On 11/23/2014 8:26 PM, anartaxius wrote:
>
Were I to characterise Barry, I would say he is a terrorist in
Beliefland. A belief is the pretence you know something you do not
know, an opinion, an idea not supported by facts, unlike an informed
belief which is more of an hypothesis that can stand additional
testing. Like balloons floating in Disney World, mere beliefs, even if
tightly held, are airy ideas that have no substance, and Barry is the
pin that attempts to pop the pretence.
>
It is difficult for Barry, or anyone else, to teach others how to
abandon their beliefs if they themselves have deep-seated beliefs of
their own which conflict with their own pedagogy. We all have beliefs
and we all have an ego that we protect. The problem with this teaching
style is that it is easy to lapse into hypocrisy.
My style of teaching is similar to Barry's - /every statement, when
taken to extremes, will be found to be self-contradictory/. The
difference being that I /want/ to talk about my own cognitive dissonance
and beliefs.
For example, a pretense that he witnessed Rama levitate up off of a sofa
hundreds of times, is an easy target because it is obviously contrary to
common sense, science and even to his own teaching. It was false on
it's face and a mistake. Even more so when he is attempting to rid
others of their beliefs! In fact, this sort of claim is almost pure
self-deception.
To be confronted with one's own cognitive dissonance, at least for
Barry, seems to be the most terrifying threat possible - to the point
that he seems to be almost unable to discuss it with anyone. Barry is
the loose pin that unraveled due to his own hubris. Go figure.
