I came accross this quote today and thought how applicable it is to our discussions.

“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence.”

— Bertrand Russell, Roads to Freedom

I think this quote highlights the fact of how our preconceived ideas effect the way we interperet things, and the context I want to talk about is scripture, why? because I believe all to often we have already made up our mind on issues before they can be challenged by the light of scripture. I used to be involved in a place where the inherent culture fueled this type of thinking, now I try and open my mind and my heart to what God wants to reveal to me. Many times I have talked with people recently and they still base their biblical findings on this very premise, and I think it is very dangerous.

Any thoughts???

Here in the UK I am just reading from a book by Roger Oakland on the emerging church called Faith Undone which opens with a chapter which I think agrees with what you have just said very clearly. This book examines the underlying spiritual substance of the 'emerging church' movement.

"A common technique to change society or the church has been to repeat an assertion over and over as a fact; once the people have heard a statement enough times they come to believe it's true. They even parrot the statement in their own conversations, eager to appear 'in the know'."

Compare this to the bible's instruction -
"Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good" 1 Thess 5:21

I will have to look that book up. Great scripture, Hoggie. You can't prove things by saying 'well so and so mentioned it in a conference'. a commentator called Locke said

Those who are for laying aside reason in matters of revelation, resemble one who would put out his eyes in order to use a telescope.

I think that statement by Locke is valid. The great reward for 'proving' all things is you have more bricks in your foundation, more thing to hold fast to.

Personally I think waiting for proof before you believe or change your mind is the way to go otherwise you become like one of the people swayed by various doctorines..

and I think the scripture Hoggie gave ("Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good" 1 Thess 5:21) proves this.