jpappl
First of all, the narrative is a work in progress, it's about questions and the search for the answers, not having all the answers.
The separation is those in search for the truth and those claiming to have the truth. ”
I don't have a problem with that.
What I do have a problem is when you lend yourself to "truths" such as "No one can know god" etc etc.
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Well correct me if I am wrong. But I don't believe I have ever said no one can "know" god, I have said no one can prove there is a god.
(assuming that you don't have a problem with the issue of knowing god) What is it that prevents a person who knows god from proving it?
Epistemologically speaking, proof relies on a means. So for instance, there is a good reason why you can prove the temperature with a thermometer and not a tape measure.
(At the risk of cutting to car chase, I think this boils down to the issue whether empiricism has the monopoly on all knowable claims)
The problem with the know god part is that if you claim to know god then you are claiming something that should be considered knowledge and that should be proveable.
I agree
If you study your religious texts and find meaning you could say that by doing so you are trying to know god or gods meanings.
theory is but one part of proof.
It is followed by application and conclusion (both of which are equally susceptible to error
If you believe that it will take you to that type of understanding.
If one believes that the texts that surround physics will lead to an understanding of physics, they also have a means and a way.
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“ I don't have issues with those who believe in god or gods, I do have issues with those who claim to know exactly how it all started, whether they are theist or atheist. ”
Clearly you have other issues at work in your system when you start subscribing to one (general) narrative as a means for rejecting a different (general) narrative.
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Well that is why I focus on the errors in the texts. One system allows for movement and changes as newer truths present themselves, that is something that I can respect.
You miss the point.
The moment you label something an "error" you are already subscribing to a narrative
The other does not allow for these changes because it claims to be final. No more questions we have the answers.
So you think that empiricism has no pending issues of finality?
I don't subscribe to any one narrative. I don't think anyone has the answers for some of these questions and may not if ever, certainly not in my lifetime.
Once again, if you weren't subscribing to a narrative, you would have no means to label something an error.
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“ Theist's texts are final, they claim to have the answers and they are full of errors, so they fail. ”
basically any narrative one chooses has an element of finality to it. If it wasn't the case, you wouldn't be trying to discredit theism on the strength of science.
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No, I disagree. It is the very foundation of science to keep looking and moving with the truth.
The fact that words like "truth" are irreconcilable with phrases like "work in progress" is why many involved in the philosophy that surrounds science (eg Karl Popper) don't recommend heading in that direction ....
Some scientists might not like that some whipper snapper has come up with an idea that challenges the long held belief, but science isn't about the scientists. It will change with the truth.
empiricism is all about falsification of theories.
This is why god is a problem for the materialistic savant since He flatly admits His unavailability to those engaged in illusory pursuits.
Facts can be stubborn I know.
"fact", like "truth", is one of those words in science that in practical usage is closer to "suggestion" or "might be".
Hence its not the stubbornness of the facts, per se, but the institutions that support them that makes for it.