Its easier to have faith in a non-personal, naturalistic ideal that holds no one accountable for their actions as opposed to having faith in a personal creator who does hold us accountable.
I disagree, on several levels. Science is not an ideal. Simply put, it is observation and explanation. Without science there would be no Bible for you to read. Science does not require "faith," in the sense you use it. Quite the opposite. Your faith is a belief in that which is not observable. Science only deals with observable facts. If you think science is non-personal, then I suppose you never visit a doctor. True? Science does not attempt to hold people accountable. That's left to the field of law. I have to wholeheartedly disagree with the entire statement on its premise, questioning which is easier. One of the easiest things a person can do is say, "I believe in God." Science on the other hand requires thought, smarts and study. Not easy by any definition.
When we were teens, didn't we want more than ever to be free of our parents rules.
I doubt your use of a period in place of a question mark was intentional. No matter. It appears you are making a statement. You cannot speak for everyone, yet you feel you are on to something. Making blanket statements that describe the world in black and white terms is an error in judgement. The first sentence in your post, "It is easier...as opposed to..." is a good example of this. You incorrectly assume science and religion are opposed to each other. The human race does not operate within good and evil, easily discernable boundaries. I can prove this quite easily with your next generalized statement:
When we were teens, didn't we want more than ever to be free of our parents rules. Those unfair rules designed to limit our enjoyment of life and free exercise thereof. Or, were they just trying to keep us safe because they loved us?
When I was a teen (and every moment of my life up until then), I wanted more than ever to be free of my abusive, violent, alcoholic father. His "rules" were without a doubt designed to limit my enjoyment of life and free exercise thereof. I suppose the day my father lined my mother, brother and sister, and me up against the wall, pointing a loaded shotgun and threatening to blow us away, I suppose I can safely assume 1) He was not concerned with my safety 2) He didn't love me.
My father derived his authority from the very Bible you speak of. He was a staunch proponent of black and white thinking. So, in response to your idea that a Personal Creator is necessary in order to hold one accountable for one's actions, I say, "That is a very dangerous idea, indeed!"
This message has been edited by chicowboy, 07-19-2004 02:40 PM
This message has been edited by chicowboy, 07-19-2004 02:41 PM