"Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of sceptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatists to prove them. This is a mistake. If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitior in an earlier time."
2006-11-23 23:38:15 · 12 answers · asked by Thomas V 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your argument is weak on two counts. First, your 'China Teapot' used as an analogy for 'God' is a ludicrous way to build the premise that 'it is reasonable to doubt the existence of things that cannot be observed'. Second, it is based on the assumption that all the dogma, orthodoxy and 'truths' used by those who build societies and nations on belief in things that cannot be observed to exist in the atomic realm of material existence like 'justice', 'love', 'human rights', 'utopia', is somehow exempt from the application of deductive logic you have applied to those who also believe in the 'unseen'.
If religion is defined as 'believing in things unseen and unprovable by material observation' as suggested by your argument then it could be asserted that everyone has a religion. If eveyone has a religion, then the point of your argument is certainly less understood as an apologetic for philosophical truth but more as an expression of your egotistical need to prove the validity of your atheistic belief.
2006-11-24 09:47:44 · answer #1 · answered by forgetful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I agree, maybe then it could be true. But, can you feel that teapot in your being? Is it alive? Does believing in it change you in a ny profound way? Does it make you feel complete and can it guide in the darkness that we have fallen under on earth? Can that teapot consume you, make you excited? Can it give up as much to us as God has given? Can it heal you with a prayer and will that teapot one day come to greet and embrace you when the time has come? Look past the teapot. The devil has many tricks to try and distract us from our goal, from the truth. Keep your eye on God, for He IS ALIVE,He is the ONLY one that can save you, He is everywhere but most importantly of all, God loves YOU! Talk to God, open your heart to the possibility that He does exist, ask Him to reveal Himself to you and then, fasten your seatbelt cause you are in for the ride of your life! I will pray that God reveals Himself to you!
Blessings!
2006-11-24 08:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by dragonsfeartears 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If that's all there was to religion and spirituality, you would have a very good point.
However, I believe God understands this also and that is why so many of us have been touched by Him in a personal and spiritual way, so that we may know what is of Him and what is of the teachings only of man.
Yours is a very good question. And anyone who really seeks God should take such a question to Him. I did years ago.
2006-11-24 07:52:23 · answer #3 · answered by dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take it you are a fan of Richard Dawkins? He said something similar. Its not just a case of worshipping "The China Teapot" but by some people's logic every religion there has ever been throughout history "just in case".
2006-11-24 18:49:30 · answer #4 · answered by Alan S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite true. But the real question at hand is whether or not you are a follower of the 'willow pattern' or 'wedgewood' way? Well!?Answer now or be condemned as a heathen and have your insides gently warmed as punishment!! So speaks the all high Teapope!!!
2006-11-24 07:46:00 · answer #5 · answered by agtfos 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does the China teapot created everything! As you, I have never seen God, but I have my doubt that God looks like a China teapot, still God could take any form, then your China teapot could be your god.
Nonsense.
2006-11-24 08:00:58 · answer #6 · answered by Walt. 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
English Tea in it or that wimpy Earl Grey? If it's English Tea then Yes... Earl Grey.. forget it!
2006-11-24 07:41:48 · answer #7 · answered by Boring Old Fart 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There'd still be kids who'll ask and question.
Kids are curious and inquisitive. It's the adults who are dogmatic.
2006-11-24 07:41:40 · answer #8 · answered by WaterStrider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is no bases and no way to wroship the cjhina teapot. it is not god and has no pwer over human beings created by GOD
2006-11-24 07:43:34 · answer #9 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Umm Yeah!?!
2006-11-24 07:41:06 · answer #10 · answered by helphesaidineedaprofilename 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋