“If something defies belief, a good starting position is not to believe it.”
Jamie Whyte
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Still way too busy at the moment to spend much time here – just looked over posts of the last few days and holy s*** did I miss some good stuff! For now I’d like to offer this:
Whenever we teach our children that groundless faith is a virtue, we pave the way for groundless violence. – Carrie Poppy
Ms. (?) Poppy is a good writer and challenging atheist thinker. Those of you – including you theists – who haven’t heard of her ought to look her up.
Skepticism should be taught to our children first. Along with a healthy curiosity, they’ll be headed down the right path.
We should go so far as to caution our children to question even what we ourselves are teaching them.
This I believe is the beginning of the best type of education. One where they and/or we: 1. Hear something. 2. Question it. 3. Following up by answering these questions with many and opposing sources.
Answering these questions is important. Although skepticism is a great line of defense from believing the first thing you hear or read, it is not a good place to remain-not knowing.
I think it is the best way to acquire an excellent education and well formulated opinions. Having done your own homework, you’re more able to stand your ground during debate; and you’ll have no need to quote dogma, anything or anybody just because you ‘heard it.’
The default position is non-belief – we were all born atheists and almost completely ignorant of the world around us. Everything we learn up to a certain point in life comes as the result of trial and error – basic scientific experimentation.
I like your post, Tony. Skepticism is a very challenging mental habit to cultivate. I’m not talking about the low hanging fruit of religious piffle. It’s exceedingly easy to disbelieve such obvious untruth. Indeed, you can dismiss it out of hand since anything that might come along that would be compelling would be obvious and you couldn’t ignore it. What I’m talking about is trying to maintain ones impartiality in every day matters like, say, politics or educational policies. It takes courage and discipline to listen to an argument and decide to abandon a position.
It seems to me that religiosity makes it difficult for one to do this because practitioners are taught early that there are realms where proof or lack of proof aren’t a reason to change a position. Maybe it’s for this reason that religious conservatives level the charge of “Unprincipled!” at the non-religious (or even less-religious). To them, our flexibility must appear to be flaccid weakness compared to the chest thumping certainty they think they possess.
“Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
-Thomas Jefferson
@CapnZ
Love both Jefferson’s quote and yours: “It takes courage and discipline to listen to an argument and decide to abandon a position.”
I had the pleasure of a Michael Shermer lecture about a week ago at UW Madison. For more on Skepticism and ?’s to ask yourself about everything you hear, check Shermer’s Baloney Detection Kit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUB4j0n2UDU
That is a very good video. I came away with a conclusion that the video’s content explains why solomon has gone so crazy after doing so many lines on this site. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Ms. Carrie Poppy are just the same as the rest of the Atheists, touting away their children from the ultimate truth.They wasted their lives only to be in gods hatred.What a misery of fate they’re in. And finally they will be chased to the Dungeons of HELL!!!
The ten questions arrives to nothing.Insignificant method.And the conclusion allways the question “Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?”It has been proven science will not always provide the ultimate answer.
A case of the blind showing the blind stuffs.
Yw, and Ty John. Our impact will be greater because we choose to share knowledge.
Dear Solomon,
First, I’m impressed you took the time to watch the video.
I do believe that Science cannot answer all, the video did not make that claim though, nor do I think anyone on this site would.
Can you tell me you’ve never tried asking and answering some of those questions to a claim made to you by another?
You have got to somehow discriminate between the things you might allow to take anchor within your mind.
You must think sometimes. I know you do. You can’t dismiss all because you don’t agree with point #7.
Open up just a little.
Maybe it’s for this reason that religious conservatives level the charge of “Unprincipled!” at the non-religious (or even less-religious).
Both the religious and conservative tend to have “authoritarian” mindsets. By which I mean they are either actually authoritarian or passively accept authority. It maybe one of the reasons religion and conservatism are so closely aligned. Passive authoritarians will be quick to defend their ingroup and the ingroup’s beliefs in the face of contrary evidence and will rarely question their leaders.
Now this is a great quote. Short, simple, logical and completely accurate. If fact it makes so much sense, that I doubt its possible to successfully argue against it.
Dear Tony Provenzano, I don’t know how you could be deceived by something foolish like that.Wonder for a while.How can life with its complex & multiple processes sets on its own without something plan or governing it.There must be a powerful & intelligent being behind it.Just wonder at this.You don’t have to complicate matters & get yourself confused.
No, CaptainZero1969: those diseases are just tests to prove how much we love him and he loves us. Upchuck, upchuck… puke… puke… There I go; I made myself puken sick…
I guess now I have to go pray (wish for bogyman gifts) and bounce my head five times a day.
I am curious Solomon, how will you react when science does indisputably show that life can come from nature rather than some god? No doubt you will find another excuse, but just what will that excuse be? Perhaps you had better plan ahead and start thinking now.
“I am curious Solomon, how will you react when science does indisputably show that life can come from nature rather than some god? No doubt you will find another excuse, but just what will that excuse be? Perhaps you had better plan ahead and start thinking now.”
Whoaa hOLysoke I don’t know how you could be foolby someting like that.Wonder for a while how cow give milk to masses for Jeusus .You wonder can life with complex & multiple orgasms go into its own thought so you knowbecause all powerfullgod tell usso since the you GO TO HELLFIRES for disbelive out something plan or governing it, otherwise you know here must be a powerful & intelligent being behind it.I wonderful at this.You don’t have to get yourself confused. See Qu-oram 23:32
You all are just running away from truth.You all are equivalent to a big Liar thats it.The Fuck life can automatically goes on without carefull planning & thoughts.Where does life comes from?Who provides the power?I don’t even have to open the site you provide me Holysmoke.As will be expected it will only contain make up science with lousy reasoning.
You know damn right .Big all time liaes that atheist are
. Tthough care and automatic response come to those who parrot the Qu-ron Whatis life? Where lif is eyes and complex make gibberish. .That’s all.
You just want to screw up my life with reasons and facts. You will burn, baby, hell and sulfer for you atheist.
The ten questions arrives to insignificant method.Allways the confusion behind question was the doormat ruling by playing science? .Prove nothing if not holy book without burn for unbeliever provide the ultimate answer.
A case of the deaf saying the guy who cant heer stuffs. Repent befor you go ups in smoker ka-ka-ka!
March 9th, 2010 at 1:42
Still way too busy at the moment to spend much time here – just looked over posts of the last few days and holy s*** did I miss some good stuff! For now I’d like to offer this:
Whenever we teach our children that groundless faith is a virtue, we pave the way for groundless violence. – Carrie Poppy
Ms. (?) Poppy is a good writer and challenging atheist thinker. Those of you – including you theists – who haven’t heard of her ought to look her up.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:54
Of course.
Skepticism should be taught to our children first. Along with a healthy curiosity, they’ll be headed down the right path.
We should go so far as to caution our children to question even what we ourselves are teaching them.
This I believe is the beginning of the best type of education. One where they and/or we: 1. Hear something. 2. Question it. 3. Following up by answering these questions with many and opposing sources.
Answering these questions is important. Although skepticism is a great line of defense from believing the first thing you hear or read, it is not a good place to remain-not knowing.
I think it is the best way to acquire an excellent education and well formulated opinions. Having done your own homework, you’re more able to stand your ground during debate; and you’ll have no need to quote dogma, anything or anybody just because you ‘heard it.’
March 9th, 2010 at 3:07
I like this AQOTD. Simple and to the point.
The default position is non-belief – we were all born atheists and almost completely ignorant of the world around us. Everything we learn up to a certain point in life comes as the result of trial and error – basic scientific experimentation.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:26
I like your post, Tony. Skepticism is a very challenging mental habit to cultivate. I’m not talking about the low hanging fruit of religious piffle. It’s exceedingly easy to disbelieve such obvious untruth. Indeed, you can dismiss it out of hand since anything that might come along that would be compelling would be obvious and you couldn’t ignore it. What I’m talking about is trying to maintain ones impartiality in every day matters like, say, politics or educational policies. It takes courage and discipline to listen to an argument and decide to abandon a position.
It seems to me that religiosity makes it difficult for one to do this because practitioners are taught early that there are realms where proof or lack of proof aren’t a reason to change a position. Maybe it’s for this reason that religious conservatives level the charge of “Unprincipled!” at the non-religious (or even less-religious). To them, our flexibility must appear to be flaccid weakness compared to the chest thumping certainty they think they possess.
“Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
-Thomas Jefferson
March 9th, 2010 at 4:02
@GWG
Very succinct and well put.
@CapnZ
Love both Jefferson’s quote and yours: “It takes courage and discipline to listen to an argument and decide to abandon a position.”
I had the pleasure of a Michael Shermer lecture about a week ago at UW Madison. For more on Skepticism and ?’s to ask yourself about everything you hear, check Shermer’s Baloney Detection Kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUB4j0n2UDU
It might be the best 15 minutes you spend today
March 9th, 2010 at 6:06
Tony Provenzano:
That is a very good video. I came away with a conclusion that the video’s content explains why solomon has gone so crazy after doing so many lines on this site. Thanks for the enlightenment.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:42
Dear Oxymoronic Christhinker,
Ms. Carrie Poppy are just the same as the rest of the Atheists, touting away their children from the ultimate truth.They wasted their lives only to be in gods hatred.What a misery of fate they’re in. And finally they will be chased to the Dungeons of HELL!!!
March 9th, 2010 at 7:00
Dear Tony Provenzano,
The ten questions arrives to nothing.Insignificant method.And the conclusion allways the question “Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?”It has been proven science will not always provide the ultimate answer.
A case of the blind showing the blind stuffs.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:12
Yw, and Ty John. Our impact will be greater because we choose to share knowledge.
Dear Solomon,
First, I’m impressed you took the time to watch the video.
I do believe that Science cannot answer all, the video did not make that claim though, nor do I think anyone on this site would.
Can you tell me you’ve never tried asking and answering some of those questions to a claim made to you by another?
You have got to somehow discriminate between the things you might allow to take anchor within your mind.
You must think sometimes. I know you do. You can’t dismiss all because you don’t agree with point #7.
Open up just a little.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:56
Both the religious and conservative tend to have “authoritarian” mindsets. By which I mean they are either actually authoritarian or passively accept authority. It maybe one of the reasons religion and conservatism are so closely aligned. Passive authoritarians will be quick to defend their ingroup and the ingroup’s beliefs in the face of contrary evidence and will rarely question their leaders.
March 9th, 2010 at 13:37
Now this is a great quote. Short, simple, logical and completely accurate. If fact it makes so much sense, that I doubt its possible to successfully argue against it.
March 9th, 2010 at 14:43
Dear Tony Provenzano, I don’t know how you could be deceived by something foolish like that.Wonder for a while.How can life with its complex & multiple processes sets on its own without something plan or governing it.There must be a powerful & intelligent being behind it.Just wonder at this.You don’t have to complicate matters & get yourself confused.
March 9th, 2010 at 15:03
So Solomon thinks it self evident
That be it a flea or an elephant
To be so sublime
It must me designed
And further discussion’s irrelevant
March 9th, 2010 at 15:04
Aaah BE designed of course
March 9th, 2010 at 15:35
God certainly had our interests at heart when he designed malaria and bubonic plaque.
March 9th, 2010 at 16:18
No, CaptainZero1969: those diseases are just tests to prove how much we love him and he loves us. Upchuck, upchuck… puke… puke… There I go; I made myself puken sick…
I guess now I have to go pray (wish for bogyman gifts) and bounce my head five times a day.
March 9th, 2010 at 16:56
I see that science is inching closer to discovering how life began. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308151043.htm
I am curious Solomon, how will you react when science does indisputably show that life can come from nature rather than some god? No doubt you will find another excuse, but just what will that excuse be? Perhaps you had better plan ahead and start thinking now.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:22
Oh, and make sure you notify those life-loving clerics who seem to pop answers out at the drop of a hat.
March 9th, 2010 at 23:03
“I am curious Solomon, how will you react when science does indisputably show that life can come from nature rather than some god? No doubt you will find another excuse, but just what will that excuse be? Perhaps you had better plan ahead and start thinking now.”
Whoaa hOLysoke I don’t know how you could be foolby someting like that.Wonder for a while how cow give milk to masses for Jeusus .You wonder can life with complex & multiple orgasms go into its own thought so you knowbecause all powerfullgod tell usso since the you GO TO HELLFIRES for disbelive out something plan or governing it, otherwise you know here must be a powerful & intelligent being behind it.I wonderful at this.You don’t have to get yourself confused. See Qu-oram 23:32
There. That is how he might answer it.
March 10th, 2010 at 0:07
Steve – Dude! I thought you had cut and pasted in one of the old rants. You NAILED it! LMAO!
March 10th, 2010 at 0:56
Twilight zone!
March 10th, 2010 at 1:38
You all are just running away from truth.You all are equivalent to a big Liar thats it.The Fuck life can automatically goes on without carefull planning & thoughts.Where does life comes from?Who provides the power?I don’t even have to open the site you provide me Holysmoke.As will be expected it will only contain make up science with lousy reasoning.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:03
You know damn right .Big all time liaes that atheist are
. Tthough care and automatic response come to those who parrot the Qu-ron Whatis life? Where lif is eyes and complex make gibberish. .That’s all.
You just want to screw up my life with reasons and facts. You will burn, baby, hell and sulfer for you atheist.
The ten questions arrives to insignificant method.Allways the confusion behind question was the doormat ruling by playing science? .Prove nothing if not holy book without burn for unbeliever provide the ultimate answer.
A case of the deaf saying the guy who cant heer stuffs. Repent befor you go ups in smoker ka-ka-ka!