this crap, or that I just answered that.

    By the way this is a wonderfully ironic thread...

    That wasn't the position for which evidence was asked.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 383 ✭✭HUNK


    Very interesting, thanks for posting this.


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The question was your blindness vs. my delusioin. And how you establish your position over mine. Could you answer me that question rather than pose the same at me?
    So you're avoiding the question by asking another question that you already know the answer to.
    There's little point in debating with you if you're going to refuse to tackle my point and resort to silly childish arguments.

    I establish my position over yours because assuming the null hypothesis in the absence of evidence and reason is the default logical position, just as you hold for the existence and claims of other extraordinary things.

    So again how do you distinguish your claims over the claims of other religions that you believe are false?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    Newsite wrote: »
    Still flogging the clearly laughable Scientology argument I see :)

    Explain to me why it is a laughable argument? Because it is "clearly made up"? Right? Unlike a story with men turning water to wine and raising the dead? ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    What would figure as number 1 on your list?

    Belief that the Bible is accurate.
    Such as?

    Well since we started it, belief that the Bible is accurate because the people who wrote it believed these things happened.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    Don't confuse a person believing water can be turned into wine with a person thinking irrationality.

    lol

    Ok admiral, whatever you say, full sail ahead to magic-land.



    Video is alright I suppose, they need a hell of a lot more references in there, and their understanding of evolution seems a little flawed. They also seem to make quite a few assumptions, and don't really make it clear when they're drawing their own conclusions and when they're citing something that's been proven.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 820 ✭✭✭Newsite


    Zombrex wrote: »
    Explain to me why it is a laughable argument? Because it is "clearly made up"? Right? Unlike a story with men turning water to wine and raising the dead? ;)

    Yes, the former which is clearly made-up and cannot be proven by circumstantial evidence or otherwise. The latter, something which was observed by dozens if not hundreds of people and recorded in books which were written by eyewitnesses and those who knew the eyewitnesses first hand.

    Clearly a huge difference that even a five year old would admit to and comprehend. But you'll never acknowledge that, even though you comprehend it - so don't worry - I understand ;)


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 25,872 Mod ✭✭✭✭Doctor DooM


    Newsite wrote: »
    Yes, the former which is clearly made-up and cannot be proven by circumstantial evidence or otherwise. The latter, something which was observed by dozens if not hundreds of people and recorded in books which were written by eyewitnesses and those who knew the eyewitnesses first hand.

    Clearly a huge difference that even a five year old would admit to and comprehend. But you'll never acknowledge that, even though you comprehend it - so don't worry - I understand ;)

    Genuine interest- is it recorded in any book other than the bible?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Zombrex wrote: »
    Belief that the Bible is accurate.

    Could you be a bit more specific? Accurate in what way?


    Well since we started it, belief that the Bible is accurate because the people who wrote it believed these things happened.

    That's not why I believe it's accurate (in the sense I believe it accurate). At least, I wouldn't stand on that point alone. There are a raft of reasons I believe the Bible is the revealed word of God and it's both. A like a raft, those reasons are interlinked to form a coherent structure. A structure which for me, floats.

    It's rational thinking which allows me to observe the fact of structure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    King Mob wrote: »
    So you're avoiding the question by asking another question that you already know the answer to.

    It goes like this:

    1) I've countered your definition of faith with the bibles definition of faith. I await good reason why the bibles definition of biblical faith should bow to your secular dictionaries definition of faith in general.

    2) Since biblical faith derives from tangible evidence - precisely the kind of evidence you say rational thinking requires - biblical faith is rational. The only fly in the ointment is that you can't detect this evidence in order to declare it tangible. I can.

    3) The obvious question is: is antiskeptic mistaken or deluded. Or is King Mob blind. Until we have a definitive answer to that question we enter stalemate.


    I establish my position over yours because assuming the null hypothesis in the absence of evidence and reason is the default logical position, just as you hold for the existence and claims of other extraordinary things.


    This sounds rather fancy. Perhaps you could tease it out? Without leaping to convenient conclusions using equally convenient assumptions?

    So again how do you distinguish your claims over the claims of other religions that you believe are false?

    Let's get past the constipation in your own position first. Shall we?


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    It goes like this:

    1) I've countered your definition of faith with the bibles definition of faith. I await good reason why the bibles definition of biblical faith should bow to your secular dictionaries definition of faith in general.

    2) Since biblical faith derives from tangible evidence - precisely the kind of evidence you say rational thinking requires - biblical faith is rational. The only fly in the ointment is that you can't detect this evidence in order to declare it tangible. I can.

    3) The obvious question is: is antiskeptic mistaken or deluded. Or is King Mob blind. Until we have a definitive answer to that question we enter stalemate.
    I see little point it actually addressing these points as you are unable to actually address mine. Typing out responses to this would simply be a waste of time as you simply will not respond to what I write.

    Also as a side point, you cannot be talking about the kind of evidence that ration thinking requires since that type of evidence is not dependant on what anyone believes as I said. If only you can detect it, it's not verifiable evidence.
    This sounds rather fancy. Perhaps you could tease it out? Without leaping to convenient conclusions using equally convenient assumptions?
    You see I've out lined it perfectly well, you're simply trying to ignore what I wrote to avoid answering my question.

    Assuming the null hypothesis in the absence of evidence is the default logical position.
    You, assuming that you are at least rational in topics other than God, also assume this position for other fantastical claims.
    For instance, explain exactly why you do not believe in:
    Fairies
    Magical Unicorns
    Psychic powers
    Mohammad's claim to be a prophet
    Joseph Smith's claim to be a prophet
    Anything written by L Ron Hubbard.
    Let's get past the constipation in your own position first. Shall we?
    Yea, and I've answered your question, this is the third time asking mine.
    If you can't answer it, just say so.


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Newsite wrote: »
    Yes, the former which is clearly made-up and cannot be proven by circumstantial evidence or otherwise. The latter, something which was observed by dozens if not hundreds of people and recorded in books which were written by eyewitnesses and those who knew the eyewitnesses first hand.

    Clearly a huge difference that even a five year old would admit to and comprehend. But you'll never acknowledge that, even though you comprehend it - so don't worry - I understand ;)

    But there's thousands (maybe millions) of people who've met or seen L Ron Hubbard and there's millions more who would know these people personally.
    And better yet we have actual clear records of these people and of L Ron's life, actually written at the time, not decades later.

    So if anything, but your silly standards, Scientology is more valid than Christianity.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭Fbjm


    The position that if you haven't evidence of the kind you limit things to then the postion held is irrational. In other words - provide evidence of the kind you limit things to in order to support your own position. Else it's not rational (according to you)




    Hmm. A biblical word defined in the bible will clearly trump any definition of a biblical word defined elsewhere. I'm not interested in non-biblical faith.





    Do you assume people around you are a fiction or a delusion. You cannot verify their existance independently of yourself.





    See my remarks on the limitations of 'verification' above. Ultimately, you are the arbitrartor as to what you decide is evidence or not. All other attempts to point to what others say is bootstrap-ism.




    The question was your blindness vs. my delusioin. And how you establish your position over mine. Could you answer me that question rather than pose the same at me?

    Faith isn't a biblical word, it's an english one that is in every dictionary. What do dictionaries do? They define words. You're not interested in non-biblical definitions? So if a definition isn't in the bible you pay no heed? And you're trying to convince us that you're not close-minded?

    The people around me aren't fiction or delusion, I know this because I interact with them on a daily basis and everyone treats this as normal. Also, I can see them and they can see me. They can be presented as evidence. They think, therefore they are.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭Fbjm


    Newsite wrote: »
    Yes, the former which is clearly made-up and cannot be proven by circumstantial evidence or otherwise. The latter, something which was observed by dozens if not hundreds of people and recorded in books which were written by eyewitnesses and those who knew the eyewitnesses first hand.

    Clearly a huge difference that even a five year old would admit to and comprehend. But you'll never acknowledge that, even though you comprehend it - so don't worry - I understand ;)

    How do you know it was observed by dozens if not hundreds of people? How do you know those books (if there is more than one) weren't compiled and added to over centuries by priests and non-priests who had heard sermons from others?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Fbjm wrote: »
    Faith isn't a biblical word, it's an english one that is in every dictionary. What do dictionaries do? They define words. You're not interested in non-biblical definitions? So if a definition isn't in the bible you pay no heed? And you're trying to convince us that you're not close-minded?

    Where the biblical understanding of a word differs from a generic dictionary one I take the biblical one.


    The people around me aren't fiction or delusion, I know this because I interact with them on a daily basis

    Don't the deluded say they do the same thing?

    and everyone treats this as normal.

    Whoa! You need first establish they actually exist before considering what they say. I mean, the product of a deluded mind agreeing with the deluded mind isn't exactly a surprising outcome.

    Also, I can see them and they can see me.

    So far so like the deluded.

    They can be presented as evidence. They think, therefore they are.

    Presented in evidence to who? To yourself? To other potential products of a potentially deluded mind?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,737 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    Where the biblical understanding of a word differs from a generic dictionary one I take the biblical one.
    For all words or just some? Do you take the biblical definition of 'know', 'servant' and 'lie'?


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