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

Hi Saturnine...

In an effort to keep that thread in "ask" on topic (since the topic itself is throwing up some interesting observations...), I've come here

You mentioned that you didn't realise Creationist rubbish was still going around in the US. Here's the news: it is, and not just in the US, either.

A734302

That entry forms part of a project I put together after rowing about Creationism on h2g2 almost exactly a year ago. Check it out, you might find it interesting - we got a 16 yr old American Creationist to write a couple of entries for it, as well as a professional molecular biologist (Ste).

Let me know what you think - it's scary stuff, if you ask me...

H.

Will do!!

So... didja read it? And are you glad you didn't go to school in Gateshead, or what?

H.

Yep, I read it! I'm going to go and have a wander around the related articles in a while. Not had an Article-Browse for a while.

This does nicely intergrate a piece of wonderful news I heard last night. Apparently, the new Archbishop of Something-or-other is approaching the idea of the church moving away from the state in this country...which I think is a fantastic idea, even if it is only symbolic. I mean, that's what's supposed to happen in America. But for some reason, Chrstianity is still seen as the right way.

Have to be careful just which views I put out on this site.

Creationism is just as valid as Evolution...I mean they are both just theories. But when it gets to the point where it's seen as the *right* way...especially when it's being taught in science, and has no scientific value...it proves just how dangerous organised religion's hold over life is...

"Creationism is just as valid as Evolution...I mean they are both just theories"
But they are *not* both "just theories". A scientific theory is not like the word "theory" as commonly used. A scientific theory is not merely "assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture", it is a "set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena" (dictionary definitions).

Creationism makes no predictions, and it is not science. Evolution is very distinct from creationism, they are not competing theories whatsoever.

Thanks,

Ste

Oi! I do not expect to be cheeked in my own userspace! Get out now!!

Ok. So if we are being pedantic, I was wrong.

But Creationism is just as valid, because we know neither way whether it is true.

*has just remembered reading somewhere that the guy is a molecular biologist*

Oh. Poo. Go away.

Pedantry?! The difference between "conjecture" and "predicted reality" is quite large wouldn't you say?

Can you just trust me when I say that Creationism is fundamentalist christian junk? It'll save both of us a lot of time and pain? It isn't even logically valid, nevermind scientifically valid.

Yep, *holds up badge* freelance geneticist at you service!



Ste

Hey, give me a little credit. I may not have paid the $100 to become a Church of Satan member, but I'm fully paid up in the Hell department of life. I know it's cr*p. All religion is cr*p. But it's still a good story, and as far as I am concerned, you only know what you are told. I *really* couldn't care less about where we come from/where we are going to. We only know when we are there, so what's the point? Science is science, religion is religion, and none of which I am commited to...

*scratches head*

Um...

You are *technically* smarter than me in the science area. Intimidating!

I'm giving you total credit, sorry if I was coming across otherwise. Just because I might have a science background doesn't mean that the non-science view is not valid.

I personally think there's a lot of truth and wisdom in the bible (*plants atheist flag in the ground*), but not taken as a literal document. That's just silly.

"I *really* couldn't care less about where we come from/where we are going to."
Perhaps that is where we differ. I do. I care deeply about both.

Ste

In my view, the Old Testament is half-fear of the unknown weather/science factors and half a hygiene manual...the New testament is a corruption of old pagan tales, designed to control people. The fact that Christians are all relying for another blood sacrifice to save their souls bothers me greatly.

See, now I thought scientists were all about the innate curiousity to find out about how things work. Proved me wrong there. Why do you care about pre-life post-life issues? You can't control it all, you can't prepare, and you can't *ever* know!

The OT, when read properly, is more than a pre-scientific instruction manual. It deals with creation, good and evil, and allsorts in the form of myth and story. It's quite good really. I'm not so sure about the NT. Let me state again that I am an atheist, I see no need for a supernatural God of any kind.

Not pre- or post-life issues like the afterlife and that, but mankinds evolutionary history and mankinds future.

Ste

Evolution is interesting...but more in terms of the psychological impact/refuse left in modern man today.

Just because you have no need for God, does that mean you don't believe in him? I have this strange block in my head that can't grasp the concept of any kind of supernatural force. I have some childhood-like fear of ghosts and aliens, but thats more psychological conditioning I haven't worked out yet as opposed to belief.

"Just because you have no need for God, does that mean you don't believe in him?"
Absolutely. It's a personal thing. I have no inner feeling like there's something more, I see a universe that is devoid of a supernatural consciousness, and from all that I have learned it isn't necessary to invoke a God to explain anything. All this combined means there is no need for a God to exist therefore he doesn't.

(I wish there was a shrug smiley)

Sometimes I do get the feeling that there is some sort of old creature swirling about the earth...very small and never seen...that created all of this. But that's more to do with my imagination than anything!

Nietzche was right! God *is* dead...

Yes, I think he's right also...

Which reminds me, I need to go back to the *Introduction to Nietzche* book I'm reading.



Has this thread died already?