Re: logic makes a comeback

Jim Bell (70672.1241@CompuServe.COM)
12 Jun 97 13:13:43 EDT

Russell:

<<You know, Jim, I've even received personal e-mails from other Christians on
this group apologizing for your arrogance and commenting on my patience in
sticking it out with you. How does it feel to know that you are an
embarrasment even to other Christians?>>

It's not the first time ;-)

If you're this sensitive about vigorous debate, you can always drop out. But
if you continue to post irrationalities, it will continue to be pointed out to
you. Bad argumentation does that to me. You can throw out words like
"arrogant" and "childish", but that doesn't solve anything. (Nor do references
to private e-mail. To be charitable, I won't divulge the gist of all the
private notes I've received).

For example, I ask you for a positive case proving atheism, and you cry out
that you don't have the "burden of proof." I point out that, ok, you haven't
made a positive case, and you rail, "Yes I have."

If it is arrogant to point out this stunning display of irrationality, so be
it. All of the great debaters, at one time or another, were considered
arrogant by defeated opponents.

I'm reminded of what Churchill once said when an admirer asked, "Aren't you
impressed to see ten thousand people gather to hear you speak?" Churchill
replied, "No, because ten times as many would come to see me hanged."