Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00245)

In a message dated 98-08-14 16:13:08 EDT, you write:

>So when you mentioned a "case study" as evidence you were just joking?  I
>do not see how your experience can be an authority if you ignore or reject
>gobs of evidence and the experience of others.  If you prefer one type of
>evidence and choose it -- fine -- but don't call that choice an
>"experience".  All you are doing is picking what appeals and rejecting
>what does not.
>
>

Good.  You got my point!

That is exactly what everyone does whether they like to admit it or not.  But
then there is the matter of experience.

A wise pentecostal (and I know that sounds like an oxymoron) once said "If
doctrine conflicts with experience, go with the experience."

And there is nothing wrong with having some fun with the ideas along the way.
Much of what I do is simply to take some concept that most of the folks I know
find absolutely horrifying and see what can be done with it.  Now, a lot of
that is simply for the sheer joy of seeing Govert's face when I come up with
something really odd, but it is also a way of testing the limits of human
ingenuity.

Is it possible to create a society, for example, run on the principles of
badness, not pure evil, the Nazis proved you could do that, but just a general
reversal of the way things are usually done, like putting people in jail for
refusing to steal.   The idea is fun, but I can't see how the economy would
work!  Would I want to live there, hell no, but the concept is fun to play
with.

My attitude towards as this stuff is very simple.  We really have no way of
knowing what is true or not at this point in our evolution so we are sort of
thrashing around looking at different possibilities.  The key is not to get so
caught up in things that one loses sight of the possibility that it might all
be wrong.  But then, if we blow it this time, we get lots of other chances so
don't take it too seriously.  Have fun, enjoy the life you have and make the
most of what it gives you.

And above all else, don't go around condemning those who have a different way
of doing things.  People's lives are hard enough without them being preached
at.

One more thing.  I would be very worried about anyone who would consider me an
authority.  On the other hand, being a guru might be fun....

Chuck