http://rmwilliamsjr.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] rmwilliamsjr.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] sophiaserpentia 2003-10-28 11:51 am (UTC)

Yes. When i see this form of argument. It's common, like the thread that Christianity is wrong because of the Crusades or burning witches or whatever.

i chant the phrase "Abusus non tollit usum"
several times before replying...*grin*

To show, for example, that the Crusades are an argument against Christianity you must
show that the ideals give rise to the actions.
And that the reasons for the Crusades are not in fact extraneous to the faith, or worse yet(to the argument), contradictory to the faith. Which in fact they are.
Sort of like showing logical entailment, or cause-effect. Simply stating that the Crusades invalidate the principles of Christianity is falling for this "Abusus non tollit usum" logical error.

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