Comments on: Father Knows Best

By: aggieatheist

aggieatheist — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:41:02 +0000

“However, it is sufficiently vague to constitute little more than an ad hominem argument.”

Never mind that, Gary, Billy-boy there has been beating bibles at Armstrongists and ex-Armstrongists for years, ever since he “found Jebus”.

Just check out his recent loooooooooooong screeds over at Shadows, and his arrogant, attitude-prone responses to anyone who dares (Who DARES I tell you!) to disagree with His Holiness Himself Hohmann who has THE Way THE Truth and THE Life, and if you don’t buy in, it’s burnation for you.

By: G. Scott

G. Scott — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:05:58 +0000

Children often have no free will, Mr. Peckham, when their parents deny it to them. That is one of the more difficult things to do as a parent. We don’t want to see our children suffer when they make mistakes, but to deny them free will like the story you mention–inexcusable.

Some might think that what I wrote could be applied to the argument I make in this post. However, I’m not advocating allowing our children the free will involved in hurting others, just themselves.

By: T. Peckham

T. Peckham — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:51:28 +0000

I’m not sure that I have a grasp of the issues surrounding free will, but I have to admit that I have thought a lot about the ways in which religious adults make use of children to express their own beliefs. Recently, I read Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith” and he mentioned in passing that some Muslim parents had volunteered their children for use in clearing minefields following the Iran-Iraq. Apparently, the parents believed that their children would be guaranteed a place in the divine afterlife should they lose their corporeal existence in the process of mine-sweeping. It just doesn’t make sense to me. The parents may believe in a certain truth, but I think most children believe only in their parents and don’t really have a position on most questions of faith - at least not until they are older. It bothers me that adults would take advantage of their positions of authority to subject children to such dangerous and sometimes deadly experiences.

By: D. Peters

D. Peters — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:15:34 +0000

I appreciate your honesty. I suggest you read The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. He dealt with the issue in a very straightforward way. Then after you’ve had time to digest Lewis, go on the question of why God wants us to praise Him. D. Peters

By: G. Scott

G. Scott — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:36:40 +0000

I appreciate the comment. However, it is sufficiently vague to constitute little more than an ad hominem argument.

Care to elaborate? What are the one or two premises you think I’m working from? How am I ignoring other possibilities?

I’m a simple man — enlighten me.

By: Wm. Hohmann

Wm. Hohmann — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:16:43 +0000

Interesting that you are guilty of what you accuse the theist crowd; framing the issue in relation to your view.

Overall, a good example of working from one or two premises that are flawed without examining other possibilities, thereby excluding other possibilities.

The pot calls the kettle black in classic form.