Jabba
Philosopher
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2012
- Messages
- 5,613
Friendly Debate
Amen.I had not realized how deeply we disagreed on this issue. For me, this forum is part of a search for truth. I don't come here to be part of a team to beat up on true believers. I am disgusted by the news talk shows where a partisan Republican is opposed by a partisan Democrat and neither individual gives a crap about truth. I would be disgusted by this forum if I thought that this is what it was.
I was disgusted by the discussion about controversy above. It is a simple truth that there is a controversy about the Shroud of Turin. The fact that the shroud skeptic team wouldn't acknowledge that simple fact because it wasn't part of the team message was disgusting to me. The fact that stupid semantics went on for pages driven solely by the unwillingness of the shroud skeptic team to acknowledge what they saw as an argument from the other side was juvenile and political, but it had nothing to do with a search for truth.
I think you are wrong that people presenting their views candidly plays right into Jabba's hands. I think an honest discussion where even people on the same team don't agree exactly is far more persuasive than a discussion where group bias and politics is a primary driver.
It sounds like you are making an argument that the shroud skeptic team should stifle dissent so as to be more convincing. I don't want to be more convincing if that is what that entails. I speak for myself and if I don't agree with a point that is made I say so and when a person writes something that I agree with even if I disagree with his overall conclusion I acknowledge that. I might not be winning friends with that approach and I might not always be promoting my side as well as possible but I don't care all that much. I like to pretend truth matters and that is what I like to pursue.