Desert wrote:Mountaineer wrote:
Maddy, Desert, moda0306, very interesting and divergent views. Serious question: What is the source(s) that shape your view, or opinion, and how did you determine the source(s) is/are factual or true?
Of course I use only the best logic to arrive at all my conclusions.
But seriously, I attempt to test a topic by running it across a lifetime of education and experience; also, I try to seek out several sources that I find to be not overly crazy. I talk to close friends and family a lot. Many of my friends come from a background very different than mine, so I feel that I'm getting some diversity of opinions to choose from. With all that, I am sure I sometimes come to an incorrect conclusion.
I realize I appear to be a left-winger on here, and in this group I surely am, relative to this mostly right-wing group. Unlike Maddy, I don't find either group (left or right) to be largely superior to the other. I see the pendulum swing wildly, with the result being the left having the better ideas in some periods, and the right in others. I try to look across the spectrum for the ideas that make the most sense to me, regardless of where they fall on the left/right continuum. That's how I end up with somewhat radical ideas in both directions, including being against both abortion and the display of confederate symbols on public land (not that those two are in any way close, in terms of importance).
What about you, Mountaineer? The Book of Concord?
Cognitive/Logic knowledge - based on my education which consisted of large doses of science and engineering; the main benefit was to learn how to think independently and go to source material when ever possible; i.e. don't depend on Cliff notes
. I value the scientific method for the arenas in which it applies (e.g. chemistry, Newtonian physics, engineering) and do not trust it in the arenas in which it was not originally intended to be used (e.g. biology, social studies, politics, human relations, theology). I try to learn something new every day.
Experiential knowledge - based on interactions with friends, family, and coworkers from and in several different cultures, trial and error, and my study of history; these somewhat can bleed back into the cognitive area too. My experience (and independent thinking) have taught me to be skeptical of most mass media and to assume that most people have an agenda based upon their self-interest and self-benefit until demonstrated otherwise; there are very few truly purposeful people who put the well being of others above their own - the exception is a rock solid marriage/immediate family. I realize that sounds cynical. It really means I just accept and try to understand people (including myself) as we are, flaws and all, and to discern carefully what we jointly can learn from each other, both useful and that which should be discarded.
Revealed knowledge - based on the Word which is the objective external source that distinguishes and defines right and wrong (i.e. morals, not moralism), truth, good and evil, how to live our lives in peace and freedom regardless of world events and economic status, and how a secure future has been assured for me.
I try not to focus too much on left, right, liberal, or conservative and especially try not to get all worked up over things that are not in my control or sphere of influence. In my opinion, they are all just stereotypical labels and the people I know are individuals in community with me and should be treated as such; it is like my congregation - a mix of rich and poor, black and white and brown, Republicans and Democrats and Independents, very intelligent and mentally challenged, tall and short, drinkers and abstainers, men and women and children, deeply involved and occasional seat warmers only - bottom line is all those differences almost never come to the forefront (i.e. are not topics of gossip among us); people are focused on the gifts they receive (the Means of Grace in our terminology). I personally try to remember that everything I have is a gift - every breath, my family, my friends, my faith, my health, and my life. I try to receive those gifts thankfully and tell others about them. I try not to meddle in others' affairs. I often do not do it well; I get back up and remember tomorrow is a brand new day with a brand new start.
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.