If you believe in god, you're an idiot...

[azxten]

Originally Posted by Azazel [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

All scientific knowledge is gained though observation of phenomena and the postulation of hypotheses. The hypothesis that best explains the phenomena is used until a better one is found. Science therefore goes through continual self examination, ideas are held up to be criticized and this is the scientific methods great strength.

There is no 'faith' in this method of obtaining knowledge.

Religions on the other hand are rigidly defined belief systems based upon faith.

The problem is that people do have "faith" in the method itself as savior of humanity. Sure, there's no faith in a given piece of knowledge but there is a LOT of faith in the form of "we have to push onward because science will fix everything in the end" while ignoring the problems it creates.

In my opinion the "science crazed" portion of society has forgotten that science and technology are supposed to exist to serve humanity. Instead we're entering an era where humanity is serving science and the end goals aren't very clear. The same risk exists with our business and financial institutions. Do the banks and corporations exist to serve and uplift humanity or does humanity now exist to serve and uplift the banks and corporations? These institutions are entities in and of themselves just like you are composed of the living cells in your body.

Religion reinvents itself all the time as well even within specific religions. To use your quote it "goes through continual self examination, ideas are held up to be criticized." Even within religions like Catholicism and Christianity within the last few hundred years the mindset has shifted dramatically in terms of the intent of religious teachings, their true translations, and so on. In light of new evidence and theories there are new religions and theologies created. It evolves exactly the same as science and just as fast.

There is a saying you're probably familiar with regarding, "How can you be moral without God?" Many atheists will spout something about how they don't believe in God and are completely moral people. It's hard to separate your ideals of morality though when society as a whole has been guided since the start by religion and spirituality. Is it really that you're moral without God or it just that your morality stems from society which is always influence by God more than any other factor? Where might humanity be right now if the dominant religion said it was fine to kill your neighbor because you like his wife? At one point in time it's very likely religion DID say that in at least one tribe somewhere. That doesn't make for a very healthy society though and so the religion that worked better for a given society granted them the power to conquer others and bring them into line with God thus continuing the evolutionary cycle.

In my mind both science and rational thought should work hand in hand with religion and spirituality as they exist in separate realms. Instead what we have is a football team and a hockey team playing on the same field and the outcome is going to be a big pile of shit that NO ONE is going to like. Just wait and see.