Explain THIS!!

by MrMoe 46 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Grout

  Would you assume I am letting myself be 'overrun with nonsense' for believing a theory solely on the basis that it cannot be disproven?

  The overrunning I refer to occurs over a lifetime of allowing nonsense into your belief system, one apparently-plausible phantom at a time. No one locust can consume a field; but a swarm of them certainly will.

  A counter-question: Do you really mean that you affirmatively believe that these things are true, or do you merely believe that they are likely or just possible? Such alternatives are not dangerous; they are in fact required steps on the path to empirical knowledge.
• 

  Xander

  one apparently-plausible phantom at a time

  But, surely you admit, SOME theories that are only valid because they 'cannot be disproven' must be accepted. I mean, either our species started with outside help or without. Neither can be disproven, and both have legions of supporters. One must subscribe to one of the two theories, with neither one presenting a more compelling argument than 'it cannot be disproven'.

  Do you really mean that you affirmatively believe that these things are true, or do you merely believe that they are likely or just possible?

  An interesting question I've been asking myself even since leaving the bOrg. I certainly believe there are things going on that we aren't usually aware of. Spirit creatures, ghosts, invisible space aliens, I dunno, but SOMETHING. How far that leads into other areas (IE., psychics, etc.), I dunno. I think I'd classify myself as an 'I want to believe'.
• 

  2SYN

  Xander: Do you know what the Turing Test is?
• 

  Grout

  SOME theories that are only valid because they 'cannot be disproven' must be accepted.

  I really and truly don't think so. With regard to the example you give: I'll believe in alien intervention if I see convincing evidence for it. Until then, I don't believe in alien intervention. That wasn't so hard, was it?

  I certainly believe there are things going on that we aren't usually aware of.

  You and me both. But I believe that because of my knowledge of the human being, and how limited it is in observing the physical world. Heck, we can't even tell what's wrong with us when we're sick without outside assistance from specially trained experts! So of course there's a lot we miss. In fact, we miss most of what goes on around us. But that doesn't mean I'm going to believe in any particular thing without evidence of that particular thing.

  Edited by - grout on 13 June 2002 18:11:0
• 

  Grout

  SYN: I know what it is, being a programmer and all, but I don't see what it has to do with this discussion....
• 

  gsx1138

  I think there is a huge difference between not believing in something because you don't have evidence and believing that there is a possibility of something because there is no evidence present yet. To call the subject of this thread hand waving is basically calling Moe a liar. Because she has not run her dreams in a lab or presented them to you personally they must not have any significance or the story is made up. Being a Pagan myself I'm in the enviable position of not giving a shit about trying to convert anyone. Conversion requires a logical argument. I digress...an example of myself would be: I have never seen an alien from outter space but I don't dismiss the idea that they may exist. This does not mean that people who claim to have seen them are deluded it simply means that I haven't been a party to alien visitation.

  Well I have seen and experienced many things that have not been proven by science. I see no need to discount them because of it or pretend that it is nonsense as was stated.
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  Grout

  Because she has not run her dreams in a lab or presented them to you personally they must not have any significance or the story is made up.

  You see, Xander? Every fan of the supernatural wants his personal delusions individually disproved. It's a sure prescription for philosophical vapor lock.

  To call the subject of this thread hand waving is basically calling Moe a liar.

  Not necessarily. She could just be deceived herself, unwittingly passing on a nonsensical worldview. In the paranormal, as in dubland, true believers are usually 'victims of victims'.
• 

  thewiz

  you best get the GB on this one. I mean they did such a good job with the book of revelation.

  They ALONE have the God given authority to interpret vissions and dreams and times and seasons.
• 

  target

  Moe:
  While the others argue, lets get back to the subject at hand. I believe you are right about it being two different experiences. I also believe you are being shown what you can do. A sample of your abilities that you will be needing to use in the future. You are gifted and you are finding out how true that is. And you know what I mean.

  Target
• 

  Fizzgig

  Moe

  I find your dreams here interesting to say the least. While I promote myself to be a realist I have witnessed first hand things that have no explanation. So therefore I am encouraged to seek more information about the things you have brought up here. The pink dolphin dream interests me the most because that is something verifiable that you had no prior knowledge to. However the mayan temple dream you said you saw another temple that looked similar but didnt actually state whether you believe you were in that exact temple or not. I think all of us have seen temples like that in a magazine or TV show and therefore maybe that is where your dream sprung from. Ok so I am curious to know (forgive me!! I am not a girl :P ) what in your pink dolphin dream would cause you to realize you were menstruating? Do females dream about this often? Or did you mean that YOU were menstruating at the time you had this dream?? Or both? Im sorry if this seems too personal but I really am interestedso please fill me in if you wish.

  Fizz