[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Harry Potter and God

[No Limberger]

>Geoff wrote (to md):
> (SNIP) it also suggests from your biographical detail that you
>were never introduced to the real Christian faith.

No.Limberger responds:
Which Christian denomination represents the "real Christian
faith"?  Let's see, that could be one of the following:
Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Mormon, Church of Christ, Church of God, Evangelical,
Pentecostal, Baptist, Southern Baptist, and the list
just goes on and on and on ad nauseum.

The bottom line: every Christian denomination or sect views
itself as the "real Christian faith" and says that the others
are not.  So, while you may claim that your beliefs are
the "real Christian faith", the vast majority of Christians
would disagree not only with you, but with each other as
well.

>No.Limberger wrote:
>(in response to md's post)
> I couldn't agree more. When something has been experimentally
> demonstrated or repeated multiple times, or when there is overwhelming
> scientifically-gathered data to support a theory, then there should be no
> issues in accepting these as being sound.

>Geoff wrote:
>I'm not quite sure I see the tie-in with what md wrote but what you
>are highlighting are concrete, measureable facts.

>You cannot use this approach when you dealing with things which
>cannot be quantified in this way. you cannot use scientifically gathered
>data to deal with concepts such as love, faith, conscience or hope – to
>name but a handful.

No.Limberger responds:
If you believe in something that cannot be tested and
qualified, then you have no idea whether it is factual.
Some Christians are bent on the teaching of creationism
as if that mythological belief has, in any way, any scientific
foundation as evolution does.  Some Christians refuse to
obtain medical care for themselves and/or their children
because it goes against their belief that they have to pray
to be cured.  Some Christians are determined to deny
equal civil treatment of gay and lesbian couples as
heterosexual couples because of their personal
Christian-inspired homophobia.   If Christians are going
to impose their beliefs on entire populations, then
the validity of those beliefs should be scientifically
measured and tested.   Would you want any drug
company to be permitted to sell untested prescription
medications to the public without having been tested
to ensure that the medications actually work and are
not harmful, or would you prefer that a group of clergy
pray over the medications and declare them safe
for human consumption?  Would you want to board
a commercial airline jet that had not been tested, but
had instead been prayed over or had holy water
splashed on it as a way to guarantee your personal
safety?   This is the difference between science and
faith: science has a much better track record of safety
and success than faith.  Whereas faith has lead to such
notions as suicide bombings, the Inquisition, witch
burnings, the Crusades, etc.  Amazingly, all the
people who committed such acts all believed that
they too had the one and only "true faith".  Of course,
so do the Slytherins in JK Rowliing's "Harry Potter"
novels: believing that only "true bloods" should
be permitted to be taught and use magic.

-- 
"Why don't you dance with me, I'm not no limberger!"


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