> > On Thu, Jul 17, 1997 at 10:37:38PM -0500, Farrell Till wrote:
> > > TILL
> > > First, let's consider your final statement. If the only reasonable
> > > explanation of the universe is a "self-existent causal agent," then
> > why do
> > > you suppose that the "greatest theoretical physicist of the 20th
> > century" is
> > > an atheist? Is he so dumb that he just can't see as clearly as you
> > that God is the only reasonable explanation of the universe?
MAGILL
> Magill- Why do you even ask the question?
TILL
Because Walt, Jr., had obviously distorted Hawking's statement to make it
mean something that wasn't intended, and then Walt asked me if I was going
to agree with the "greatest theoretical physicist of the 20th century." My
question was asked sarcastically.
MAGILL
>You know the Bible says that the wisdom of man is foolishness to God.
TILL
Yes, I know the Bible says this, but that's not all I know. I know that you
are begging the question of the Bible's authority and truthfulness and that
you are committing the fallacy of the appeal to [questionable] authority.
MAGILL
>In another place, The Holy Spirit tells us that, "Professing (professors;
academia, >human wisdom) to be wise they became fools."
TILL
Correction: The apostle Paul tells us this. Whether he was telling us this
through the Holy Spirit is just another question you are begging.
MAGILL
>And you also know God says that His wisdom is spiritually discerned and
mere >men through intellectual pursuits can never ascertain His truth.
TILL
I know that the Bible claims that wisdom is spiritually discerned, and I
believe that you also claim that the Holy Spirit helps you discern truth and
the meaning of the scriptures. So maybe the Holy Spirit will help you
discern how to make a logical argument and to recognize when you are just
begging questions.
MAGILL
>Thus, according to what God has already said,
TILL
Question-begging again.
MAGILL
>your question is beyond the scope of your own personal reasoning abilites
to begin with so why even pursue it?
TILL
Question begging. Do you have any kind of argument to support your claim
that personal reasoning abilities are lacking in people who do not accept
Christianity? If so, offer it. If not, then why don't you stop wasting
band space?
Farrell Till
Skepticism, Inc.
jftill@midwest.net