Comments by "Iain Mc" (@iainmc9859) on "How to Lie With Statistics (and get away with it)" video.

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  10. ​ @nostalji93  I accept you apology regarding being rude and dismissive, lets move on. I don't understand why you were so defensive as I only responded to your initial comment to Sandy as I found Sandy's comment genuine and open, where I found your comment combative and dismissive to his whole world view. My 'quick assumption' was that you were looking for a response to oppose, you just got it off me not Sandy. I don't think that was 'bad faith' as it was borne out by subsequent responses; I doubt that a young fundamentalist would have either the confidence or dialectic background to wade into that discussion, as your summing up of the OT as 'horrible' would probably have put him off, as may have your jumping from gender specific pro-noun to another. Sandy's avatar icon is ostensibly male, he spells his name the male way, and as a Christian Fundamentalist I'm presuming he may be disinclined to be gender neutral; if unsure its acceptable to describe someone as 'they' when referring to them in the third person, (it might be worth noting here I'd probably not agree with much of Sandy's 'fundamentalist' viewpoint; its worth also noting his concept of ;fundamentalism' may not be either yours or mine) and I appreciate that you wanted a discussion coming from someone of a different religious viewpoint - which I didn't give you. I don't think that dismissing the whole of the Old Testament as 'horrible' is justified. There are elements of both the Old and New Testaments that I would describe as 'dubious' in the modern timeframe but as the Bible is an anthology of so many different authors over a long period of time, not to mention multiple translations, from Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin then English, then it is not surprising there are different viewpoints within it; different Christian denominations also have their own preferred editions. There were also several Councils in the early Church to decide what was Canonical and what to simply leave out, which isn't agreed upon by all denominations, particularly the western and Orthodox churches. In reference to my original phrasing and re-phrasing using 'background' 'perspective' and 'viewpoint' ; all I was trying to say was that Sandy was making it clear he was aware he was subjective ... I was less sure from your initial comment to him you were aware of your own subjectivity, and it took a few responses for you to say so. I just kept responding until you stated it. There was no 'virtue signaling' or religious/faith viewpoint expressed throughout any of my responses (except included, in passing, in this response). I was genuine in saying I'm neutral on such things (also taking into account my own background/subjectivity). There was no constructive criticism offered as you didn't appear to have any defined stated viewpoint on any matter of religious theology (or statistics); your comments appeared to be merely aimed at myself for querying you. Although I can swear like a trooper, there's a time and place. Responding to a stranger online, even one that you perceive as annoying, with you immediately telling them their saying BS doesn't come across well. If you feel I have contradicted myself or become incoherent in any way I'd be willing to try to clarify my meaning, the same goes for any direct questions you think I've dodged. I too found it difficult to follow your narrative/meaning at times. They do say that America and Britain are two countries separated by the same language, I'm assuming you are American as you called me 'Dude'.
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  11. ​ @nostalji93  I wouldn't say that English was most Americans first language either 😊. Perhaps it might be an idea just to say English isn't my first language right at the beginning of any lengthy conversation. Your English is a darned site better than my German. I don't know how old you are, presumably older than Sandy and younger than myself (mid 50's). There was a female singer in the mid-sixties called Sandie Shaw. In truth I was quite sexist in presuming a respondent on a philosophy channel was male and then checked his avatar afterwards. I still don't know if you dismiss the whole of the OT entirely or on what basis, moral, historical or if its just pre-Christian. I possibly (probably) came in too quickly on your response to Sandy but as you realise you'd probably closed it down with the OT comment. My concern (objective) initially was that a young man might innocently walk into having to justify his faith to someone else but not have the ability to do so, the context was a vlog about statistics and not religious belief after all. As to myself I was brought up in 'Faith' schools, what type isn't really relevant. I studied Greek and Roman history at college, where I picked up an appreciation of philosophy and dialectics. I then went on to study the Reformation at university but from a historical viewpoint not a theological one. I then went into teaching. I'm more interested in how religion shapes culture rather than holding any particular faith strongly myself. Respecting everyone's right to differ without necessarily agreeing with them. Now semi-retired. If there is a take away from this its, if I can use a British phrases, not to go in like a bull in a china shop i.e. you can do a lot of damage quickly. Using words that could be perceived as negative usually results in people not listening to what you have to say; even if your points are relevant and succinct and your curiosity is genuine. I'm not trying to 'save you' in any way. We can only do that from within. Take care.
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