Jeffrey Gibson

And you know that this is " pretty much would any theologian would say" how?

Jeffrey

Jeffrey Gibson

So far as I can see (and I'd be grateful for corrections), I said nothing about your not being able to say whatever you want to say. Nor did I tell you how you should run your own thread.

All I did was to ask two questions about what you said. Do you have an answer to those questions or not?

Jeffrey

The Dagda

Since its clear all you do is cast aspersions on everyone who posts anything opposed to your view, I don't think I care to answer the questions, if you don't want to post an opinion don't, but don't try and ruin all my threads please. If that's what is the usual for you fine. But so far I've found you nothing but rude and condescending when you post, so I have no wish to go through the same crap I did last time when asking a perfectly simple question. So if you don't mind pass, history would tell me its easier that way.

Dawkin's claims that, The Arch Bishop of Canterbury claims that about historians of the past. If you don't know people who claim that what the hell are you doing in theology? Do you live in an underground bunker perhaps?

Jeffrey Gibson

I wonder if you'd be kind enough to point out where I've stated my view on the matter of theology being "the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased", let alone that all I do is "cast aspersions on everyone who posts anything opposed to your view"?

In other words, you do not have an answer to my questions. I thought as much, given the way you dodged them. Thanks for clarifying.

Where can Dawkin's claim about what the AofC claims be found?

And how is Dawkins claims about what the Aof C claims about historians of the past in any way relevant to the issue at hand -- which is is whether or not theology is "the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased", as you claim it is?

The issue is not what I know but whether you have evidence to back up your claim. And are you really saying that the only reason that people are "in theology" is to get to know theologians who claim that "theology is the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased"?

No, I live and work among, and am in constant contact with, academics of all sorts and have never heard any of them, including theologians and those who think theology is nonsense, ever claiming that "theology is the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased", let alone that theologians do say this (freely or otherwise) and/or are the only ones who do so.

Now perhaps you can tell me where you live so that we can measure the degree of your familiarity with theology and other areas of study, as well as actual with theologians and other academics, and thereby determine whether you have the familiarity with these areas and these folks that would be requisite for your claim that theology is the only area of study that not only does "freely say" it is biased, but "gets away" (what ever that means" with saying it, to be valid. Fair is fair after all.

Jeffrey

The Dagda

I said why can theology say that? It seems that you are asking why I asked that, note the question marks. Now note what that means I mean. Instead of just assuming what I think, why not assume I am trying as in the OP to get an opinion, not making some inquisitional attack on anyone. It seems it's fine to talk about this on the other thread, but here it's taboo, which says it all? What's the difference between that thread and this exactly?

Oh I know I don't have PhD in theology so if anyone else asks that question they are right by default. Please stop resorting to authority to justify your position. I'm not asking about particular people but an opinion from, particular people, as a sort of census of opinion. Not some overarching judgement on theology. If you don't want to answer don't. BUt I think we can patently tell you think theology is no more biased than any other field. Fine why not just say that though instead of rambling on about your credentials as if they give you the authority to judge anyone's questions as inapt, whatever the context.

Jeffrey Gibson

But you haven't yet established that "theology" does say what you claimed it says, i.e. that it is biased, let alone that it is the only area of study that (freely) says that it is biased, and that it " can get away with freely saying" that it is.

No, this is not what I asked. I asked you to tell me what it is that informs your claim that "theology" does indeed say what you claimed it says and that it is, also as you claimed, the only area of study that says what you say it says - a question that, notably you keep dodging.

What does having a degree in theology have to do with the truth of your claim that "theology is the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased"? and whether or not the claim is an informed one. Does one need a degree in theology in order to answer the question of whether it's true, as you claimed it is, or how you know it's true, or whether you have any evidence in support of your claim that "theology is the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased"?

And how does who it is who asks a question make a question "right", let alone "right by default?

And what position is that, exactly? And where in this thread have I resorted to authority to "justify" it?

Jeffrey

The Dagda

I'm asking a question I have no position, it's called playing devil's advocate. Never mind. How can I ask the question if I reveal my position? Oh well...

Look I don't mind if you want to hang around and play twenty questions, who knows it might be amusing, but please keep to asking civil questions not trying to dictate yours on others.

That sounds like a resort to authority to me? Am I the only one who took that to mean I know, so you don't?

Do you think it might be better if I just have this thread closed, or something, seeing as you seem hell bent on being as generally condescending and preachy as ever. And it seems there's no interest in this topic anyway. I mean its fine by me, probably comes up all the time, people are tired of voicing their opinions. Say the word.

Jeffrey Gibson

Your question was "Why is theology the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased?" and it was followed by this statement -- " I think that's a double standard".

Both the question and the statement presuppose a firm belief on your part that theology is "the only area of study that can get away with freely saying it is biased". To say that you have no position on this mater is as disingenuous as it is belied by your claim -- and it is a claim -- that theology works from a double standard.

:huh::huh:

If the first paragraph is a "resort" (did you mean "appeal"?) to anything it is a resort to my experience with the very people you make claims about. It is to be taken for what it's worth and nothing more. Though given the nature of the claim on your part (i.e., about what "theology" and no other academics say), I think it's worth something since it is grounded, as your claim is apparently not. in what at least some theologians and other academics actually say.

The second paragraph is a question of what your direct experience with theologians and other academic is, and therefore whether you indeed know what they say or have any real experience of what they say that counters mine -- a question that I note you keep dodging.

I think it would be good if you actually owned up to the fact that you did indeed state your position about what you believe theology does and if you'd answer the questions of how you know that it does what you say it does.

If the thread has gone off course, it's solely because of you have dragged it off course by your not doing these things.

I'll ask one more time, do you really think it's true that " theology" is indeed an area of study that says (freely or otherwise) that it's biased, but that its the only area of study that can [and does] get away with [freely] saying it is biased?"

It's a yes or no question. What's so difficult about answering it? And why have you continuously avoided doing so?

Jeffrey

The Dagda

I think it would be a good idea if I put you on ignore for being annoying and had this thread locked as a non starter.

mountainman

Dear Roger,

Why did you vote YES? I am genuinely surprised, and a little shaken. Have I mistaken your position? Did you make a mistake? At any rate, I am suitably impressed with this. Have a great "Galilaeanmas" and New Year and I hope you track down that video (3 bears).

Best wishes,


Pete