In the contest between Atheism vs Theism, one of the common (though rarely stated) elements within this contest is that what is Epistemology for one, is Propaganda for the other – and vice versa.
For example – For Young Earth Creationists, who espouse among other things, that the age of the Earth is no older than 10,000 years (give or take several thousand years), the notion that the Earth is roughly 4.5 Billion years old – is seen as secular Propaganda at best, and more likely the work of the Devil and his minions.
On the other hand, the majority of scientists in areas of Geology, Biology, Cosmology, Astronomy, etc. who do see the age of the Earth as roughly 4.5 Billion years old, see the Young Earth Creationists as spouting Religious dogma that is mistaken at best, and more likely stating positions that are due to ignorance and not having a clue as to what constitutes Scientific Investigation and Methods – in short, Propaganda.
Granted, the above example is overly simplistic – but the point is – that each side in the example given above sees their side as operating out of a position of Epistemology (the Knowing of How one Knows, What one Knows) – and more importantly – sees the other side as operating out of a position of Propaganda – although both sides tend to be more polite than using the P-word, Propaganda.
For the Young Earth Creationists, the Epistemology (How does one Know What one Knows) is that of the inerrant Bible and a literal interpretation of Creation of the Earth being accomplished by God in six 24-hour days. Their entire perspective of what is Real, falls within the logical parameters founded upon this Epistemological Base. Everything that contradicts the Epistemology is Propaganda, although politeness usually prevents them from using the label of Propaganda.
For the Scientists who believe that the Earth is roughly 4.5 Billion years old, the Epistemology (How does one Know What one Knows) for this belief comes from various scientific paradigms from a number of fields of study. Their entire perspective of what is Real, falls within the logical parameters founded upon this Epistemological Base. Everything that contradicts the Epistemology is grounds for exploring the various parameters of the various paradigms (ala Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions) – and if the contradictions fail to disturb the various parameters of the various paradigms (without being able to meet the requirements that create a Scientific Revolution), then the contradictions to the Epistemological Base are seen as Propaganda, although again, politeness usually prevents them from using the word Propaganda.
We trust that the following discussion will involve more complicated issues than the simplistic example given above, so – Let the conversation begin.
Tags: Atheism, Epistemology, Propaganda, Theism
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Sometimes I see stuff from the Christian Research Institute (CRI). They have a slogan for their site that states “Because the Truth matters” – which of course, presumes that there is such a thing as Truth – they have a handle on it – and that it all boils down to the Theistic Propaganda that there is a “God”, “his only begotten son”, and a holy spook, ah, ghost.
The Epistemology behind this slogan – “Because the Truth matters” relies heavily upon a collection of codified “books”, collected into a larger book – written without error, through the “divine inspiration” of this same Propagandized “God”.
Thus, the key for the Epistemology for the slogan “Because the Truth matters” resides in the area of Symbols and Symbolic Form – another discussion on this Blog.
I’ll send off a link to this Blog to the CRI – just to see if they want to join in a discussion of the Epistemology of Symbols and Symbolic Form. My bet is that they will pass on the offer – but time will tell.
Bob
I just read an interesting essay from “Standing Up ToThe Madness” by Amy Goodman and David Goodman. Within this essay, “Psychologists In Denial”, the Goodmans cite an article written by Andrew Sullivan for the Sunday Times of London (10/7/7), indicating – “The phrase [“enhanced interrogation”] has a linage. Verscharfte Vernehmung, enhanced or intensified interrogation, was the exact term innovated by the Gestapo to describe what became known as the ‘third degree.’ It left not marks. It included hypothermia, stress positions and long-time sleep deprivation.
The United States prosecuted it as a war crime in Norway in 1948….”
Here is fine example of using Symbolic Form and Propaganda together. When the dirty, rotten, Nazi Gestapo uses Verscharfte Vernehmung – it’s a war crime. When President Bush’s United States administration uses “enhanced interrogation” – Verscharfte Vernehmung – it’s the American Patriotic thing to do in the “War on Terror” – because in the words of President Bush – “America does not torture”!
War Crime or Patriotism – it’s all a matter of Propaganda and Spin.
I just watched Letters to God and I thought it was a great, inspirational film. What I liked about the movie was that it didn’t really focus on finding faith, but more about the strains hardship adds to maintaining it. I feel that many people are able to relate to through that approach, as each of us have come across a difficult part in our lives.