09-03-2006, 07:13 PM
Quote:Y There is junk science, and there is junk theology. For both, discernment of what is untrue is the challenge.Just as in science when someone publishes known false research for personal gain, fraud happens in any human endeavor. Although, conclusions based upon scientific observation can be disproved, but disproving someone that says "God told me to destroy the infidels." is nearly impossible. Science is easier in that regard. Although, it's not like it's one or the other. There are plenty of people who are informed by both.And, nuclear weapons have propelled us forward. It's not a matter of labelling an entire branch of philosophy as "backward" and others as "forward". Each of us needs to endeavor every day to make wise and intelligent decisions, in our science, in our morality, and in how we treat each other. How about we just start each day deciding not to blow up our fellow humans?
This last part is merely opinions, whether informed or not would require lengthy debate.
I was not pointing at single statements made by scientists or relugious people.
Generally speaking the aim of science is to find and investigate new phenomena or simpler, new ways of doing things better, cleaner, cheaper etc.
Religion is only taking steps back. Religion has (despite the majority of the world is still religious) to defend itsself continously, because most claims (apart from the not provable or unprovable fact of a presence of God) have been proven to be absolute jibberish. Religion (so not the possible presence of a God) has for this reason continued to change the definition of what is a God and what does he do or know or influence.
You can see this in the most progressive countries. There is a lot more possibility for debate.
In the most conservative countries (nowadays often muslim countries, but I don't want to single out this particular religion in any way) like Iran, Afghanistan etc. it is still widespread common knowledge that you should wear a Burqa (as female) because that is how religion wants it. (in one way comparable with the fact that God says that you should go to church). It is not for nothing that these silly things are abandoned by progressive christians or muslims.