Very true. I would probably never have become a Catholic if it wasn’t for the Internet; but the sheer amount of information, which is only increasing every day, tends to confuse more than inform.
I guess it works both ways. But I agree that the amount of information is certainly a problem. The proportion of chaff to wheat seems to be increasing these days.
This is exactly what I have been trying to communicate. Even when in full Asperger mode I do understand that this is a metaphor for something supposedly very stable and unmoving. Which is why I have been pointing out the flaws in the analogy because a rock in the physical world does not have the properties the author had in mind for the spiritual rock. Therefore it is simply not correct to use this analogy.
I have a rule of analogies: All analogies break down eventually. That’s the nature of metaphors and analogies. They aren’t perfect, and they don’t need to be. Like a bridge, they don’t need to be able to carry an infinite load. They only need to be able to withstand the load they are meant to carry. If you build a bridge and Godzilla stands on it and it doesn’t break, you probably over-engineered your bridge. If you need your analogies or metaphors to stand far beyond their intended use, you are over-engineering them.
Having spent quite some time in the church I do understand, most aspects at least, of the teaching.
This idea abut the heart is a heritage from Aristotle and his erroneous beliefs about the human physiology. The heart is a pump. Nothing more.
When a supposedly divine revelation is communicated in a manner that is easily falsified, it is very hard to buy the concept of a divine origin. Especially if the origin is claimed to be all-knowing. I think this is my utmost problem with this whole idea. I understand that we have a incomplete understanding of the universe so of course we make all kind of mistakes in creating models describing it. But as soon as one claim a divine source and still have very obvious human mistakes it raises questions about the communicating abilities of this all-knowing source.
That is your rule for analogies. Are you sure the author had the same rule?
But when claiming a divine source for the analogy, this source must have known that I and people like me would have huge problems with it. So it apparently can’t carry the intended burden.
Unless the bridge was designed knowing godzilla existed and could be a problem for the bridge.
Well apparently I have a different opinion about the metaphor being perfect. Hence it can’t be as perfect as you claim.
I have read the blogpost you linked, and oh my
Or, perhaps if might raise questions about the will/capability to receive?
Yes this is a very common trait as a human. I agree wholeheartedly. But as soon as one claim a divine, all-knowing, source, such explanations crumbles, in my opinion. Because this supposedly all-knowing source would know exactly that I and people like me would have these kind of problems. It would also know exactly what kind of data is required to convince me. Yet such data has not been presented to me.
Agreed. But you are describing a already existing relation. I am trying to communicate why I fail to see that there is such a relation to start with. Since the sources for the information about this all-knowing being shows, in my opinion, no support for that claim.
In human to human relations, yes. But when it is claimed that one part in the relation is a all-knowing being, the relation can’t, as I see it, any longer be compared to a human to human relation.
No doubt there. And it will also depend on who is passing on the information. And your original position. I would tend to believe my wife over a random stranger and a Republican will tend to believe things that a Democrat might refute.Michaelangelo:
Or, perhaps if might raise questions about the will/capability to receive?
There are times when I am more comfortable or disposed to receive information and times when I am more resistant. I wonder if this might be a more generally shared experience?
No need for an apology. Based upon your previous information you drew conclusions which you, after receiving more information, re-evaluated. The willingness to adapt to new information is, in my opinion, the best possible path to walk. It is this mindset that allows for all kind of advancement as a society as well as individuals. Thank you and keep it up! :hugs:
A test for whom? The church clearly teaches that this divine being is all-knowing. So if the knowledge is already there, what’s the purpose of a test?