God - Yes, Religion - No?

[Recyclerz]

Interesting essay from David Brooks in the NY Times today talking about the limits of both the atheist surge in today's society and of traditional religion. He points out that religious mystics and cutting edge brain scientists may be getting closer in the way they see things.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/opinion/13brooks.html

Read and edumacate yourself.

[Death Metal Moe]

Interesting essay from David Brooks in the NY Times today talking about the limits of both the atheist surge in today's society and of traditional religion. He points out that religious mystics and cutting edge brain scientists may be getting closer in the way they see things.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/opinion/13brooks.html

Read and edumacate yourself.

Cutting Edge Brain Scientists? Is that a real job? Sounds like one of Troy Mcclure's roles in a shitty made up movie of the week.

http://simpsons.ugo.com/images/obscure-characters/troy-mcclure.jpg

"Hi I'm Troy McClure! Don't forget to go see my latest film where I play a cutting edge brain scientist."

[ChrisTheCop]

I believe in a higher power; "God" I suppose.
I was raised Protestant, but as I learned more and more, I found that no one religion served my understanding. And "religions" as they are really seem more like businesses to me.

I now have a one on one relationship with God; Ive cut out the middle men.

[Midkiff]

I believe in a higher power; "God" I suppose.
I was raised Protestant, but as I learned more and more, I found that no one religion served my understanding. And "religions" as they are really seem more like businesses to me.

I now have a one on one relationship with God; Ive cut out the middle men.

How's he doing these days? Does he answer you?

[ChrisTheCop]

How's he doing these days? Does he answer you?

He's sleeping right now, I'll get back to ya.

But honestly, does your priest/pastor really talk to God for you?
The last earthling to have a convo with God was Moses.

[Midkiff]

He's sleeping right now, I'll get back to ya.

But honestly, does your priest/pastor really talk to God for you?
The last earthling to have a convo with God was Moses.

No, exactly, I agree. He doesn't answer anybody because he doesn't exist.

[Chimee]

I was raised Protestant, but over time I just believed that religion and God went hand and hand and believed that because of religion, there was no God. After more thought, I now believe that religion is just a way to capitalize on people's need to believe in something and that there is something beyond what we are capable of understanding. Whether it's "God" or something else, I have no idea.

[Gvac]

If someone is truly a scientist, they discount nothing unless they can absolutely prove or disprove it 100%.

For a scientist to declare "there's no such thing as God" would speak volumes about their credentials.

[ChrisTheCop]

If someone is truly a scientist, they discount nothing unless they can absolutely prove or disprove it 100%.

For a scientist to declare "there's no such thing as God" would speak volumes about their credentials.

Good point. Which begs the query...is MidKiff the greatets scientist ever or what??

No, exactly, I agree. He doesn't answer anybody because he doesn't exist.

(but then look at his modquote. Is he saying Matty Fridays doesnt exist?) Silly silly.

[HBox]

RELIGION FOR SOME, MINIATURE AMERICAN FLAGS FOR OTHERS!

[ChrisTheCop]

dammit, i clicked on the "link" again.


...but why cant we have both???

[scottinnj]

For a scientist to declare "there's no such thing as God" would speak volumes about their credentials.

I agree. But as someone of faith, I have to admit I see a lot of fellow Christians ignore scientific truths because it doesn't jive with their belief system.

Truth is Truth. I readily admit there is no scientific equation that proves there is a god. But at the same time, I am excited at the new discoveries, because to me it reinforces my faith in a higher power. I believe in a higher power, and I am a Christian Protestant because of my upbringing, then in my early adult life, an exploration of other religions. It just was logical to believe in Jesus.

I say, bring on the physics and astronomy. It's cool as hell, and the pictures from the Hubble are amazing!

[shodan]

If someone is truly a scientist, they discount nothing unless they can absolutely prove or disprove it 100%.

For a scientist to declare "there's no such thing as God" would speak volumes about their credentials.

Except that "God" is a concept that is untestable. Any "proof" of a God would be based upon specious reasoning, a la Intelligent Design.

[ChrisTheCop]

Except that "God" is a concept that is untestable.

As far as we know... yet.
Maybe someday, He'll give us the means to reveal Him.

[Friday]

"God" is a unique experience for every person, in my opinion.

I sometimes feel a strong presence of faith in my life, and then sometimes it wanes.
The times it is lacking is when I feel most out of control.
For some reason, knowing the lord is there watching out for me, attending my shows, and listening to my random silly thoughts at night helps me. I don't know why.
I have never been a very religious person. Perhaps it's the fact that my mom is closer to him now... and maybe that connection grounds me a bit.

All I know is for the past few weeks I have felt a lack of faith. And I haven't been going to church. This speaks volumes. Luckily, I can catch up online. And start going again. Because whether or not it's fashionable, faith helps keep me in check. Helps restore perspective. Reminds me of what is truly important. Shows me that love is something everyone deserves. And I need this faith in my life.

Friday's Church (http://liquidchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=24081)

[TheMojoPin]

If someone is truly a scientist, they discount nothing unless they can absolutely prove or disprove it 100%.

If someone is a scientist, they'd likely be aware that one of the basic aspects of the scientific method is that one really can't ever "100% prove" anything.

[scottinnj]

Except that "God" is a concept that is untestable. Any "proof" of a God would be based upon specious reasoning, a la Intelligent Design.

That sword is two-sided though. Being something that is untestable, means it can't be disproven either.

In their arguments with Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, the faithful have been defending the existence of God. That was the easy debate.

But the crux of Brooks' column is this:

The real challenge is going to come from people who feel the existence of the sacred, but who think that particular religions are just cultural artifacts built on top of universal human traits.

Orthodox believers are going to have to defend particular doctrines and particular biblical teachings. They’re going to have to defend the idea of a personal God, and explain why specific theologies are true guides for behavior day to day.

Just because you believe in a higher power doesn't mean that what your system of religious faith is correct.
For instance, American Indians believed in a higher power, but they chose to worship the sun.

And Christians have to beware of "decrees" made by our leaders. Remember, God created our sense of wonder and curiousity, without that there would be no science because we would all be robots following a belief system without question.

However, it is also foolish to believe everything you hear from the scientists. I read a book called "The evolution of E=MC2" (squared) and in it the author describes, and I forget who they were, two scientists who went balls to the wall arguing over light energy, the speed of light etc. One was right and one was wrong, but both had big followings and political persuasions, and half of Europe wound up believing the wrong theory as a result. I'll be damned if I can't remember what exactly it was, but my point is that a whole lot of smart people can wind up being wrong, and we have to be careful as a society to make sure if we are going to have a national policy based on science, be damned sure they got it right first, not act on it because it sounds sexy.

[Friday]

Just because you believe in a higher power doesn't mean that what your system of religious faith is correct. .

is there a 'correct' way to believe?

i think that as long as you have faith in a higher power, be it the sun, jesus, allah, etc... then you are correct in your own way. you have found your OWN niche in the world of faith.

hell, even believing in nothing at all is ok. as long as you live your choice with conviction and purpose.

this is part of the beauty of being flawed and wonderful human beings.

[scottinnj]

If someone is a scientist, they'd likely be aware that one of the basic aspects of the scientific method is that one really can't ever "100% prove" anything.

Right. A good scientist who did his/her work thoroughly would probably be glad to have scrutiny after publishing an article describing the theory. Even if you are off with your theory, it could still point the way to a bigger discovery once your peers join in the exploration you started.

[scottinnj]

is there a 'correct' way to believe?

I believe a certain way, and realize there are others who believe differently. I may believe they are wrong, but the umbrella over that is the over-riding fact that it is all based on faith. Therefore I can't be judgmental over others, and am glad I live in a country that reinforces that I can believe what I want, while my neighbor is free to believe without fear what he wants, and our neighbor across the street can choose not to believe at all, and at the end of the day, we are all treated equally.

The beauty of that is it was started by white old guys who were afraid of their churches being taxed, and voila! The First Amendment is born.

Absolute geniuses!

[scottinnj]

i think that as long as you have faith in a higher power, be it the sun, jesus, allah, etc... then you are correct in your own way.

I think the same way. I was always taught that if you never heard about Jesus, you got to go to Heaven because it wasn't fair to be judged without ever hearing the Gospel. As I got older, that evolved, and now I believe that if you truly believe in a higher power, and search for "god" He will find you, because you are His creation and He wants to bond with you. In other words, the search itself is an expression of your faith.

[Dougie Brootal]

god* is real, and all you need to see him is a couple hits of decent LSD.


























































































































*god may or may not be your buddy's out of work drunk father.

[booster11373]

That sword is two-sided though. Being something that is untestable, means it can't be disproven either.










However, it is also foolish to believe everything you hear from the scientists. I read a book called "The evolution of E=MC2" (squared) and in it the author describes, and I forget who they were, two scientists who went balls to the wall arguing over light energy, the speed of light etc. One was right and one was wrong, but both had big followings and political persuasions, and half of Europe wound up believing the wrong theory as a result. I'll be damned if I can't remember what exactly it was, but my point is that a whole lot of smart people can wind up being wrong, and we have to be careful as a society to make sure if we are going to have a national policy based on science, be damned sure they got it right first, not act on it because it sounds sexy.


And there is one of the main difference between religion and science, maybe half of Europe did believe the wrong theory for a time, But the scientific method allows all theories to be peer review and checked numerous times. Half of Europe doesnt still believe the wrong guy do they?

Religious types would really serve themselves if the would stop picking a fight with science they have a worst record for wins the the Washington Generals

[scottinnj]

And there is one of the main difference between religion and science, maybe half of Europe did believe the wrong theory for a time, But the scientific method allows all theories to be peer review and checked numerous times. Half of Europe doesnt still believe the wrong guy do they?

Religious types would really serve themselves if the would stop picking a fight with science they have a worst record for wins the the Washington Generals

At that point I wasn't comparing religion to science. I was just making a point that we all have to be careful of what we believe, whether it is something that is religious or scientific, and not to believe hook line and sinker what is being preached at us from behind the pulpit or in front of the blackboard.