A,
As I read this post, I kept thinking, "I bet it'd be fun talking with this guy. I could probably get a whole glass of beer drunk while he's going through all this!"
The devil? I don't think so! Chuckle. But to your post, while you enjoy your Guinness,
I've had hundreds of folks who declare themselves Christians assure me they carry on direct communications with one or more of their gods. Some, like you, seem to prefer going directly to "the Father," while others claim to have their pow wows with "the Son." We don't have any misunderstanding on this point, I think.
Really? I meet so very, very few! Could you arrange an introduction? Especially to any single, middle-aged women!
ie., the person asking the question in prayer (Petitioner) becomes like a "judge" who all of a sudden is the sole entity responsible for determining the truth.
That's about it. Suppose you question the bible's claim to be a message from a spiritual being, some sort of "Contact" to use whatshisname's (the cosmos guy) term. You have the bible, your own reason, the history of the bible, history as influenced by the bible. But the bible warns that you are going to get static on this question from some supernatural being that's going to mess up your reason. But if you pray, they'll leave you alone. Whatever epistemological strategy you're going to use to reach a operating "conclusion" to this inquiry, it will likely work best for you if this hypothetical demon is excluded.
Now, raising the question is a good idea. Sounds like loving the truth, which the bible commends. Yes, you are the final judge, for your life and that of anyone, like your children, who are tagging along with you. Unless your epistemological strategy is to trust the decision to someone else, which in this case is dangerous if they tell you the Bible is not a "contact." Then you will keep on trusting your authority. But, if they tell you that the bible is contact, then of course, you will quit trusting that or any authority in that way, since the bible demands that you "search out a matter." Not on your own (we have Percy's consensus), but getting from authorities leads, hints, counsel, stuff that helps you judge yourself.
Regarding the Dickcissel event, you ask,
Is this real science? Or is this even real religion?
No, not really. Engineering. The real science studied the plausibility and ways of prayer for 8 years, until the hypothesis was so plausible that I decided to put it into practice, to solve a problem that concerned me. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. Of course, I had solved many other problems in my experiments before then, but at modest or low cost to myself. This one was expensive, as were several other applications that I had engaged in. Research differs from engineering primarily in the cost or risk of the outcome coming out differently than hoped.
beware the Evil One (in the role of a Philadelphia defense lawyer)
Nicely put. Yeshua once said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" But, mostly, I think Satan talks to us in our own thoughts and opinions. So, when we pray, "deliver us from the evil one." we get a different set of thoughts in our minds.
[What prohibits us from assuming it's false until proven true?]
No prohibition, but in the truth table, it may never be proven true to you even when it is true, because, by assuming it's false, demonic truth in it blocks your discovery of that truth. But, you are free to take that risk.
[Exactly how do "precautions" serve to determine fact?]
The precautions block a confusing or obscuring factor that would otherwise hide the fact from discovery.
Now, to conclude Message #16, you say, "Christians teach that God is 'dumb,' according to the Bible, because they are actually children of the devil, liars, put on earth to confuse the message of the gospel."
You've said this or something similar in many postings, Stephen; so at first I just thought you were laying bait. But after reading Message #16 several times, it just adds to my confusion.
I was just trying to stay on thread. The question is, "why do Christians make God out to be dumb?" The answer is, "That's their job!" I'm trying to warn you to be very careful about what you hear from Christians. When they pray, "deliver us from the evil one." the prayer is not applied to themselves, since it begins "Our Father (Jehovah)..." and their father is Satan. Of course, we are all born that way, and have to be born again to be otherwise. But Christians choose a life of blatant hypocrisy. You want to know God, don't listen to their version of Him. Ask Him tough questions yourself.
as if only you or persons who use your particular "HD" method will arrive at the correct theological determinations regarding this whole Dune/Star Wars/Voodoo/Essene battle for Creation.
Well, this method worked and is working for me. Applied epistemology is my interest, and so I'm interested in everyone's answer the question, "Why or how have you arrived at what you believe?"
our thoughts are generally haunted (?)"
Your thoughts, my thoughts, or both? Shit, Stephen, you have me so confused, I don't really care anymore.
These are two good examples of thoughts that, if haunting is where they are coming from, will respond to prayers. I've asked God if He would honor agnostic prayers from you for clarity, and a keen interest, and He said He would do both. So, go for it, and see what happens.
Stephen
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