An unknown hypothetical cannot justify anything. And so when someone says, “Perhaps in the future, some other worldview besides Christianity will allow for the possibility of knowledge,” one possible reply would be: “Then in the future, that worldview could be considered rational. But right now, only Christianity can justify knowledge.” Of course, no such worldview will be discovered in the future. But my point is that appealing to the unknown can never justify a positive belief. It’s irrational to say, “I have a great reason to believe in space-aliens, and that reason is this: someday in the future, somebody might find some evidence of them.” Present (true) beliefs must be justified by present reasons if they are to be considered knowledge.
27 comments
"What does that even mean?"
Nothing at all. It's a bald assertion made by apologists like Lie-all without any reasoning or evidence to try desperately to convince himself and a few sheeples that Christianity is the only correct belief system without having to actually defend that belief.
Sorry, but look who´s talking. The only reason you offer us to believe in God is the very hell you have never visited, by your own admission. If that´s not appeal to unknown, what is?
"......appealing to the unknown can never justify a positive belief...."
That "appealing to the unknown" is the very definition of religion, Jason. You wrote that down, but it never passed through the brain first.
"Of course, no such worldview will be discovered in the future. "
Your God really doesn't like it when people try to predict the future.
"It’s irrational to say, 'I have a great reason to believe in space-aliens, and that reason is this: someday in the future, somebody might find some evidence of them.' "
We have photographs of UFOs. They may or may not be evidence of aliens, but you have a single collection of fairy tales about your deity, which is most definitely not evidence of anything except the imaginations of bronze-age goat herders.
It’s irrational to say, “I have a great reason to believe in God, and that reason is this: someday in the future, I might end up in Hell if I don't believe.” Present (true) beliefs must be justified by present reasons if they are to be considered knowledge.
Fixed that for ya.
"An unknown hypothetical cannot justify anything."
Which is precisely why there should be staunch opposition to any attempts by the religious to expect us to respect the laws put forth by any deity, when there isn't any evidence for its existence. When the followers can't even agree as to what God's will means, then it highlights the flaws of adhering to mythology.
“I have a great reason to believe in space-aliens, and that reason is this: someday in the future, somebody might find some evidence of them.”
No-one rational has stated that the existence of aliens, whether they have formed civilisations or not, is proven. However, we do know that life is present on Earth, life may be present on some of the moons across our solar system, and we've discovered many Earth-like planets orbiting other stars with the potential to be habitable. Therefore, being open to the distinct possibility that we may not be alone in the Universe is far less absurd than bowing down to the whim of your god when we have proof that life can exist on a celestial body, but all of man's gods have no evidence for their existence.
"Present (true) beliefs must be justified by present reasons if they are to be considered knowledge."
Except christianity itself. We need to pre-suppose it is true in order to have knowledge that it is true.
@Say what?,
If you're not familiar with presuppostionalists like Lisle, one of their big arguments is to emphasize the philosophical problem of solipsism. Then, they claim that this "huge problem" can be fixed by pretending that Jesus is pumping knowledge directly into your brain. When you try to argue that that still doesn't fix solipsism, they will pull out the special pleading that it's different because Gawd.
So after obtaining a PhD in astrophysics with a dissertation on the sun, you still believe in a young earth creation ?
thats amazing Jason.
p.s wheres your proof that Jesus exists, and will return, because by my Bible he is 2000 years late.
@FELIX: he certainly didn't invent presuppositionalism, it predates him by decades. as far as unique efforts go, well, he's one of a few who can claim to be a presuppositionalist while holding a Ph.D., while keeping a straight face; i personally strongly suspect brain damage on his part.
The world of knowledge dragged itself out much bloodied from under the yoke of Christianity. It was hard fought and the price was high but it was worth it to put you dictators in your little clubhouse and out of the lives of free thinking and free living humans.
I personally think your shit shoulda been outlawed but free speech and association are valuable even though the bloodsuckers can take advantage of a system you yourselves wouldn't have allowed,, had we asked your damn permission to be and remained enlightened.
But right now, only Christianity can justify knowledge
No, that's bollocks. The search for truth is it's own justification.
Well, considering Christianity does not in se provide for a coherent, consistent, effective moral framework, a morality-centred worldview based strictly around it is out of consideration.
Scientists and the Faithful have something in common.
They both call out to the unknown. Scientists transmit greetings into the void, while the Faithful pray to a god they have no empirical proof of.
The differences are of course stark, though.
The faithful are content to pray as they have always done, while scientists are constantly using new techniques to search the skies for life.
And of course, scientists are more than willing to accept the possibility that they are looking for something which does not exist, while the faithful scoff at such a concept.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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