Critical thinking and education is linked to loss of faith

[Matthias]

… taking a forensic statement analysis approach toward examining the Gospels.

FORENSIC STATEMENT ANALYSIS

Forensic Statement Analysis (FSA) describes a series of sequential techniques experts use to identify linguistic ‘signals’ separating lies from truthful statements. FSA experts examine the statements of suspects and witnesses to identify indicators revealing subconscious information. FSA is an effective tool when employed by someone who has been trained in the discipline.

FSA is not a science, however, and we must be careful about our conclusions when examining statements. One thing is certain: the more we practice the techniques of FSA, the more reliable our conclusions. As you begin to look at statements more critically, be careful about jumping to a particular decision or inference. Cross-check and test your assertions and build a cumulative case to make sure your conclusions are reasonable.”

(J. Warner Wallace, Forensic Faith, p. 107)

 

[Jay Ross]

Is it not true that many simply jump to conclusions without taking the time to seriously examine all of the evidence in the scriptures?

 

[Matthias]

Is it not true that many simply jump to conclusions without taking the time to seriously examine all of the evidence in the scriptures?

It is true. Believers and unbelievers alike.

 

[Riven]

Not everyone is a detective. Nor do we have all the time in the world. But some people do. I look up those people on YouTube. XD

 

[Matthias]

It’s easy, even essential, to become a detective when examining truth claims. It takes know how, time and effort to do it.

 

[Matthias]

Why do so many young Christians lose their faith when they go off to college?

“Many young Christians fall into group 2 [Group 2 - Believers who are starting to have doubts]. They may have been raised in the church, but by the time they enter junior high or middle school, young Christians want to know more than what their parents believe; they want to know why their parents believe. If they don’t get good answers at home, they’ll be ready to accept any answer they get in school or college as they shift from convinced to doubting believers.”

(J. Warner Wallace, Forensic Faith, p. 159)

Their faith is shallow and fragile because they haven’t examined the evidence for (and against) it for themselves. They’re unprepared to meet the aggressive arguments presented by atheists and agnostics, which they will encounter when on their own.

Critical thinking isn’t the cause for people losing their faith. Not critically thinking is.

 

[Jay Ross]

Critical thinking isn’t the cause for people losing their faith. Not critically thinking is.

There is much evidence on this forum of members who lack the ability to think critically.

 

[Matthias]

There is much evidence on this forum of members who lack the ability to think critically.

I agree with your observation. It raises the question: Why do some people lack the ability to think critically?

If reasons can be identified, can solutions to the problem be identified and implemented?

 

[Jay Ross]

I agree with your observation. It raises the question: Why do some people lack the ability to think critically?

They always go looking for the easiest answer they can find which often never answers their enquiry to say the least.

 

[Matthias]

They always go looking for the easiest answer they can find which often never answers their enquiry to say the least.

I think that‘s true with some people. Is there a solution?

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

I agree with your observation. It raises the question: Why do some people lack the ability to think critically?

If reasons can be identified, can solutions to the problem be identified and implemented?

I remember talking to a mates good dad, that would pick me and others up to go to Bible Study. me 15yo and on say.
He said to me Just Believe !
I was like stuned ! how can I believe if I do not have enought faith or total faith in a subject to give me strength and conviction to back such up !
That is what I was seeking for, was the key to my answers !
So the Pastor would not answer me, he just babbled on with rote and would run away to my questions ! He did not know ! he was just following along with the denomination line.

But most people do not care less, they just follow along, thinking such must be, just believe it !

But me being of some Hebrew blood line maybe is why I take all such very seriously and I have no time for fickel nonsense.
My baby brother is much the same as me, but my elder bro and sister are not ! nor my mum or my dad ! they are just water baptised and believe to a possition of faith that they have. but could not be bothered to seek indepth at all ! So I do not have such a relationship with them regarding Christ Jesus as I do with baby bro ! as we can talk till the cowes come home on the subject. the others it's like talking to a 5yo, boring !

 

[Matthias]

What atheism misses (or intentionally seeks to conceal): Critical thinking and education is linked to losing faith and to gaining faith.

 

[SavedInHim]

I believe it isn't higher learning or critical thinking per se that kills faith; the main culprits are pride and arrogance. These two factors don't discriminate between those with higher leaning and those without. I don't really have any use for higher learning; I've gotten by just fine without it. However, if a person wants to pursue higher learning, I'd say go for it; but watch out for that monster of pride which is always close by the door. Critical thinking is essential, for the educated and uneducated alike.

 

[nedsk]

Then why do majority of believers lose their faith as they step into higher levels of education?

Lies are always more attractive than the truth. Why wait until marriage to have sex? They just tell you that because they dont want you to have fun. Thats a stuffy old fashioned idea. sex feels good why cant you enjoy it whenever you like? When people arent properly trained in the truth they fall for that BS

 

[Matthias]

Then why do majority of believers lose their faith as they step into higher levels of education?

Simple. They aren’t prepared. They don’t have a forensic faith.

 

[Riven]

Simple. They aren’t prepared. They don’t have a forensic faith.

There's no such thing. Go ahead and use your forensic skills to prove Eden ever existed. Or that the Flood actually happened.

Belief in Jesus as the Messiah is predicated on these stories being true. Especially Eden, given that it lays the foundation for why Jesus died on the cross for us: original sin.

 

[Matthias]

Belief in Jesus as the Messiah is predicated on these stories being true.

Jesus himself believes these stories are true.

 

[Riven]

Jesus himself believes these stories are true.

But that's not using forensics to determine if something is true. You're just taking his word for it. The thread is about critical thinking.

 

[Matthias]

But that's not using forensics to determine if something is true.

It‘s using FSA (forensic statement analysis).

You're just taking his word for it. The thread is about critical thinking.

You believe he existed. If critical thinking has nothing to do with it, then how do you know that he did?

 

[Riven]

It‘s using FSA (forensic statement analysis).

You're taking his word for it and you're playing linguistic games.

You believe he existed. If critical thinking has nothing to do with it, then how do you know that he did?

I don't know that he did. But I prefer to operate under the assumption that Jesus of Nazareth did actually exist.