Back in UK. And have had a surprise. X ray reveals clean break to left clavicle and severe dislocation of the right clavicle at shoulder. Oh dear!
(Published in Faith and Philosophy 2011. Volume 28, Issue 2, April 2011. Stephen Law. Pages 129-151) EVIDENCE, MIRACLES AND THE EXISTENCE OF JESUS Stephen Law Abstract The vast majority of Biblical historians believe there is evidence sufficient to place Jesus’ existence beyond reasonable doubt. Many believe the New Testament documents alone suffice firmly to establish Jesus as an actual, historical figure. I question these views. In particular, I argue (i) that the three most popular criteria by which various non-miraculous New Testament claims made about Jesus are supposedly corroborated are not sufficient, either singly or jointly, to place his existence beyond reasonable doubt, and (ii) that a prima facie plausible principle concerning how evidence should be assessed – a principle I call the contamination principle – entails that, given the large proportion of uncorroborated miracle claims made about Jesus in the New Testament documents, we should, in the absence of indepen...
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Get well soon man.
I'll answer some posts as soon as I have the time.
Cheers,
Sye
For once, I'm singing from the same hymn sheet as Sye!
Get well soon.
Get well soon.
Once you're better, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on Timothy Keller's recent book 'The Reasons For God: Belief in an Age of Superstition' (2008)?
http://www.thereasonforgod.com/
In a discussion with Lawrence Krauss, Dawkins mentions he recommends this book to Christians who write to him expressing anxiety about the loss of their Faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLctxRf7duU
I'm not a Christian (I'm pretty close to atheist) but I thought I'd give it a read out of curiosity.
I thought Keller makes some interesting points particularly around his critique of strong rationality and his discussion of Nagel's work.
However I felt there was a lot of inconsistency in places. I also found his attempt to justify a judgemental and violent God particularly disagreeable (equating eternal damnation with parental discipline for instance).
One big drawback for me is that he hardly even mentions Hume - directing his defence more towards Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and Dennett.
Furthermore it's what he doesn't mention that makes this book 'appear' reasonable (i.e., he doesn't offer an opinion on homosexuality or abortion and the various unpleasant things in the Old Testament are quite glossed over).
Anyway, it would be interesting to hear what you have to make of it.
On the other hand you may throw it across the room in anger and that can't be good for one's clavicle!
In the meantime, here's a funny clip that should laugh that clavicle right back into place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ZZUGVxcTQ
It's a definitive response to your God of Eth series.
Might I recommend a beer or 10.
As a doctor though, I second Andrew Louis' timeless proposal. (Those painkillers work for hangovers too.)
Get well soon!
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
Of course, this is the perfect time for God to provide an immediate, miraculous, x-ray verified healing. Thereby convincing a prominent atheist, and all his cronies (obviously a cult of personality, you know), into converting with one stroke.
It would only take Him a moment; far less time than has been futilely spent by one of his most earnest advocates.
So, if you think of it, you might want to fire off a skyward mental missive. Just for ol'Pascals sake, eh? ;)
[I recently had an X-ray which the registrar couldn't even read on his computer screen, so he just said "come back in six months unless you have any problems in the meantime". Very reassuring!]
Stephen- all the best on behalf of all the other anonymous hordes.
P.S. You will let us know if the suffering makes you a better person in some way, won't you?
Thanks for the suggestion Steelman. I am praying to Frank Zappa for a cure, in the hope this may be the first step to getting him canonized. He was raised Catholic, and of course wrote several songs referring to Catholicism ("Catholic Girls"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERfW_TWoEkU
Stephen, get well soon!