Re: virus: General Univerals (was: Re: engagements)

Bob Hartwig (hartwig@ais.net)
Thu, 30 Apr 1998 02:27:39 -0500


>
>Using your example, you oppose those who try to take away the rights of
>sexual minorites (a good cause which I adimently support). Your logic
>however goes astray when you generalize to say that Christians are in large
>part the ones trying to taking away rights, therefore Christianity is evil.
>The arguement looks a little like this:
>
>1) Homophobia is bad.
>2) Some Christians are homophobic
>3) Therfore Christianity is bad.
>

Ironically, Tim, you're making a similar logical error . You're saying
that Sodom dislikes Christianity because certain Christians are homophobes,
whereas Sodom may have many other reasons to think Christianity is bad.

Personally, I dislike many *Christians* because of their homophobia, but I
dislike *Christianity* for other reasons. I can give you a list as long as
my arm if you'd like.

>The logical error is in generalizing from specifics to universals. And not
>surprisingly the Christian agrument against homosexuals uses *EXACTLY* the
>same form! As follows:
>
>1) Sexual permisivenss is bad.
>2) Some homosexuals are sexually permisive.
>3) Therefore homosexuals are bad.
>

The fundamentalist Christians I know don't use this line of reasoning as
the basis for their homophobia. Their homophobia comes from the fact that
the books of Leviticus and Romans in the Holy Bible specifically state that
homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God. "God said it, I
believe it, that settles it." Try reasoning with that.