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LOLOLOL!

Your protests are quite ineffective to me, dear Hank Kerchief.

Let me recall exactly what you said at post 1207 (emphasis mine:)

I’ll explain only that nothing that cannot be derived from reasoning about that which we are conscious of can be knowledge, and that all knowledge is about that of which we are conscious. Anything else that makes a claim to knowledge is superstition.

The first part of your testimony cannot now be divorced from the last sentence of it.

In my personal epistemology, the knowledge I consider most certain and of the highest value and priority is that which I receive directly from God, e.g. that Jesus Christ is God. That did not come from me. Now was I conscious of Him as God.

Jesus is in fact the wisdom of God, the power of God.

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. – I Cor 1:24

Moreover, the things of God cannot be received by the natural man. They must be Spiritually discerned:

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. II Cor 2:6-16

Spiritual Truths are received. They are not things that we become conscious of through perception or reasoning. They are awakened in us. Again and more fully:

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent...

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. – I Corinthians 1:19-25

To God be the glory, not man, never man.

Well, it has been interesting. I think you have the impression I would undermine your beliefs. Let me tell you something you do not know about me. I admire Christians who know their Bibles and live by the principles it teaches, especially in today’s world where almost no one has any principles.

But many Christians today have swallowed a lot academic nonsense and seem to be attempting to justify their beliefs on the basis of things that are contrary to fact and to their Bibles. I’m not sure why, and I’m sorry to see it.

I do not believe in God, but it’s not for any of the reasons most say that do not, and I’m certainly not opposed to anyone who finds their belief in a God is consistent with their best understanding of reality and the world. I would defend to the death anyone’s right to believe and practice whatever they believe, but I know Christianity is of religions the most rational and benevolent and always a boon to any country where it flourishes—especially the USA.

I also have no interest in convincing anyone else one way or the other about their religious convictions.

However, Christians, as well as others, believe and teach things I cannot agree with, and when I run across such beliefs, when I’m inclined to, I like to address them. Again, I have no interest in changing anyone’s mind, but find the exercise interesting and it frequently helps me clarify ways of expressing my thoughts.

Didn’t mean to ramble. All my best. Thank you for the good conversation and ideas.

Hank