RE: Evidence. Can't go there due to a prior committment
September 4, 2011 at 9:04 pm
(This post was last modified: September 4, 2011 at 9:42 pm by Fred.)
(September 4, 2011 at 12:04 pm)FaithNoMore Wrote: If something can't be explained, it is much more intellectually honest to say, "I don't know" rather than declare that it somehow must be due to the existence of god.
Yes, it certainly is. Matter of fact, you can stop after "due to." How lovely it would be to see more of that from the "it's merely" chorus.
Quote:There seems to be a common misconception that atheists have determined all of the answers to important questions about life with science and declared anything unanswered to be unimportant.
I'll say. I see that over and over and it just makes me scratch my head. Expecially since it's invariably atheists themselves making the mistake.
Quote:In fact, atheists are quite content with not being able to answer a question, but never will we explain the unexplainable with god.
If I can't speak for atheists as a whole about anything other than them not believing in God, neither can you. Unless there's a secret handshake or some shit. Regardless, instead of explaining it with god, you will either explain it away or hand out materialist promissory notes by the bushel. "One day we will know" has replaced "take it on faith" as the get out of jail free card. One day we will know many more things, yes, but chief amongst them will be how true "holy shit, there's so much we still don't know" still is.
(September 4, 2011 at 12:11 pm)Rhythm Wrote: It has always been the practice of the faithful to shore up their knowledge by invoking deity towards the unknown.
Maybe, but it's curious how the idea that materialism an a priori stance hasn't caused a flutter of denial or even been mentioned. By the great god Apologia, that is not a miracle, but still of note.
Quote:As the gaps in our knowledge decrease so to does the power and purvey of god.
Uh, let me know when those gaps start decreasing. Pretty fucking wide vistas as far as I can see, but maybe your view is different.
Quote:Except when people subscribe to a faith which amounts to nothing more than a snapshot in time from a less informed era.
Heh. Powdered wigs are more modern than mitres, I'll give ya that. Hardly cutting edge.
(September 4, 2011 at 11:53 am)Rhythm Wrote: "We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of This man had a profound misconception about both our history (and the quality and brevity of our lives before science) and the basic mechanics of scientific understanding.
Holy shit. Did you really just accuse Richard Lewontin of having a profound misconception of history and the basic mechanics of scientific understanding? By golly, I believe you did. That takes sack, I'll give ya that.
