Re: FW: virus: Does God really exist?/Telepathy

David McFadzean (david@lucifer.com)
Sat, 24 Aug 1996 18:36:50 -0600


At 02:36 PM 23/08/96, Chris Anderson wrote:
>David McFadzean wrote:
>>Given our knowledge of probability theory it would truly be astounding if
>>coincidences such as this *didn't* happen to everyone all the time.
>
>I agree. In knowing this fact though, are you still open to the possibility
>that not all coincidences are simply a matter of probability?

Yes I am open to the possibility in the sense that all my beliefs are
provisional. However that doesn't me that I'm willing to give equal
attention to every just-so story someone makes up; there simply isn't
enough time in a single lifetime even if I wanted to.

If your theory on non-coincidental coincidences (or any other theory for
that matter) doesn't explain something that can't be explained otherwise,
why propose it? Also, if the new theory is predicated on some postulated
phenomenon that would be inconsistent with my current set of beliefs, then
(obviously) I have to discard some of my current beliefs to maintain
consistency. I don't mind doing that, but I do require strong evidence
because I usually have good reasons for holding the beliefs that I do.

--
David McFadzean                 david@lucifer.com
Memetic Engineer                http://www.lucifer.com/~david/
Church of Virus			http://www.lucifer.com/virus/