I am not a big fan of chopping up pieces of a response and responding (and, this is not a dig at you or anyone else... just my personal preference when replying/answering.)
But there is a lot to respond to here.
I think that's fairly typical of opposing views on any subject - when each thinks that their knowledge has obviously led to the conclusion they've reached, they're likely to feel that since the other hasn't reached that conclusion, they must lack that knowledge.
But although it's often the case that one or other, or even both, base their analysis on knowledge the other lacks, even when both base their understanding on the same knowledgebase, they can come to different conclusions.
This is why I prefer the
Socratic method of discussion - by formulating questions you clarify what it is you don't understand about the other's thinking & reasoning, and by answering questions you have to examine your own thinking & reasoning. Also, it tends to be more productive. Evasions, distractions, persistent 'misunderstandings', and so-on, are key 'tells' of problem areas.
Absolutely. I also very much so prefer the Socratic method of discussion, because it does clarify context. It also a sincere philosophical approach to argument - even if the questions seem insincere (this goes back to clarification in context.) It allows the inquirer(s) to form a path of focus in argument; in the case of two or multiple parties on the same "wavelength," the Socratic method of argument becomes more of a literary and linguistic dance.
Apology is one of my favorite books.
Or lack of faith...
Uh huh... we'll see
You only need advanced maths or science if the field you're working in requires it; i.e. it helps to have some understanding of what you're developing software for. Software design and coding per-se only needs basic arithmetic, but above all, it requires logical thinking; propositional logic, compositional and hierarchical relationships, the abstract and the concrete, iterations and their limits, etc.
This is what a sort of thought - logic is the basis, not so much math/science.
But, logic is just as crazy as theoretical physics, to me. It is not easy from my experience, and can be more abstract than algebra.
No - I don't see any connection between them. I've had profound moments of understanding, and I've had plenty of intuitive moments - the more experience you have the more often you intuitively sense whether something is good or flawed, that's the essence of expertise.
Those kinds of profound realizations and understandings would be more likely to stimulate my interest in psychology and neuroscience; or possibly contemplative, mind-oriented philosophies & religions, such as meditative Buddhism.
I agree with you concerning expertise. Although, I approach my own "qualifications" very conservatively (i.e. I may never mean I have expertise even though I use the word, and I have the credentials.) And, through "experience," I have managed to continue on the fine lines between false humility and arrogance. As I said before, my god for a while was my expertise, and alleged intellect. I really am like a "recovering addict" when it comes to what I did with my intellect, and how it controlled me.
It may sound incredibly weird to refer to intellect and ego in the context of a drug addition, but when you
feel like those things enable you to do "anything," it does make you feel like you can do anything. And, it nearly destroyed me on a fundamental level (relationships, interactions, faith, etc.) You may hear my criticism of academia - that mainly comes from my experience being totally immersed in the seduction of structured qualifications of intellect. I respect all scientists even if I don't agree with them; I know what it takes to go through the rigor. They deserve recognition; my high school physics teacher had a Ph. D., and I made sure to call him Dr.
With all of that said, I am now able to use my expertise for something (I would like to believe is) better.
Why do you think the God of Abraham might be particularly relevant?
As said before, I had a war with Him, and He won. I had no respect for any other gods - even if I believed they existed (started with Greek and Sumerian "mythology".)
This wasn't a mental break; I don't know how to explain it other than a war with something much much stronger than my own intellect. For example, calculating all possible eventualities, I may be able to mimic psychic phenomenon - my specialty utelizes statistical physics heavily. To me, it is just a grest measurement with small error, ideally with high precision. It is akin to what "mentalists" do. But to others, it seems incredible (which, it still is.)
The God of Abraham challenged me on my own "turf" - my academic specialty and the utilization thereof. Most everything that I was able to do on my own was impossible. There were no longer any quantifiable, calculatable "eventualities," and the synchronicity that I could measure and exploit became repetitive failure. It doesn't sound like much, but this was the basic "assault" that razed my entire egotistical structure.
Over time I realized what, or rather "who" it likely was that was dealing with me. This is after medical and psychological evaluations, physical and mental stress tests. I was in incredible mental and nearly perfect physical health. I made sure all logic and reasonable options were considered. I finally decided to see what He had to say - so that He would leave me alone.
After the "first" year I entertained Him, I started seeing mathematics in a profound way. Eventually, I got "proof" He exists, which upset me because I didn't have the luxury of having "non-existence" as an option. So, for a while I used the very small "spark" of what I now know was Godly wisdom to try to prove His non-existence.
Lol.
Eventually I realized I was on an intellectual and spiritual hamster wheel, so I "entertained" Him a little bit more. This went on for a while - I would more of a spark, and it would be a great thing at first but then I would get frustrated with its implications, and I sort of rebel.
After a while, before I finally made a permanent decision, I just stayed agnostic - even defiantly agnostic. That worked OK for me; He wasn't bothering me either so I was great. Then, I got a rude awakening into the "darker" spiritual world, where a couple of us were attacked by what one would call 'paranormal/supernatural/demons." There were intelligent witnesses to verify it for me (as, I wanted to remain ignorant of the incident even in real time.) After that, I made a a permanent decision to follow the God of Abraham.
From there, He really began to destroy my ego while at the same time showing me a better way to apply my intelligence - and even exponentially growing my fundamental understanding across most all disciplines.
Then, I began using that wisdom to research my own "brand." I studied the Greek, Hebrew, and Latin languages, etymology and linguistics. I furthered my knowledge of world mythologies and history, and archeology. I read any text I could find - canon or not. I ultimately found vindication for my alignment.
So, I tried to ask for some more gifts - but I knew asking for frivolous things would get me silence. So, I asked for the same faith the Patriarchs had. It was one of the best decision of my life for the furthering of my faith, but while I was going through it it was the absolute worst time. It was even worse than when I was "at ego war" with Him.
Then I asked for true patience. Horrible experience again, but in hindsight the best experience ever to grow me.
Et. Cetera.
So, to me the God of Abraham is literally my God, or specifically the God of my god - which makes Him God to me. He literally defeated my grandest idea of deity.
As I learned more about history in spiritual and anthropological context, I found out the way He dealt with me was a motif. When people say, "But, Job wen through..." or reference some other biblical hero in response to a question of faith and patience, it can be hackneyed. But, it makes a lot of sense now. The cliche of surrendering to Him also made sense as I got further into a relationship with Him. Later, I learned through research that the plagues He sent Egypt specifically targeted ten of the chiefest gods of Egypt, including "#1" - god on earth (Pharaoh.)
It was a completely unique experience for me - one catered categorically to my idea of deity and worship in order to humble and refine what was incorrect.
