Brian2
Veteran Member
I and others have discussed our criteria for prophecy to judge it meaningful. You haven't addressed that. Yesterday, you noted that the Tyre prophecy was accurate, and I explained that that wasn't enough. I then went on to prophecy darkness at night for yesterday, and lo and behold, it was an accurate prophecy. It even specified the date (yesterday) and time (late evening) that the prophecy would take place, which Tyre prophecy lacked. I'll bet that my prophecy doesn't impress you at all, and that would be a correct conclusion to arrive at, but can you say why? What does my prophecy lack that would make it evidence that I possess hidden knowledge not available to ordinary people had it contained that?
Got any? (Of course, I mean unambiguous fulfilled prophecies, and prophecies that were made before they were fulfilled -- so rule out Daniel.)One example, of course, might be Jesus's prophecy that he'd return while some around Him were still living. I have to presume, if that's to be fulfilled, that there at least a person or two who have been waiting around for 2 millenia.
From post 40, what I was replying to when I said that he had been poisoned against fulfilled Biblical prophecy. You should be able to see the reason I did not want to continue the discussion.
Your prophecy about the sun is ridiculous and is not comparison to the Tyre prophecy, but that is what you are doing, comparing them and saying your prophecy about the sun setting is better. I guess that is critical thinking for you.
You didn't rebut successfully. You convinced me of nothing. But your methods are different from mine. You say that you found the process painful. Why should that be? I find many discussions disappointing, but I don't have an emotional reaction. I don't get frustrated or have a bad experience like so many of the believers. You saw them practically begging for the discussion to stop, framing it as attack and calling it divisive. Not for the critical thinkers participating. But that is to be expected when the two cultures interact, and one doesn't really understand how the other processes information.
It is painful when people are forcing their beliefs onto you and you don't want to argue them because you know it is no more than a waste of time.
I explained that to you. Speaking of how we process information, if you make a statement like I did about Occam's Razor, where I explained the utility of the concept, but in reverse, explaining why you think I was wrong, I will address it with you and tell you why I disagree if I do. What we see so often in these threads are arguments not acknowledged much less rebutted, followed by the same claim previously rebutted. You've done that twice in the quotes in this thread, first by repeating that another poster had been poisoned after it was explained why that wasn't an accurate assessment (and failing to comment on the criteria for strong prophecy), and now with Occam's Razor.
OK so you don't like the way I discuss things.
But I don't say lightly that I have rebutted something. If you want to discuss the Ezekiel 26 prophecy then be more specific.
But no you want to discuss a statement about using occam's razor to dismiss prophecy, as if occam's razor is a reason that prophecy is not true. But you're the critical thinker.
I'm sure you would like to learn more about this and do a better job. Here's a key element: address EVERY claim or argument made to you either by indicating agreement or explaining not just that you think it's wrong, but exactly where, why, and what is correct instead. Your answer should show clearly why you think mine is wrong. If it doesn't even attempt to do that, it cannot lead to a meaningful resolution of differences in opinion. Try that now. Find the comments in this post that you think are incorrect and explain why you think so in the manner I described - falsification. Think courtroom trial. The prosecutor presents a plausible theory of a crime and the defendants guilt. What kinds of replies from the defense attorney would help to exonerate the defendant. Here are your choices:
If you understand what I'm driving at in this example, then you know what I am asking for in our discussion and your replies - debate, dialectic.
- Say nothing.
- Say that's not how we see it (simple dissent).
- Explain that the defendant is a good husband and father (dissent with a comment that doesn't make the prosecutor wrong).
- Give an alibi that shows that the prosecutor's argument is wrong (rebuttal, falsification).
I already know that you would prefer it if I debated as you do. I do that at times and find that posts get too long and tedious and I cannot keep up.