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the problem with skeptics
It may be that the old astrologers had the truth exactly reversed, when they believed that the stars controlled the destinies of men. The time may come when men control the destinies of stars. - Arthur C. Clark
So I know I have many a friend and acquaintance that put some stock in astrology. I myself was never able to accept it. The descriptions generally given by astrology tend to be general enough to apply to most people and have an element of truth that anyone will recognize in themselves. I fundamentally did not like the notion that who I am, the essence of my personality and judgment will be based on the date of my birth and what planets and stars are in what position. I know some people do put stock in it and I don’t want to offend people but I don’t believe in it generally and at best I think it is fun little goof like the internet personality quizzes we take. I have a strong line of logical skepticism in me that struggles with the spiritual man in me.
My problem with most skeptics though is that they end up being insulting about it. I have talked to some over the years or listen to podcasts by them or even watched some episodes of Penn and Teller’s Bullsh*t. Almost always I start out liking them and then invariably the sheer level of vitriol spewed turns me off. Your average rabid confrontational skeptic is as bad or worse than your rabid confrontational fundamentalist. They will accuse believers of being stupid, mentally ill, or brainwashed. I may not believe in the psychic or religion or seer someone else does but why would I confront them on it. What does that help? Does insulting someone make me appear more rational?
Maybe part of it is I would love for there to be psychics and other things semi mystical in this world. I was once told I love beauty. I will add I love wonder. I want a sence of wonder in the world. Sometimes I get that through knowledge of science. How anyone can look at the wonders of the universe and not be in awe at times is beyond me? Maybe there is something in humanity that needs something to believe in. maybe it is our way of dealing with the sheer scope of it all. Who knows? I just don’t think I have any ground to fell superior to people who look for meaning in it all by looking for and believing in wondrous things.
So I know I have many a friend and acquaintance that put some stock in astrology. I myself was never able to accept it. The descriptions generally given by astrology tend to be general enough to apply to most people and have an element of truth that anyone will recognize in themselves. I fundamentally did not like the notion that who I am, the essence of my personality and judgment will be based on the date of my birth and what planets and stars are in what position. I know some people do put stock in it and I don’t want to offend people but I don’t believe in it generally and at best I think it is fun little goof like the internet personality quizzes we take. I have a strong line of logical skepticism in me that struggles with the spiritual man in me.
My problem with most skeptics though is that they end up being insulting about it. I have talked to some over the years or listen to podcasts by them or even watched some episodes of Penn and Teller’s Bullsh*t. Almost always I start out liking them and then invariably the sheer level of vitriol spewed turns me off. Your average rabid confrontational skeptic is as bad or worse than your rabid confrontational fundamentalist. They will accuse believers of being stupid, mentally ill, or brainwashed. I may not believe in the psychic or religion or seer someone else does but why would I confront them on it. What does that help? Does insulting someone make me appear more rational?
Maybe part of it is I would love for there to be psychics and other things semi mystical in this world. I was once told I love beauty. I will add I love wonder. I want a sence of wonder in the world. Sometimes I get that through knowledge of science. How anyone can look at the wonders of the universe and not be in awe at times is beyond me? Maybe there is something in humanity that needs something to believe in. maybe it is our way of dealing with the sheer scope of it all. Who knows? I just don’t think I have any ground to fell superior to people who look for meaning in it all by looking for and believing in wondrous things.
no subject
My grandma asked me today if I believed in the supernatural. I answered that I believed there were things out there that we know nothing about. We, for lack of a better word, kind of have to called them supernatural until such time that we figure out what part of nature they are. I dislike all the "crazy, mentally unbalanced, etc." connotations that have been attached to the word supernatural by egotistical skeptics and super-rationalists.
PeeEss, I am totally yoinking that quote to but in my Facebook. ;)
no subject
Yeah I have also given that response myself to the do you believe in the supernatural.
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no subject
my personal belief on things is closer to saying that science is an excellent way to describe the concrete universe. I just believe there is more than what is in the concrete universe. Astrology however is not science. it is essentially to me the same as a minor religious belief.