Science - What is it? Can it be trusted?

[TrickyDickie]

For the record, I'm not saying that all atheists are arrogant. If they leave open the possibility of something being able to change their mind, then that is not arrogance.

I would say, then, there are very few arrogant atheists.

I wish I could count the times I've heard christians say "god does exist and nothing anyone says or does can ever change my mind". I've heard that A LOT!

If the sky parted, god decended and said, "Dave! I exist! See? Catch ya later. Oh, and that thing you did with the guy at the place? Yeah, no more of that, hmmm? Peace out." And there were hundreds of witnesses?

Yeah, my mind can be changed.

On the whole, christians are far more arrogant than atheists.

Damn good post, ThankQ.

There are things that I have read, heard, personally seen, etc, that lean me quite strongly to the side of a deity or deities. That said, can I say that I believe 100%, beyond even a shadow of a doubt? No.

Questions and doubts are part of human nature. Even a lot of clergy have doubts at times.

It follows, at least in my opinion, that if you go along with science when it works, but just keep in mind that something might come along that doesn't follow a scientific 'law' as expected, you're doing okay.

From what people have said on here, those 'laws' are not "set in stone."

So, all in all, I am very happy with what has been said in this thread and what has been carried over from the 'Ancient Aliens' thread as well.

I respect everyone here, have a better understanding of their views, and feel that this has all been very worthwhile.

 

[Kestra]

Disagreeing with the influence of religions in science and politics is not the same as gleefully insulting people's beliefs just for the sake of it.

I see. And writing books with names like "The God Delusion" is not an insult to my beliefs? Nor is this? And of course that thing with the bus campaign? I must have missed the memo on those.

I think being civil is important in order to have a discussion with someone, but you shouldn't really let other people get to you like this. Even if Dawkins was insulting your belief system ... so what? We are lucky to live in a country where we can believe as we want. Having my beliefs challenged is uncomfortable, but I also believe it's important. Rather than shying away from discourse, we can take it as an opportunity to think critically about our own assumptions. No one has to change their mind, but it's a good idea to stretch it once in awhile.

On related news, "To Kill a Mockingbird" was not really about bird hunting either.

When I was young, I noticed this book on my parents' bookshelf. I only saw the title and took everything at face value so I thought it really was a bird about book hunting. Which upset me quite a bit. I remember looking at that book every day for awhile, unwilling to actually confront my parents about it. One day my curiosity got the better of me and I finally just snatched it off the bookshelf and started looking through it.

It was a way, way better book than I had thought.

 

[Lindley]

Reminds me of the time my mother said "I liked to kill a mockingbird," confusing me greatly.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

you shouldn't really let other people get to you like this.

You have just perfectly summed up the entire story of my life.

seriously though, most of my conduct in this thread has been inexcusable. I heartily apologize for that. I had, as the great Red Green might say, all four wheels off the road.

You are exactly right, Kestra, I really shouldn't let people get to me like that. I have an unfortunate tendency to overreact, to insults that may or may not even (technically) exist, and I have no right to act that way. I'm not *demonstrating* the beliefs I claim to have.

I am not anti-science, not by a long shot. I fully support what scientists are trying to do. And, if this means anything to y'all, I do NOT support anything like that "creationist museum" mentioned earlier in this thread. I mean, I do believe that God created everything, but He can do that any way that He wants. If it really was exactly as the Bible says, I'm down with that, yo; if it's the scientific truth, with evolution, that is also dope, dawg. As for specifics, I will be sure and ask Him when the time comes!

Am I a literal creationist? Probably not. There are some things in the Bible that I do accept as metaphor, and others (such as Jesus' divinity, life, and sacrifice and death on the cross) as literal truth. I don't know if this makes me a fundamentalist, or what, although I admit I really don't like that word. I should probably learn to live with that as well, though, should it apply.

As for Richard Dawkins? Meh. I've decided he is irrelevant to me. Do I think he's going to hell just because he doesn't believe as I do? Here's what I think about that: I don't know. I will not say unequivocally that he is. He does not seem like a wicked or evil man, and I have always viewed hell as the punishment for the wicked. I realize this sounds like a cliché, but even if Dawkins does not believe in God, I think God believes in him. There's still time. I don't expect him to have an awakening or anything like that, but I think there are still ways that God can work in his life. What ultimately happens is between him and God, and is not going to occupy my life.

 

[ST-One]

As for Richard Dawkins? Meh. I've decided he is irrelevant to me. Do I think he's going to hell just because he doesn't believe as I do? Here's what I think about that: I don't know. I will not say unequivocally that he is. He does not seem like a wicked or evil man, and I have always viewed hell as the punishment for the wicked. I realize this sounds like a cliché, but even if Dawkins does not believe in God, I think God believes in him. There's still time. I don't expect him to have an awakening or anything like that, but I think there are still ways that God can work in his life. What ultimately happens is between him and God, and is not going to occupy my life.

"Now you grow dull."

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Eh?

 

[RJDiogenes]

I feel bad for all those Christian Americans, unfairly persecuted by those nasty atheists. It's amazing how a group that comprises 10% of the population at best manages to be so good at keeping the God-botherers down.

Especially since we're such an insouciant bunch. Maybe we should get all fired up and evangelical.

 

[Amaris]

I feel bad for all those Christian Americans, unfairly persecuted by those nasty atheists. It's amazing how a group that comprises 10% of the population at best manages to be so good at keeping the God-botherers down.

Especially since we're such an insouciant bunch. Maybe we should get all fired up and evangelical.

Oh hell, no! I just got away from that!

 

[iguana_tonante]

Today I learned the word "insouciant".

 

[Amaris]

 

[ITL]

^ DAMN....makes this look like crap:

 

[Amaris]

^ DAMN....makes this look like crap:

Well, I'm hardcore, yo (actually, I really like that one ).
A few more less awesome ones:

 

[TheGodBen]

 

[TrickyDickie]

This is an example of science taken too far:

 

[Amaris]

This is an example of science taken too far:

That man is doing it all wrong! My god, doesn't he know that a key stepping stone in the scientific method is experimentation!?
She, however, is doing it right.

 

[TrickyDickie]

This is an example of science taken too far:

That man is doing it all wrong! My god, doesn't he know that a key stepping stone in the scientific method is experimentation!?
She, however, is doing it right.

Science: Hate the paperwork, love the field work.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Please please please tell me you're joking

 

[FlyingLemons]

 

[iguana_tonante]

I always liked Maxwell's equations.

 

[Captain_Nick]

They are sexy are they not?