|
Nominations and Campaigning for the 2024 RationalWiki Moderator Election are now open |
Conservapedia:Scarcity
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
|
This Conservapedia-related article is of largely historical interest and is no longer the focus of RationalWiki today. Conservapedia (and religious fundamentalism to an extent) was a major focal point in the early history of RationalWiki, but long ago ceased coming up with new ways to appall and amuse. Our energies are now spent debunking other, fresher examples of pseudoscientific claims, authoritarianism, and deceit. For RationalWiki's less ancient content, try the Best of RationalWiki. |
In teaching his economics course, Andrew Schlafly is indoctrinating the idea that because of the miracles performed by Jesus, scarcity does not really exist.
Why Schlafly teaches the non-existence of scarcity.[edit]
It's in the Bible (Duh).
Given the idea has biblical origins, in true Schlafly style, he then proceeds interpret the relevant passages in such a way as to make them conform to his beliefs.
Schlafly's arguments for the non-existence of scarcity[edit]
Schlafly seem to be taking the following accounts of miracles performed by Jesus Christ as historical and true (Directly adopted from his article):
- Multiplication of the loaves[1]
- The master's estate in the Prodigal Son[2]
- An excess of fish found by casting the net on the other side of the boat[3]
Why teaching the non-existence of scarcity is dangerous[edit]
- Ironically, in a huge violation of conservative ideological precepts, it discourages actual work: If you can pray at home and get the stuff effortlessly (as well as tax-free), there is no incentive to work anymore.
- It encourages idiotic solution to problems: This article (barring any misnomers) addresses a problem of scarcity: the 15 seats are considered scarce compared to 20 people who want to be seated. Encouraging prayer as a solution (see the section entitled section "Biblical Solution") is essentially avoiding the actual problem by decreeing that "prayer will calm the storm/give extra seats" because the Bible said prayers will be answered[4][5][6][7][8][9]. We are still waiting the first independently verifiable instance of systematically working prayer[10] without the presence of Jesus Christ[11]. But as Mr. Schlafly himself so wisely puts it, "It's silly to speculate on a scenario that will never happen."
- It discourages the analysis of wealth. There is no point in keeping anything of value if praying for it will result in God personally giving it to you[12]. Since the possession of wealth is discouraged, it also discourages the analysis of wealth in the following manners:
- Financial analysis: you need no investment since you don't need money.
- Economic analysis: there is no point in buying things since you can simply pray for them.
- Which defeats the whole purpose of actually studying economics.
Conclusion[edit]
Scarcity is a requirement of the subject of economics. Deal with it.
In addition, Andrew Schlafly is a huge idiot[13], and not afraid to prove it.
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ Matthew 14:13-21
- ↑ Luke 15:11-32
- ↑ John 21:6
- ↑ Matthew 7:7-11
- ↑ Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
- ↑ Matthew 21:21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
- ↑ Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
- ↑ Matthew 18:19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
- ↑ John 14:12-14
- ↑ Either the storm calms down (due to the exclusive use of prayer; evidence has to be presented that it is not coincidence) or the lifeboat grows extra space to accommodate the extra people will qualify.
- ↑ And perhaps the first instance of bodily summon of Jesus Christ if His presence is somehow a requirement.
- ↑ To dispose of the unwanted possessions, Jesus suggests that one should sell all his/her possessions and gives it to the poor, (See Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33, Luke 18:22). However, we have yet to see Mr. Schlafly actually doing it.
- ↑ That, or he is abiding the definition of wisdom in the Bible (being afraid of God)
See also:
On second thought, he's just plain stupid, since there may be signs that he is not afraid of God