Quote:In contemplating the origins of the universe. any person, religious or otherwise is confronted with unknowns and the opportunity to make conjectures, none of which can be tested in a scientific sense. There was a creator, or there was not. Neither proposition can be tested by the scientific method. Science does not, and likely cannot, provide a definite answer to this question. One is therefore free to make any conjecture he pleases about this question (god; no god) - influenced, perhaps by the degree to which it interests him.
Before I comment on what you've written above, tell me, what do you understand about the concept of probability?
Quote:On the other hand one who conjectures that there is no god and goes further to posit that he knows this beyond doubt, indeed knows it scientifically, places his very questionable concept of science above all competing ideas and authority. For him there are no limits - anything may be permissable. The "scientific" practicioners of Marxism impoverished and enchained billions and slaughtered tens of millions in the past century: the Nazi's clouded their beliefs somewhat more cleverly, but likewise admitted no restraint whatever in their actions to further their "scientific" restructuring of Europe.
And another question: Who says they believe there is no god and knows it beyond a shadow of a doubt?
Who ever said it, I disagree with entirely.......and if you don't know that by now, I have to wonder how closely you're reading what I've written. Obviously there is more to be found in life than science and intellect. There are feelings and wishes and dreams and fantasies and hopes and desires and all the very tasty treats life has to offer........and the bad come along with the good. But I don't feel compelled to discard or ignore either of these components in life......do you? There are advantages to understanding the structure and function of ourselves and our universe. Some of us, for whatever reason are more interested than others. And if there are areas in which we may not inquire........then what? An undiscovered place. Some people like to keep it that way......and sometimes I empathise. If only........if only they would leave the rest of us to investigate the environment around us without harassment.
Trying to understand how our world has evolved, as you point out, does not and cannot answer the question of is-there-a-god. Indeed it doesn't say anything about that question. So we are all free to develop our own beliefs. So why is the study of the evolution of mankind so upsetting to you?
As far as I can tell by what you've written so far you seem to believe that the scientific study of evolution challenges in some way a belief in God. You say that it's "scientists" that claim they can prove the non-existence of God. But it seems more to me......unless you can enlighten me, that it's you that says scientists say we don't believe in god and we can prove it by the scientific method. Then you proceed to castigate us for this idea that you have assigned to us.
Maybe you were referring to a previous discussion on this thread in which someone did claim that........that well may be, I've been away for some time. So explain, if you please.
I also have some thoughts on your idea that we will not control ourselves without the insistence of an outside authority. You don't seem to take into account that some of us may control ourselves because we can't allow ourselves to do otherwise, that is we have a well functioning conscience. Living my life so that I feel I've been fair and helpful is coming from me and has very little to do with external authority.
