tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post5789083919778291731..comments2023-10-20T02:08:39.524-07:00Comments on Atheism: Proving The Negative: Thinking Critically About GodMatt McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071078570021986664noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-71152702563763104762017-01-24T22:28:22.194-08:002017-01-24T22:28:22.194-08:00Now let me know whether the nature which functions...<br />Now let me know whether the nature which functions in such a well-planned and well-ordered fashion possesses knowledge and power or is it devoid of also of intelligence and reason, without power and without knowledge?<br /><br />If you admit that it possesses knowledge and power, then what obstructs you from a belief in the Creator? <br /><br />What we say 's that all things are created by One Who is Master of Knowledge and Power. <br /><br />You say that there is no Creator and yet admit that nature had done this with ingenuity and plan. As such nature is the cause of their creation, while you deny the Creator. <br /><br />If you say that nature produces such things without knowledge and power - not knowing what it is doing nor the power to do it - in connection with the type and having design and ingenuity that subsists in all phenomena, it is inconceivable that something may be performed without the corresponding power to do it and without a knowledge thereof. <br /><br />As such it is obvious that the action emanates from an Omniscient Creator, Who has laid down as only a method among His creation through his Omniscience, which you people call nature. <br /><br />In other words, Almighty God has ordained a method to produce everything according to its definite cause and principle.<br /><br />http://www.al-islam.org/tradition-of-mufaddal-pearls-of-wisdom-from-imam-jafar-as-sadiq<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-24656572052162633082014-04-15T10:00:07.563-07:002014-04-15T10:00:07.563-07:00The more I think about it the more I see my conver...The more I think about it the more I see my conversations with people in my church and others as less authoritarian than conversations I have had with my teachers in general. Don't get me wrong I have had some great teachers but allot of the time that was clearly not the case.<br /><br />Teachers assign your grade. Students are not inclined to really argue or cut down a teachers argument even if it is foolish. Actually, especially if it is foolish. This may lead to a bad grade and no letter of recommendation. Holding your tongue is something that many students do but I doubt professors realize it. <br /><br />In fact I think students often tell teachers how wonderful and logical they are just to get the grade and move on. Teachers often want to hear and reward students for parroting their own views. Of course, they think their own views are true, so there is no bad intent. But often its their own views that they want to hear if you want the grade. <br /><br />It seems professors may also become accustomed to people being very gentle when suggesting they are wrong, or telling them they are right. <br /><br />As a lawyer my experience is very different. I am used to adult lawyers giving opposing arguments. I do not expect that I will be given undue deference thanks to my power to give a grade or recommendation. <br /><br />I learn to just deal with arguments and respond if I can. Not that the legal system is all that. But I do think academia is far from unbiased or anti-authoritarian. BTW these biases exist for religious teaches as well as atheists teachers. <br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-76784183590545041612014-04-08T18:10:06.232-07:002014-04-08T18:10:06.232-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11151294508910947143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-21241705610570753082014-04-08T15:49:55.546-07:002014-04-08T15:49:55.546-07:00"The social model for a liberal arts educatio..."The social model for a liberal arts education at a university like where I am a professor is fundamentally democratic; my job is to encourage people to actively consider contrary ideas, think for themselves, make their own decisions, be independent, to not blindly trust authority"<br /><br />I tend to question this. It seemed to me in various schools that many teachers just want to people to parrot back what they tell the students. Whether teachers even realize this questionable. Also my brief experience with academics is that they seem to be very cliquish. Holding certain religious or political views leads to them being ostracized. <br /><br />I wonder if you would agree that public schools should be allowed to teach creationism along side evolution if the democratically elected local government so decides?<br /><br /> Personally I do not believe in Creationism, but like you state I think education should be "encourage people to actively consider contrary ideas, think for themselves, make their own decisions, be independent, to not blindly trust authority."<br /><br />What do you think? I wonder if a teacher were to say that they agreed with me if that would have an impact on their relationship with fellow academics who might have influence on their ability to publish or get tenure etc.<br /><br />I find people who I meet at churches much more open to entertain different opinions. I get much less of the view that if you think that you are just a f___ing idiot because its my way or the highway. <br /><br /><br />But then again like different churches I am sure different schools have different styles as well. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-83545434056911112502014-03-24T22:26:45.420-07:002014-03-24T22:26:45.420-07:00I've just finished listening to your interview...I've just finished listening to your interview by Alan Litchfield. I found it really enjoyable and appreciated having my thoughts being expressed by you in such an articularte manner. Thanks again. I'll try to remember your phrasing for future reference. 5Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11151294508910947143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-83613241885308036772014-02-23T09:15:32.601-08:002014-02-23T09:15:32.601-08:00Professor McCormick, I really enjoy your clear and...Professor McCormick, I really enjoy your clear and concise writing. Thanks.DZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710037452314209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-3631998356343390462014-02-16T15:44:37.757-08:002014-02-16T15:44:37.757-08:00I really appreciate your view on this. Trying to s...I really appreciate your view on this. Trying to simply educate and encourage critical thinking skills against 'creating atheists' as you said. The concept of critical thinking in and of itself is a threat to the basics of religion though which is based on faith (believing without evidence) and not questioning what you are told. I hope some people are open mined enough to take you up on the offer. Anurain Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18225468781176367812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-19296457143120459912014-01-30T08:21:34.749-08:002014-01-30T08:21:34.749-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15261105120559515072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716347331682132223.post-57421395468000548752014-01-30T08:03:35.994-08:002014-01-30T08:03:35.994-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15261105120559515072noreply@blogger.com