Freethought & Rationalism Archive

John A. Broussard · 11-30-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD

John, all in jest. I know you haven't been around here that long. I'll point you in the right direction by doing a simple search:

Look here and here for starters.

Best,

CJD

Again thank you for your thought provoking reply to my post.

However, I see no reason for changing my previous statement, "...it remains of interest that you are unable to make your own analysis of the OP."

If you would care to investigate some links on the use of logic in the course of discussion, I'll be happy to pass them along to you.

CJD · 11-30-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Broussard

If you would care to investigate some links on the use of logic in the course of discussion, I'll be happy to pass them along to you.

Ouch.

Quote:

However, I see no reason for changing my previous statement, "...it remains of interest that you are unable to make your own analysis of the OP."

Surely you're not asking me to come up with anything original in this matter? Why would I attempt to improve upon something that I already think undermines your OP?

John A. Broussard · 11-30-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD

Why would I attempt to improve upon something that I already think undermines your OP?

You might attempt it if you really had something that already undermined the OP.

On the other hand, your reasons for not attempting it could conceivably be that you can't undermine it.

Thanks for reading my posts, by the way.

CJD · 12-01-2005, 07:41 AM

My hesitancy is not a result of my inability. My hesitancy is a result of my seeing the prophetic utterances of the neve'im as an essentially useless apologetic. <sigh> But on to your OP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Broussard

1. Forever prophecies are not worth considering. Since it would take forever for the prophecy to be fulfilled, there's no way of knowing their truth or falsity.

Sure.

Quote:

2. Prophecies cannot be verified unless they are clear and unambiguous. Poetic language can be esthetically satisfying but thoroughly misleading since open to so many interpretations. To say that Babylon will never be rebuilt is meaningless from any predictive viewpoint. What, specifically, is meant by rebuilding. What is meant by "Babylon," for that matter, has to be delineated in the original prophecy. Ad hoc additions to the prophecy to repair the ambiguities are, of course, also meaningless.

Yep.

Quote:

3. Most important, there has to be proof that the prophecy was made before the fulfillment of the prophecy. This would seem to be self evident, and yet it is frequently ignored by those who endorse the prophecy. Original documents, clearly dated prior to the event prophesied, are essential. With copies, it must be clear that later interpolations didn't creep into the document. Even engravings and stone carvings can be forged, as the recent ossuary hoax demonstrated.

You bet.

Quote:

4. Prophecies should not be confused with predictions. A prediction, by its very nature, does not claim to be an unfailing forecast of a future event. A prophecy, by its nature, does claim to be unfailing.

I think you misunderstand what prophetic utterances are, what they were intended to convey, and how they were read and heard by the ancients. A prophecy, does not, by its very nature, claim to be unfailing. Now, read the article.

Regards,

CJD

Johnny Skeptic · 12-01-2005, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Broussard

Prophecies should not be confused with predictions. A prediction, by its very nature, does not claim to be an unfailing forecast of a future event. A prophecy, by its nature, does claim to be unfailing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD

I think you misunderstand what prophetic utterances are, what they were intended to convey, and how they were read and heard by the ancients. A prophecy, does not, by its very nature, claim to be unfailing.

Please tell us what value, if any, there is today in the prophecies, utterances, or whatever else you wish to call them, of Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, etc. In addition, please tell us the main reasons why you became a Christian, and what you believe will happen to believers when they die. If you wish to address the latter issues in a new thread, which are quite important and you should address them, then please do so.

John A. Broussard · 12-01-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD
I think you misunderstand what prophetic utterances are, what they were intended to convey, and how they were read and heard by the ancients. A prophecy, does not, by its very nature, claim to be unfailing.

Quote:

Johnny Skeptic: Please tell us what value, if any, there is today in the prophecies, utterances, or whatever else you wish to call them, of Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, etc.

Good luck.

Let me predict the answer you'll get. "Read the article."

CJD · 12-01-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Broussard

Good luck.

Let me predict the answer you'll get. "Read the article."

Now I'm beginning to wonder if you're purposefully being a lazy ass. Why in the world wouldn't you be interested in discussing something that has bearing on your thesis?

CJD · 12-01-2005, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Skeptic

Please tell us what value, if any, there is today in the prophecies, utterances, or whatever else you wish to call them, of Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, etc.

Well, it quite clearly depends on which one you're talking about. Other than general historical interest, there's not much.

Quote:

In addition, please tell us the main reasons why you became a Christian, and what you believe will happen to believers when they die. If you wish to address the latter issues in a new thread, which are quite important and you should address them, then please do so.

This is so very random; why ought I address them?

John A. Broussard · 12-01-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD

Now I'm beginning to wonder if you're purposefully being a lazy ass. Why in the world wouldn't you be interested in discussing something that has bearing on your thesis?

Again, thank you for a thoughtful response.

I'm prepared for discussion.

My position is posed in the OP. Let me hear your take on the thesis.

Thank you.

Evilicious · 12-01-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD

Now I'm beginning to wonder if you're purposefully being a lazy ass.

How very kind of you to call him a lazy ass. Would it also be considered lazy to tell someone to "read the article" than to explain your own position?

Is this an example of the moral superiority of Christians that we're frequently told about?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.