The Challenge is supported by a handful of self-important "intellects" that have some free cash-flow and an axe to grind; what they represent has NOTHING to do with real world science, it's discoveries and even it's use of principles pertaining to the mind & Psi phenomena as it has been explained for centuries. Yet, you will never have a naysayer recognize such facts in that they cannot give themselves permission to believe in anything that goes against their personal "agenda" -- how they understand the world. This is NOT a matter of choice in most cases, it's simply how that person processes data for any number of reasons, starting with being either Left or Right brain oriented but likewise including certain "DNA" propensities -- research has more or less proven that the ardent believer hosts certain neuro-chemical traits not common to the cynical mind; the lower the level of these genetic markers (for lack of a better term) the more skeptical and pragmatic a person tends to NATURALLY be. This is the kind of information persons from either side of the debate seem to ignore. . . then again, they are factors only realized in the past decade or so.
Then we have the psychological factors that result in a person denying anything paranormal or divine. This is exceptionally common in the Atheist environment simply because "god didn't answer my prayer" so to speak; a collection of people that become resentful towards the divine for what can only be described as "selfish/self-serving, and arrogant" reasons. That may seem a cruel description when looking at how God let our pet die when we were young, or the loss of a parent, etc. but when we step back and look at the facts, our prayer was self-serving from the start (technically; taking the lord's name in vain) and secondly, when we pray to alive someone from their pain and suffering that can frequently mean death. Of course there's the theologian's point to consider as well, the fact that God's answer is sometimes "NO". Regardless, one get's bent out of shape and mad at God for not giving us our whim so why should we remain faithful?
The other side of the psychological influence, though somewhat "new' is Peer-Pressure and what's actually become a social commentary i.e. Intelligent People Don't Have Imaginary Friends or Magickle Thinking.
Kind of ironic given the vast history of noted researchers (scientific minds) who were very deeply vested in their religious/spiritual and even esoteric faith. But the opinions and influences of this and that University Professor (including several theologians who's work at dissecting the bible and its fallacies has been usurped) being implanted in young minds over the past century (almost entirely) have given us this other factor and thus, fear in the minds of many who 'want to fit in' and must therefor denounce what they once understood & took on faith. Why not, everything is spelled out in a "logical" manner, no? Besides, no one wants to be seen as a fool or gullible idiot, right?
The down-side to this particular part of the picture is how the cynical seem to know little to nothing beyond the surface dirt when it comes to religious tradition, the wisdom parables let alone doctrine and theological significances, they forever scratch at the surface dirt frequently echoing Russell or one of his contemporaries vs. original thought.
BALANCE IS THE KEY and I'll never say anything other; both sides of the issue contain a degree of substance and until we get out of our own egos and willing to see and understand what our "opponent" sees and values and the actual why of the matter, there will always be this rather child-like pattern of finger-pointing and false piety from either side of the famed fence.
Randi & Co. are simply a bunch of bullies on the playground yard. Ignore them! The only power & influence they hold is what YOU give them, otherwise they are generally seen as a laughing stock of trouble makers that are full of themselves and nothing more. So move on with your life; learn something that enriches it and allows you to give back in a productive manner that's free of such viciousness in that such things have far more staying power in the long run.Statistics: Posted by Craig Browning — 07 Jan 2012, 01:46
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