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From: wkp@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Theological justifications for faith
Message-ID: <24298@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 10-Apr-85 13:16:37 EST
Article-I.D.: lanl.24298
Posted: Wed Apr 10 13:16:37 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 12-Apr-85 06:45:51 EST
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Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
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>[Charley Wingate writes:]
>I personally do not rely on the miracles to support my faith (except the
>important two: the incarnation and the resurrection).  It's the testimony of
>one generation to the next that is ultimately the principle reason for
>belief, just as it is for any other historical notion.

     I find this kind of thinking rather dangerous, Charley.  To rely on
     the testimony of previous generations (the earth is flat, the "blood
     libels" against the Jews, etc.) as a principal reason for belief is
     illogical.

     A more reasonable answer would be to rely on historical testimony only
     when it does not conflict with rational thinking or analysis of the
     evidence.  If one's ancestors were convinced that Julius Caesar was
     really a Unicorn, I see no reason to rely on that testimony as an
     article of faith.

     I am only saying that your belief in the resurrection cannot be 
     justified by any logical or rational argument.  I am even surprised
     at your attempt to make such a justification, since I understand you
     to be somewhat knowledgeable about Kierkegaard and many of the more
     modern theological writings.

--
bill peter                          {ihnp4,seismo}!cmcl2!lanl!wkp