I think that’s exactly what he’s saying. remember, you’re dealing with somebody who thinks that a being created the universe and all of the laws within it.

sure explains a lot, doesn’t it?

there’s just that eensy weensy problem of infinite regression.

but never mind that… there’s preaching to do!

Are you saying that you believe that gravity might be caused by some supernatural force?

Is the scientist begging the question? No. The scientist is stating a fact.”

You’re partially correct. In the empirical sense he isn’t begging the question at all, but he is begging the question in the non-empirical sense.

He assumes that only material causes are involved because that’s all empirical studies are concerned with. Ask an expert in non-empirical studies and he’ll tell you the scientist’s statement begs the question wrt the final cause.

Imagine a jungle tribe. It knows nothing of gravity. They believe in a god who pulls things toward earth. They believe they must sacrifice to this god. They believe by praying to this god they can reduce his effects and they can jump higher. When they occasionally see airplanes fly overhead, it is a miracle from their god.

A scientist visits the tribe and learns of this god. He says, “Gravity is caused by an attractive force between atoms. In every single case, gravity has a non-supernatural explanation, because your gravity god is imaginary.”

Is the scientist begging the question? No. The scientist is stating a fact.

I hope you aren’t going to beg the question like Johnson did and tell me a supernatural experience *requires* this sorta stuff.

In every single case, these “experiences” have a non-supernatural explanation, because God is imaginary.

Begging the question – twice in one sentence!

* HT to Red for linking to the above website earlier. It’s not just for the religious so maybe Johnson can study it and clear up his sloppy thinking.