Re: Complete proof against evolution


"Chris L Peterson" <clp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:t4clr41tdpoli3o9cna2kcn78d5t3k7m4c@xxxxxxxxxx
On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:10:45 -0400, "Steve P." <smarshallpaul@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

I was poking Eb with the stick that says you can have a god belief and
accept the outcome of science at the same time. Without this philosophical
capability of dealing with the apparent dichotomy in the two, you're
basically going to remain permanently stuck in the ignorance that your
belief system perpetuates. There will be no growth either intellectually,
or
spiritually.

I agree that you can believe in a god without violating science. The two
are separate things. I don't think you can believe in a god if you are
completely rational, but that's a separate issue. I don't think
spiritual growth requires either a belief in a god or a belief in
anything supernatural.

Unless of course you are already a "believer", which accounts for a HUGE
portion of the planet's population. :-)

This is something that should not be taken lightly or flippantly, and
without immense respect for the ignorance and lack of knowledge that body of
people carries, and perpetuates through their children.

My son has a T-shirt that says, "Never underestimate the power of stupid
people in large groups". Of course in this case, we replace "stupid", with
"religious" and the connotiation that they are largely ignorant of the
knowledge science has made available over the centuries since their
religious texts were written.

That said, of course no scientific evidence I can cite says that spritual
growth is something only attained through a belief in a supernatural entity
that intends for us to be here. That was definitely not my meaning. The
study of the sciences enhances one's understanding of the emergence and
development of the physical universe. This can only help one to also grow
spiritually, by challenging what are otherwise merely irrational beliefs.


Aside:
In the absence of philosophy, what is the meaning of life, and the value
in
caring?

I guess that depends on what you mean by "philosophy". If it's just an
expression of a world view, then "the meaning of life" and "value in
caring" are, of course, parts of that. In that sense, everybody has a
philosophy, and everybody asks questions that science isn't equipped to
answer. I don't have a problem with that. I'm not saying there's
anything wrong with philosophy, just that much of it can't be addressed
scientifically. I do have a problem with any spiritual or philosophical
beliefs that are actually at odds with science, however.

With the utmost respect for your intelligence and dedication to science, I'm
not sure having a problem with that is helpful. I understand this issue
intimately because of beliefs I developed through adherance to and
acceptance of ideas found in ancient texts within the framework of various
religions that helped me develop what I consider a healthy philosophy (or
world view as you say). I only wish I were both a better scientist, and a
better teacher, so that I might help others embrace science without feeling
it necessary to turn their back on a life long belief system.

If it were possible for us to merge my "religious" sensitivity with your
intellect and experience, we might be able to turn a few people around, who
could then pay it forward.

Rock on,
Steve Paul


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Proposal - a new strategy to counter anti-evolutionists
    ... >agree and then press for adding a philosophy of science course to the ... If creationism is a core tenet of some religions, ... >taught by both a proponent of ID and of evolution. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Spanning Two Eras of Relativity
    ... "First Principles of a NEW System of Philosophy"? ... the Holy Ghost beareth record of this Scripture received by the ... Nobel Prize for Economic Science. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Spanning Two Eras of Relativity
    ... "First Principles of a NEW System of Philosophy"? ... the Holy Ghost beareth record of this Scripture received by the ... Nobel Prize for Economic Science. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Spanning Two Eras of Relativity
    ... "First Principles of a NEW System of Philosophy"? ... the Holy Ghost beareth record of this Scripture received by the ... Nobel Prize for Economic Science. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Spanning Two Eras of Relativity
    ... "First Principles of a NEW System of Philosophy"? ... the Holy Ghost beareth record of this Scripture received by the ... Nobel Prize for Economic Science. ...
    (talk.atheism)