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Author Topic:   What's the best strategy for defending evolution?
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 13 of 131 (290305)
02-25-2006 12:25 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Aximili23
02-25-2006 5:01 AM


Is science antithetical to religion?
In my opening post I linked to something written by PZ Myers, one of the most famous science bloggers in the blogosphere. He argues that while yes, science is by definition neutral with respect to theism, the kind of critical thinking fostered by science is antithetical to religion:
While that might be his position, it is certainly not fact. Many, if not most religious leaders see no conflict between religion and science. The two endeavors are actually complimentary in many ways.
If you look at the history of court challenges related to teaching ID or Creationism, you will find religious organizations at the forefront of the battle in support of teaching the TOE. Most if not all major Christian Churches have come out in support of the TOE and in opposition to teaching Biblical Creationism or ID.
IMHO the best strategy is to keep pointing out that religious people, particularly Christians do accept Evolution. We need to make it crystal clear that there really is no controversy.
GOD gave us a brain to use, not to check at the door.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Aximili23, posted 02-25-2006 5:01 AM Aximili23 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 24 by Aximili23, posted 02-25-2006 1:24 PM jar has replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 30 of 131 (290364)
02-25-2006 1:41 PM
Reply to: Message 24 by Aximili23
02-25-2006 1:24 PM


Re: Is science antithetical to religion?
I don't believe atheist evolutionists should censor themselves. Their position is their position. It is up to the theistic evolutionists to speak up and provide a voice and presence. And they are.
If atheists also want to support the position of theistic evolutionists, then that is their individual coices.
But reality will win out. Even if 100% of the public were Biblical Creationists, all it would mean is that they are wrong.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 24 by Aximili23, posted 02-25-2006 1:24 PM Aximili23 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 36 by Aximili23, posted 02-26-2006 1:39 AM jar has replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 40 of 131 (290630)
02-26-2006 2:40 PM
Reply to: Message 36 by Aximili23
02-26-2006 1:39 AM


Re: Is science antithetical to religion?
No, it would also mean that biomedical research would grind to a halt. Opportunities to improve health and save lives would be lost. Not to mention the catastrophic effect on industry and the environment if that kind of scientific ignorance were so widespread.
Of course it would mean that. But that has nothing to do with the issue of whether Science is antithetical to religion.
It does point to the reason we need to defend Science, and the front line right now is over Evolution.
So the question is how to best support science.
IMHO we cannot do that by forcing other supporters to keep their views silent. There will be extremes on all sides, and the best method is to get those who support both science and religion to speak out often, and with reason, logic and evidence.
The one area where I do think we need to do more is to actively oppose those who try to legitimize the Biblical Creationist viewpoint as worthy of consideration. It's not. The Biblical Creationists are simply wrong. They are wilfully ignorant.
The best folk to stand up and oppose the Biblical Creationist position are other Christians.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 36 by Aximili23, posted 02-26-2006 1:39 AM Aximili23 has not replied

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 Message 41 by robinrohan, posted 02-26-2006 2:52 PM jar has replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 42 of 131 (290633)
02-26-2006 2:58 PM
Reply to: Message 41 by robinrohan
02-26-2006 2:52 PM


Re: Is science antithetical to religion?
These other Christians would need a case, however, and they have no case.
No case that Biblical Creationism is a joke?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 41 by robinrohan, posted 02-26-2006 2:52 PM robinrohan has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 43 by robinrohan, posted 02-26-2006 3:12 PM jar has replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 44 of 131 (290636)
02-26-2006 3:15 PM
Reply to: Message 43 by robinrohan
02-26-2006 3:12 PM


Re: Is science antithetical to religion?
You've claimed that repeatedly, but so far have never been able to convince anyone but Faith, randman and crowd.
Furthermore, it has absolutely nothing to do with the thread or subject.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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 Message 43 by robinrohan, posted 02-26-2006 3:12 PM robinrohan has not replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 62 of 131 (291100)
02-28-2006 9:15 PM
Reply to: Message 59 by iano
02-28-2006 8:33 PM


Re: Scientism
What we don't need a graph for, is to know that the majority of the large number of people who believe in evolution today have not got the in-depth education in the sciences that would truly allow one to give a reasoned basis for their belief.
Really? I suppose you have the evidence to support that assertion?
Actually it really takes very little education to understand that Evolution happened and that the TOE is the best explanation available today. The evidence really is overwhelming.
On the other hand, it takes wilfull ignorance to believe in the Classical Biblical Creation myths, and complete denial to believe in a Young Earth scenario.
But despite all the stunning successes of science, people resolutely refuse to give up on religious faith - as New Scientist points out.
But there is nothing in science that implies, or even suggest that folk give up religion. We need to continue to point out that there is no problem between Christianity and the TOE, Old Universe or any other area. The only problem is between those who pervert Christianity and consciously ignore the evidence and misuse the tools that GOD has given us.
There is no need to incourage Faith in science, science is not based on faith, but on doubt. And because the basis of science is doubt, not faith, it has the possiblitity of actually getting closer to truth than faith ever could.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 59 by iano, posted 02-28-2006 8:33 PM iano has not replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 124 of 131 (291582)
03-02-2006 7:14 PM
Reply to: Message 111 by nator
03-02-2006 10:40 AM


I'm not OT, I'm ignoring Creationists.
What day is summer in New England this year and will it last long enough for a picnic?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 111 by nator, posted 03-02-2006 10:40 AM nator has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 126 by nator, posted 03-02-2006 7:39 PM jar has not replied

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