What do you say about a one-on-one correspondence through personal =
e-mail? You seem pretty objective and rational...it is difficult to get =
any real ideas conveyed when you got a dozen people coming at you. Let =
me know what you think.
His,
Walt Jr.
----------
From: Aaron Oakley[SMTP:s_aarono@eduserv.its.unimelb.EDU.AU]
Sent: 15 April 1997 07:32
To: Walter Nusbaum
Cc: errancy@infidels.org
Subject: A response to Walt Jr.
Walt Jr.-
Your hopes are in vain. If anything, the argumentation on this
list has drawn me closer to the Lord. =20
Aaron O.-
What makes you think we have hopes for you? This list is for discussing
biblical errancy, not for converting Christians who come to sermonize us
away from their religion. Just because you feel yourself
drawn closer to your perceived Lord is in no way proof of the existence
or otherwise of this Lord person.
Walt Jr.-
Admittedly, I have learned a
great deal from the posts of many of you, however, your expectations =
have
been to no avail. If anything, the rhetoric alone on this list=20
has been enough to drive me away from your philosophical conclusions.
Aaron O-
Rhetoric is the use of language to sound impressive.
While non-Christians may be guilty of this from time to time,
that in no way is a basis for discrediting everything they write.
Christians use plenty of rhetoric too.
Walt Jr.-
Though you guys feel "free" (which I believe that you do),
nevertheless, I see great amounts of anxiety and frustration in all of
your posts.
Aaron O.-
Gee Walt, isn't that RHETORIC? We might sound frustrated
and anxious, but so what?
I'm not frustrated. Although I might become frustrated from
time to time, that is in no way disproof of my philosophical
position.
Walt Jr.-
One who has the truth resides in it peacefully. =20
Aaron O.-
That sounds like more rhetoric, Walt. It sounds impressive, but can't
be proven!
Walt Jr.-
I can understand occasional outbursts (being human and all), however, =
the
constant bombardment of cynicism and frustration that I see is enough to =
let me see that the "free thinker" philosophy is a hoax.=20
Aaron O.-
Walt uses some of the other techniques of Sophistry here.
Apart from the rhetoric, we have an ad hominem. Walt attacks us
because of perceived cynicism and frustration. Of course, it is
entirely possible that we are cynical and frustrated, but even if we
were, that would in no way be a disproof of the validity of
our philosophical position. To try to use this as a
basis for rejecting free thinking is wrong.
Walt Jr.-
I do and will continue to lift each of you up in my prayers. May the =
Lord
continue to show grace in your lives.
Aaron O-
Thanks Walt. Although I don't think prayer will do much good.
Your thesis here seems to revolve around the idea that the
truth will bring us some sort of personal peace. But why should
that be so? Comforting myths can bring us peace. Many religions
contain the conceit that humans are special, and that we will go
to a heaven of some description if we adhere to that religion.
But these various religions are not necessarily true, are they?
Freethinking is not about peace. It is about questioning
assertions, and more generally, thinking critically.
These attributes do not necessarily bring peace. But so what?