tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7844827880580229020.post808941650215225578..comments2023-10-24T03:03:41.272-07:00Comments on Director's cut: The Best AnswerStaid Winnowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03473150367386722079noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7844827880580229020.post-90898277636309812232011-09-20T10:38:17.349-07:002011-09-20T10:38:17.349-07:00Part of the privilege of theists is to believe tha...Part of the privilege of theists is to believe that they can answer questions to difficult questions. The god of the gaps has been inculcated into their thoughts as the catch-all response. It is easy to remember, intimidating to dispute, and can always be supplemented with a "Yes, the tides are because of the moon, but god created the moon, so technically I am still right".<br /><br />Ignorance scares most people, and if a solve-nothing non-answer is the best they can get, they'll take it.<br /><br />We like our leaders to be "common men", because we do not like to think that the president is smarter than us, when in fact we should hope for exactly such a thing.<br /><br />Like you say, "I don't know" is the only correct answer available at times, but providing that makes them feel inferior, especially when "Goddidit" has enjoyed no opposition through the ages. It deflects from their ignorance.<br /><br />These days, I sometimes respond with "I did it". Because it immediately puts the emphasis of evidence back into the mix. And I press on past the initial guffaw of disbelief.<br /><br />"Why do you think it is impossible for me to have done it?"<br /><br />"What evidence would you need for accepting that I did it?"<br /><br />...<br /><br />"Why should I not then, expect the same sort evidence for your claims?"<br /><br />Religion wants others to be humble, which is why debates with cretins like Bill O'Reilly end up with the atheist looking bad. He is too shell-shocked that idiocy is being proclaimed so loudly.<br /><br />Which is why ridicule must be employed far more than it is. It is not arrogance to ridicule unintelligible propositions. Humility only encourages more of such behavior, which is why the religious push humility on others.<br /><br />A common question at Republican debates always is "Who does not believe in evolution?" What is scary is that there are no penalties for people raising their hand. So much so that I suspect that they'll start asking the question at Democratic debates, and hands will go upStaid Winnowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473150367386722079noreply@blogger.com