Oh look! A heckler from the cheap seats effectively embarrasses himself by means of ineffectual rhetorical question/observation!
How cute (but kinda sad).
adj.
rhetorical (question): "
a rhetorical question is one asked solely to produce an effect (especially to make an assertion) rather than to elicit a reply".
- Source: WordNet ® 2.0
NetDoc offered/inquired:
This sounds more like a confession... so you admit that you don't look for truth? Or is there a definition of "Ultimate TRUTH" that I am missing?
Typically, I would ignore the sideline baiting of troll-ish inanities such as these; but as you have invited my special attentions, and seek to draw specific regrettable attention to yourself in so doing...
......................
In selective parsimony (adoption of the simplest assumption in the formulation of a theory, or in the interpretation of data/words), a sentence of mine was quoted absent complete context:
"And therein lies the most liberating aspect of an atheistic perspective...atheists devote (nor squander) neither time nor effort "in search of" an (or THE) "Ultimate TRUTH".
Well geez, could there be
any ensuing linked qualification of that statement? Why...
yes. Within the
very next two sentences that followed...
"Facts ultimately make (or reveal) "truths" as to be evident in and of themselves. And manifest truths derived of facts provide the most inspiring revelations of all, within this, a mortal existence (and getting laid on a frequent basis helps ;-)).
Wow. What could any reasoning person infer from
that summary statement?
1) A confession of disinterest in facts that may support an estimable truth?
Nope. That would just be stupid.
2) That facts help establish verifiability and validity of a claimed "truth"? Yep. That's
one proper assumption.
3) That claims of (existentialist) "truth(s)" that are absent/lacking credible/verifiable (or otherwise unsupported)
facts are generally unworthy of an atheist's time, consideration, or pursuit? Correct again.
I wonder if I have alluded to this sentiment
before in REF...oh,
now I remember! In my
very first introductory post to REF...
...in which I said:
"I am not "searching" for a "reason", or "purpose" [of existence], or any existential "truths" (most especially...yours).
I am confident, self-assured, and unfailingly skeptical of all claims that seek to assign or impose (for my "benefit") any such assignations. Save your (virtual) breath, and spare me your personalized "insights" that you deem to be in my best interests."
I confess that I meant what I said, and have not deviated since.
Or is there a definition of "Ultimate TRUTH" that I am missing?
More like a case of deliberate intellectual evasion, I would say. Few adults would wonder at the implied meaning of a claimed (or conceptual) "ultimate truth". Do you require cut and pasted definitions of the two words separately in order to comprehend the two as conjoined into a singular concept?
Geez, I wonder what the
definition of the phrase "World Peace" might be? Can't seem to
find one in any dictionary. What
could it mean...I dunno...maybe...Peace in the World? Who could figure
that one out lacking a dictionary definition?
[To be fair, an example
is provided by The American Heritage Dictionary - in
contextually defining the meaning of "ultimate", as:
"Fundamental; elemental:
an ultimate truth".
You know, as in being - "
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme". Sheesh.]
As you are a self-professed Christian, I will illustrate
Biblical inferences/claims of "ultimate truth" (in case you missed them).
Isaiah 65:16 -
"
Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth."
1 Samuel 15:29 -
"
He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
Deuteronomy 32:4 -
"
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."
Hmmm.
"THE God of truth"; "does not lie"; "perfect"; "NO wrong"; "all".
Daniel has a vision, and is visited by "
one who looked like a man" (whose description
sounds like an angel, be Daniel addresses as "
my Lord") is informed by the visitor that it (he?) "
will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth."
"
THE Book of Truth." Which book do you suppose is claimed as such, and is there a suggestion that others are extant?
God says to Moses in Exodus 9:13-15 that:
"
I will send the full force of my plagues against you...so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth."
I would tender that as an "ultimate" claim.
Isaiah 40:28 -
"
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
No doubt. Part of the problem for some...
In John 17, Jesus prays to God, and says:
"
...Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him..."
Speaking on behalf of His disciples, He entreats:
"
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them...Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
Jesus doesn't seem to be equivocating much
there, or here...
John 14:6 -
"
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Does not Jesus claim to be
THE "Ultimate Truth"?
Or, are you missing something...
...like contributing something of value/interest to the topic at hand, instead of just trolling from the sidelines?