Victor J. Stenger v. Hugh Ross
Victor J. Stenger discusses his bestselling book God: The Failed Hypothesis with creationist Hugh Ross here, in two parts.
Victor J. Stenger discusses his bestselling book God: The Failed Hypothesis with creationist Hugh Ross here, in two parts.
5 comments:
Ugh... On one hand we have a creationist who cobbles together what is generally good science and then throws in, unnecessarily, creationist mumbo jumbo. On the other hand we have a writer who completely side-steps alot of important issues or pretends those issues do not even exist (his treatment of how God does not allow people to test him in vain prayer research is par for the course). Ultimately neither of the two writers I find particularly intriguing, id much rather read a dialogue between people such as Martin Reese and John Barrow; or maybe Stephen Hawking and Stanley Jaki who have corresponded before.
Considering the show has an "evidences" page that is laughable, and the one host has writings used by Focus on the "Family", well, I don't expect much (although I did download the shows). I'm not sure of the claim that Stenger does not address issues - reference on that prayer claim? I'd like to see how someone can propose a test for an untestable hypothesis, though.
I am referring to Stengers actual book "God: The Failed Hypothesis". Basically my point is he blithely dismisses things such as the big bang or Fine-tuning with phrases that sound scientific but are actually pretty dishonest. For example he makes it sound like we have a pretty much dead-on answer for how the big-bang happened when we most certainly dont. Nevermind his laughable arguments which almost seem to suggest he does not believe the historical Jesus existed or that he was incredibly minimal. The prayer claim, again, is in his book so you'd have to buy it or borrow it.
I have listenned to The Things That Matter Most several times. I wanted to have several examples to evaluate to make an informed decision on how "good" of a show it was. Time and time again, it's the same format. Rick and Lael go out of their way to claim that they are "card carrying" rational thinkers. They then ask questions and when the respondent does not give them an answer they agree with, they attempt to show the respondent the error of their ways. If the respondent stands their ground or better yet, shows Rick and Lael that their opinion is lame- Rick and Lael immediately goes to the "agree to disagree" card and moves on. They throw softballs at their guests who have a world view that agrees with them. Is this really a surprise? Of course not. It's human nature to be less critical of those who are already on our side. What really urks me about Rick and Lael is their after show synopsis segment. They all of a sudden grow a set of b---s. The person who they were willing to "agree to disagree with" is open game to their slams and character is often attacked. The straws that broke the camel's back for me was their constant love of Michael Behe, their claim that no one can debunk that the "prophecy" that Israel would rise again has been fulfilled and their criticism of Dr. Stenger for not agreeing with them that the City of Tyre prophecy had been fulfilled. I would listen to GENE COOK and RAY COMFORT before I listen to The Things That Matter Most again.
I have his book and read it, and didn't see any evasions. I'll have to reread it, but most evasions I've encountered have been from theists. Claiming to know that their idea of god can answer their prayers,. but only when he/she/it wants to is pretty lame. As for the Big Bang, there are many hypothesis for that, and he seemed to be saying which one he favored. Last - that "Jesus" fellow, I'm currently leaning towards the mythicist position myself, so I see nothing wrong on his position, nor do many other people. If anything, the fact that we know nothing about any real Jesus, only what has been heavily mythologized, pretty much means the real one must have been someone pretty much of a nobody.
Post a Comment