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Do put your oar in Simon, I think you're making some good points
Simon Robinson wrote:
>
> I'd agree that Larry is technically correct about numbers and infinities - but
> I'm dubious about his claim that all that theory shows
> that we understand infinities. In my experience
> the more I studied number theory and logic theory the less convinced I
> became that I actually understood what was going on - even when could
> work through the proofs line by line and know why each individual step worked
> there always seemed to be something deeper that was escaping me.
Knowing deep in your inner being what something means, and being able to
use it to make predictions, are two different things. I won't pretend to
understand quanta, or infinities, or even the concept of a line, which
has only one dimension. But that does not prevent us from using them in
useful ways. Which is what you're saying below....
<so I snipped it>
What I am getting on about the nature of theology is that christian
theology (not all theology, mind you, but this specific one) doesn't
make any useful predictions. If it make no predictions, it's not
verifiable and it's not useful
> Things aren't clear cut either way on the religious/secular debate. Shame
> in most of these debates, so many people on BOTH sides make statements
> without thinking through the consequences of what they are saying, and/or
> argue by putting up straw men[B] (This debate has been more sensible than
> some I've seen, but even so, from what I've read I'd say Larry and John N
> are both guilty on both counts) (Sorry guys! <grin>)
Feel free to call me on those, as I've said, to be an atheist is
difficult. It requires deep thought!... and I'm a big advocate of
accepting the consequences for your actions or statements. Further, I
certainly don't intend to erect straw men. The real thing is flimsy
enough.
Followup set back to .debate
--
Larry Pieniazek larryp@novera.com http://my.voyager.net/lar
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NOTE: I have left CTP, effective 18 June 99, and my CTP email
will not work after then. Please switch to my Novera ID.
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