Best Commentary to Date

DialecticMaterialist · 29th July 2003, 08:26 PM

I loved this weeks commentary and am just sad that I haven't had time to make a thread concerning it sooner. I think Randi hit the nail right on the head, especially with the materialist issue. The Burden of Proof is on immaterialists, Randi clearly points out. Randi was also more outspoken and open with his beliefs/philosophy then I had ever seen him before and I doubt I will ever see again. Sure Randi has made some side comments here and there but this time Randi actually shared some philosophical viewpoints concerning both his existiantial position and ethics. It was interesting imo to see the intellectual giant and a great saint in skepticism take such a stand.

Even though I don't agree with everything in Randi's article (I think the title of brights is silly and think Dawkins is a little too strong in his condemnation of faith) I find the whole thing to be overall very admirable. Especially the part concerning parsimony in respect to religion, that was excellent philosophical reasoning.

The whole thing was very sound and very refreshing.

Thank you Mr. Randi.

31st July 2003, 08:03 AM

After recently spending several days involved in three different discussions on religion (most with teenagers who had been raised that way and could not accept anything other than what they knew), this latest was very refreshing.

*sigh*

I'm happy now... that's all I have to say about that

iankaplan · 1st August 2003, 03:36 PM

I agree, the Religion commentary was awesome.

arcticpenguin · 1st August 2003, 04:18 PM

It was rather "preaching to the choir" though, wasn't it?

I agree with most of what he said, but I enjoy more when I learn new things from the Swift, such as stories of debunkings I hadn't heard of.

1st August 2003, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DialecticMaterialist
I loved this weeks commentary and am just sad that I haven't had time to make a thread concerning it sooner. I think Randi hit the nail right on the head, especially with the materialist issue. The Burden of Proof is on immaterialists, Randi clearly points out. Randi was also more outspoken and open with his beliefs/philosophy then I had ever seen him before and I doubt I will ever see again. Sure Randi has made some side comments here and there but this time Randi actually shared some philosophical viewpoints concerning both his existiantial position and ethics. It was interesting imo to see the intellectual giant and a great saint in skepticism take such a stand.

Even though I don't agree with everything in Randi's article (I think the title of brights is silly and think Dawkins is a little too strong in his condemnation of faith) I find the whole thing to be overall very admirable. Especially the part concerning parsimony in respect to religion, that was excellent philosophical reasoning.

The whole thing was very sound and very refreshing.

Thank you Mr. Randi.

Justify this, how can you materially support the non-material.
If Your belief is correct, or Randi's, please produce the manefesto so that I too may be enlightend by your reasoning. How does Randi HIT IT ON THE HEAD? His statement about Newton is missing information... ask any scientist!!! His use of the word perception is as ambigious as his belief... Fact is Religion has been around longer than atheism... materialism... etc ... Does one need to prove that? If you think he is profound for denying existance of an omnipotent being...or whatever... --- you sound obsequious... are you close enough to play footsie with Randi? Don't you have thoughts or beliefs of your own, or are you like the rest of the population who expect someone else to figure things out for you? How can you mesure a persons intellect?

Find the weakness in your own belief... If it is Materialism... what is it based off of? Science, another theory... Isn't this a web site for this sort of challenge? If you cant stand on your own laurels... who am I to be swayed by. It sounds like you prostrate yourself before Randi... oh well.

No, don't bother... don't get up. DM

DialecticMaterialist · 2nd August 2003, 07:26 PM

3rd August 2003, 03:09 PM

If you never explain anything... how do you expect me to respect your opinion? DM

Kimpatsu · 4th August 2003, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSynectic
Fact is Religion has been around longer than atheism... materialism... etc ...

So what? Leeches have been around longer than antibiotics, but which do you use for bacterial infections?

29th July 2003, 08:26 PM	#1
DialecticMaterialist Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,022	Best Commentary to Date I loved this weeks commentary and am just sad that I haven't had time to make a thread concerning it sooner. I think Randi hit the nail right on the head, especially with the materialist issue. The Burden of Proof is on immaterialists, Randi clearly points out. Randi was also more outspoken and open with his beliefs/philosophy then I had ever seen him before and I doubt I will ever see again. Sure Randi has made some side comments here and there but this time Randi actually shared some philosophical viewpoints concerning both his existiantial position and ethics. It was interesting imo to see the intellectual giant and a great saint in skepticism take such a stand. Even though I don't agree with everything in Randi's article (I think the title of brights is silly and think Dawkins is a little too strong in his condemnation of faith) I find the whole thing to be overall very admirable. Especially the part concerning parsimony in respect to religion, that was excellent philosophical reasoning. The whole thing was very sound and very refreshing. Thank you Mr. Randi.
	__________________ Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -Herman Goering (Hitler's designated successor)

31st July 2003, 08:03 AM	#2
GovtSlave Guest Posts: n/a	After recently spending several days involved in three different discussions on religion (most with teenagers who had been raised that way and could not accept anything other than what they knew), this latest was very refreshing. sigh I'm happy now... that's all I have to say about that
GovtSlave Guest Posts: n/a

1st August 2003, 03:36 PM	#3
iankaplan Scholar Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 91	I agree, the Religion commentary was awesome.
iankaplan Scholar Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 91

1st August 2003, 04:18 PM	#4
arcticpenguin woo ban clan Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,717	It was rather "preaching to the choir" though, wasn't it? I agree with most of what he said, but I enjoy more when I learn new things from the Swift, such as stories of debunkings I hadn't heard of.
	__________________ The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it. - George Bernard Shaw

1st August 2003, 11:06 PM	#5
MrSynectic Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Best Commentary to Date Quote: Originally posted by DialecticMaterialist I loved this weeks commentary and am just sad that I haven't had time to make a thread concerning it sooner. I think Randi hit the nail right on the head, especially with the materialist issue. The Burden of Proof is on immaterialists, Randi clearly points out. Randi was also more outspoken and open with his beliefs/philosophy then I had ever seen him before and I doubt I will ever see again. Sure Randi has made some side comments here and there but this time Randi actually shared some philosophical viewpoints concerning both his existiantial position and ethics. It was interesting imo to see the intellectual giant and a great saint in skepticism take such a stand. Even though I don't agree with everything in Randi's article (I think the title of brights is silly and think Dawkins is a little too strong in his condemnation of faith) I find the whole thing to be overall very admirable. Especially the part concerning parsimony in respect to religion, that was excellent philosophical reasoning. The whole thing was very sound and very refreshing. Thank you Mr. Randi. Justify this, how can you materially support the non-material. If Your belief is correct, or Randi's, please produce the manefesto so that I too may be enlightend by your reasoning. How does Randi HIT IT ON THE HEAD? His statement about Newton is missing information... ask any scientist!!! His use of the word perception is as ambigious as his belief... Fact is Religion has been around longer than atheism... materialism... etc ... Does one need to prove that? If you think he is profound for denying existance of an omnipotent being...or whatever... --- you sound obsequious... are you close enough to play footsie with Randi? Don't you have thoughts or beliefs of your own, or are you like the rest of the population who expect someone else to figure things out for you? How can you mesure a persons intellect? Find the weakness in your own belief... If it is Materialism... what is it based off of? Science, another theory... Isn't this a web site for this sort of challenge? If you cant stand on your own laurels... who am I to be swayed by. It sounds like you prostrate yourself before Randi... oh well. No, don't bother... don't get up. DM
MrSynectic Guest Posts: n/a

2nd August 2003, 07:26 PM	#6
DialecticMaterialist Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,022
	__________________ Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -Herman Goering (Hitler's designated successor)

3rd August 2003, 03:09 PM	#7
MrSynectic Guest Posts: n/a	Nice Icon!!! If you never explain anything... how do you expect me to respect your opinion? DM
MrSynectic Guest Posts: n/a

4th August 2003, 01:03 AM	#8
Kimpatsu Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tokyo Posts: 3,145	Re: Re: Best Commentary to Date Quote: Originally posted by MrSynectic Fact is Religion has been around longer than atheism... materialism... etc ... So what? Leeches have been around longer than antibiotics, but which do you use for bacterial infections?
	__________________ Tony Kehoe "Most people, I believe, think that you need a God to explain the existence of the world, and especially the existence of life. They are wrong, but our education system is such that many people don't know it. "--Richard Dawkins