Is There a Difference Between Trusting Scientists and Trusting Preachers?

[SteveII]

First, a real miracle would not be opposed to scientific fact. It is simply non-natural causation and not violating anything except the idea of a closed system (a metaphysical question and not a scientific one). However the claim of a real miracle can be examined and are not exempt from scrutiny by science and other fields. The fact that we cannot be certain does not mean we cannot assign a low probability and dismiss beliefs of low probability. 

So science can comment on the supernatural after all?

It can comment on the reasons why we think some cause was supernatural. It cannot say whether something is or is not. 

We should discard god-of-the-gaps beliefs if there is no other reason to believe supernatural causation. But God creating the universe and life are not god-of-the-gaps beliefs. We might not know how this came about, but we believe because it is core to theology that he did.

Both of those are god of the gaps beliefs, textbook.........?   We were discussing whether or not we should discard such beliefs, however.  Have you discarded such beliefs?  In what way does being core to theology provide a rationalization for exemption?  In a "Hey fellas, I really need this one" sort of way?  Why not describe what we "should do" more accurately?  This could all have been avoided.  I guess it doesn't sound as good.  We should exempt those beliefs which, absent or non-factual, would make our faith impossible to rationally maintain.  

Do you have examples of a belief you -have- discarded, a gap argument you -have- passed on?  I'm curious.  I assume there are plenty.

No they are not god of the gaps beliefs. From Wikipedia: "God of the gaps" is a term used to describe observations of theological perspectives in which gaps in scientific knowledge are taken to be evidence or proof of God's existence." Christians believe that God created the universe because 1) he said he did and 2) it is foundational to theology that God created the universe for a specific purpose: for us. Same with life. God creating life endows is with purpose and value. 

I have abandoned 'god of the gap' arguments (not beliefs). I would have previously argued life...therefore God, etc. A belief I have changed my mind on is the literal 6 day creation 6000 years ago.