You can't have a valid opinion on climate change if you think the earth is 6,000 years old.
July 2nd 2009 00:27
Science and religion mix like oil and water. Most people have heard that before - I would say science and religion mix like rocks and water. Sure, enough rocks can hold back alot of water, but sooner or later, if there is enough water, it spills over the rocks of ignorance and knowledge moves ahead.
It's interesting to note, those who believe some of the most outlandish mythologies are the first to deny real knowledge. Not surprising, really. Since people first began to question the world around them mythologies have arisen to explain the unexplainable. As time went on, what had been explained through myth gave way to scientific method.
Still, many find themselves either unable or unwilling to move out of the shadows of myth and embrace knowledge. It's easier to continue the myth, to stay with the familiar. What, for example, is the factor most responsible for determining what religion a person will follow?
Where they are born, of course. A child born in South Carolina isn't likely to grow up to become a Muslim, unless that is his or her family tradition already. Kids in Iran aren't overwhelmingly Christian. Some move on from the comforting power of myth and seek real knowledge, but their numbers aren't big in fundamentalist societies.
The tragic arises from the fact that every fundamentalist thinks their way is the only way, and the others are dismissed as heretics or even worse "non-believers." The non-believer suddenly has less value - and is therefore easier to dehumanize.
What else do all the fundamentalist religious sects share? A disdain for knowledge, for art, for anything not reinforcing their narrow world view. They view science as enemy, free thought as poison, and a questioning mind as heresy. The mindset spills over into every facet of life.
The denial of science is part and parcel of the fundamentalist belief, whether it be evolution or climate change, or any other topic of scientific import. And to allow anyone that holds views of obvious denial don't deserve even a minute of respect for those views. It's one thing to say "live and let live, believe what you want," but when those beliefs threaten our ability to tend to clear and present dangers like global climate change.
Sure, not all science denials come from religious fundamentalists. There are plenty of corporate hack "scientists" who will claim anything their handlers tell them to, for the right money. And there are some who don't fit either description, but are so blinded by their ideology as to listen to whatever their spokespeople tell them to. "Dittoheads" could bring themselves to go against Rush anymore than a fundamentalist Christian will go against James Dobson.
They will throw out nonsensical arguments like "the earth is cooling." And it is, right now, a little bit. It's because we are in a period of extremely low sun spot activity. That won't last forever, and the greenhouse foundation will still be there. When Florida is only one county or two after rising sea levels, it's too late to try to stop it.
Point is, we need real solutions to real problems that won't be solved by praying or giving into denial. We need to plan now for a future changed by what we are doing to our environment. And anyone who wishes to believe in fairy tales needs to step aside for real leadership.
It's interesting to note, those who believe some of the most outlandish mythologies are the first to deny real knowledge. Not surprising, really. Since people first began to question the world around them mythologies have arisen to explain the unexplainable. As time went on, what had been explained through myth gave way to scientific method.
Still, many find themselves either unable or unwilling to move out of the shadows of myth and embrace knowledge. It's easier to continue the myth, to stay with the familiar. What, for example, is the factor most responsible for determining what religion a person will follow?
Where they are born, of course. A child born in South Carolina isn't likely to grow up to become a Muslim, unless that is his or her family tradition already. Kids in Iran aren't overwhelmingly Christian. Some move on from the comforting power of myth and seek real knowledge, but their numbers aren't big in fundamentalist societies.
The tragic arises from the fact that every fundamentalist thinks their way is the only way, and the others are dismissed as heretics or even worse "non-believers." The non-believer suddenly has less value - and is therefore easier to dehumanize.
What else do all the fundamentalist religious sects share? A disdain for knowledge, for art, for anything not reinforcing their narrow world view. They view science as enemy, free thought as poison, and a questioning mind as heresy. The mindset spills over into every facet of life.
The denial of science is part and parcel of the fundamentalist belief, whether it be evolution or climate change, or any other topic of scientific import. And to allow anyone that holds views of obvious denial don't deserve even a minute of respect for those views. It's one thing to say "live and let live, believe what you want," but when those beliefs threaten our ability to tend to clear and present dangers like global climate change.
Sure, not all science denials come from religious fundamentalists. There are plenty of corporate hack "scientists" who will claim anything their handlers tell them to, for the right money. And there are some who don't fit either description, but are so blinded by their ideology as to listen to whatever their spokespeople tell them to. "Dittoheads" could bring themselves to go against Rush anymore than a fundamentalist Christian will go against James Dobson.
They will throw out nonsensical arguments like "the earth is cooling." And it is, right now, a little bit. It's because we are in a period of extremely low sun spot activity. That won't last forever, and the greenhouse foundation will still be there. When Florida is only one county or two after rising sea levels, it's too late to try to stop it.
Point is, we need real solutions to real problems that won't be solved by praying or giving into denial. We need to plan now for a future changed by what we are doing to our environment. And anyone who wishes to believe in fairy tales needs to step aside for real leadership.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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that is the best post title ever!
Comment by OnlineWriter
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My wife is borderline creationist and I'm athiest. We have some amazing arguments
Comment by DeAnne
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You are right, though. So many people will not budge on those types of issues. "The earth is only 6000 years old, because the Bible tells us creation only took 7 days, and there is an genealogical accounting of the time since then." Of course, they never take into account that the English translation could be somewhat wrong - the word that was translated DAY could actually simply mean UNSPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. And, of course, we shouldn't bother doing anything about global warming, because, after all, God told us the world would end and Jesus would return. Just read all the prophecies. It couldn't possibly be that some of those prophecies were told so that we could prevent it from happening. And most definately the prophecies must all come true.
I am a person of faith. But my faith isn't blind. My faith isn't in the book, or people. It is in a greater being, who I believe did create the universe. But I also believe that he gave us the intelligence to understand the science behind it. It's a shame others can't accept that as well.
Thanks for a great post!
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Dianna G
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Comment by Randy Inman
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However I remain unconvinced about Global Warming because of Al Gore getting richer off of it, hell he should be a Republican the way he sucks up money.
And in the 1970's the same people told us we were headed for an ice age. I do believe in climate change and there is no doubt we damage the Earth with pollution.
I just don’t see the point in ruining this country for fast changes. When Obama is selling that “Dirty Nuclear Energy” to anybody with a checking account, just like his daddy George Bush did. Sending our industrial (what few remain) jobs to China also hurts the environment. At least we have some measures to clean up our mess, China just don’t care.
The major difference in Bush and Obama is which side the despots they support sit on, Anti or Pro Communist. Both stick it to the little guy and give the money to the rich so they get richer.
Comment by Dianna G
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