Science rules

[123everton]

Amongst some there is an opinion that science will replace/destroy/make religion irrelevant.
Would this be a good thing?
Would allowing scientists to determine or espouse what's right for us be the way forward?
Do you trust a scientist to be right about things that can impact on your life?
Personally, I say no, sometimes I agree with a scientist, sometimes not, sometimes Ill agree with the Archbishop, sometimes not, is the world not big enough to fit in all our viewpoints with all the lively disagreements it should encourage?

[naomi24]

Everton, some people make a blind choice - others research the facts and make an informed decision.

Keyplus, whoever told you that was either ignorant, or he was lying to you.

[123everton]

Again that is choice.
It is also as equally true of believers and none believers, is it not?

[naomi24]

For those who have taken the trouble to do the research, there is no choice. The facts speak for themselves.

[123everton]

So are all theists brain washed drones?
Have all atheists studied the issues and come to their conclusion?
^^Two questions ^^

[naomi24]

1. No, but they're afraid of their own mortality and are prone to wishful thinking.

2. I wouldn't say they've all studied the issues as some of us here have, but with most of us having had some religious education in our early lives, they've obviously thought about it and decided it's hogwash.

[123everton]

Talk about sweeping generalisations, LOL
Atheists aren't afraid of dying?
All of them?
Most of them?
Some of them?
I disagree with the assumptions made, some people are afraid of dying some people aren't, most people don't think about it.
I think a lot of people who are atheists decided that the rules/aims of religion are too hard for them so they just didn't bother.
Their choice, it's a free country.

[naomi24]

I'm sure many of them are afraid of dying, but they accept that they will. They don't harbour unfounded beliefs in their place in heaven - or hell come to that.

I take it that was only one question?

[123everton]

Wiz you're a mile wide (and then some), I nearly died last year (read back through the posts) I was as calm as anything.
I got berated for saying that the worst people I know and meet/met have all been atheists, this was a sweeping generalisiation (and I'm the first to accept that's not representitive of everyone, atheist or not), I'm waiting for the honest opinion of others to suggest that the 2259 and 2301 posts are sweeping generalisations and perhaps some should practice what they preach? LOL
There was a show called "Make Me A Christian" on a while ago, they had this big fat idiot on and at the end he came away impressed by The Salvation Army, he said "this is what Christianity should be about."
Great, I'd love to be a salvationist (maybe he would too), if only they'd let me have a drink and a flutter every now and again.
Life's easier when you make your own rules, that's the formation of a lot of atheist thinking I feel, one can influence the expression of faith if one tries (but it is hard).
The trick is not to spend time p i s s i n g on each others chips, especially if it's on your shoulder. LOL

[jake-the-peg]

Science on it's own cannot replace religion

It has nothing to say about ethics - for that you need moral philosophers

Explaining and understanding the Universe was only one part of religions "purpose" - Try ringing a chemist to come and sit with your dying father

[Sqad]

Jake....I fail to see the beneficial "results" of "moral philosophers in the past 2.000yrs.

We might well have done better without them.

[naomi24]

^^ Agreed.

I wouldn't ring the chemist or the priest to come and sit with my dying father. I'd take that duty upon myself.

[123everton]

Is Wizard's post at 2259 a generalisation?
Is Naomi's post at 2301 a generalisation?
You are both free to answer as well.

[naomi24]

Yes, I agree. The first part of my post was a generalisation - but I think it's an accurate one. Ultimately death is what religion is all about, and the fundamental aim of believers is to evade death. Why would anyone believe in God if he didn't offer the promise of eternal life? Perhaps you can answer that one for me Everton.

The second part of my post is, in my opinion, accurate.

[123everton]

Erm any proof Naomi?
Is not the aim of science to prolong life?
Most of us want to live a long life, longevity has it's place.
People who profess a desire to die are very ill, and that is not a generalisation.

[naomi24]

Science does not tell people that if they obey the rules they will have eternal life.

Are you going to answer my question?

[123everton]

We both believe in an afterlife, do we not?
Science, it is true, does not promise eternal life if you follow the rules, but, it does promise it if you have enough money to pay for cryogenic storage, Walt Disney et al.
It seems it's not just religion that likes to filch money off gullible fools.

[naomi24]

Answer the question.

[123everton]

What question?