Comments for CelticBear's Musings http://www.celticbear.com/weblog The daily...weekly...occasional journal by someone you don't know. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Response to Deceptive Leafleteers, and Christianity in General by CelticBear http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2011/11/03/response-to-deceptive-leafleteers-and-christianity-in-general/comment-page-1/#comment-80878 CelticBear Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:43:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=2035#comment-80878 If you read the top of my post, you'll see that I'm only REposting this story by someone else. You can follow the links in that opening paragraph to where you can reply to their original posting of it. Thanks for replying, though. :) If you read the top of my post, you’ll see that I’m only REposting this story by someone else. You can follow the links in that opening paragraph to where you can reply to their original posting of it.
Thanks for replying, though. :)

]]> Comment on Response to Deceptive Leafleteers, and Christianity in General by Beadknitter http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2011/11/03/response-to-deceptive-leafleteers-and-christianity-in-general/comment-page-1/#comment-80877 Beadknitter Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:42:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=2035#comment-80877 I'd say you had a pretty good day. I also give you a round of applause. I wonder if that second fellow is wondering what train that was that hit him? I’d say you had a pretty good day. I also give you a round of applause. I wonder if that second fellow is wondering what train that was that hit him?

]]> Comment on Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues by Alpha Course Redux: Week #5 « Thoughts from a Godless Heathen http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/09/10/explore-the-meaning-of-bitten-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-80875 Alpha Course Redux: Week #5 « Thoughts from a Godless Heathen Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:34:53 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1702#comment-80875 [...] people were saying about Alpha. Another atheist blogger under the nom-de-web of CelticBear also blogged about his Alpha experience. Yet another atheist blogger, Crispian Jago, explained how it was his own Alpha experience that led [...] [...] people were saying about Alpha. Another atheist blogger under the nom-de-web of CelticBear also blogged about his Alpha experience. Yet another atheist blogger, Crispian Jago, explained how it was his own Alpha experience that led [...]

]]> Comment on Why The Very Basis of Orthodox Christianity is Absurd and Cruel by CelticBear http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/religious-issues/why-the-very-basis-of-orthodox-christianity-is-absurd-and-cruel/comment-page-1/#comment-80874 CelticBear Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:37:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?page_id=314#comment-80874 Thanks for visiting. Indeed, I was using the small-o definition of "orthodox" in the same way Protestants use small-c catholic to mean "universal" and not big-C denomination. This is an old post, and I've long since stopped using "orthodox" in that way to avoid confusion. I'd be interested where it's recorded that Einstein said anything like that. I'm exceedingly... skeptical, he'd say such a thing. To say the universe is "outside" logic is like saying it's outside calculus. Logic, like math, is simply an epistemological tool devised to help us explain the natural universe. There's nothing written in the fabric of the universe that says "a tautology is a fallacy," but neither is a2 + b2 = c2 written anywhere. But the evidence of the conclusions we reach using these tools, if used well, is ample proof that these are perfectly valid tools to help us understand the universe. For example, I can use logic to point out that your statement: "logic doesn't apply to love. If God is love, then truly God is not logical" contains the logical fallacies of category error and special pleading, at least. One reason I can't stand philosophers in general is because they perpetrate semantic fallacies left and right. To say logic can't be applied to love is like saying algebra can't be applied to dreams and thinking you've just undermined and invalidated all of mathematics. Logic isn't an applicable tool to, what, measuring(?) an emotion any more than algebra can quantify a dream state, but I can still apply logic to a set of premeses and a conclusion as I can use algebra to solve for X. But you've got one thing right: God's not at all logical! Neither as a concept nor as a fictional character in a book. Thanks for visiting. Indeed, I was using the small-o definition of “orthodox” in the same way Protestants use small-c catholic to mean “universal” and not big-C denomination.
This is an old post, and I’ve long since stopped using “orthodox” in that way to avoid confusion.

I’d be interested where it’s recorded that Einstein said anything like that. I’m exceedingly… skeptical, he’d say such a thing.

To say the universe is “outside” logic is like saying it’s outside calculus. Logic, like math, is simply an epistemological tool devised to help us explain the natural universe. There’s nothing written in the fabric of the universe that says “a tautology is a fallacy,” but neither is a2 + b2 = c2 written anywhere. But the evidence of the conclusions we reach using these tools, if used well, is ample proof that these are perfectly valid tools to help us understand the universe.

For example, I can use logic to point out that your statement: “logic doesn’t apply to love. If God is love, then truly God is not logical” contains the logical fallacies of category error and special pleading, at least. One reason I can’t stand philosophers in general is because they perpetrate semantic fallacies left and right. To say logic can’t be applied to love is like saying algebra can’t be applied to dreams and thinking you’ve just undermined and invalidated all of mathematics. Logic isn’t an applicable tool to, what, measuring(?) an emotion any more than algebra can quantify a dream state, but I can still apply logic to a set of premeses and a conclusion as I can use algebra to solve for X.

But you’ve got one thing right: God’s not at all logical! Neither as a concept nor as a fictional character in a book.

]]> Comment on Why The Very Basis of Orthodox Christianity is Absurd and Cruel by Fr. Brendan http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/religious-issues/why-the-very-basis-of-orthodox-christianity-is-absurd-and-cruel/comment-page-1/#comment-80873 Fr. Brendan Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:11:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?page_id=314#comment-80873 Dear friend,  I enjoyed your blog in which you describe Orthodox Christianity as "absurd and cruel." In fact, it made me laugh. You see, I am a priest of the Orthodox Church (with a capital "O"), and I thought your blog was about that--so I was intrigued. What I discovered on reading your analysis was that you have never encountered Orthodox Christianity; therefore, I could agree with much of what you say.  The point is that you are using logic, whereas Christian faith is about relationship and analogic (Greek, "above-logic"). Einstein pointed out that it doesn't work to apply logic even to the universe itself:  we are contingent beings, and will not be able to use our logic to describe a world which is supra-logical. Physics is not "logical" but it is fascinating precisely because the more we discover, the more we realize that its own logic is far beyond our assumptions and ideas. Similar, Wittgenstein pointed out that logic doesn't apply to love. If God is love, then truly God is not logical! Not, at least, in terms of our own logical abilities. In any case, I would enjoy a dialogue with you--not a debate, but simply getting to know you and to learn more of what you think. If you like, read my blog site (orthodoxpilgrims.wordpress.com) and let me know what you think of it. And may God, who truly exists, bless you and grant you abundant grace.  The unworthy priest, +Fr Brendan  Dear friend,  I enjoyed your blog in which you describe Orthodox Christianity as “absurd and cruel.” In fact, it made me laugh. You see, I am a priest of the Orthodox Church (with a capital “O”), and I thought your blog was about that–so I was intrigued. What I discovered on reading your analysis was that you have never encountered Orthodox Christianity; therefore, I could agree with much of what you say.  The point is that you are using logic, whereas Christian faith is about relationship and analogic (Greek, “above-logic”). Einstein pointed out that it doesn’t work to apply logic even to the universe itself:  we are contingent beings, and will not be able to use our logic to describe a world which is supra-logical. Physics is not “logical” but it is fascinating precisely because the more we discover, the more we realize that its own logic is far beyond our assumptions and ideas. Similar, Wittgenstein pointed out that logic doesn’t apply to love. If God is love, then truly God is not logical! Not, at least, in terms of our own logical abilities. In any case, I would enjoy a dialogue with you–not a debate, but simply getting to know you and to learn more of what you think. If you like, read my blog site (orthodoxpilgrims.wordpress.com) and let me know what you think of it. And may God, who truly exists, bless you and grant you abundant grace.  The unworthy priest, +Fr Brendan 

]]> Comment on Only in America. by CelticBear http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2011/09/20/only-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-80868 CelticBear Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:02:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=2018#comment-80868 Really? Are you sure? I mean, you live there so it'd be silly of me to argue with you :) ... But... not only have I read many sources that cite how undergrad degrees are super-cheap if not free, my own research when I was trying REALLY hard to get into Trent U. in Peterburough showed that Ontario, at least, offers free tuition to Ontario citizens -- even for many graduate degrees! (I was SO upset when I had to face the fact that I simply was not going to be able to afford to earn my most desired degree at my most desired university.) :( Anyway, thanks for reading and contributing! :) Really? Are you sure? I mean, you live there so it’d be silly of me to argue with you :) … But… not only have I read many sources that cite how undergrad degrees are super-cheap if not free, my own research when I was trying REALLY hard to get into Trent U. in Peterburough showed that Ontario, at least, offers free tuition to Ontario citizens — even for many graduate degrees!

(I was SO upset when I had to face the fact that I simply was not going to be able to afford to earn my most desired degree at my most desired university.) :(

Anyway, thanks for reading and contributing! :)

]]> Comment on Only in America. by Lewin http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2011/09/20/only-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-80867 Lewin Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:53:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=2018#comment-80867 "...most of higher education in Canada is also as free as their healthcare?" Canadian here--that's not exactly accurate, though tuition is much lower here. Typical undergraduate tuition at a university is between $4000 and $8000 per year, less at community colleges. “…most of higher education in Canada is also as free as their healthcare?”

Canadian here–that’s not exactly accurate, though tuition is much lower here. Typical undergraduate tuition at a university is between $4000 and $8000 per year, less at community colleges.

]]> Comment on Actor’s nightmare; guitarist’s dream by liminalD http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2011/08/16/actors-nightmare-guitarists-dream/comment-page-1/#comment-80864 liminalD Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:02:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=2008#comment-80864 I have these nightmares too... I didn't know there was an actual name for them tho  :o I have these nightmares too… I didn’t know there was an actual name for them tho  :o

]]> Comment on On sexuality, feminism, and being a man, baby. by Acai Berry select reviews http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2008/04/02/on-sexuality-feminism-and-being-a-man-baby/comment-page-1/#comment-80822 Acai Berry select reviews Tue, 31 May 2011 02:25:43 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=945#comment-80822 <strong>"It would be nice to know whether this is .org or .com Wordpress site. Anyway the dreaded red X typically indicates a corrupted cache problem, ActiveX or Javascript problems. So clear your cache first. If you still have the problem > This could b...</strong> "If the original is not rounded but uses images in CSS, then create rounded images with photoshop. If there are no images you can use the above tips."... “It would be nice to know whether this is .org or .com WordPress site. Anyway the dreaded red X typically indicates a corrupted cache problem, ActiveX or Javascript problems. So clear your cache first. If you still have the problem > This could b…

“If the original is not rounded but uses images in CSS, then create rounded images with photoshop. If there are no images you can use the above tips.”…

]]> Comment on Darnit, Jim, I’m a doctor — not a faith healer! by Inspirationdebunked http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/11/09/darnit-jim-im-a-doctor-not-a-faith-healer/comment-page-1/#comment-80715 Inspirationdebunked Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:26:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1912#comment-80715 Great post. In the Alpha course I did, and in Nicky Gumbel's book, he gives a detailed anecdote of Ajay Gohil who underwent a miraculous cure. I've attempted a debunk here: http://inspirationdebunked.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/skin-deep/ Great post. In the Alpha course I did, and in Nicky Gumbel’s book, he gives a detailed anecdote of Ajay Gohil who underwent a miraculous cure. I’ve attempted a debunk here: http://inspirationdebunked.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/skin-deep/

]]> Comment on Be it resolved… by CelticBear http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/12/29/be-it-resolved/comment-page-1/#comment-80713 CelticBear Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:15:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1946#comment-80713 Heh, yeah, irony. Ain't it a bitch, though. :) You're not a regular reader. Otherwise you'd know I write the blog completely stream-of-conscious -- I write it as I think it and I never go back to edit. Sure, that means a lot of grammatical and spelling errors get put out there; but blogging for me is a vent, not another project to be gone over with a comb, fine-tooth or otherwise. I like to think my 3.93 GPA as a grad student speaks for my ability to write grammatically well when the need arises. ;) Thank you for commenting. :) Heh, yeah, irony. Ain’t it a bitch, though. :)
You’re not a regular reader. Otherwise you’d know I write the blog completely stream-of-conscious — I write it as I think it and I never go back to edit. Sure, that means a lot of grammatical and spelling errors get put out there; but blogging for me is a vent, not another project to be gone over with a comb, fine-tooth or otherwise.
I like to think my 3.93 GPA as a grad student speaks for my ability to write grammatically well when the need arises. ;) Thank you for commenting. :)

]]> Comment on Be it resolved… by Jim Turner http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/12/29/be-it-resolved/comment-page-1/#comment-80712 Jim Turner Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:43:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1946#comment-80712 I know it's not done to criticise grammar on blogs, but I couldn't resist when you mention gaining your English Masters and then write "there's been legal scares / financial difficulties", etc., in the same paragraph! There HAVE been legal scares... *runs for cover* I know it’s not done to criticise grammar on blogs, but I couldn’t resist when you mention gaining your English Masters and then write “there’s been legal scares / financial difficulties”, etc., in the same paragraph! There HAVE been legal scares…
*runs for cover*

]]> Comment on The Alpha Course by CelticBear's Musings » Blog Archive » Darnit, Jim, I’m a doctor — not a faith healer! http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/religious-issues/the-alpha-course/comment-page-1/#comment-80696 CelticBear's Musings » Blog Archive » Darnit, Jim, I’m a doctor — not a faith healer! Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:26:04 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/#comment-80696 [...] (This is the 10th edition of my Alpha Course reaction. For the first and all past posts, see the Alpha Page.) [...] [...] (This is the 10th edition of my Alpha Course reaction. For the first and all past posts, see the Alpha Page.) [...]

]]> Comment on On voting. by CelticBear http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/10/30/on-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-80671 CelticBear Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:39:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1867#comment-80671 Holy moly! Thanks to a recent podcast episode of American Freethought, I've just discovered a write-in for Congress for my district that actually represents me! Kinda cool that when I vote tomorrow, I'll have at least one write-in that'll be an actual person who I'll feel good about connecting my vote to: http://www.nilvsdcbs.com/ Holy moly! Thanks to a recent podcast episode of American Freethought, I’ve just discovered a write-in for Congress for my district that actually represents me! Kinda cool that when I vote tomorrow, I’ll have at least one write-in that’ll be an actual person who I’ll feel good about connecting my vote to: http://www.nilvsdcbs.com/

]]> Comment on The devil’s in the details. by Arne Sahlbery http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/10/23/the-devils-in-the-details/comment-page-1/#comment-80653 Arne Sahlbery Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:35:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1820#comment-80653 Well written and super awesome! A really intresting blog! Looking forward to more of it! :D Well written and super awesome! A really intresting blog! Looking forward to more of it! :D

]]> Comment on The devil’s in the details. by Korou http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/10/23/the-devils-in-the-details/comment-page-1/#comment-80652 Korou Sun, 24 Oct 2010 09:24:00 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1820#comment-80652 Celtic Bear, I'm really enjoying your posts. Thanks a lot! Celtic Bear, I’m really enjoying your posts. Thanks a lot!

]]> Comment on Does God guide us? by CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » The devil’s in the details. http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/10/19/does-god-guide-us/comment-page-1/#comment-80644 CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » The devil’s in the details. Sat, 23 Oct 2010 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1808#comment-80644 [...] Does God guide us? [...] [...] Does God guide us? [...]

]]> Comment on Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues by CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Don’t confuse human ability with miracles. http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/09/10/explore-the-meaning-of-bitten-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-80640 CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Don’t confuse human ability with miracles. Sat, 23 Oct 2010 07:15:53 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1702#comment-80640 [...] Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues [...] [...] Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues [...]

]]> Comment on The Instruction Manual? by CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Does God guide us? http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/10/12/the-instruction-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-80627 CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Does God guide us? Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:47:51 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1779#comment-80627 [...] The Instruction Manual? [...] [...] The Instruction Manual? [...]

]]> Comment on Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues by CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » The Instruction Manual? http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/2010/09/10/explore-the-meaning-of-bitten-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-80590 CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » The Instruction Manual? Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:41:41 +0000 http://www.celticbear.com/weblog/?p=1702#comment-80590 [...] Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues [...] [...] Explore The Meaning of…Bitten Tongues [...]

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