Switching Religions, like switching toothpastes

Everything is a theory by that reasoning....the good thing is that with science another answer is welcomed...debate is welcomed, thats why there are peer reviewed studies.

You cannot win this battle, regardless...your taking a leap of faith...I am not.
 
Netslave,

I do not believe you have a firm grasp on science. You used the term parasitic to describe symbiotic, and now are claiming science is a bunch of theories, without really understanding what a theory is. A scientific theory is not something that comes about haphazardly. The evidence for it is overwhelming. The evidence for how it works is being continuously modified. Though, Theropods can probably answer your questions and interpret papers for you on the subject the best.
 
Take for instance, Gravity...that is a "theory" in scientific terms.
I doubt you would be willing to jump off a tower though, chances are even you couldn't take a leap of faith that you would be able to fly. But the bible does say that a human flew without the aid of technology, so I wouldn't put it past you.
 
I understand your frustration, but it is not me that paints people into corners...it is actually the religious ideas that do that.

I am sorry that you think I am a quack but evolution is important.
 
[quote}Science continually corrects itself. I find that much more comforting than believing in something that was written 2,000 years ago and never questioned.

The religious mind is something else. It will twist all arguments and attempt to make them a moot point. This isn't about a God per say, it is about organized religions making absurd claims that cannot be tested by science. It is faith. It is blind faith.

Regarding the article and the study. I have no clue how any religious person can use this in any positive manner. Faith is directly believing in something without wavering. If people are switching, then they are never truly believing. Again this isn't about believing in God, it is about believing in your version of God. [/quote}

Stabone,

I do not believe that religious people never question their faith. I believe they do question it, and resolve it or leave. I think it is an extreme outlier which does not question their so-called authority (ala the Kansas Phelps Family).

Religion, and in particular, Judo-Christian religion is not simply something written 2k yrs ago. There is numerous historical evidence which gives credence to many of the Bible's/ Torah's claims. The places and the times appear to be more-or-less accurate if my knowledge serves me correctly. Now you could argue- that it is a mytho-history, and that is possible.

I do not believe that organized religion makes absurd claims that cannot be tested by science. I believe ******* fundamentalists make the claim. They believe the earth was created in 6 days, they believe that God is all knowing, and all powerful, yet needed a day to rest, and see no problem with this. Most people I know, do not share the literal interpretations.

I do not understand why switching sects is necessarily a question of the faith. I believe it probably stems from extenuating circumstances more-often than not. My mother-in-law used to attend an Episcopalian church, but then ended up elsewhere after being frustrated by the local politics within the church. It was not that her faith changed, it was simply that she couldn't look at those people anymore.

Dinner Break is almost over... more threads to check out!
 
Ryan,

I urge you to read an article in "The Economist" Dec 19th 2007. It is about the business of marketing the bible and koran. Some excerpts:
Americans buy 20 million bibles a year. This is in addition of the 4 bibles (on average) in each household. Yet less than 50% knows the the first book of the bible (Genesis). Sixty percent cannot name half the ten commandments. And the real screamer: 12% thinks that Noah was married to Joan of Arc :)))) Americans may be described as a nation of biblical illiterates. On the other hand, maybe Americans are much smarter than assumed and very aware of "Pascal's Wager"

Here is the link:

www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10311317
 
Laffe,
Thanks for that link. Very interesting article. As much as I try to avoid religeous debates... this article is very telling.

In brief I'll say this... the problem that Christians have in defending their faith (I'm Christian btw) is that too many Christians are ignorant. This applies to any large population, but the difference is that many Christians use the bible (metaphorically) to shield them from thinking.

I believe in God. I believe he gave us a brain for a reason. I don't think believing in God and believing in science are mutually exlusive. I think those who shun science and discovery because of the bible are what give Christians a negative stigma.

That is all.
 
Yes, many Christians are ignorant of many aspects of their faith. American Christians are a subset of Americans. I don't think that anyone is surprised when you find ignorance there. If you are going to use ignorance as an argument against religion in general and christianity in particular, why stop there. Lets hammer on democracy and the concept of governance while we are at it.
In reply to:
Click to expand...
 
My view of the article is not focused on the ignorance of people regarding religion or their own specific teaching.

I look at it as hypocrisy, many of you use surveys that say 90% of Americans are religious. Your implying many things; but at its core, that this statistic somehow rubber stamps Christianity as being a good thing and most likely true.

Well I would love to see just how many of the people surveyed actually have a true grasp at what their teaching says, and to a greater extent actually means.

According to the article and my belief: Not many, because if they did they would understand why I think it is so ridiculous.
 
'They are nothing more than corporations that receive tax breaks... "


Not all of them. I am a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, and I can vouch that we have no paid ministry. It it all voluntary. When I served my 2 year church mission to the Utah, Ogden my mission president (the volunteer for 3 years and must be well enough off financially to do so) he retired as president of a major glass company in Orange County at the age of 57 and owned pretty much all of the Outback steakhouses in the Pacific Northwest. He literally sacrificed millions to serve. Not all churchs are out there to make money. But for the most part I do agree about most churches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top