7 Responses to “Science vs Faith”  

1. 1 cash on Feb 28th, 2007 said:

   These diagrams are hilarious!

   Allowing rifts to develop with people based solely on one aspect of their lives though is a dangerous game.

   Perhaps the best way to start down the path towards ‘acceptance’ of differing viewpoints is to realize that ‘intelligent design’ is not the only element of theism.

   Not by a long shot.

   Taking a look at other ideas within religion might help. You might have more in ‘common’ with ‘lordies’ than meets the eye. For instance, you’re a vegetarian. In some sects, animals are revered and not consumed (typically not *all* animals, but still, it’s a start).

   Other things you could look at are laws you abide by, which, though you may adhere to strictly based on secular reasons, mirror exactly tenets of religion.

   You’re not a murderer, for instance (that I know of )

   Just an idea. Being as open minded as you are in almost every other way shows you have the power to accept people different than yourself, I can’t begin to imagine why you couldn’t apply those same principles here.

2. 2 Greg on Feb 28th, 2007 said:

   You are definitely right. It is bullshit to hate on other peoples ideas.

   Generally, I understand and respect the lordies ethics and practices. I’m fine with that. I strongly identify with several tenets of catholicism, buddhism, and hindhuism.

   I think it’s the central lordie figure that really bugs me. Thinking about it just frustrates and pisses me off.

3. 3 Jess on Feb 28th, 2007 said:

   It’s easy enough to tolerate people of faith, so long as they’re not evangelical about their faith. Just think of it like a friend who’s got a hairy mole on their neck, or maybe a bad lisp.. something that’s obvious and bothersome, but you can learn to ignore it.

   If they are evangelical, perhaps it’s time you start dealing with different people.

   This is a good line if people start gettin’ preachy at you:
   “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours” — Stephen Roberts

   Currently reading “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins, and I’d also suggest (the very short) Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris. You can find an audiobook/pdf version of LtoCN fairly easily, but it’s worth the $14… you can give it as a gift to someone.. special

4. 4 Peter on Feb 28th, 2007 said:

   Ok. It’s ok to tolerate other people’s viewpoints while telling them they are wrong (they should tolerate yours as well). Intelligent design is bullshit. God is unknowable. You can’t coherently argue otherwise. People are just wrong, the question is if you want to let them be wrong or intervene and make them angry at you.

   I feel your pain on this in some way - I absolutely cannot fucking stand it when, for example, Person A says “the Earth is round” and Person B says “I don’t believe that” and then Person A just gives up. You can’t chose not to believe in facts, unless, you’re just plain stupid. Somehow, whenever religion gets involved, it’s ok to have infinitely many conflicting “facts” and no resolution.

5. 5 cash on Mar 1st, 2007 said:

   Jess, I really like what you said here:

   “It’s easy enough to tolerate people of faith, so long as they’re not evangelical about their faith”

   It comes down to respecting your friends. If someone is constantly trying to force their belief system on you, whatever it is, there is no reason you should sit there and accept it.

   On the other hand, if their belief system is a passive part of your relationship/their life, not brought up and you’re simply dwelling on it and it’s angering you to the point of no return, you may have bigger issues to contend with than just prejudice.

   The interesting thing is the futility of trying to ‘convert’ someone to/away from a particular belief system if they’ve reached, say, their mid 20’s or beyond.

   By that point, their core values have been established and arn’t going anywhere.

   It’s best to accept the fact you have both commonalities AND differences with people, and move on.

6. 6 Greg on Mar 1st, 2007 said:

   I strangely agree with everyone!

   Jess,

   I have definitely reached the, “something that’s obvious and bothersome, but you can learn to ignore it” state. I was originally very angered by my perceived ignorance of the world when I became a heretic. Being 12 years old, I was really upset with a lot of things. When I grew up a bit, I seemed to come to a point where I would just let other people be.

   Peter,

   “People are just wrong, the question is if you want to let them be wrong or intervene and make them angry at you.” That’s exactly where I am now. For some reason, I’m asking those questions again, and wondering why I’m suddenly bothered by what I thought accepted years ago.

   Cash,

   “On the other hand, if their belief system is a passive part of your relationship/their life, not brought up and you’re simply dwelling on it and it’s angering you to the point of no return, you may have bigger issues to contend with than just prejudice.”

   That statement is right on too. Why let someone else’s belief systems affect your own? If it is not a problem, then why dwell on it? I think it does come to some sort of acceptance that “people are people.”

7. 7 Zealot on Mar 7th, 2007 said:

   As it’s the central piece of your diagram, please tell us one piece of evidence that contradicts intelligence design. Just one.

   Not that I support it, but you’re obviously being closed minded.

   There’s certain things in this life that can’t be proved by repeatable experiments: Love, philosophy, etc. These are things of faith.

   Where we can apply the scientific method we should. There’s no real divide between the two aside from bigots (on both side) who want to enforce one.

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