Having recently listened to a debate between Christian apologist Mike Licona and Atheist Matt Dillahunty, I felt compelled to comment on some of Mike's theistic assertions...
The context was regarding the validity of the supernatural being factual or possible to coorbarate the resurrection.
He argued that extraordinary claims do not require extraordinary evidence and that we can go by the most likely explaination, his example that followed was that historians have throughout history explained what has happened, not using the methods of today such as empirical evidence but by going with what is most likely...
He said and I quote "Historians can investigate that Anthony loved Cleopatra" his proof was that he gave up time for her, he left battles for her and commuted suicide when believing she was dead.
Therefore we can assume that he must have loved her.
He also mentioned the Reichstag burnt down, and although we may not know or prove the cause we can assert it happened.
Now for me these are not extraordinary claims nor supernatural...
1 - Love is simply a chemical reaction in the brain and it happens so often that it is not extraordinary.
2 - Fires are so common unfortunately, this is why we have fire brigades/services.
Something that requires the suspension of the laws of nature IS extraordinary! And it has to be proven with a level of evidence that matches the level of the claim.
For example...
Premise 1 - Bob has a Gecko in his garage!
This could be taken at face value
Premise 2 - Bob has a Komodo Dragon in his garage!
Id need photo/video evidence minimum
Premise 3 - Bob has the Dragon Smaug in his garage..
This requires substantial proof
What does everyone feel about the debate about if extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence?
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