I am looking for good, pithy quotes from theists acknowledging that the various arguments for the existence of God are inconclusive or even poor (even though they think that doesn't matter). If you have examples (with sources), could you email me direct rather than stick them here? Email address above. Thanks...
(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
Comments
I just wanted to let you know that I just finished reading my copy of 'Believing Bullshit'. I must say that I was reminded of Colin McGinn's book Mindfucking; A Critique of Mental Manipulation, 2008, Acumen. The early chapters in your book were a bit of a mindfuck ... I really enjoyed chapter 6, Pseudoprofundity. I think the question as to whether God exists is somewaht irrelevent and perhaps a point worth discussing is whether those individuals that recorded the original scriptures were bullshitters motivated by the ever present desire for power and wanting to become leaders. What better argument then to say: I met God on the mountain and he gave me the following commandments to make you behave and I will be your leader!! It is also possible that scriptures are simply the records of what people believed then and the problem is with moderns who won't let go.
Finally as a scientist, now retired, I recommend you take a look at 'bullshit science'. Let me just give you two quick examples. A scientist publishes a paper with evidence being analytical results; however, it becomes evident that with known samples s/he only gets expected results 50% of the time - that kind of thing is not unheard of - how good is the evidence now?
Several religions claim that certain rivers can cure bacterial infections and might claim that such cures are miracles; however, the science of phage therapy provides evidence that such cures are not miracles at all. Please go to my blog for more on both bullshit and phage therapy - http://bullshitcitynorth.blogspot.com
1. Whose or what bullshit do I believe? 2. How mindfucked am I?
There is an example here, in the bit beginning ‘Secondly as follows’.
you.write.really.very.nice.i.am.your.daily.visitor.