If It Quacks Like a Duck

[T.G.G. Moogly]

If it quacks like a duck, flaps its wings like a duck, has a bill like a duck, feet like a duck, feathers like a duck, can fly like a duck, craps like a duck, walks like a duck and lays eggs like a duck, I still believe it's a kangaroo.

I'll admit that everything about the duck experience says "duck" but what we see as a duck is really a kangaroo that just looks and acts exactly like a duck. In fact, there is no way our simple human senses can distinguish the kangaroo from the duck. We can examine and dissect this experience to the finest detail but in the end our simple and inadequate human abilities will fail. To find and see and experience the kangaroo we need faith, which in the end is a gift from the kangaroo. We are simply blinded by our denying that the kangaroo is actually there. If we let the kangaroo into our heart we will see the kangaroo.

This is a basic operating principle of the religious experience.

 

[Rayschism]

What if it's a Platypus?


Or even Crocoduck?

 

[T.G.G. Moogly]

What if it's a Platypus?


Or even Crocoduck?

It's still a kangaroo.

 

[Bronzeage]

It might be a goose. A duck and a goose are similar, but you can tell by looking at the bill. A goose charges more.

 

[C_Mucius_Scaevola]

You sure it's not a wallaby?

 

[braces_for_impact]

What is wrong with you people? It's a LLAMA! If it's anything other than a LLAMA it's because you've been deceived by various Avetheropoda.

 

[T.G.G. Moogly]

Or maybe it's a duck and a kangaroo. If it was a bovine in India it could also be my cousin.

 

[Cheerful Charlie]

Strangely enough, ducks are not mentioned in the Bible. So it may very well be that they don't really exist.

 

[Learner]

Possibly extinct, if we look at the fossil record we could examine the skeletal remains and find that kangeroos most likely came from ducks. They both stand on two legs and we can make erm .. a good scientifc guess that with enough time a duck would change his waddling searching for food further from the water and slowly evolve to hopping because the sand would be quite hot in the land "down under".

 

[Keith&Co.]

Possibly extinct, if we look at the fossil record we could examine the skeletal remains and find that kangeroos most likely came from ducks. They both stand on two legs and we can make a good guess that with enough time a duck would change his waddling searching for food further from the water and slowly evolve to hopping because the sand would be quite hot in the land "down under".

Do kangaroo bones match duck bones?
I mean, if you're going to start with the fossil record, that'd be a good trait to evaluate, right? Are kangaroo bones hollow?

 

[Learner]

Do kangaroo bones match duck bones?
I mean, if you're going to start with the fossil record, that'd be a good trait to evaluate, right? Are kangaroo bones hollow?

Evolution.

 

[Keith&Co.]

Do kangaroo bones match duck bones?
I mean, if you're going to start with the fossil record, that'd be a good trait to evaluate, right? Are kangaroo bones hollow?

Evolution.

A meaningless term if you're just going to throw it out like that.
Does the fossil record of kangaroos match duck bones? Is there a leg to stand on for this theory or not?

 

[Learner]

Evolution.

A meaningless term if you're just going to throw it out like that.
Does the fossil record of kangaroos match duck bones? Is there a leg to stand on for this theory or not?

Perhaps not a good theory after all. Im going to have to agree with Joedad ( he'll probably say I already did).

 

[Lion IRC]

If it quacks like a duck, flaps its wings like a duck, has a bill like a duck, feet like a duck, feathers like a duck, can fly like a duck, craps like a duck, walks like a duck and lays eggs like a duck, I believe it's a duck.

But some people expect me to deny my properly basic belief in sensory experience of a duck because they have never seen a duck in their life - only kangaroos. So I am apparently deluding myself about the existence of ducks.
And so is everyone else who has experienced ducks in real life.

This is a basic operating principle of the atheist.

 

[T.G.G. Moogly]

If it quacks like a duck, flaps its wings like a duck, has a bill like a duck, feet like a duck, feathers like a duck, can fly like a duck, craps like a duck, walks like a duck and lays eggs like a duck, I believe it's a duck.

But some people expect me to deny my properly basic belief in sensory experience of a duck because they have never seen a duck in their life - only kangaroos. So I am apparently deluding myself about the existence of ducks.
And so is everyone else who has experienced ducks in real life.

This is a basic operating principle of the atheist.

Can't quite get your point, but it is late and I've been drinking straight bourbon. Seems like you're saying atheists see a duck. Thank-you.

 

[abaddon]

... But some people expect me to deny my properly basic belief in sensory experience of a duck because they have never seen a duck in their life - only kangaroos. So I am apparently deluding myself about the existence of ducks.
And so is everyone else who has experienced ducks in real life.

This is a basic operating principle of the atheist.

Bullshit.

Augustine was harsh about the pride of ancient philosophers. Why? Because they wouldn't believe the testimony of weirdos who declared the order underlaying the whole universe (the Greek logos) became a man. In 1 John 1 the writer said that he has seen the word made flesh firsthand and the testimony is to be trusted. You get to share the fellowship of those who saw Eternal Life walking on earth if you do. Augustine thought this kind of thinking seemed reasonable and only pride could stop you thinking so too.

But the philosophers weren't into testimony, they wanted to know how you get to such a conclusion without just leaping there. What to do when you can't reason it out? Ad hom. Christians like Augustine made the "show me" attitude of philosophers out to be a serious character flaw.

Now you're here doing much the same. But the twist you put on it is you claim atheist disbelief is pressure on you to deny the senses. You pretend it's not you who makes the incredible claim. When if you were forthright you'd own up to the undeniable fact that it's a leap of faith to accept the testimony of others.

And that's bullshit.

Mister, your interpretation of whatever claimed experience shares no characteristic of the duck. You know that, right?

 

[abaddon]

Can't quite get your point, but it is late and I've been drinking straight bourbon. Seems like you're saying atheists see a duck. Thank-you.

He's seen the duck that you've denied. But keep drinking and you may see a magical duck too! A big pink duck with a platypus head and hopping like a kangaroo.

 

[Lion IRC]

I see a duck.
I'm not going to let random internet dude tell me that I didnt.
...especially when Internet dude has a problem with ducks and with folks who see ducks.

 

[Lion IRC]

Some people secretly believe in ducks but they publically declare that they don't for various reasons.

This is a basic operating principle of the atheist.

 

[Lion IRC]

Some people invent the idea of kangaroos as a comforting alternative to the idea that ducks exist - an idea they fear.

This is a basic operating principle of the atheist.