Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Approaching History

In response to I disagree posted by pink101:

I don't subscribe to the twisted subjectivity of postmodernism, where reality and truth are inherently and consistently denied. Were I not a Christian, I would be a 100% full-fledged MODERNIST. I intellectually RESPECT modernists. At least they accept the notions of FACT and TRUTH and REALITY. I am comfortable in their worldview, even though I don't fully agree with it. The difference between a modernist and myself is that I've taken a step of faith into Christianity.

It is possible that part of the reason for our disagreement is that you're coming from a more postmodern (perhaps even existential) perspective in this discussion. That being the case, we will probably have to agree to disagree.

Nevertheless, if you'll indulge me...

I look at history from the perspective of causality. Cause and effect is a dynamic we see over and over again. I also see history for what it is - namely there were certain people who lived and certain events that happened. While I consider "what-if" to be a great approach in deepening one's understanding of history, I do NOT take it so far as to deal exclusively in speculation. Example....

The way history SHOULD be taught:

The combined Union victories at Vicksburg in the West and Gettysburg in the East formed the decisive turning point of the American Civil War.

The WRONG way to teach history:

Were it not for the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, other battles would have been fought - and would probably have been won by the North - and the Civil War may very well have been won by the North anyway. But even if not, it's possible that the USA would have been better off. Of course, there's always.....yadda, yadda, yadda.

You are moving away from history and into philosophy (and that's probably an insult to philosophy).

So...let's deal with the cards we were dealt!!!!!! (sorry for the exclamation marks, I mean no disrespect - but this is a MAJORLY IMPORTANT point!) We must teach history according to what actually happened - and who actually lived.

While it may be appropriate to deviate SOME in order to deepen our understanding and appreciation for things, we mustn't deviate too far.

WITH ALL THE ABOVE IN MIND....it's clear, Pink, that some people were indispensable to things turning out the way that they did. That's indisputable, and I don't see how you can argue otherwise - other than to create your own reality and framework, something postmodernists unfortunately all too often do.