Divine purposes and methods (Evolution)

by David Turell , Monday, January 21, 2019, 15:18 (2131 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: Nor do I know what you mean by a “fierce streak of defensiveness”. I am an agnostic, which means I frankly admit my own ignorance and the fact that one way or another my non-beliefs are wrong. I can’t imagine anyone characterising me as fierce! Mild and gentle, that's me! But I must admit that I do have a very critical response when I'm confronted with what I regard as silly arguments. You will certainly have noticed this, and so would Dawkins if he knew about this website, which came into existence as a response to his book with the astonishingly presumptuous title The God Delusion.

DAVID: I agree. Drop the personal side although I think we both agree parents influence children. You do fiercely defend your agnosticism, but as you get criticized from all direction I'm sure you have developed a thick hide and defenses.

dhw: Yes, upbringing, genes, education, personal experience all influence children in one way or another way (which is why the same family can produce atheists, agnostics and believers). Otherwise almost done and dusted, except that my criticism of what I regard as silly arguments (on both sides of the fence) is not a fierce defence of agnosticism but is simply criticism of what I regard as silly arguments. If an issue is unresolved, I do plead for open-mindedness, but I respect faith (either in a God or in chance) so long as it doesn’t cause harm or offence to others, or doesn’t pretend to be anything other than faith – e.g. to be based on scientific truths, or any other kind of incontrovertible fact.

A clear statement of your position.