[SIZE=+1]The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless. - Steven Weinberg.
Poor guy, he sounds sad.
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Poor guy, he sounds sad.
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Religion in schools
- Thread starter Matt J
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An expert is a person who avoids the small errors while sweeping on to the grand fallacy. - Steven Weinberg
:scratch:
I think one of the great historical contributions of science is to weaken the hold of religion. That's a good thing. - Steven Weinberg
What was that percentage thing again?
:scratch:
I think one of the great historical contributions of science is to weaken the hold of religion. That's a good thing. - Steven Weinberg
What was that percentage thing again?
Boy this thread really took off since I was last here. 
It's saddening to see people attacking someone for their beliefs in here, or attacking them praying regularly, or for voicing an opinion. Woodworker, you're a good sport, thanks for posting.
I'd like to just add a couple comments to something you said earlier -
I'd just like to say I don't fit into this group. I have fond memories of church and a profound respect for religion and those who practice it. Trying to 'wipe out' religion, especially through a public school system, is as heinous as preventing one from practicing or allowing someone to force religion on someone without their consent as it is in direct conflict with our Constitutional Rights. I would defend anyone's right to practice what they believe within the confines of the rights afforded us through the Constitution.
I think there is a place, especially in university for education related to religion, especially religious history. I took courses at FSU on religious history and found them to be quite educational.
IMHO, the practive of religious principals and teachings must be kept out, not the education there of. Although not without loss, every time I hear that a Christmas play has been cancelled due to religious protests, I shed a tear. Hence I would never send my kids to public schools and instead choose a school more to my liking.
This is the crux of the current issue. I think science though stands on high ground here. Science applies scientific method in an effort to find answers to questions. In science, all answers are suspect until proven. In effect science assumes it is wrong and goes to inordinately lengths to prove itself right. Science at every juncture attempts to filter belief from truth. There is no place for faith in science.
Religion takes the exact opposite approach, religious belief is right until proven wrong, and often, even when faced with overwhelming evidence that a belief lacks credibility, religion asserts itself with the concept of faith - one must believe, regardless of what contrary evidence is presented. So science has, ahem, more credibility. Which is why it is taught in schools.
With your example of evolution, it is not a faith, it is a theory. Religion on the other hand is not a theory, it is a faith. Theory is wrong until proven right, faith is right, forever, regardless. I think you can there is a very signifigant difference.
It's saddening to see people attacking someone for their beliefs in here, or attacking them praying regularly, or for voicing an opinion. Woodworker, you're a good sport, thanks for posting.I'd like to just add a couple comments to something you said earlier -
woodworker said:
I'd just like to say I don't fit into this group. I have fond memories of church and a profound respect for religion and those who practice it. Trying to 'wipe out' religion, especially through a public school system, is as heinous as preventing one from practicing or allowing someone to force religion on someone without their consent as it is in direct conflict with our Constitutional Rights. I would defend anyone's right to practice what they believe within the confines of the rights afforded us through the Constitution.
I think there is a place, especially in university for education related to religion, especially religious history. I took courses at FSU on religious history and found them to be quite educational.
IMHO, the practive of religious principals and teachings must be kept out, not the education there of. Although not without loss, every time I hear that a Christmas play has been cancelled due to religious protests, I shed a tear. Hence I would never send my kids to public schools and instead choose a school more to my liking.
This is the crux of the current issue. I think science though stands on high ground here. Science applies scientific method in an effort to find answers to questions. In science, all answers are suspect until proven. In effect science assumes it is wrong and goes to inordinately lengths to prove itself right. Science at every juncture attempts to filter belief from truth. There is no place for faith in science.
Religion takes the exact opposite approach, religious belief is right until proven wrong, and often, even when faced with overwhelming evidence that a belief lacks credibility, religion asserts itself with the concept of faith - one must believe, regardless of what contrary evidence is presented. So science has, ahem, more credibility. Which is why it is taught in schools.
With your example of evolution, it is not a faith, it is a theory. Religion on the other hand is not a theory, it is a faith. Theory is wrong until proven right, faith is right, forever, regardless. I think you can there is a very signifigant difference.
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You're confusing two parables.
Yes, it is heroic for a person to be a trail blazer and different. This is a "black sheep".
The parable of the "lost Sheep" is about a sheep that had LOST it's way and finds itself in danger.
Jesus's parable speaks of the good shepherd, who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost. The righteous became angry with Jesus because he ate with tax collectors, spoke with prostitutes and sinners. He embraced those that the "godly" (lower case) of his day shunned, or worse...stoned ( we all remember the story of the adulterous woman). Jesus said,(paraphrase) does the shepherd not leave his flock to collect the one lost sheep?
The parable was used to desribe God's love for the lost sheep. Yes, the shepherd loves all of his sheep, but he will leave them to find the lost one and bring him home. And once he is home he will rejoice!
It is shocking to me the number of agnostics and atheists that are here in Sowal. Which are you, LuciferSam? I, and the other nintey-five percent of the world, invite you to find God. Whether it be in Islam, Taoism, Buddism or ,praise be, the New Testament.
I already know you won't though. An agnostic can't find God the way a criminal can't find a police officer. He doesn't want to.;-)
That being said, there are no atheists in fox holes. I can tell you that for a fact. I've SEEN people find God as they lay dying. That's no way to do it.
PAX
Todd
You have a lot of nerve to be "shocked" at someones lack of belief in the supernatural. And yes there are atheists in foxholes. There are several foxhole atheist societies dedicated to those who served.
I stand corrected. However, I have not had the chance to hold any of these folks as the cry for momma...then God..(in THAT order) while they die lying shot(or stabbed) in a ghetto.
Perhaps I along with the rest of us 'nursery rhymers" (all people of faith) are ignorant and the five percent of you who claim no faith are right.
We'll just have to wait and see.
As I said...a criminal can't find a police officer, because he doesn't want to. I am, of course.......and so are you. I am not here to evangelize and we've gotten off the topic of civil liberties afforded by the Constitution.
PAX
Todd
Safety in numbers. I see. Since when was truth and reality a democratic process?
I am really sick of the assumption that just because I don't want your religious ideas taught in the public schools, or don't feel the need to publicize my religious beliefs and force them upon others, I am an atheist and/or going to hell.
Could it just possibly be that I don't think religion has a place in public education?
Or that I think the increasingly limited classroom time could be better spent on basics like math, reading, spelling, history etc. rather than teaching drivel like creationism.
Or that I am rational enough to realize that not everyone shares the same religious views and don't think it is fair to impose your beliefs on others? News Flash - I don't attend your church - and neither do 100% of the students attending and 100% of the taxpayers funding the schools in question.
Or maybe I find your particular brand of Christianity so ignorant and contrary to the actual teachings of Christ that I don't even want to read your posts, let alone have our children taught those screwed up ideas in school.
Could it just possibly be that I don't think religion has a place in public education?
Or that I think the increasingly limited classroom time could be better spent on basics like math, reading, spelling, history etc. rather than teaching drivel like creationism.
Or that I am rational enough to realize that not everyone shares the same religious views and don't think it is fair to impose your beliefs on others? News Flash - I don't attend your church - and neither do 100% of the students attending and 100% of the taxpayers funding the schools in question.
Or maybe I find your particular brand of Christianity so ignorant and contrary to the actual teachings of Christ that I don't even want to read your posts, let alone have our children taught those screwed up ideas in school.
One thing is for certain - I should have never offered the reply that caused this thread to start in the first place.
Nor should I keep returning to it.
Nor should I keep returning to it.
If this is directed at me, you SHOULD read my posts, as I NEVER endorsed nor do I believe in organized prayer during school hours or forced state theology in public school.
As far as my brand of Christianity, its Catholic, and I don't recall attempting to usurp any of Christ's teachings. I was talking about the first amentment until someone brought up the parable of the lost sheep. I thought one of the learned agnostics confused the parable with the significance of the "black sheep". I assure you I was already corrected on that point.
I gave no homily.
I am still against state enforced prayer, AND gag orders AGAINST it in public (AND limited public) forums.
Peace
Todd