No True Scotsman

In college I took a philosophy class lead by a woman who made herself known within the secular community during the Dover trials. I loved learning from her and hope that I carry many of her lessons throughout my life.

One thing she wanted our class to be able to recognize and call out were the logical fallacies that surround us on a daily basis. I got pretty good at seeing them in everyday life on campus. I once had an argument with a open-air preacher about his use of circular fallacy. He didn't seem to care that his logic was flawed.

But here is where I feel that my professor missed a good opportunity: No True Scotsman. It's true that this particular fallacy can really fall under the ad hoc rule. But I feel it has it's own merits. Especially within the secular community.

Here's an example: Let's say that a man killed his wife. The police go to his friends and they say that the man was a good Christian and can't understand how this has happened. The report hits the news that a Christian man has killed his wife. My mother, sister or aunt may look over at me and say 'He wasn't really a true Christian then.'

When someone professes to be something, like a Christian, and other Christians think he has done something outside of the realm of Christianity then the person 'wasn't really a Christian'.  Happens all the time.

When a group of radical Muslims flew planes into a building or when individuals perform a suicide bombing, sure, they were extremist. This doesn't mean they weren't Muslim. The same goes for when Christians in this country kill people because of their skin color or sexual preference. They are still Christians.

The truth is that human nature sometimes rears it's not-so-civilized head and people do things that are deemed uncivilized or anti-social.  When someone who has been a devout Christian their entire life and they snap and commit a horrible act...it just proves to me all the more that there is no god.

Human nature is what it is. Some people have the ability to live normally in their society and follow the social rules. Others don't. Stating that because someone hasn't followed the rules they are no longer one of you is not helping.  Accepting that humans are, in fact, animals who have been able to MOSTLY control our animalistic needs and wants is helpful in being able to help one another and understand the need for medical and psychological help.

Praying to a god does not immediately resolve you of your basic needs.