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We don't know anything about the World. All that we know is the relation between things. When you learn a lot about science, you realize that all that scientist did was connect the dots (linear relations, differential equations, etc)
"We don't know anything about the World. All that we know is the relation between things."
These are truly odd claims to make about us and our evaluations of how things work. We simply utilize a defined toolbox of Q&A processes in order to make reasonable evaluations. It's conveniently called "science" and is sufficiently open-ended to cover any and all reasonable questions.
In contrast to your statement, it has, in fact, provided us with massive amounts of very useful information about our world. Not only "relationships" but also new, distinct and unique information. How sad that you don't recognize that, instead preferring to give all accolades to a mythical being who continues to disappoint and, in many cases, punish, innocent people.
In some cases we don't have an answer right now, (and, frankly, may never) but that hardly demeans or dismisses the veracity of the process, now does it?
As an alternative, we have a large number of unprovable mythological stories (in the form of significantly differing religions). Is that somehow "better"?
But science doesn't explain MANY things. doesn't explain creation...
(because the creation you refer to didn't happen. We looked for evidence, but what we found didn't begin to fit the hypothesis. Other, clearer evidence fits a different story very well, and continues to grow.)
...birth, death, relation between the brain and thoughts, how big is the universe, is there an end to the universe, etc, etc, etc.
You haven't apparently been keeping up on the available literature, have you?
Tell me; when was the last time you read a Scientific American article on a topic in genetics, Evolution, geo-chronology, cosmology, the chemistry of the brain, etc.? How about something from The Journal of Physiology? The American Scientist? The acclaimed British journal Nature?
mind you, religious propaganda is around me ALL the time, not just in youtube videos. your "blessed"
awww, poor persecuted victim you...
I find that hard to believe anyway, considering that even as a Christian I don't have "religious propaganda" around me all the time. Maybe it's just where you live, and maybe you should move if the persecution is so horrible...
Thanks,
I wish I had known about those webpages before I got my degree in engineering.
You're welcome. The problem with engineering is that it doesn't utilize the scientific method. Scientific fields would include fields like chemistry, biology, anthropology, physics, astronomy and paleontology.
Last edited by agnostic soldier; 05-07-2009 at 09:10 AM..
You're welcome. The problem with engineering is that it doesn't utilize the scientific method. Scientific fields would include fields like chemistry, biology, anthropology, physics, astronomy and paleontology.
I’m not sure, but I think I might have used the scientific method when I was trying to get a minor in philosophy (couple classes short)
It might have been in the “Mind and robots†class where we used the scientific method (A class dedicated to discuss whether or not it’s possible for robots to think on their own)
I think both views have their pros and cons. The atheist (being broad here) can live his life for each day, because he believes his time on earth is all he has. For me, that means learning all I can about the world around me. The religious person, however, also has an escape from life (again, being fairly broad) and can pray their worries off to their god(s). It can be hard to be atheist sometimes, at least for me, because sometimes I really want to believe, just so I can have a bit of piece of mind when I'm going through a rough strut. But if things work out, I would be more sensible than to attribute it to god. I'm going through a pretty weird scare right now (not going into detail on it) and have been tempted to pray, but then I questioned myself even further and now, instead of being simply agnostic, I am a complete atheist. I think the religious life is actually much easier than the atheist life, but it depends on what religion you're talking about and how committed you are to said religion. In retrospect, I believe atheism is the more logical choice.
You run on the same general lines I do. I've thought about it many times and questioned my Atheism a bit. I've opened myself up to believing but in the end I just can't fathom doing it. It WOULD be easier to just say 'god did it' and 'it's all gods plan' because I wouldn't have to have any personal responsibility. The good is god, the bad is satan, simple cut and dry. Having a book to tell me what's right and wrong? Awesome! No thinking on my part, just read the book, ask people to help interpret it and go on with my life. No need to learn science, or how the world works because it's all right there in the book.
I've thought about it many, many times and just can't bring myself to believe.
I find that hard to believe anyway, considering that even as a Christian I don't have "religious propaganda" around me all the time. Maybe it's just where you live, and maybe you should move if the persecution is so horrible...
Pat Robertson lives where i live, and his 700 club show is filmed here, and his university is located here.
BUT
I'm not being persecuted. Being persecuted would be living in Jersey
Hell, the Jersey folk invade our beaches and contribute to our local economy every summer. Can't hate em.
I am not atheist, but I do admire the fact that most atheists live much fuller lives here on earth - the reason being is they believe this life is it and there is nothing beyond it, while Christians place higher priority on the next life than this one. Whats sad about this is fundamentalist Christianity has become so legalistic that they have taken the joy out of living a Christian life. Its no wonder that its something the younger generation doesn't want to be a part of. It doesn't have to be that way however. Christians should not only prepare for the next life but also make the most of this one they possibly can. I don't believe God created us to waste this life and be miserable in His name.
I think the video presents a wonderful little utopia, and sets up strawman arguments about religious folks.
I disagree that atheists don't "force" atheism on their children. They raise their kids to have the same values they do--or lack thereof.
He sets up the idea that atheists act purely out of objective, true, honest behavior. I'm sorry--I don't believe that w/out a belief in God a person is just happy and nice.
He made the statement that atheists can take science classes w/out trying to "fit it into" their belief....I just don't believe that, either. Evolution, though unproven, is widely accepted by atheists regardless. There is not a lot of free thought there.
While some religions do consider women to be 2nd class...Christianity does not.
Bottom line? I think he's being overly nice to atheism and misrepresenting religion.
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A Proposed Reading List
