(May 30, 2017 at 5:30 pm)Aliza Wrote:(May 30, 2017 at 5:17 pm)chimp3 Wrote: If the science is not in why not just say "I don't know!" .
Saying "I don't know" just sounds lazy, like we're somehow destined not to know. We're curious, and we like to know what's going on and how it all happens. We may not know how it all happens yet, but many of us like trying to figure it out. As for believing that the Torah has the answers when we don't otherwise know the science behind it, it's not really hurting anyone; it's just a religious belief. -One that doesn't happen to interfere with adherents having careers in the sciences. It answers the question for those who aren't really that interested or are too young or under educated to understand the complexities of the inner-workings of the universe. Having an answer, even if it's a very simple one, helps some people sleep at night.
It is not lazy, when it is the only honest answer. And it is certainly a better answer than to appeal to ancient religious texts.
No one is saying that, before we even start to investigate, we should throw our hands up and say "I don't know". And it certainly isn't a response that means that we are not destined to know, only that we don't know NOW. It is a provisional answer, not a final one.
If the answer makes you feel uncomfortable, get over it.
The first thing that should come to mind after the answer "I don't know", is "let's find out". That is how discoveries and advancements are made. Not by getting answers from ignorant Iron Age Mid Eastern tribes people.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
