Preface: There was a day not too many years ago when there was legitimate discourse on conservative talk radio every day.....where conversation and debate would take place....and ironically where the host actually welcomed an alternative opinion because controversy generated interest....but that's all gone today. Whereas we once centered our concerns on issues....today everything is centered upon....with totally and unwavering allegiance demanded to....a leader....a great leader.....and a supreme leader. Delusion seems to be the word for today....both in politics....and in the church.....strong beliefs contrary to evidence!
It happens so often that I've resolved to start a notebook on it. An issue or dilemma arises....someone enters the fray by taking a position on what he/she perceives to be the key point. For example....you either love Donald Trump or hate Donald Trump....that person then proceeds to present their case....that if you criticize Donald Trump you must hate Donald Trump....you are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome....and thus your argument must be voided. The problem....or the fallacy....is that one does not necessarily either love Donald Trump or hate Donald Trump...for there would be many other options....one being no opinion on him at all.
The above argument....that if you don't love Donald Trump....you must hate Donald Trump....therefore your arguments are not worth hearing....can be easily won....(and it is always won on conservative talk radio....for critics of Donald Trump....if they are fortunate enough to get on the air....and bold enough to enter this arena to begin with....("get off my show you moron!")....are quickly dispatched as being not worthy to hear....only it was a false argument to begin with....so the victory is a false victory. Compounding the fallacy is that if 'hating' Donald Trump would produce biased opinion to be voided....the 'loving' Donald Trump must also be biased....and thus be voided also.
This overall fallacy occurs all the time today....and in many variations. An actual case in point would be the Michael Cohen public hearing. Our side has made it clear that the issue is that Michael Cohen is a liar....an indicative....but the issue is rather an interrogative. Michael Cohen's credibility is to be considered but the issue is not about Michael Cohen....but rather Donald Trump....is Donald Trump a liar....but this will never be addressed by our side.....and purposely never addressed. There's more than one logical fallacy here....for attacking the witness....which we have had (three days) of so far....is an ad hominem argument....one may win with the argument....but again....it is a false victory....but then.....that doesn't seem to matter anymore....false victories....and fake news....(as mentioned in the preface to this post....both in the world and even evangelicalism)....go hand in hand.
2 Thessalonians 2:11, 15...."And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they may believe what is false......So then brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
It happens so often that I've resolved to start a notebook on it. An issue or dilemma arises....someone enters the fray by taking a position on what he/she perceives to be the key point. For example....you either love Donald Trump or hate Donald Trump....that person then proceeds to present their case....that if you criticize Donald Trump you must hate Donald Trump....you are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome....and thus your argument must be voided. The problem....or the fallacy....is that one does not necessarily either love Donald Trump or hate Donald Trump...for there would be many other options....one being no opinion on him at all.
The above argument....that if you don't love Donald Trump....you must hate Donald Trump....therefore your arguments are not worth hearing....can be easily won....(and it is always won on conservative talk radio....for critics of Donald Trump....if they are fortunate enough to get on the air....and bold enough to enter this arena to begin with....("get off my show you moron!")....are quickly dispatched as being not worthy to hear....only it was a false argument to begin with....so the victory is a false victory. Compounding the fallacy is that if 'hating' Donald Trump would produce biased opinion to be voided....the 'loving' Donald Trump must also be biased....and thus be voided also.
This overall fallacy occurs all the time today....and in many variations. An actual case in point would be the Michael Cohen public hearing. Our side has made it clear that the issue is that Michael Cohen is a liar....an indicative....but the issue is rather an interrogative. Michael Cohen's credibility is to be considered but the issue is not about Michael Cohen....but rather Donald Trump....is Donald Trump a liar....but this will never be addressed by our side.....and purposely never addressed. There's more than one logical fallacy here....for attacking the witness....which we have had (three days) of so far....is an ad hominem argument....one may win with the argument....but again....it is a false victory....but then.....that doesn't seem to matter anymore....false victories....and fake news....(as mentioned in the preface to this post....both in the world and even evangelicalism)....go hand in hand.
2 Thessalonians 2:11, 15...."And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they may believe what is false......So then brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
