Philosophy Now Forum

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:37 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 1:38 pm Absolute systems have advantages. They are like containers in which all energies are self-focussed. Opposition is taken as a challenge! “I am absolutely sure I am right” therefore “I am absolutely sure that you are wrong” — this is the core formula he works with.

Some theists might also view their own rigidity/resistance to all opposition as a courageous and holy demonstration of their commitment to their god... in the face of all that might aim to 'tear them down'. For some, it's their own wonderful epic story in which they, themselves, are on a cross for their god as the throngs of sinners yell and throw things at them.

It's such a twisted view to those who consider divine energy to be pulsing through all of life... with the capability of manifesting in so many ways, independent of small human stories that serve a select group.

QED. My impression EXACTLY.

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:35 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 3:17 pm Yes. They didn't use any of the credible methods of textual criticism. They completely departed the entire discipline, and went out on their own speculative limb. And if you read some stuff about textual criticism, you'll find out that's exactly what they were doing.

According to you, Immanuel...

No, according to the facts laid out in the article. Maybe you should read it.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:40 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:37 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:30 pm
...as determined by nothing more than their own liberal prejudices, and using the coloured-bead voting method. See here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdrobe ... s-seminar/

OK. Why did they have those "prejudices"?

Ask them.

Do you not know the answer?

I think the Truth is WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER. We all know the answer INTIMATELY. It's related to the same "prejudice" every single living human being in this world eventually faces. Am I right IC? Since you will not tell me "the answer". Do you feel like I know the answer or do you feel like I do not?

And none of us, NOT A SINGLE ONE of us knows the absolute answer with the kind of certainty that will guide us PERFECTLY.

Do the good die young, IC, because they are being rewarded and those who die old are being forced to dwell longer on the evil they did in life?

Or do the evil die young so that they are pruned from the herd before they do more harm and the wisdom of the old is therefore preserved for the next generation?

Or is there no discernable rhyme or reason to who dies and when? To who profits and how?

And if God is not for all, then who specifically is God for?

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:37 pm Some theists might also view their own rigidity/resistance to all opposition as a courageous and holy demonstration of their commitment to their god... in the face of all that might aim to 'tear them down'. For some, it's their own wonderful epic story in which they, themselves, are on a cross for their god as the throngs of sinners yell and throw things at them.

Or call them “religious nuts” or “fanatics” and other abominable ad hominems!

It's such a twisted view to those who consider divine energy to be pulsing through all of life... with the capability of manifesting in so many ways, independent of small human stories that serve a select group.

We are forced, I think, to stand back and examine all religions as culture-specific phenomena. Because we are not bound up in one specific religious mode we are sort of on the outside looking in. We have lost our capacity to *believe in* absolutism, but not the tendency to be seduced by absolutism.

When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing, they then become capable of believing in anything. — Chesterton

Immanuel Can is, for many of us here, a window (or a sink hole) into an historical absolutism that we cannot recover in ourselves. The desire for an absolute answer is still attractive though, and especially in times of nihilism and psychic-social confusion, the attractions of a “cult belief” that resolves all angst is strong.

Immanuel seems to be “fishing for converts” in depleted waters!

Everyone take a bow. This improv comes to you courtesy of the Philosophy Now performers.

Thanks go to the following performers who played their roles EXCELLENTLY.

Immanuel Can - as Immanuel Can
Alexis Jacobi - as Alexis Jacobi
Lacewing - as Lacewing
All forum participants - as forum participants

And a minor thanks go to:
Gary Childress - as Philosopher in distress

QED for now

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:08 pm We are forced, I think, to stand back and examine all religions as culture-specific phenomena. Because we are not bound up in one specific religious mode we are sort of on the outside looking in. We have lost our capacity to *believe in* absolutism, but not the tendency to be seduced by absolutism.

Well said.

Absolutism gives people the feeling that they 'know', which feels like a form of control amidst all that is uncontrolled and uncontrollable.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:42 pm No, according to the facts laid out in the article. Maybe you should read it.

You intolerably insipid and fanatic moron!

You are incapable of discerning “truth” from “falsehood” given those commitments I define as fanatical Biblical literalism! So you have no standing in this conversation except as a fanatic religionist.

You have been and continue to be “a gift that keeps on giving”!

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:20 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 4:42 pm No, according to the facts laid out in the article. Maybe you should read it.

You intolerably insipid and fanatic moron!

You are incapable of discerning “truth” from “falsehood” given those commitments I define as fanatical Biblical literalism! So you have no standing in this conversation except as a fanatic religionist.

You have been and continue to be “a gift that keeps on giving”!

Wait, there's an epilogue!!

Alexis Jacobi, you dastardly villain! How dare you say such a thing so such a pious man as IC? I Gary Childress (aka super foolosipher) come to IC's rescue ready to do hand-to-hand patty cake.

---------------------------------------------------------------

[Curtin descends]

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:08 pm Everyone take a bow. This improv comes to you courtesy of the Philosophy Now performers.

Thanks go to the following performers who played their roles EXCELLENTLY.

I am honored to receive this recognition, and I'd like to acknowledge the entire forum through which I could not have played my part in coordination with all the other players.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to bring attention to the plight of non-theists who continue to endure the harsh conditions of theism that over-reaches into every facet of society, including politics, education, and modern culture.

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:29 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:08 pm Everyone take a bow. This improv comes to you courtesy of the Philosophy Now performers.

Thanks go to the following performers who played their roles EXCELLENTLY.

I am honored to receive this recognition, and I'd like to acknowledge the entire forum through which I could not have played my part in coordination with all the other players.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to bring attention to the plight of non-theists who continue to endure the harsh conditions of theism that over-reaches into every facet of society, including politics, education, and modern culture.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 7:12 pm Well, I think you can see pretty easily that that's wrong. Firstly, the site you provided is nicely debunked by the one I sent.

No matter what scientific theory, the main thing is scientific, scientific approach, those religious Christians are not hindered by a scientific view of the Bible from considering it holy.


*** that Israel is then nothing special among peoples of the world,***

I like, in this regard, the motto of Gary Childress, "I'm looking for truth. I'm not playing a game of one-upmanship".

The peculiarity of Israel that deserves attention can only be in this, in a more true worldview.

Janoah wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2023 5:55 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 7:12 pm Well, I think you can see pretty easily that that's wrong. Firstly, the site you provided is nicely debunked by the one I sent.

No matter what scientific theory, the main thing is scientific, scientific approach, those religious Christians are not hindered by a scientific view of the Bible from considering it holy.


*** that Israel is then nothing special among peoples of the world,***

I like, in this regard, the motto of Gary Childress, "I'm looking for truth. I'm not playing a game of one-upmanship".

The peculiarity of Israel that deserves attention can only be in this, in a more true worldview.

I wish you the best in your quest
For life and for love
In a world untamed
Except for the yokes and reins
Of ideals imposed
Upon inanimate lumps
of matter
By those
who want a better world for all