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InJoy · 05-04-2007, 04:38 PM

A thread in this forum has gone off on a bit of a tangent that I think is worthy of further discussion in a more appropriate arena to its subject. The opening subject of the other thread was cloud busting, and there are a couple of people who have been very vocal in their belief that such things cannot exist, while other people, myself included, have claimed to have actually tried cloud busting with some success.

This disagreement inevitably led to other subjects, most recently God. Since God is the Big Kahuna of disparate beliefs, I was thinking it would be an interesting conversation to discuss why we do or do not believe. We don't have to limit the discussion to God, of course. It's just as interesting (and relevant) to talk about why people believe or disbelieve in astral projection, channeling, psychic energy, etc.

But I'll start with belief in God because it's nice and general - not to mention, all-encompassing.

These are some thoughts I had following comments made by someone who has expressed disbelief in God and anything else that cannot be proven by science:

Nobody can prove there is a God. Nobody can prove there is no God. Folks could (and have) argued for eons and never reach a provable conclusion in either direction. For one group to suggest that the other is flat-out wrong is illogical. As long as something cannot be proved, it cannot be disregarded as factually untrue. That includes atheism.

I think this argument holds water in regards to other "paranormal" activity as well. That includes claims of cloud busting. (I do believe that we could go further into proving or disproving this idea if we all lived in the same town and could test the theories in person, together. However, since we do not live under those circumstances, cloud busting remains a matter of separate and personal experience and opinion.)

Furthermore, another point was made (by a different poster) that unmitigated skepticism is just as limiting as the absence of skeptical thought. I agree with this. IMO, both are closed-minded approaches.

My bottom line: I believe that believers and non-believers are on equal footing as long as both remain open to the possibility that they are wrong.

What do you think?

05-04-2007, 04:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
InJoy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Here, Now Posts: 202	Belief and Disbelief A thread in this forum has gone off on a bit of a tangent that I think is worthy of further discussion in a more appropriate arena to its subject. The opening subject of the other thread was cloud busting, and there are a couple of people who have been very vocal in their belief that such things cannot exist, while other people, myself included, have claimed to have actually tried cloud busting with some success. This disagreement inevitably led to other subjects, most recently God. Since God is the Big Kahuna of disparate beliefs, I was thinking it would be an interesting conversation to discuss why we do or do not believe. We don't have to limit the discussion to God, of course. It's just as interesting (and relevant) to talk about why people believe or disbelieve in astral projection, channeling, psychic energy, etc. But I'll start with belief in God because it's nice and general - not to mention, all-encompassing. These are some thoughts I had following comments made by someone who has expressed disbelief in God and anything else that cannot be proven by science: Nobody can prove there is a God. Nobody can prove there is no God. Folks could (and have) argued for eons and never reach a provable conclusion in either direction. For one group to suggest that the other is flat-out wrong is illogical. As long as something cannot be proved, it cannot be disregarded as factually untrue. That includes atheism. I think this argument holds water in regards to other "paranormal" activity as well. That includes claims of cloud busting. (I do believe that we could go further into proving or disproving this idea if we all lived in the same town and could test the theories in person, together. However, since we do not live under those circumstances, cloud busting remains a matter of separate and personal experience and opinion.) Furthermore, another point was made (by a different poster) that unmitigated skepticism is just as limiting as the absence of skeptical thought. I agree with this. IMO, both are closed-minded approaches. My bottom line: I believe that believers and non-believers are on equal footing as long as both remain open to the possibility that they are wrong. What do you think?