Publications
Partners
We should start insisting on quality information. Especially from sources within cyberspace.
The Christian vs Atheist/Agnostic debate being one of many fruitful examples of an information wasteland that is being created by internet users. Enough fuel to fire a bloody slaughter of humankind in future if it is left unchecked. Christian and non- Christian ‘intellectuals’ present garbage information to vast users bases and floods the internet with their supposed spoils of war, intellect and superiority. Whatever has happened to proper logic and sound reasoning; it appears as if people suppose themselves to be wise and intelligent by presenting arguments that actually goes to proof the contrary. Does our education system no longer provide children with an opportunity to debate topics in a fair, equitable, reasonable and logical fashion? The wasteland of information that is called the internet is a breeding ground of contempt and belligerence. Whatever happened to proper form and good manners?
Let’s take for example the article or user submission entitled “What motivates people to remain Christian?” by one Victor. This submission was received by News24 on 27 August 2015 at 09:21. Now, the title itself is as misleading as many News24 article headings. Upon glancing the title one would immediately assume some scientific or logical argument to be presented that explains some reason why humanity in general and in vast majorities remain faithful to their religious roots with a specific emphasis on Christianity. Yet, no dear reader, we’re left with an enquiry based on three premises: (1) people find it hard to dump their faith in Jesus Christ; (2) their faith in Jesus Christ is without any verifiable historic evidence; (3) and Jesus Christ failed on His promise to return for faithful followers.
So Victor’s ‘what’ is explained by vague premises and further hating spewing experiences of the author of a religion entitled ‘Christianity’! Vague and undefined premises in argument is supported by personal observations and experiences, without any further reliable sources or authors to be referenced. The author supports his ill- defined premises only by adducing further premises for argument.
Nevertheless, let’s drill down on only the first sub- premise of Victor’s article – in a proper and good argument one would assume that the premise would first be expounded upon by Victor by explaining why people find it hard to dump their faith in Jesus Christ. One would then expect in order for Victor to expound on why people find it hard to dump their faith in Jesus Christ, he would have set the parameters of (1) who Jesus Christ is (this would have helped to establish the parameters of the argument for sub- premise 2 as well); (2) who the followers of Jesus Christ are according to historic and contemporary and historic sources?; (3) what best sources tell us about what Jesus did when He walked the planet’s soil and if He indeed did?; (4) what we know of the history of the followers of Jesus Christ in relation to what sources tell us about both Jesus Christ and His followers and their combined history to date?; (5) what the concise basis and objectives of Jesus Christ’s followers are?.
Once we have established the parameters of who the people and their Leader, Jesus is and how their faith in Him came about, we get to the real width, breadth, height and girth of the argument. Do people find it hard to dump their faith in Jesus Christ? (1) Do we presume that people refers to devout and convicted Christians or nominal Christians? (2) What can we glean from their numbers and demographics? (3) Did their numbers increase or decrease? (4) Any explanation for any increases or decreases? (5) Any explanation for the sources underlying any increases or decreases? (5) Does decrease in numbers constitute dumping of faith? (6) If so, is there any sources indicating that decrease equates ‘dumping of faith’? Now one we have established only these very basic tenets of the very first sub- premise can we start having any productive debate on that very first sub- premise! Otherwise, as the article or submission clearly explains from its contents, readers are simply dealing with more internet based garbage or waste from a ranting and raving fool with no place or business arguing verifiable information.
In this landscape of waste the author is simply fuelling fires of contempt, hate and belligerence and there will be no end on either side to the debate and the arguments. Can’t we get some good and ethical journalism and information from the vast majority of internet sources any longer? Is it too much to ask for moderation? Can we not limit within the bounds of the Constitution the amount of informational waste we get served by a supposedly reputable website such as News24? Or, in any event, for those who would like to hold themselves superior to others, can you please stop supporting drivel by authors like Victor by not fuelling the fire of his ignorance (and gathering your comments) your own ignorance or inability to have a proper argument.
Solomon was right: the fool says in his heart there is no God!
