EvC Forum: Is faith the answer to cognitive dissonance?

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Topic: Is faith the answer to cognitive dissonance?

nwr

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Message 23 of 227 (557657)
04-27-2010 1:43 PM

Reply to: Message 12 by Peg
04-27-2010 6:40 AM

Peg writes:
And if you want to argue that we today cannot know if the bible is factual, let me ask you this...

We know that parts of the bible are not factual. We know this from what it says. It does not matter who wrote it.

Peg writes:
Do you believe that a man named Shakespear wrote Romeo and Juliet?

The play is good. It does not matter who wrote it.

Peg writes:
Do you believe that the USA's 'Declaration of Independence' was actually written by Thomas Jefferson?

I value the declaration for what it says. It does not matter who wrote it.

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	Message 12 by Peg, posted 04-27-2010 6:40 AM		Peg has not replied

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	Message 24 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 1:50 PM		nwr has replied

nwr

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From: Geneva, Illinois

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Message 25 of 227 (557664)
04-27-2010 2:24 PM

Reply to: Message 24 by Straggler
04-27-2010 1:50 PM

Straggler writes:

Do you believe that a man named Shakespear wrote Romeo and Juliet?

The play is good. It does not matter who wrote it.

I was making the point that the question being asked was not one for which we needed the answer. Peg was implicitly asserting that the value of "Romeo and Juliet" comes from the authority of its author. I am pointing out that the value comes from its content, not from authority of authorship.

Straggler writes:
If living our blives as if the bible were true enhanced the lives of all would you advocate that we follow it regardless of any veracity?

The same pragmatic principle applies. One should value it as a guide to life based on the usefulness of its content for that purpose. Whether or not it is factually accurate about historical questions is an entirely irrelevant issue when making that decision.

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	Message 24 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 1:50 PM		Straggler has replied

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	Message 30 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 4:21 PM		nwr has replied

nwr

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From: Geneva, Illinois

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Message 46 of 227 (557730)
04-27-2010 6:21 PM

Reply to: Message 30 by Straggler
04-27-2010 4:21 PM

Re: Authorship

Straggler writes:
You don't think it matters whether or not the bible is ultimately the word of god?

It is obvious to anybody with a modicum of common sense, that the bible is not the word of god except in a metaphorical sense.

Straggler writes:
But the authority of the bible does come from who ultimately authored it (in Peq's eyes and those of other believers). So by not answering the question she asked you are failing to address the point being made.

I was quite obviously disagreeing with Peg's position on the importance of authorship. How could an expression of disagreement be a failure to address her point?

Straggler writes:
Well it is all very well you declaring that but that misses the entire point of this thread.

Perhaps. However, it precisely responded to the question you asked.

Straggler writes:
What do your comments have to do with the nature of faith?

I had thought that the topic was about the nature of cognitive dissonance.

There are many scientists who are also Christians. I doubt that many of them suffer from any cognitive dissonance because of that. In most cases, I expect that they have come to an understanding of their Christianity that is not in conflict with their faith.

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	Message 30 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 4:21 PM		Straggler has replied

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	Message 50 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 7:17 PM		nwr has replied

nwr

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From: Geneva, Illinois

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Message 51 of 227 (557758)
04-27-2010 7:54 PM

Reply to: Message 50 by Straggler
04-27-2010 7:17 PM

Re: Authorship

Straggler writes:
I doubt Peq does disagree that Romeo and Juliet is a good play regardless of whether or not Shakespeare actually wrote it. But how is that relevant to the bible being the word of god, evidence of His existence and worthy of faith?

Peg writes:
And if you want to argue that we today cannot know if the bible is factual, let me ask you this...

Do you believe that a man named Shakespear wrote Romeo and Juliet?

As you can see, Peg was specifically arguing a similarity between faith in the factuality of what is in the bible, and with the authorship of Romeo and Juliet. My response (Message 23) commented on both points.

So, yes, I did address the point that Peg raised.

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	Message 50 by Straggler, posted 04-27-2010 7:17 PM		Straggler has replied

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	Message 57 by Straggler, posted 04-28-2010 4:04 AM	nwr has seen this message but not replied
	Message 62 by Peg, posted 04-28-2010 5:16 AM	nwr has replied