tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8185156212224309289.post8630922119912070573..comments2023-10-16T06:04:35.264-07:00Comments on Lie Back And Think Of England: When The Bad Days DawnRob Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06720196186202439024noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8185156212224309289.post-34128086696779558752011-07-05T09:47:32.489-07:002011-07-05T09:47:32.489-07:00Thanks for those kind words, Richard. I think it&#...Thanks for those kind words, Richard. I think it's a shame that the Mods over at RD.net are so highly strung. Nobody, as far as I can tell, was offended by what you said. And Daniel's been a superb alternative voice, and I genuinely think the majority have enjoyed the engagement.Rob Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06720196186202439024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8185156212224309289.post-8849728949457308352011-07-04T23:42:48.089-07:002011-07-04T23:42:48.089-07:00Oops - I should have said "Over on RDNet, JHJ...Oops - I should have said "Over on RDNet, JHJEFFERY had posed ME, personally, several questions at Comment 893..."Richard Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01972763802525638317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8185156212224309289.post-78992404208927704652011-07-04T23:40:28.607-07:002011-07-04T23:40:28.607-07:00That really resonated with me, Rob. Particularly &...That really resonated with me, Rob. Particularly "don't you think I've tried to believe this stuff?"<br />I was probably about your age when I realized that was my problem - I was "trying" to believe. This is as impossible as "trying" to fall in love. It can't work - ever.<br />Yes, statistically religious "conversion" occurs when a person is undergoing a personal life crisis. And, yes, the life of that person does "improve" in measurable ways after conversion. And, yes, this doesn't prove anything about the objective validity of the basis for the new-found beliefs.<br />Over on RDNet, JHJEFFERY had posed several questions at Comment 893 in the "dealing with William Lane Craig" thread. and I had prepared a lengthy, startlingly frank response. In fact I actually posted it, but it was deleted by the Mods, and I was banned at that point. If you're interested in knowing why I was banned (and you have a right to know) you can read about it hereĀ :<br />http://bannedfromricharddawkinsnet.blogspot.com/ <br />What I'm saying is that I find your current position reasonable, and totally coherent with what little I know about your life experiences. As I have said before, if you have to "try to believe" or "try to cling to beliefs" then, in fact, you don't actually believe in the first place. Best to let go of "beliefs" that need to be shored up by conscious efforts. RD's "The Blind Watchmaker" allowed me to do that a quarter of a century ago. Or rather, it was the last nail in the coffin of my quest for the "transcendental". TBW just allowed me to realise that I didn't believe in what I was apparently looking for!<br /><br />If a person is having serious problems with his/her "beliefs", moving to an agnostic/atheist position can allow for a salutary, mental "spring-cleaning" period - which may last a long time. Perhaps a life-time....Richard Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01972763802525638317noreply@blogger.com