Article: Religion and Science

No problem, although I myself would take that to be a subspecies of agnosticism. Some agnostics might claim that they themselves have no evidence for the existence of God, but that such evidence may nevertheless exist. Others may claim that God could very well exist, but that even if he does, no evidence for God could exist. Finally, I believe that there would be two distinct subspecies of atheists: those who claim that in the absence of evidence for the existence of God, we should assume that no God exists; and, those who believe that they are in the possession of some form of argument that no God exists.As a religious quasi-Spinozist, I believe there is a God, but that this God is to be identified with the lawful nature of reality, and thus is apersonal in nature. But that is simply my personal position which I would never seek to impose upon anyone, or for that matter, convince any of even if they were willing. I have neither the need nor the desire.

Wondering what was so convincing about Spinoza's argument if you can say?This message has been edited by Faith, 06-30-2005 11:37 PM

Well, I did say "quasi." In terms of my general approach to philosophy, I am a neo-Aristotelian, but even there, the emphasis is more on the "neo." Back in high school, I had actually wanted to become a physics professor. I began with an interest in Special and General Relativity, and also took an interest in the life of Albert Einstein -- up to a point. But it was through the biography of Einstein that I was introduced to this view of God. However, much of Spinoza's ontology is simply something I have no use for, particularly the determinism. I see no need to deny the probablistic nature of reality as it is described by Quantum Mechanics (which I also became interested in prior to technical philosophy).However, in philosophy, my primary interest is in what is called epistemology, which I simply prefer to call knowledge theory. As I understand it (according to a more traditional view of the nature of philosophy), the most basic epistemic concepts must be grounded in a metaphysics, and viewed in terms of the metaphysics, the conception of God as the lawful nature of reality simply makes the most sense for me -- it is not so much a philosophic doctrine, but more of an attitude, or a way of viewing myself in relation to reality -- with reality being that which is my highest concern, that which I devote myself to, and viewed as an organic totality. In a sense, I guess you could say that I myself require a sense of the sacred in my life, but one which is grounded in the world I know. Or perhaps it is just the old familiar conception of God from my teenage years -- which had become so well integrated with my personality. I can't honestly say. But it is that which I am most comfortable with. Perhaps it is nothing more than a metaphor. Nevertheless, it is this conception which personally guides me.This message has been edited by TimChase, 07-01-2005 09:27 AM

TimChase True enough though,for me, the lack of evidence for the existence is also sufficient to allow me to be comfortable with choosing the most likely scenario for such a universe in which we live as being the result of itself. I am probably the former though my difficulty is in just what constitutes God as an entity and what possible evidence could we have of that which leaves no trace.It is also my impression over the years that the irrationality of men and the ease with which we fool ourselves if we are not attentive is more likely an expalnation of the various manifestations of such. I feel it is a condition of human relationships that convincing people is not really possible anyway.The best we can achieve is to lay out the arguements of our observations and allow others to view those observations and our impressions of them and leave it at that.
One caveat being ,of course, that you are entitled to your own opinion but never your own facts.Good day T.C.

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