[FoRK] Terms - Practicing Science: Secular vs. Religious Ideology

[Jeff Bone]

BTW, Sat, I owe you a debt of gratitude in this particular  
discussion, because you have crystalized the entire debate in this  
one exchange.

It is not that I --- or any other "atheist" --- insist that we "know"  
something.  I'll be the first to admit that I know, in fact, very  
little relative to the totality of what can possibly be known.

Rather, it is that we skeptics insist on what you (regardless of your  
actual belief, treating you as a proxy for any religious apologist  
--- which, for example, Dr. Ernie is by his own admission, chase his  
previous link from today) in fact DO NOT and CAN NOT know, that you  
nonetheless insist upon.

"We" (those who would not believe for lack of evidence) insist that  
lack of evidence of X is not equivalent to the requirement of respect  
for the possibility of X.

QED.  And thank you for playing your expected role in making this point.

jb

On Jan 11, 2008, at 10:12 PM, Jeff Bone wrote:

>
> On Jan 11, 2008, at 9:08 PM, Sat N wrote:
>
>> Like other atheists, you are very consistent Jeff.........not!!!!!
>
> Oh, really?
>
> Point out my inconsistency that I might rectify my error.
>
> I wholeheartedly subscribe to that particular hobgoblin of little  
> minds.  In fact, I insist on it.  If I fail in that regard, please  
> help me correct.
>
>> On Jan 11, 2008 2:40 PM, Jeff Bone <jbone at place.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> If god popped into my office right now, I for one would quite
>> happily apologize to everyone involved, and convert post haste.
>>
>>> On Jan 11, 2008, at 3:40 PM, Jeff Bone wrote:
>>>
>>>  If some god chose to appear tomorrow, and "vindicated" some
>>> group of believers, my contempt for those believers would in no way
>>> lessen;
>
> This is not in any way an inconsistency.
>
> On the one hand, if god manifested Herself, I would happily  
> stipulate to my error;  but it would not undermine my previous  
> commitment to that error.  I am on firm ground in my insistence  
> now, regardless of any future evidence.  Such is the benefit of my  
> epistemological process.
>
> jb
>