RintrahRoars Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 A friend posted this interesting article written by an atheist. I figure a good number of you are already raging at the title, but give it a read and tell me what you think. http://www.nature.com/news/sometimes-science-must-give-way-to-religion-1.11244 (sorry if it's already been posted) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Babylonian Dream Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 The title doesn't make sense with the article. As for the idea that we won't have a practical use for the knowledge of th higgs. Thats like saying I have no use for the idea that matter can't travel faster than the speed of light. But many things I rely upon depend upon that very fact! I know this, and am glad I do! To be honest though, I do think there is a place for religion in some form in some sense, but as long as its not lying to people about the nature of reality. See, religion tends to be more about false certainty than mystery and the unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 A friend posted this interesting article written by an atheist. I figure a good number of you are already raging at the title, but give it a read and tell me what you think. I was amused at the title rather than raging. I thought perhaps we had another Christian witness. http://www.nature.co...eligion-1.11244 (sorry if it's already been posted) I disagree with that author's take on science and faith. He mixes and confuses them in ways that are not proper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RintrahRoars Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 As for the idea that we won't have a practical use for the knowledge of th higgs. I don't think he says that. Or are you referring to "the Higgs discovery gives me no access to insight about the mystery of existence"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene39 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 First, the author is confusing spirituality and religion. They are two entirely different things. Secondly, there is no meaning to life - other than what we give it. Nature makes that very clear - life simply exists. Religion may claim to give meaning to life, but since religion is man-made, it is still us as humans giving meaning to life - a person is simply choosing to allow another person to do it for them, rather than figuring out something for themselves. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I think there is a confusion in this article. He could substitute the word "aesthetics" for religion and make as much sense. There is ultimately no conflict between the kind of awe he feels in looking at the temple and scientific endeavor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Babylonian Dream Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 As for the idea that we won't have a practical use for the knowledge of th higgs. I don't think he says that. Or are you referring to "the Higgs discovery gives me no access to insight about the mystery of existence"? It's how I read it. Even still, the "mystery of existence" is overly vague and poetic, and doesn't help much in describing what he's talking about. That being said, I think the author needs to find out what is really behind his general notions before he posts an article of what he thinks. I'll agree with Eugene39 and Deva on this one though, what he wants isn't religion of aesthetics, spirituality, and is confusing those with religion. Science need not give way to either, the three actually compliment eachother. Religion is false certainty, which science is mutually incompatable with, and simply needs not give way to it under any circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 So a feeling of awe is synonymous with religion? A feeling of awe connects me to the mystery of existence? I've been to the Grand Canyon. It was awe inspiring but I didn't immediately fall to my knees to thank god for this wonderful thing he made. Sometimes I listen to awesome music (brought to me by science) that blows me away. It isnt necessarily a religious experience... I think religion and science can and will co-exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted September 23, 2012 Super Moderator Share Posted September 23, 2012 Nonsense. One of the comments refuted it well. Excerpt: Does religion give us an insight into the "unknowable and the inexplicable", as the author concludes? Of course not. It provides no knowledge; it obtains no evidence. It can only pontificate and seek to emotionally impress. Religious faith provides comfort, control, and social reinforcement for animals that are cursed (or blessed) by the knowledge that they will die. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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