Faithful "New Apostasy" reader/contributor Phoenix alerted me to this item. Now, whenever I wonder whether critical thinking exists amongst the membership of the New Apostolic Church or not, I simply have to read this page to get my answer.
Not even one person could point out that quotes from certain scientists are simply quotes, not "proof". Not one individual had the presence of mind to point out that opinion does not equal fact. No one stepped forward to point out that some of those quotes were taken out of context, and some have been refuted by the people attributed to them, most notably the quotes attributed to Einstein and Hawking. No, if it sounds good, they'll swallow it all down and ask for more. It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.
I'll say it because it needs to be said: "Quote mining is not scientific proof of anything - they're just quotes, folks."
EDIT: 2 hours after I posted this, a NAC skeptic responded to the NAC Singles post. Hope springs eternal!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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There were a few responses.
ReplyDeleteMy experiance has taught me that not only in the word from the altar and the sacraments is God made manifest but, in the many faceted natural expressions do we find the voice of our Heavenly Father speaking loudly to all of mankind. In this context we see that God reaches out to all on the many levels of human perception.
Some need proof to believe others do not. We are narrow minded to post ourselves above the fact that God does many things beyond our ability to understand....we sometimes need a visible event to know that He is near...even then some will not believe...whether by proof or by faith....it is written that God is a spirit and must be worshipped in spirit...intellect can be both natural and spiritual...from this blog I see the expression of spiritual intellect manifest in natural words...for things of the spirit are often undiscribeable....
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou are not differentiating between fact and opinion. There is a significant difference between the two, and that was the original point that Rich was making in his response to the quotes posted on the NAC Singles site.
I was born and raised in the NAC. I was indoctrinated to believe that the dogmas and beliefs that shaped and molded the individual I became, were based upon "facts". I was well into my late 20's/early 30's before I realized that wasn't true, and once one's eyes are open to that reality, there is no going back.
You have also made statements that you may believe in strongly, but they are NOT based upon facts. Therefore, they are your opinion. I believe it is immoral to indoctrinate impressionable and trusting children to believe in something that is based upon opinion, but is being packaged as fact. It's immoral. It's unethical.It's damaging.
Anonymous wrote: My experiance has taught me that not only in the word from the altar and the sacraments is God made manifest but, in the many faceted natural expressions do we find the voice of our Heavenly Father speaking loudly to all of mankind.
ReplyDeleteHow exactly is God "made manifest"? In what "natural expressions" do we find the voice of God speaking? I'm not hearing it.
Anonymous: In this context we see that God reaches out to all on the many levels of human perception.
Where is God and on what specific levels of human perception does he reach out? You keep saying "we" when it is only you (and other believers) who imagine God in every aspect of life. If it was apparent to all, there wouldn't be any atheists or agnostics. I would understand it and agree with you - but I don't.
Anonymous: Some need proof to believe others do not. We are narrow minded to post ourselves above the fact that God does many things beyond our ability to understand....
How do you know we won't understand? How do you know if something is beyond our ability to understand, if you don't know what those things are?
Anonymous: we sometimes need a visible event to know that He is near...even then some will not believe...whether by proof or by faith....
Faith makes the mind lazy. Rather than trying to understand, faith allows a person to fill in the gaps within our knowledge with a convenient reply that answers nothing, e.g. "God did it!"
Anonymous: it is written that God is a spirit and must be worshipped in spirit...intellect can be both natural and spiritual...from this blog I see the expression of spiritual intellect manifest in natural words...for things of the spirit are often undiscribeable....
When you say "this blog", I assume you're referring to the NAC Singles site - this answer of yours was cut-n-pasted from there.
What does "...." at the end of every sentence mean? Is there some logical progression of thought I'm missing? My attitude towards all gods is the same; they are fictitious stories invented by men, myths that were created to explain things we don't understand.
I will reconsider the idea of a god when sufficient evidence is presented. Faith and beliefs aren't evidence, and "holy" books that were written by men don't count as evidence, otherwise every holy book in the world would have to be considered the truth.
Faith is what lies need in order to be believed. Any idea that requires faith cannot be true, because the truth doesn't need faith. Truth is self-evident.
Its a Fiat deity ....no god ...just words from a man or a book. and backed by nothing....like fiat currency.
ReplyDeleteHello Everybody,
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