Postcard to Angela

ak_m_f wrote: fredifreeloader wrote: akmf - he is torrencedelay.  have you never heard of the great torrencedelay? O, Yes I have. sorry about not recognizing you (TD), hope you forgive me�.. Your majesty

As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I bow to God and God alone.

This is a silly thread, anyone have a needle?

*mistakenly erased, but reposted*

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George,

(Me)  �Speaking of those usual implications, I can certainly see how and why some hard-core Rationalists latch onto this one. Following Tertullian�s lead, I suppose I should believe in, say, walking, talking and seducing snakes also because, being impossible, they are therefore a fact.  Or, what�s more, develop a credo which states:  �a doctrine is believable only to the extent that it is absurd; ergo, that doctrine which is most absurd is most worthy of belief.�  

(You) �Nonsense.�

Exactly.  Nonsense.  Witness the historical reaction of the Rationalists, coming, as it seems they did, in the wake of the rebellious Protestants, against the �absurd� and �nonsensical� doctrines and dogmas of the house, or Church, that Tertullian and those of his ilk built.  

�Should I as an atheist believe in angels?  Angels who appear in bushes that are on fire; angels appearing to the prophet of Islam in a cave?�

According to, say, Bertrand Russell and Ibn Warraq (the later), I should think not.

�Many religious beliefs are absurd to unbelievers.�

Right.  For proof of this, just ask Angela and Tertullian (not my nephew�s turtle).

�We must be able to discuss subjects in a cordial manner, would't you agree?�

Readily.  Let's have a go.

Pax tecum [peace to you] as well,

Servetus