Journal Entry # 143

July 28th, 2010

One of the major stumbling blocks we have with each other during conversations especially if they are of a philosophical or ideological nature is what basis of truth we are initially coming from. Generally we are not on the same page due to our subjective nature. I would venture to say we all come from a different interpretation of everything. I feel it is always important if the conversation warrants it to define this before hand to determine the common ground or else we are into the old comparing apples to oranges task. This is never more prevalent than when religious / ethical ideologies enter the mix.

                        Homer the wise

Since the basis of my blog is determining reality this is the a most relevant topic. So how do we determine what is the truth and what is not? First of all we need to establish if we can ever say anything is true 100% or not. Usually when I talk with believers they talk in certainties; “I know god loves me”  or “It is undeniable”. To me these are statements from ignorance. Although they may feel that way it probably is not true. Could it be? I would have to say yes but not for sure. There is always doubt hence, the “what if” statement comes into play. This statement introduces an element of doubt and can be used anytime. This is why we should base all are statements on probabilities  and even though we say “the truth is” for general speaking what we really mean is the probability of this is high. If it is not true then the probability is low. That is why our court systems have as their criteria reasonable doubt. So when I hear someone talk in absolutes that are not even allowed to be challenged it worries me especially if they have no credible evidence to back it up.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94c43AlwLKo

                      REALITY

It was pointed out to me that as an Atheist that the probability that god exists is 50/50. This is not correct and is dangerous to determine if something is true or not. From this point on I ask you to accept that if I say something is true or not I am speaking in probabilities without having to mention it each time. Now that this major stumbling block is out of the way. I don’t know what the probability is that god exists but basing it on credible evidence from our method of achieving this goal it is very low. They are confusing probability with possibility. The possibility is 50/50 either true or false as are all things when broken into individual statements but a probability is based on the evidence to support this. The possibility statistic represents a choice.

Engaging children in conversation displays the best examples of the “what if” principal as their imaginations are on overdrive. What if an elephant had wings, What if I could fly and so on… At this point in their lives they are asking these things to try and figure out what is true so we need to help them by giving them a foundation based in reality. Sadly when it comes to many areas this foundation is misguided and based in fantasy while pretending to be reality.

So how do we determine what is reality. I have talked about this before and will talk about as much as I can because it is the foundation.  When a religious person and I am speaking in general terms teaches their children the foundations and bases those on religious doctrine as fact they are setting their children up for failure even if those children spend their entire lives inside the box of religion. They will base life on a foundation with a high probability of not being true. If things are taught as possibilities and all options are explored then that child can make an educated choice realizing that although things may not be true  they can chose to believe if they want to but understand the truth behind their decision.

“If a frog had wings he wouldn’t bump his ass when he hopped”  Red Foreman

Credible evidence; this is evidence based in a common reality that can be demonstrated to be true using various methods. We can use mathematical or logical proofs. We can use forensic evidence along with critical thinking. We can use our senses and verify them with others and the other types of proofs.  Now this is not a perfect system but it is better than imagining something and then taking it as truth. That is what religion does. Without credible evidence anything can be verified as true and if everything it true then how do we determine what is not true. We will never be able to make a choice on anything. The decision process  in our minds would not work. I will leave it to you to think this through.

As you can see without determining  our basis for reality in all aspects of our life we cannot function and we would never have evolved to where we are. That is why I am always amazed when people take fantasy in their life for reality but never apply the same methods to determine what is true to all aspects of their life. For example religious people will ignore science when it comes to their god as they are using their computer. What a contradiction. Unless you say the ultimate catch phrase “ god works in mysterious ways” which covers everything but proves nothing.

“It is important to have a proper mix of fantasy and reality, that is how we discover things in life by imagining but you have to know where to draw the line.”

Gary David Currie

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie