While we may not deny a person’s account of their own religious experiences as being an accurate reflection of their own perceptions, we may very well deny the factual claims that are based on those experiences.

When it comes to the analysis of such ideas, the only possible common ground is in the rational processes we use to evaluate and come to terms with all ideas.
Thus, we must agree on the terms used to describe the phenomena in question. We must follow the rules of evidence in order to evaluate the claims made. We must agree on the supremacy of reason as our primary tool for understanding the experiences in question.

Certainly, as another answerer has indicated, religious concepts are welcome in the marketplace of ideas. However, they are not entitled to any special consideration just because they are religious.

There are no sacred cows in the marketplace of ideas.

Posted: May 21st 2009

See all questions answered by George Ricker

The common ground between the religious and the irreligious will not be found in religion, or claims of the supernatural. It’s out in the real world.

We’ve got acres of common ground all around. We’re all human, we all want people to be happy, we all want to live productive lives. We don’t have to accept each other’s outrageous claims at face value in order to coexist.

Posted: May 19th 2009

See all questions answered by SmartLX

I do accept that religious experiences are really felt by believers, though they are wrong in thinking that theistic beings exist and are interacting with them.

The common ground of course is secularism where religious beliefs are kept out of the public, tax-paying realm. However, religious concepts are welcome in the marketplace of ideas, where they will be subject to criticism like any other concept.

Posted: May 19th 2009

See all questions answered by logicel