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Talk:Mystery:Why Do People Doubt? (view source)
Revision as of 23:04, September 14, 2008
, 23:04, September 14, 2008no edit summary
::::::: The obvious point of the essay is to criticize ''illogical'' doubt that defies rational explanation. I give several examples of this to illustrate the point. When Peter is already walking on water, there is no logical basis for him to doubt that he can do that. When an athlete is ahead in a contest, there is no logical basis for him to doubt that he can win and then degrade his performance.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:49, 14 September 2008 (EDT)
::::::: The obvious point of the essay is to criticize ''illogical'' doubt that defies rational explanation. I give several examples of this to illustrate the point. When Peter is already walking on water, there is no logical basis for him to doubt that he can do that. When an athlete is ahead in a contest, there is no logical basis for him to doubt that he can win and then degrade his performance.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:49, 14 September 2008 (EDT)
::::::::That much makes sense, to an extent, though if I saw someone walking on water, I would be tempted to think it was a trick of some sort, at least at first. I'm sure we've all seen enough "magic" shows to know there are myriad ways to make things appear not as they are. The point about the resurrection, which seems to be the crux of this essay, is a different matter altogether. It might be illogical for the disciples who witnessed direct evidence of the resurrection to doubt it, but for those of us who haven't (which is everyone today) such doubt does not seem so out of place. If the only argument is "it could have happened" then there's more convincing to be done.
::::::::Furthermore, at least some doubt is beneficial even in the athletic contests you mentioned. Not doubt one ''can'' win, but at least some doubt that one ''will'' win. A classic example of someone with no doubt of his victory is the hare in the tortoise and the hare parable. While it is merely a story, it is a good example of what can happen when someone is so certain of an outcome that they take it for granted. McCain is ahead in the polls now, but he should have at least ''some'' doubt of his eventual victory. If he had none at all there would be no reason to spend millions more campaigning, and if he were to stop now, he'd almost certainly lose. Having some doubt is different from having a defeatist attitude. Basically everyone agrees that the latter is detrimental. Though this has little to do with the resurrection of Christ. [[User:BrianH|BrianH]] 19:04, 14 September 2008 (EDT)
=="Doubt is not a desire for more information"==
=="Doubt is not a desire for more information"==
The essay is an interesting one, but I have to question this particular assertion. Doubt can often be the driver of a search for more information. A key premise of the scientific method is the application of doubt to a prevailing theory, which in turn leads to new hypotheses, research, experimentation, and then often, a new theory that replaces or improves on the old. Doubt can also lead one to a spiritual revelation - the classic case one would promote on Conservapedia being when a non-Christian is exposed to the teachings of Christianity, and rather than just disregarding the prior beliefs, beginning an exploration and study of Christianity leading to conversion. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 18:53, 14 September 2008 (EDT)
The essay is an interesting one, but I have to question this particular assertion. Doubt can often be the driver of a search for more information. A key premise of the scientific method is the application of doubt to a prevailing theory, which in turn leads to new hypotheses, research, experimentation, and then often, a new theory that replaces or improves on the old. Doubt can also lead one to a spiritual revelation - the classic case one would promote on Conservapedia being when a non-Christian is exposed to the teachings of Christianity, and rather than just disregarding the prior beliefs, beginning an exploration and study of Christianity leading to conversion. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 18:53, 14 September 2008 (EDT)