Persistent belief is a psychological phenomenon that has been known for many years. It is the propensity of humans to maintain beliefs in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.It is most frequently recognized in the arena of religion because religious beliefs concern supernatural, unnatural, un-material, “unreal” and irrational subjects. Not only do those holding on to such beliefs maintain them when confronted with fact, they often go to extraordinary measures to attempt to support those beliefs. I personally witnessed the hilarious results of this phenomenon at a recent dinner party. This atheist was seated next to a Christian minister, and after a few drinks, general political discussions quickly turned into a theological debate.
My usual objections to religious barbarity were countered with the usual responses that the new testament supersedes the old and that it is all about love. I then noted that Jesus said that Christians should hate their families.
The debate passed the usual out-of-context-hate-means-love excuses as the reverend held tightly to his irrational belief. Then, in a last ditch effort to support his weakening position, he began to adopt the words of Jesus.
In the end, he confessed that like Jesus, he also “hated” his mother. Because I knew that the preacher had fallen victim to the persistent belief phenomenon, I laughed.
No matter what we think we believe, want to believe, or actually manage to believe, in the final analysis, we are all human, and I choose to believe that is a good thing.
Mike Smith,
Lakeshore Drive
Realize he is wrong - - about what? On what measure do you base what is right and what is wrong? When did you last meet with Mike and attempt to discover the “kind of person” Mike is? Religious affiliation – just like shoes – don’t make the man.
Before it’s too late? For what?
Peace - Tom
Note: makes as much sence as "Cognitive dissonance...
Partially right?
Sounds like cognitive dissonance to me....
Greg - why don't you join us for breakfast...
A bit of introspective reflection may be in order. I can see the basis of many of your thoughts, however, having studied some of the scriptures you refer to I also understand that parables are not always to be understood "word for word". This is repeated in poetry and literature throughout history. I also, although the majority of our local religious right would disagree, understand that the Bible was translated from one language into another and as such is subject to error. The KJV was not the "First" English translation as many will assert and was translated with a heavy slant towards acceptance and conformity with accepted practices. In the end, the local right is probably wrong about alot of things and some of your points have validity, but not in the way that you see it. If you must twist someone's words or take them out of context to prove a point then your point has not actually been proven.
In the end, much of the local religious right does not have the education to debate you at any given level. As debates are not "won" by opinion but merely by fact you obviously have the upper hand as a great majority do not even no what they are debating about. This, however, is sad because in the end it is a bit like Drew Brees playing pee-wee football.... it just ain't fair!!! Mike, you win!!! Just give them a break....
-- Babe Ruth