My apology, it’s a long post but they are my final thoughts.
Eliezer:
“Robin, I would indeed put someone who called themselves a Unitarian in a different class from someone who called themselves a Zoroastrian or Christian. It’s still a big blatant mistake, but so long as the person is willing to take strict personal responsibility for their own moral judgments, it’s a less urgent matter.”
I’m not really clear as to why? Do you not think Unitarian has some affiliation to Zoroastrian or Christianity? Where do you think moral judgements come from? The laws written in any given literature are clear interpretations as to what was going on in that particular time frame, that does not mean they where right or wrong, it means they exist for a reason.
Eliezer, I believe you are a smart, highly inquisitive individual but your expertise does not reach the realm of belief as you clearly demonstrate an ignorance in regards to religion, spirituality, enlightment or such pretense. Please read more thoughts in regards to religion within history, scriptures, books, psalms, philosophy, psychology, etc., before judging the belief of belief.
Your video example of the Jesus Camp was an awakening for me as I acknowledged that not all individuals are aware of the science behind religion and in fact, religion may be used as a source of irrationalism.
The bias approach you took was in only refering to the “kooks” of religion instead of realizing that there exists many that are religious that don’t exhibit that behavior. Within the context of kooks, I understand the need to promote Atheism but that does not mean that Atheists are more rational than the Christians if both have not done the research to understand the possibilities within the religious context.
Anyhow, it’s been a pleasure. Thanks Robin (and many fascinating contributors) for creating Overcoming Bias. It might not appear but I have learned a great deal about bias. If your intention was to teach, you are doing a great job. At first, it was hard to grasp the concept but with time i’ve learned quite a lot.
It’s time for me to go as I can’t possibly stay and listen to people talk about overcoming bias and yet reply “your not smart enough to undertstand”, that kinda contradicts the whole idea.
Without being aware, thanks to the many that have aided in my education.
It may not seem fair to respond to something that was meant to be a ‘closing’, but it also shouldn’t be an excuse for making your argument… well, a seperate magisterium. If you had taken the time to read the basics (assuming you ever read this, fully 5 years after claiming to leave, still others may benefit) you would know that Eliezer isn’t claiming that all religious people are characteristically insane. That hypothesis would be easily falsifiable by presenting any responsible, educated person who espouses a religious belief (and there are plenty.) The actual point, right in the article’s title, is that those beliefs, -Even If- they’re shared by really nifty, otherwise good people, are factually falsifiable.
My apology, it’s a long post but they are my final thoughts.
Eliezer: “Robin, I would indeed put someone who called themselves a Unitarian in a different class from someone who called themselves a Zoroastrian or Christian. It’s still a big blatant mistake, but so long as the person is willing to take strict personal responsibility for their own moral judgments, it’s a less urgent matter.”
I’m not really clear as to why? Do you not think Unitarian has some affiliation to Zoroastrian or Christianity? Where do you think moral judgements come from? The laws written in any given literature are clear interpretations as to what was going on in that particular time frame, that does not mean they where right or wrong, it means they exist for a reason.
Eliezer, I believe you are a smart, highly inquisitive individual but your expertise does not reach the realm of belief as you clearly demonstrate an ignorance in regards to religion, spirituality, enlightment or such pretense. Please read more thoughts in regards to religion within history, scriptures, books, psalms, philosophy, psychology, etc., before judging the belief of belief. Your video example of the Jesus Camp was an awakening for me as I acknowledged that not all individuals are aware of the science behind religion and in fact, religion may be used as a source of irrationalism. The bias approach you took was in only refering to the “kooks” of religion instead of realizing that there exists many that are religious that don’t exhibit that behavior. Within the context of kooks, I understand the need to promote Atheism but that does not mean that Atheists are more rational than the Christians if both have not done the research to understand the possibilities within the religious context.
Anyhow, it’s been a pleasure. Thanks Robin (and many fascinating contributors) for creating Overcoming Bias. It might not appear but I have learned a great deal about bias. If your intention was to teach, you are doing a great job. At first, it was hard to grasp the concept but with time i’ve learned quite a lot.
It’s time for me to go as I can’t possibly stay and listen to people talk about overcoming bias and yet reply “your not smart enough to undertstand”, that kinda contradicts the whole idea.
Without being aware, thanks to the many that have aided in my education.
Take care and I wish you well, Anna
It may not seem fair to respond to something that was meant to be a ‘closing’, but it also shouldn’t be an excuse for making your argument… well, a seperate magisterium. If you had taken the time to read the basics (assuming you ever read this, fully 5 years after claiming to leave, still others may benefit) you would know that Eliezer isn’t claiming that all religious people are characteristically insane. That hypothesis would be easily falsifiable by presenting any responsible, educated person who espouses a religious belief (and there are plenty.) The actual point, right in the article’s title, is that those beliefs, -Even If- they’re shared by really nifty, otherwise good people, are factually falsifiable.