Do you have parents against religion?

[Eriny]

I certainly agree that teaching various things that fundamentalists believe as knowledge is wrong and damaging. Ultimately, in the scheme of things I do wonder how far science will take us. I think, for instance, science might be able to come up with a model (or several) of what caused the big bang, but no definitive answer. Some philosophers and scientists think that it is impossible to provide a naturalistic account of how the first DNA was produced. Also, it can't give us any answers about why we are here/the meaning of life/etc., or give us morals, so there would potentially still be a place for God.

Science is also an imperfect way to gain knowledge and is riddled with uncertainties. Mostly because empirical evidence, as valid as it may be, is still a far cry from certain proof and does necessarily take for granted inductive reasoning (in the philosophical sense). I take most scientific findings for granted, but it is the case that new 'facts' constantly supersede the old ones. Science is probably the best we have, but I wouldn't assume that it is infallible. To me, this is a good thing about science, it is constantly meant to question current knowledge and not rest on its laurels. Unfortunately, what that means is that what is thought to be truth changes a lot. I don't know if there will be an endpoint when all truths are discovered and science becomes 'finished', nobody does.

A way to deal with uncertainty is through God (or other ways, be it through other kinds of spirituality, philosophy, ideology, etc.). This is not perfect either, but it can be important for some people. I grant people the ability to think what they like on these matters as long as they are not hurting anyone (and yes, I would agree that brainwashing children and missionary work is harmful) and as long as it is done so in a mostly private manner (I say mostly because I think engaging in a wanted debate about religion or appearing in public in religious dress is fine).

[Russ]

grant people the ability to think what they like on these matters as long as they are not hurting anyone and as long as it is done so in a mostly private manner

This is essentially how I feel as well.

It is accepting something without evidence or facts. That is the definition of wilful ignorance

I was under the impression the definition was refusing to acknowledge contradictory evidence. That might be the case for creationism, young earth hypothesis etc. but I don't consider belief in *some* sort of God to be wilful ignorance.

Tell me, without religion, who would look at a baby and say "jee, that's a beautiful baby. now give me a sharp object so i can hack off part of its penis?" only religion has us to do such despicable things when we're otherwise good people.

Most of my infectious disease lecturers (but I take your point).

[mikee65]

How I love this site

[iffets12345]

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[taiga]

Iffets, do what you want to do