h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Oxford American Dictionary defines religion as a particular system of faith and worship. The OAD defines Science as a study of a branch of knowledge conducted on objective principles involving the systemized observation and testing of Phenomena. My opinion is that science and religion are very closely connected in that the aim of both is to work towards the ultimate goal of the human psyche, the explanation of the universe. This may seem like a pretty big claim but here is my rationalization.
Ever since the dawn of humanity the most important driving force behind it has been the conviction that the grass is always greener over the next hill. This thought got primitive humans to migrate out of Africa. It spurred on the Roman dreams of conquest. It drove Christopher Columbus across the ocean. It sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark across a continent and back. In fact I cannot think of an important moment in human history that was not driven by the urge to explore and discover.
Religion attempts to explain the universe through supernatural influence. It has had a huge impact on human history because in the past it was one of the few ways of explaining the universe. People are willing to fight and die to protect their belief systems.
Science explains things through careful study and observation. Science has come to the forefront of explanation of the universe in the last 500 years due to new, more accurate instruments, and communication breakthroughs allowing information to be transmitted all over the globe. Religion is now becoming a confining force, with people still believing the myths of thousands of years ago. Humanity needs to wake up from its stagnated state, shake off 1000 years of religious dogma, and start thinking for itself.

Note:I am not anti-religious as this message my imply, I just think most current religions are out of date.
Itzcotl

Mmmm... you're not really talking about the Guide here, are you? I think you may have a little more luck on <./>askh2g2</.>.

Exactly

Can someone please explain this reply and tell us why is it different to "mass theological debate" thread?
I think it sounds like a good conversation starter but as I log on mostly at work I have limited time to read ALL the rules.
Thanks.

(I never could get the hang of days ending in a "Y")

There is no 'rule' against posting against posting this sort ofd converstaion below this entry... Some folk simply believe that it's best to keep converstaions in the areas most compatable with the topics...

The idea is that it's mainly volunteers who frequent these pages, if you want a lot of people to join in then you need to move it somewhere that there are lots of people <./>askh2g2</.> is the one people tend to suggest as there are loads of people there, but The Forum (A1146917) is always a good bet too as it deals specifically in debates about intelligant subjects as opposed to just random questions to the community.

Mel

Well, it's different in that, while I don't check there all that often anymore, I still look back every now and again to see if there's anything worth commenting on, but it's been many many months since I saw something theological being discussed on the 'mass theological debate' thread. I think all the possible subjects have already been discussed there and so people can't be bothered paying much attention to them anymore on the rare occasions when theological questions do crop up, usually from new visitors who just get told to have a look back at the previous 20000 postings.