From: bivalve (bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com)
Date: Tue Nov 12 2002 - 11:59:03 EST
Walt wrote:
>3.) Lastly, I contend that agnosticism is personally falsifiable.
>Since agnosticism claims that both atheism and theism are viable
>world views, one needs to become a STRONG atheist to prove that is
>not true. (I don't mean these watered down "free thought" alliances
>with "weak atheists", agnostics and humanists, which avoid facing
>the consequences of true strong atheism.) Just try being an strong
>atheist for an extended period of time. Say there is no God and live
>your life as through that were absolutely true. Shake off all moral
>principles and go for the gusto. Wallow in things that used to be
>"sin" and plunder whenever you cannot be caught. You may have to be
>a hypocrite so that your peers don't see your lack of morals but the
>financial gain will be worth it. Try to ignore that funny feeling in
>your gut and avoid throwing up. If you cannot actually do it
>physically, do it in your mind daily. When through with this
>exercise, atheism is down the tubes and agnosticism neces!
sarily follows with it.<
>What say you and others?
This points out a place at which agnostics and atheists consistently
fail to be logical. For example, Jim has been accusing Christianity
of being untruthful, yet as an agnostic he has no grounds for
requiring truthfulness of anyone. It would be inconsistent of
Christianity to be untruthful, but again agnosticism cannot justify
consistency as a principle. I know of no moral system not rooted in
theism that does not boil down to "I can do what I want and you can
do what I want".
It is very much in keeping with the tenants of Christianity about the
fallen nature of man to suppose that many who follow or profess to
follow it are not entirely consistent or correct.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
Droitgate Spa
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