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Member (Idle past 4956 days) Posts: 283 From: Weed, California, USA Joined: |
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Author | Topic: Church Is Not Enough? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
I would like to respond to your ending question, why isn't Church and the home enough?
Well, this brings to mind that evolution is taught in schools, not that I disagree with that, but that, as one evolutionary philosopher, Michael Ruse, has stated, evolution is a religion. Just a moment... Since it is a religion, why is it given more exposure than other religions? Why not give an equal exposure to all? (That means none at all) (Well, that includes determining what is shown inside the home as well. And last I heard, teaching kids about creationism is child abuse, so...) (I am not a proponent of putting creationism in schools, as it may be distorted by anti-creationists) Edited by Adminnemooseus, : Blank lines between paragraphs.
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PaulK Member Posts: 17911 Joined: Member Rating: 6.8 |
quote: That is not exactly an accurate presentation of Ruse's position. In fact you are engaging in what Ruse calls "a rhetorical debating trick" in the very article you refer to. Ruse does not deny that evolution is a scientific theory, worthy of being taught in school. If there are religious elements (which is all Ruse says) these should be left out, of course, but the science can and should remain.
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
quote: You are beating a strawman here. I do not state that evolution is NOT a scientific theory. It is. It is also religious, as Ruse has pointed out. And it is not easy to separate the religious parts and the non-religious parts.
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PaulK Member Posts: 17911 Joined: Member Rating: 6.8 |
quote: In fact it is not a strawman, since you quite clearly wrote:
Since it is a religion, why is it given more exposure than other religions? Why not give an equal exposure to all? (That means none at all)
Quite clearly you presented evolution as a religious view in itself, rather than - as Ruse presents it - a scientific theory with associated religious elements. And really I don't see the difficulty in separating out religious elements - which so far you haven't even bothered to identify. I'd say that those elements are mostly errors from the scientific point of view anyway (e.g. the identification of evolution with "progress" in a broad sense).
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined:
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quote:Let me make this clear. It is a religion. It is also a scientific theory. There is nothing contradictory between the two. Me highlighting that it is a religion is not an error. I will explain following. quote:Evolution, akin to religion, involves making certain a priori or metaphysical assumptions, which at some level cannot be proven empirically. See more http://www.arn.org/docs/orpages/or151/mr93tran.htm (That was a very interesting speach, by the way) These are some of the reasons why evolution (and atheism, by extension) is a religion: According to Smart, N., 1996. Dimensions of the sacred: an anatomy of the world’s beliefs. HarperCollins, London, there are seven dimentions of a religion. 1. Narrative: Religions as a whole has a origins story and man’s part in it. Evolution explains where man came from (Where something came from nothing, and where humans evolved from animals, thus man is just another animal.) 2. Experiential: There are two aspects to this. One: By the founder, before founding the religion. Two: By later adherents. Religious ceremonies are emotional events. There are evolutionists that feel liberated after converting. http://old.richarddawkins.net/...ers-the-atheists-39-prayers This religion of which I am describing requires a denial of the afterlife. Since there is no afterlife (Provine, W.B. 1994) then the highest goal is happiness. According to the Humanist Manifesto II, the only meaning in life is what the person gives it. Evolutionism requires faith to believe that the laws of biology, like those of biogenesis, can be violated, without evidence. 3. Social: The social dimension of religion looks at the hierarchies and power structures present within the religion. In missionary religions, it also includes how people get converted and how missionaries go about their work. Dawkins writes in the preface to The God Delusion, If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down. Essentially this is what any missionary would want accomplished, to their own religions, of course. Many scientists are high up in this religion’s hierarchy, Particularly honoured are those scientists who write extensively about evolution. Because of this, many scientists include a little about evolution in their research papers, even when there is little or no relevance (Such as those about the chameleon's catapult tongue and suction cap) 4. Doctrinal: Doctrines are the beliefs and philosophies that develop out of a religion. The doctrines, ethics and goals outlined in the Humanist Manifesto, while being atheistic and accepting evolution as true, are opposite of what would be expected if they were solely derived from the evolutionary narrative. This is because Humanism also makes the assumption that humans are basically good. By and large, atheists believe and adhere to the things written in the Humanist Manifesto, even if they don’t know the specifics of the document. 5. Ethical: Evolutionism is a morally relativist religion. Most Atheists adhere to one ethical system or another, but in Atheism there is ultimately no foundation for morality, as Dawkins and Provine has stated. Many systems of ethics have been proposed; utilitarianism is probably the most popular one. This contradiction was highlighted by Dawkins when he said I’m a passionate Darwinian when it comes to science, when it comes to explaining the world, but I’m a passionate anti-Darwinian when it comes to morality and politics. 6. Ritual: Evolutionism is a relatively recent religion, about 200+ years old. Hence there is not much to commemorate. Things that is commemorated are: Darwin’s Birthday, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life’s publication date, etc. 7. Material: The material dimension of religion, says Smart, includes all the physical things created by a religion such as art and buildings, and also natural features and places treated as sacred by adherents. Nature itself is treated by some as sacred. (Such as when N in nature is capitalized) Maybe I’m too long, but I want to be complete. So, how do we separate the religious parts?
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Phat Member Posts: 18637 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2 |
Limp Spider writes: Humanism also makes the assumption that humans are basically good. Is it not also an assumption that humans are intrinsically evil/flawed?
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PaulK Member Posts: 17911 Joined: Member Rating: 6.8
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quote: In the first Ruse article you quoted, Ruse was really quite clear about where the elements he identified as "religious" were and also clearly stated that the core of evolutionary work was scientific, not religious. So clearly that article contradicted your claims and it is not a strawman to point that out. Moreover, if evolution is a valid, mainstream scientific theory that is clearly a good reason for it to be taught in schools. Are you claiming that you had not thought of that?
quote:Obviously the extension is invalid.... quote: Many things involve narrative, this is not a reason in itself.
quote: Atheism, of course, is not evolution so your "evidence" is not relevant. Moreover there are no ceremonies nor any insistence on emotional experiences so this point seems to apply more to sports fans than to the science of evolution.
quote: Humanism is not evolution, evolution does not require denial of the afterlife and evolution violates no laws of biology. So everything you say here is irrelevant or false.
quote: Atheism is not evolution, so again your "evidence" is irrelevant.
quote: Humanism is not evolution. Therefore your "evidence" is yet another irrelevance.
quote: Well, here is a point where quoting Ruse might have done you some good. Certainly it would be better than wasting time talking about atheism again. However, any moral aspects are easily separated from the science of evolution, as Ruse recognises, so even the better argument would fail.
quote: In other words you have to clutch at straws. I would dare say that there are far greater commemorations associated with Independance Day or even Martin Luther King Day in the US, so it seems that you have nothing of significance here either. You don't even mention any actual rituals!
quote: Again, nothing of any use.
quote: You could have left everything out and still been complete. The only possibly religious elements are the ethical dimension and the idea that Nature is sacred - neither of which are part of evolutionary science. Both are easily left out. And i have no idea why you kept talking about atheism or humanism instead of evolution, I mean, do you really think that The God Delusion or similar books are set texts in biology classes ?
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
Phat, I make no such assumption, and you should phase such a presumptive question more carefully.
PaulK
quote:As a scientific theory I agree that it should be taught. It is jumping to conclusions to even suggest that I have never thought of it. The dogmatic way it is held is what I disagree with. quote:Why? Although I do know that Provine said that ...belief in modern evolution makes atheists of people. One can have a religious view that is compatible with evolution only if the religious view is indistinguishable from atheism. (Provine, W.B. 1999) quote:Do you need to point that out? There are seven cumulated reasons. quote:Did you read the link? I’m assuming not. You still have not provided evidence for your first statement. quote:This is the informal logical fallacy of elephant hurling. You make statements without any supporting arguments, when I have. Do you intend to provide any logical, fact-based arguments? quote:Are you fond of quoting this mantra? quote:Can you please show me where I said humanism IS evolution?! I would willingly correct that! quote:Which person did I quote, exactly? I did not know Russ and Dawkins were the same! quote:Is something that is more widely commemorated more significant to this discussion? This is about humanistic commemorations. Are you the one that is clutching at straws? A simple google search would vindicate me. About Darwin Day - Darwin Day YOu might come up with the objection that this is not worship, Worship Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com The behavior do ft into the definition of worship.
quote:Why did you not respond to my arguments? Surely it has nothing of use for you to win the debate, but it does have a use for proving my point. Hand-waving such as what you have just done is just not what debate is all about. quote:Actually, I have used the Greatest Show on Earth as reading material for my class. So. Unless you can rationally contradict Provine, I will have to assume, an argument from silence of course, that you have no rational argument against his statements. Edited by LimpSpider, : Mixed up the actual book and the creationist rebuttal. Both read
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Pressie Member (Idle past 227 days) Posts: 2103 From: Pretoria, SA Joined: |
quote:This one is strange as, according to the book you referred to, the first of the seven dimensions of beliefs, is : ‘Doctrinal’. Yet, you listed the first of Smart’s the seven dimensions of the sacred as: ‘ Narrative’. The word ‘narrative’ (from the Oxford Dictionary) means: 1 n. tale, story, recital of facts, esp. story told in first person; kind of composition or talk that confines itself to these 2. a. in the form of, or concerned with, narration; The word ‘doctrinal’ means: a. of or inculcating doctrine(s). The word ‘doctrine’ means : n. wat is taught, body of instruction; religious, political, scientific, etc., belief, dogma or tenet; The word ‘inculcate’ means : v. t. urge, impress, (fact, habit, idea) persistently (upon or in person or mind). Seeing that these words don’t have the same meaning, could you please advise us on why you changed the word ‘Doctrinal’, as found in the book you referred to, to ‘Narrative’, which has a different meaning ? Did you use a different version of the book? Did I miss something in that book? Sources 1. The one you referred to: Smart, N., 1996. Dimensions of the sacred: an anatomy of theworld’s beliefs. HarperCollins, London. 2. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. Seventh Edition. 1987 reprint. Edited by Pressie, : Spelling
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
Pressie, thanks for commenting. I listed his seven dimensions alright, Just not in the order he presented it. Each of my pointers can be used as a stand-alone paragraph. (I did reference my source, and I doubt you can say that if I changed the order to the order stated in his book it would make any argumental difference)
quote:You missed only one thing: Looking down further into my post. Doctrinal I put at 4.
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Pressie Member (Idle past 227 days) Posts: 2103 From: Pretoria, SA Joined: |
Ah, so you changed things around.
However, on your first point, you say:
quote:I must have missed something else. I’ve never seen anywhere that evolution says that something came from nothing. Could you refer to any biological journal that claims that? Or did I miss it, too?
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
Phat, I will make a more detailed answer.
quote: Firstly, what is evil? If everything was relative, rape would not be evil, as some scientists have proposed should be the case. I make no assumptions on this topic. I don’t believe man is intrinsically flawed, or basically good, for that matter. I believe that every person has the capacity to be both good and evil. I know that sounds oxymoronic, but Eva Braun certainly thought Hitler good (Why else would she marry him when he was all but defeated). Others think him evil. OK. I think this goes more into philosophy now, so I’ll stop.
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NoNukes Inactive Member |
Firstly, what is evil? If everything was relative, rape would not be evil, as some scientists have proposed should be the case. Which scientist proposed that? Your Godwin's law invoking, Eva Braun reference is ridiculous. Who gives a hoot that Braun loved Hitler. Some women love evil men because the women themselves are evil. Rape is nearly universally regarded as evil. Only a few psychopaths have a moral code that says otherwise.Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846) The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal and hasten the resurrection of the dead. William Lloyd Garrison. It's not too late to register to vote. State Registration Deadlines
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LimpSpider Member (Idle past 4432 days) Posts: 96 Joined: |
NoNukes,
quote:Craig Palmer, and Randy Thornhill, academic authors of the book, A Natural History Of Rape: Biological Bases Of Sexual Coercion (MIT Press). Why is the reference ridiculous. My point was that good and evil are relative terms that have no logical basis if there is no purpose to us being here. I could have used Stalin. Or anyone else, you, and me. It’s about perspective. How is this moral code any worse than ours?
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PaulK Member Posts: 17911 Joined: Member Rating: 6.8
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quote: It seems that I have to remind you of what you said - again.
Since it is a religion, why is it given more exposure than other religions? Why not give an equal exposure to all? (That means none at all)
And how is the teaching of evolution more dogmatic than the teaching I experienced of Newton's Laws of Motion - which had been known to be merely (very) good approximations decades before I went to school ?
quote: Since atheism does not entail evolution it is invalid to go from the assertion that evolution is a religion to the claim that atheism is a religion. Moreover your quote from Provine at most asserts that evolution entails atheism which is the wrong way round for you (more likely it entails that if there is a God, that God did not detectably intervene in the history of life on this planet - a position clearly compatible with a Deistic view of a God who created our universe but does not intervene in the workings of the universe after that).
quote: Yes, I do because it it the ONLY one of your seven "reasons" that strongly applied to evolution as science.
quote: Yes, I did read the book review of The God Delusion that you linked to. It doesn't say anything about conversion or evolution at all. And which statement have I failed to support? "Atheism is not evolution"? I would have thought that was obvious, but if it is not see my point about Deism above. Clearly it is possible to accept evolution and believe in some kind of God even if Provine disagrees (and you have not shown that he does)
quote:This is untrue, you have not supported any of the claims that I objected to. I have seen no argument from you that Humanism is evolution, that evolution denies any belief in the afterlife or that evolution violates any actual laws of biology. In fact every one of those is so obviously absurd that they require no refutation. quote: If you make the same error time and again repeating the fact that it is an error seems reasonable.
quote: Sure, you do that implicitly in points 2 and 4 when you start talking about Humanism. Since your argument is all about evolution you should be talking about evolution...
quote: I didn't say that you quoted anyone. I said that you SHOULD have quoted the Ruse article that you linked to in your first post to this thread, since you would at least have found something that was not completely irrelevant, even if it did not really help your case.
quote: Yes, secular events that are more widely celebrated are relevant, since they show that the force of your argument is very weak. Certainly "Darwin Day" (which I have never celebrated) doesn't seem to represent any more "worship" than those events. And where are the rituals ?
quote: You HAD no argument. How does "Some treat Nature as sacred" indicate that evolution itself has any "material" aspects of a religion ? You don't even attempt to show that this idea is part of the science of evolution. There is no argument to respond to.
quote: The Greatest Show on Earth is a popular science book, not a book on atheism so obviously it is not really relevant. As for the Provine quote I have shown that it does not support you even if Provine is entirely right, so I have no need to argue against it.
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