Talk on Skepticism and Christianity

1. Betrayal of a False Dichotomy The Skeptical Christian

2. It is widely thought that science and religion (particularly Christianity) are at odds. An even larger chasm is seen between the viewpoint of skeptics and those who practice a faith of one kind or another. Faith, or willing credulity is anathema to a skeptic. Faith vs. Skepticism looks like a pretty good dichotomy. A False Dichotomy?

3. Question Everything Follow Scientific Method to Evaluate Claims The only things worth knowing are those that can be confirmed. Stand up against pseudo-science Stand up against the exploitation of people by charlatans What is a Skeptic?

4. The social construct? The religious institution? The collection of religious institutions? A particular set of ideals? All of the above are secondary emergent properties of a society engaged in a spiritual practice. What Christianity are we talking about?

5. The one and only God and creator reconciles the gap between people and that God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In response Christians are able to commune with God through Prayer Study, especially the Bible The result of which is a transformed human being. All of this is accepted on Faith Christian Spiritual Practice Summarized

6. Science deals only with the objective, the scientifically verifiable. Spiritual practice deals only with the ineffable vagaries of religious experience. One can’t be used to invalidate the other, even if they can be used to inform the other. Faith is not falsifiable Past secondary assumptions can’t invalidate objective and repeatable observations The Dichotomy that Isn’t

7. False assumptions pervade both practitioners of skepticism and Christianity. These false assumptions cause great harm and cause the appearance of a dichotomy. False Truths

8. The Bible as a source of Objective Truth The Bible as inerrant. In Fact: Bible is a collection of accounts of God, personal and tribal, and has a very human history, with very human issues. Not written by an angel, like Koran or Book of Mormon Not handed down by God, as 10 Commandments False Assumptions in Christianity

9. All truth worth knowing is scientifically knowable All truth is amenable to reason and logic In Fact: Today we can say we know only .0000000001 of 1% of anything, if that. Godel’s Theorem False Syllogism All mortals die. All people are mortals. =>All people die. Socratese is dead. All rocks are dead. => Socratese is a rock. False Assumptions in Skepticism

10. Precipitates meditation and reflection Provides moral framework Provides for affiliation Reduces stress Provides for Rogerian therapeutic environment. Provides wisdom Objective Benefits of Christian Spiritual Practice

11. Exposes scammers and liars Keeps people from being exploited Scientific knowledge is brought to bear on issues of the day Provides for an active and robust civil society Provides a common method for coming to agreement Objective Benefits of Skepticism

12. Faith means you admit you don’t know everything. Think for yourself, don’t accept the institution or other secondary structure on faith. Reject forays into politics and science. Let God out of the box. Reject bad theology! Christian Perspective on Skeptic Realm

13. There is much that is not falsifiable, therefore much that is not scientifically knowable. Some forays into the scientifically unknowable may actually be worth while. Reject the scammers, but accept the subjective experience of the person. Skeptic Perspective on Christian Realm

14. I am passionate about science. I greatly admire the power of skepticism and the ability of objective observation to create progress in many areas. I try to apply skepticism as much as possible to my daily life. Personal Passions: Skepticism

15. I am passionate about my spiritual practice. I greatly admire the power of my spiritual practice to make me a better man, and to reconcile me to others. I try to apply my spiritual practice as much as possible to my daily life. Personal Passions: Christian Practice

16. I couldn’t imagine living without either of these aspects in my life. I do not find them in conflict, but find that both add immeasurably to my life. Dichotomy Betrayed! Baron Schaaf Blog: http://BaronPonders.Wordpress.Com Twitter: BaronSchaaf Email: BaronSchaaf@yahoo.com