J.P. Moreland: Who Defines What Is Real?

[@WilliamBrownGuitar]

Moreland is always great. What more important questions can people ask? Ought to be the focus of every school and of every human being.

[@lindawarner7496]

Fantastic!! I’m cheering loudly ‼️‼️👏👏👏

[@dco8886]

Wow...he looks way younger than 70 😟 God Bless you JP. God haves you here because you’re still needed.

[@quakers200]

I define what's real because as far as I can tell I am the only thing I can depend on and know . Even if I say there is something outside of myself that defines reality, in the end I am the one deciding and therefore am still the one determining reality.

[@YaxisX]

"I am the one deciding and therefore am still the one determining reality."--- Stephen Fox My friend, I would not be quite comfortable making such a determination. Of course, you are reasonable in a general way. I think though Stephen, that the idea of "the one determining reality". can be explored in greater depth. I cannot be quite so certain that I am exclusively "...the one determining reality". There are propositions available which propose that other persons are determining, and of course, a deity may be determining. I consider that I have not created myself, nor am I entirely the cause of myself. I may be only a bit of clay on a divine potter's wheel. In my experience, lots of other people have been "determiners". I want to be sure therefore, that my conclusions are logically derived from facts and reasons.

[@lukasmakarios4998]

When should you stand against the opinion of a majority of "experts" and "authorities"? 1. If the majority opinion is based on non-rational factors, i.e., their opinion is not based on evidence. - they have a secondary agenda - they suppress dissent - there are unaddressed flaws 2. If there is a proposed alternative opinion based on evidence and testable criteria, which explains the phenomena better. - the dissidents pursue their due diligence - they try to account for all of the issues - they are willing to listen to different ideas.

[@ibperson7765]

Check out a video “sla*ghter of the dissidents” on cornerstone television to find out which one evolution is.

[@ramigilneas9274]

At Biola University you have to sign a statement of faith before you are allowed to study or work there. You have to agree that the Bible is 100% true and that all contradicting evidence is automatically false.😂

[@ramigilneas9274]

@@ibperson7765 It seems like almost all scientists on the planet agree that Evolution is a scientific fact… creationist propaganda won’t change that.

[@meb280]

JP is correct, we (as Christians) need to allow the Stephen Meyers and Bill Dembskis and so forth into the fold and not look at them with jaded eye. They give credibility on the science aspect, which is sorely needed. You can defend the concept of God quite well through the auspices of Intelligent Design. Leave the subject matter of who that God is to the philosophy department.

[@luvdomus]

The Meyers and Dembskis have zero credibility in science. They appeal only to gullible, uneducated religious fundamentalists. They should be studied in schools only as examples of how pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, disinformation and propaganda operate in societies.

idiots

[@ibperson7765]

@@luvdomus Lol. Very educated opinion ya got there haha

[@Norwalquero]

Great talk, JP! I appreciate you.

[@DaveKull]

very good!!

[@thelthrythquezada8397]

I am 100% healthy, but I am SO looking fw to dying. As morbid as that sounds, my dad taught us VERY YOUNG (I was 3 or 4) when he taught me about dead. I got mad at him and my mom for having me. "You mean I am not going to be here/around one day? Well why did you have me now I got to die!!!!" But now as a believer I am cool with it.

[@redshift6743]

Love me some J. P.

[@hopemoreland5478]

im jp morelands granddaughter

[@jimena075]

great guy your grandad hope he recovers from his cancers and enriches the lives of people longer here

[@BrianGlaze]

@@hopemoreland5478 How is he doing today?

[@bellabrady3651]

that is my papa

[@Neo-rl2kk]

I discredit all my detractors by claiming reality rights🙂 win win!

[@labraw10]

lol nice :)

[@martin36369]

I have a problem with the statement regarding scientists saying there is no soul, how do they know, the fact they have no evidence for it is not evidence for its non-existence, & their statement is philosophical not scientific

[@luvdomus]

Scientists don't say there is no soul, the term "soul" is not even a scientific term, it is an informal, inexact term that refers to a generalized feeling, such as when we say talk about "soul food" or say that music has "soul." It is not a specific thing like electromagnetism or gravity that can be observed or measured scientifically. If what you mean by "soul" is an invisible ghost that lives inside your body and controls it like a puppet but can somehow float away from it after death and still think, remember, feel and see, then that is nonsense. All sense of self is dependent on brain function, after death your mind ceases to exist in the personal sense-- if that frightens you, go ahead and fantasize anout your "soul" but don't try to get science to go along with it.

[@ibperson7765]

@@luvdomus Lol. Having been an arrogant materialist for decades, I feel genuine pity and sometimes a bit of humor. Tough prison to be in, running around making truth claims while having no rigorous philosophy of what a claim is or what makes it true.

[@luvdomus]

@@ibperson7765 You have the wrong idea separating people into "materialist" vs. "spiritual." Matter is made of energy, it is a form of doing or happening, it has no inherent substance. It takes consciousness to know what matter is doing. Science is just the wisest, most highly organized and effective way of investigating reality. The so-called "spiritual" world is is just another name for human psychological desires and fears. In the case of "Born-Again" Christians it's mainly a game of self-righteous one-upmanship played by those who fantasize about dominating others but who constantly frustrate themselves by losing every fight they pick.

[@ibperson7765]

@@luvdomus That hasn’t been my experience with born-again Christians. Not at all. Im a fairly new Christian and Ive been pretty blown away at the basic goodness and honesty of Christians. No one is perfect, but they are certainly some of the best people Ive ever met. It’s good to remember those that control the info and opinions you see are not unbiased. Our local news has a feel-good story highlighting someone, or some group, doing some good. They NEVER pick Christians. This is just one of a million examples.

[@luvdomus]

@@ibperson7765 Born again Christians are loving to other born again Christians, especially newcomers like you, but view to outsiders as the Enemy..They want you to become emotionally addicted to the movement because hordes of loyal followers give them power. They use lots of love talk to camouflage their stealth plan to take over America. They've got a majority on the Supreme court and many key political positions in the Bible Belt, are making it difficult for minorities to vote, are successfully attacking public education, instituting censorship, passing anti-abortion laws and chipping away at anti-discrimination laws that protect gays and other minorities. You're involved in a fascist anti-science hate cult waging a culture war against reality but you are too naive and needy to know it. Either that or you're trying to play innocent.

[@jacobjohnson7866]

🔥

[@thinusmalan8945]

I didn’t catch the second reason why evolution is the mainstream theory. The first was that it takes God out of biology. What was the second?

[@ibperson7765]

I don’t even think there is a short-term benefit. Far easier to go 1. From scientific materialism to realizing evolution is a lie, to Christ Than 2. Christ based on theistic evolution.

[@joaquim64rodrigues]

As an atheist I respect any science or religion (even ufology) , as long as you don´t even dare to try to legislate my sexual behaviour sir. Thank you.

[@jasonsimms8251]

What about if you liked little kids or animals or your sister? Could we legislate that?

[@supersmart671]

I think therefore I am...

[@mariamkinen8036]

Every single human living being has a right to define his/ or her own reality, as long as it's real n sound. Sick ppl are sick ppl.

[@ericclaghorn7242]

Did you say, "everyone gets to define what's real, as long as it's real?"

[@gusolsthoorn1002]

@@ericclaghorn7242 what?

[@ericclaghorn7242]

@@gusolsthoorn1002 see Maria Makinen's comment. That is who my question was addressed.

[@ericclaghorn7242]

@@gusolsthoorn1002 however, I think she may be quoting someone else, can't really be sure

[@ibperson7765]

Mainstream oncology meets your requirements for rational skepticism too btw.

[@KINGDOMEXPLOITZ]

18:36

[@navBUDDa]

Dr. Moreland, you’re one of my life heroes. But I’m afraid that I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one point. Theistic evolution doesn’t rewrite or reinterpret the Bible. It sheds light on it, helps us understand it more. I’d love to hear what you think about Dr. Hugh Ross.

[@wilknsonclifford2712]

navBUDDa JP Moreland is correct. You cannot believe in evolution in part or full if you are a Christian. The Bible is clear on many Scriptures that all that exist was created by God. Here is are a couple of examples, Hebrews 11:3-6 New King James Version (NKJV) says ‘3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.’ Evolution says what we see came by chance from other forms of life over a long period of time. Evolution says there is no purpose to existence, the Bible says everything exist by Gods will and purpose. See Revelation 4:11 says this ‘11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”’ You can not believe in evolution and the Bible because they are mutually exclusive and eternal parallels. Stay blessed.

[@sebente]

@@wilknsonclifford2712 I totally agree with you

[@navBUDDa]

@@wilknsonclifford2712 Hi Wilknson, welcome to the discussion. I also believe that God created everything. How he did it is the real question. I also do not believe in naturalistic evolution, but I am open to the possibility of theistic evolution of some kind.

[@wilknsonclifford2712]

navBUDDa God created existence by His word. His word is Life and creative. As to the nitty gritty details we can never get that explained beyond what He has chosen to reveal to us (Deut 29:29). Coming to God is by faith and so is believing His word. Thanks and stay blessed.

[@wilknsonclifford2712]

navBUDDa As to Hugh Ross, he has gotten it wrong mixing the Word of God with evolution. Him even claiming to know the exact date of creation is heresy and false teachings.

[@bobak5126]

Intelligent designers like Behe accept common descent for humans that contradicts the Bible.

[@adphi8219]

"Alternative Paradigm" The big "intelligent" man in the sky, its so odd

[@martyfromnebraska1045]

I don’t see how evolution is analogous to the soul at all lol

[@sophrapsune]

It seems that JP Moreland reckons that he gets to define what is real.

[@williambrowning4842]

We don't define reality. We discover it.

[@BrianGlaze]

@sophrasune How do you figure that?

[@bobak5126]

William Browning discover reality of invisible man in the sky? Demons and angels and Gods? That’s what JP Moreland is driving at, yes?

[@Warriorforchrist9]

@@bobak5126 totally off...JP doesn't believe God lives in the sky. Skeptics and there straw man arguments = disgraceful

[@bobak5126]

@@Warriorforchrist9 where does God live then? Somewhere undetectable, I bet?

[@cece3194]

You know, we Christians spend time on this and yes it's interesting but there is imminent danger under our noses. Islam is forcing it's way into the west, USA included. We need to be getting our leaders accustomed to encouraging and helping the Body of Christ to get involved in local politics. Are you aware that about thirty - forty years ago when we started buying massive oil from the middle east bringing great wealth to the islamic nations, certain Saudi's purchased the major publishing houses of public schools text books? In doing this they became able to change a little bit here and a little bit there. Over the last several decades the American history and world history in these text books has become non-recognizable to those of us familiar with the true founding of this great nation by Christians looking to practice their beliefs. Ever wonder why there are not many patriotic kids coming out of public schools and universities or why Christians and Jews are thought of as horrible? There is a reason and it was planned and put into motion some time ago. If this concerns you, and I certainly hope that it does, here are some really good resources: www.ActForAmericaEducation.org www.libertyinstitute.org God bless.

[@rocio8851]

That's why we have David Wood, Sam Shamoun, Jay Smith etc. :) I am very interested in Christian Philosophy, Apologetics in general and Islam. You're right. We need to get prepared in Apologetics with respect to Islam.

[@quakers200]

Good thing about religion, you only have to make one choice, then the church takes care of all the other choices for you. Reality is whatever some book says, as interpreted by people that you believe to somehow have got truth in a bottle. What is truly mind blowing is that even choosing a religion is most of the time a choice all ready made for you by your parents, spouse, a neighbor or the state country, society, culture you were born to. Just follow along the chosen path like cows going back to the barn.

[@cece3194]

@@quakers200 only if the person is a sheep. I've heard your voice before. I decided to test and see of Christ and the Bible hold true for me. They do. I suggest you investigate for yourself. Look up Lee Strobel. Very interesting story to his life.🙏

[@1jfraas]

What an incredibly weak set of arguments. If this the evidentiary basis for believing in Christ, then there is absolutely no reason to believe. There is a reason they call these guys "apologists" because they have to constantly apologize for their lack of evidence

[@joshw9465]

I don’t want to sounds mean but I don’t know what you are talking about. This short lecture had nothing to do with believing in Christ. It was about theistic evolution. With a focus towards worldview. I normally don’t respond to comments but this comment was to ridiculous to leave alone.

[@bobak5126]

So, how do we know what is real? Well, very easy! Just read hallucinations of ancient sheep and goat herders. What could go wrong?

[@ibperson7765]

Or do some research into their claims and find a truly shocking amount of evidence, incl the resurrection, and all else.

[@ramigilneas9274]

@@ibperson7765 Unfortunately almost all of stories in the Bible fall into one of two categories: 1: Unproven stories with no supporting evidence. 2: Disproven stories with mountains of evidence against them. There is exactly zero evidence for the resurrection… what you got are unverifiable anecdotes and anonymous hearsay.

it is not you religious idiots who define real