Re: Why Christians Are Viewed Poorly

On 5/21/06, Dick Fischer <dickfischer@verizon.net> wrote:
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> Hi Rich, you wrote:
 That advise is not just applicable
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> to critics of science. I see just as much if not more imputation of
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> motives going the other direction. The statement "you're not seeking
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> the truth" is such an imputation.<<
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> I think it is more appropriate to say, "You're ignoring contrary evidence."
> And then state the evidence. That shouldn't ruffle any feathers.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Except I would avoid the word
ignore, particularly with the the "average folk" who hold to ID or
YEC. Many have not heard the contrary evidence and it would be unfair
to say they ignored it. For example, I was unaware of the contrary
evidence -- at least in the biological realm -- until Terry Gray
joined our congregation. Even then I needed to be on leadership
because I needed to review his judicial records and it still took
quite some time for the cognitive dissonance to settle in.

Thus, it is safe to assume that the people in the pews -- even those
of us with scientific backgrounds -- haven't ignored the contrary
evidence because we haven't really heard it. Polemically-based
organizations/web sites have been effectively innoculated by the
YEC/ID organizations. That's why I appreciate what you do to address
this, and particularly how you do it. It is unfortunate that my
"advise" was attached to your reply because I wasn't really addressing
you personally. I see you as part of the answer and not part of the
problem.
Received on Sun May 21 20:15:40 2006