"The premise behind this argument is that if a claim is unprovable, then it’s in the same category as everything that is deliberately made up or fictionalized. However, not only is this false and a mere play on words, but it is a complete straw man argument because it falsely redefines the opposing position in terms that make it more easily attackable, using false comparisons."
2007-08-01 08:52:14 · 18 answers · asked by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
FSM is Flying Spaghetti Monster for those not in the know...
2007-08-01 08:52:39 · update #1
Why are you trying to break down my Pastafarian beliefs? You are so mean.
2007-08-01 08:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by The Dog Abides 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
How is it false and a mere play on words?
It doesn't 'redefine the opposing position', it precisely defines it. There are no false comparisons. The comparisons between FSM and the Invisible Pink Unicorn are identical to the proof that exists to support any other religion or mythology. There is no demonstrable difference between FSM, or Invisible Pink Unicornism and believing in God.
2007-08-01 15:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know who you're quoting, but they need to brush up on rhetorical fallacy.
A straw man argument does not use false comparisons. It is an intentional misrepresentation of an argumenative position.
If FSM, the IPU, Russel's Celestial Teapot, Hankism, SubGenius, and all the other parody religions are guilty of any fallacy, it is the fallacy of weak or false analogy, which IS the tactic of using false or incomplete comparisons to draw conclusions. How well the comparison fits the compared is a somewhat subjective matter.
I would argue that such parodies are obvious examples of the weak form of Reductio Ad Absurdum. Reductio arguments are cogent rhetorical tools used to illustrate poor logic.
For example:
"Dad, please let me stay out past midnight! All my friends are doing it!"
"If all your friends jumped off of a cliff, would you do it too?"
This Reductio argument shows the poor logic of believing that one should do something just because their friends are doing it. By accepting the claim and deriving an absurd conclusion, the absurdity of the claim becomes evident.
Parody religions perform the same function by attempting to expose the logical pitfalls of many religous arguments. Accepting extraordinary claims based on faith, revelation, or doctrinal authority is certainly an illogical practice. These "religions" derive patently absurd results by many of the same methodologies that mainstream religions derive doctrine. They make no claim as to the actual truth of other religious beliefs, only that the logic used to support those beliefs is invalid.
2007-08-01 16:13:16 · answer #3 · answered by marbledog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you stop using an unaccredited quote and explain exactly how the FSM "redefines the opposing position in terms that make it more easily attackable" because I don't see how that happens.
2007-08-01 15:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What the FSM is used for is a foil to religious arguments. If the parameter of you argument is valid, then those same parameters should fail when applied to the absurd. For instance, if requiring someone to prove a negative is a reasonable means of proving God, then it is also as good a means of proving FSM, or and orbital tea pot.
2007-08-01 16:00:26 · answer #5 · answered by Herodotus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The FSM has graphs proving that the decline in Pirates is increasing global temperatures. Also it is the fastest growing religion in the world, and also it even his its holy gosple text.
After all who in the hell are you to judge weather someones deity is any more real than your cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father that can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree
2007-08-01 15:56:51 · answer #6 · answered by John C 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The followers of the FSM are supposedly going to be treated to beer volcanoes and stripper factories. The IPU? No such reward that I'm aware. I'll hedge my bet with the Pastafarians. Ramen.
2007-08-01 15:57:19 · answer #7 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not the same at all!!
The FSM is for those who are PASTA oriented, while the IPU (Invisible Pink Unicorn) is for the Unicornian types. It's not the same at all!
That's like saying Protestants and Catholics are alike! Silly you!
2007-08-01 15:58:00 · answer #8 · answered by ♥≈Safi≈♥ ☼of the Atheati☼ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How is FSM a straw man argument? It follows the same guidelines as christianity.
You just don't understand because you've never been touched by his noodly appendage. How miserable you must be.
rAmen
2007-08-01 15:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
As you know, no one has ever seen the Pink Unicorn. This is, of course, because the FSM smote it with His noodly appendage, and served it with Alfredo sauce at Mel's diner.
2007-08-01 15:57:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes It's absolutely the same and if it's a straw man argument, then so is all religion.
atheist
2007-08-01 15:57:04 · answer #11 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋