The illogic of Atheism

@malf

You're not really a sceptic, are you. You don't seem to be willing to change your position based on evidence.
Your "explanation" for the phenomena reported by the two heart surgeons, for example, infuriated me, to be honest.

I wouldn't have expected you to say 'yes' it's 'proof' of life after death -- or 'proof' that the mind can exist when the brain is not functioning.

But to come up with BS like suggesting that the medics somehow accidently fed the patient with the information and didn't realise what they'd done... and both of them went away thinking that something unexplainable had occurred... when in reality it was just their ham-fisted bungling of the situation that was responsible etc...

You ought to be ashamed of that behaviour, Malf. Only an idiot would suggest such a scenario occurred. And you're not an idiot. There's enough strangeness in that one case to give any real sceptic pause for thought but when you know that there's hundreds of the same events occurring and reoccurring and you still keep asserting that there's...sweet FA. I find that hard to take.

I might be wrong but I tend to see your role on the forum more as a comedian than a sceptic and that's okay. If that is the case, why not just admit it and stop pretending ?

Out of interest, I wondered what would happen to the equivalent - a religious fundamentalist - on an atheist forum.

That would only be the equivalent if Psience is a forum for religious fundamentalists.

@malf

You're not really a sceptic, are you. You don't seem to be willing to change your position based on evidence.
Your "explanation" for the phenomena reported by the two heart surgeons, for example, infuriated me, to be honest.

I wouldn't have expected you to say 'yes' it's 'proof' of life after death -- or 'proof' that the mind can exist when the brain is not functioning.

But to come up with BS like suggesting that the medics somehow accidently fed the patient with the information and didn't realise what they'd done... and both of them went away thinking that something unexplainable had occurred... when in reality it was just their ham-fisted bungling of the situation that was responsible etc...

You ought to be ashamed of that behaviour, Malf. Only an idiot would suggest such a scenario occurred. And you're not an idiot. There's enough strangeness in that one case to give any real sceptic pause for thought but when you know that there's hundreds of the same events occurring and reoccurring and you still keep asserting that there's...sweet FA. I find that hard to take.

I might be wrong but I tend to see your role on the forum more as a comedian than a sceptic and that's okay. If that is the case, why not just admit it and stop pretending ?

Thanks for the kind words...

The last thing we probably need is another Rudy diversion. However I think I should clear up my thoughts on the case because you’re misrepresenting my position.

After the surgery, during this (rather bizarre) 2 week period when these two busy surgeons were trying to find out “what  the patient remembered, if anything” were any notes kept? Did they visit him together or independently (absolutely key)? Are we to assume that these were the only people talking to him about his procedure? Nurses, other hospital staff, family?

Further, if the Rudy’s story hadn’t become a little more miraculous and wonderful over the years that would be extremely unusual. This isn’t fraud, just well documented human nature. This also plays into the malleability of memory.

Finally, at the time when Rudy asked if he remembered anything else I suspect he happened to be complaining to a nurse about post breakfast crumbs in his bed. “Toast bits, oats” was understandably misheard by the good doctor...

That would only be the equivalent if Psience is a forum for religious fundamentalists.

Interesting that that was considered the equivalent... almost proves my point

Interesting that that was considered the equivalent... almost proves my point

I'm sure you're aware that Kam did not intend that, though he slipped up. Not so sure it proves anything

I'm sure you're aware that Kam did not intend that, though he slipped up. Not so sure it proves anything

I know. Kam and I are all good. We agree on more than we disagree. You can tease your mates though, right?

I know. Kam and I are all good. We agree on more than we disagree. You can tease your mates though, right?

Wouldn't be any fun if you couldn't

Thanks for the kind words...

The last thing we probably need is another Rudy diversion. However I think I should clear up my thoughts on the case because you’re misrepresenting my position.

After the surgery, during this (rather bizarre) 2 week period when these two busy surgeons were trying to find out “what  the patient remembered, if anything” were any notes kept? Did they visit him together or independently (absolutely key)? Are we to assume that these were the only people talking to him about his procedure? Nurses, other hospital staff, family?

Further, if the Rudy’s story hadn’t become a little more miraculous and wonderful over the years that would be extremely unusual. This isn’t fraud, just well documented human nature. This also plays into the malleability of memory.

Finally, at the time when Rudy asked if he remembered anything else I suspect he happened to be complaining to a nurse about post breakfast crumbs in his bed. “Toast bits, oats” was understandably misheard by the good doctor...

Yes, Malf, confirmation that you are indeed a fine comedian !

Interesting that that was considered the equivalent... almost proves my point

Well, seeing as I made a point about false equivalence earlier in the thread, I should be more careful in my phrasing. The equivalence in this instance was meant to be between an atheist fundamentalist and a religious one but it is a little messy because I was also comparing forums.

Sure.

The OP's article had the following quote regarding Dawkins:


Here's an article written by what appears to be an atheist author.  Its pretty well written to my view, but please click on the link to the video from a speech Dawkins' gave several years ago.

Article
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/1...-damaging/

Video
http://youtu.be/H9UKTuuTHEg?t=14m51s

I think the OP's criticism stands up to the evidence in this case.

Makes me wonder if atheism really exists.  These guys clearly think Dawkins is God!