Testing testing
Got my new systems up and running now. FINALLY got around to upgrading 8 year old equipment here at home. And wow - what SILENCE! Really enjoying my office now, that the good old Dilbert has retired with his 4 "huge" harddrives that kept the whole house entertained from time to time.
And it makes me wonder if computers have a soul. The last few days before the turn over, dilbert really started acting fun. Couldn't get to a terminal view, it wouldn't keep the cd drive open - and it decided to crash 4 times in 24 hours. After running 24x7 for 7+ years without any hickups except for power-outages. Don't tell me, dilbert didn't know what was coming!
posted by The Alter Ego @ 1:55 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hi there. Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing your thoughts! Here was my comment on your comment:
"As evidenced by my screen name and profile, I'm no stranger to journalism nor its sensational side. Quoting the lead was for dramatic effect. I realize they can't stop people from discussing ID in a classroom. But there's no denying this case is the Scopes Monkey Trial in reverse. What's to stop the school board from slapping a fine on a teacher who talks about it, although not directly endorsing it? ID may not be an exact science, but it is a science (definition: 'The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena'). The school board may not have handled their original intention well with the requirements it imposed. But the result will be a witch hunt, just as it was decades ago in Tennessee. Talk about trading places."
But while I was here ... I just had to share my thoughts on your previous entry about "the problem with religion." The Bible actually talks about Earth being suspended in space (Job 26:7) and refers to its roundness (Isaiah 40:22), two thoughts way ahead for their time scientifically. I can't find a reference in the Bible claiming the world to be flat or the center of the universe. Also, Hebrews 1:2 and 11:3 mention God's creations of the "worlds" (plural). Add that to the many references of countless stars, and I can't quite see what your beef is. If a Christian tells you there are no other worlds, he himself cannot be sure. All he can say is what is what he knows from the Bible: God did create this world and, for whatever reasion, He cares about his creation.
I find it interesting that because we can't see God with our eyes, you've concluded He isn't there and "doesn't do anything." How strange if we applied that same rubric to everyone and everything in this life. Furthermore, if one doesn't know God (as much as He can be known), how can one claim to know He isn't doing anything? What does that even mean?
It is far less arrogant to believe that a Creator would care for us than to believe -- in defiance of everything logical we know about cause and effect or beginning and ending -- that we somehow managed to come into existence all by ourselves. And not only us, but every complex plant, animal, star, weather pattern, etc.
As for your "third level," there's some truth to that. When man's scientific knowledge was much narrower, inexplicable things were attributed to the supernatural. I happen to believe a lot of stuff just happens. But I also believe that pitting God against science is ridiculous; God IS science.
You seem to conclude in your entry that we've done it; we have most of the answers now about why things work the way they do, so we no longer "need" God to explain what goes on in our lives. That cockiness sounds like the perfect attitude for inviting a scientific breakthrough to shake everything up, and turn our world of understanding upside down. We will never fully know.
Yet there are things we can know and believe. Yes, they take faith. But honestly, what doesn't? Good churches are more than social clubs. And good Christians aren't acrobats teetering over a "safety net" of faith. They're people who got tired of running from and denying the things that nagged at their hearts for years; the things that are far more visible in the world around us than most would like to admit.
There are lots of problems with humanity's conception of religion, but God has nothing to do with them.
hehe - It took me a while to find your comment ;) First, thanks for your comment. It's always nice to be apprechiated by someone spending their time to share thier views on the issues I bring up.
First a few comments to the flat earth. I'm not a bible expert, but I'm good at googling and with my own (limited) knowlege, I find the references I need:
* Job 26:7:7 "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."
That's kinda flat?
* Isaiah 40:22: "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in."
Circle is NOT round ... it's flat and if we read on, it's standing on pillars on the back of elephants (as far as I remember). The world Circle has been changed to round in newer translations; sorry, but no cigar ;) If the word of the bible is God's word, we can't change it.
* Deuteronomy 28:64, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 59:13, Psalms 19:4, and Isaiah 11:12 all refer to "the end(s) of the earth," the "ends of the world, or "the four corners of the earth." Job 11:9 describes a dimension that is "longer than the earth."
Again, flat with "ends".
* Job 9:6, Job 26:11 refer to the "pillars" of heaven and of earth trembling. 1 Samuel 2:8 states explicitly that the "pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them."
I see no free hanging earth there?
In regards to other words - since christianty believes that we are made in God's image I guess we should expect those other worlds to be full of humans?? Why wouldn't God mention details of what these other worlds contain and their purpose? Or the purpose of the universe?
I'm not talking about visually seing an "old guy with beard" or however people envision God - but seing any kind of interaction from a God when good and bad stuff happens. It seems to be an idle God without any interest or means to get involved. For good or evil. That's the reason I see no point in thinking there is one - because there's absolutely no difference on what's going on now - no God or an inactive God. It's clear to me, that God is an invention by man - to support man's own power structure.
We didn't "manage" to come into existance. We just came. Just as little as we are in control of our cells in our bodies. It's arrogant to think man is that powerful. And it's rather arrogant as most religions makes out, to think man is anything special in the universe. We're just a life-form among billions and billions.
Could you elaborate on "God is Science"? If you believe that God created what science sees today, I'll let it pass - that's faith and I and nobody else, have any business telling you what you should believe. But if you believe that our biologists should be praying for understanding instead of research, we have to have a discussion ;)
You make an error in observing that I think we have found an answer to everything. FAR FROM - I actually don't think we'll ever get there; close maybe if we don't selfdestruct before we get there. What I mean is, that science has provided so many more answers than religion ever has, that following the anedoctical descriptions found in the Bible is senseless when it comes to explaining our universe and nature. When it comes to emotions and "why are we here" kind of questions is where religion still plays a role. Science has never, and can never, get into that business.
You're right that science can change, and everything can be turned up side down. That's the strength of sceince - it "evolves" as we do. That's what makes it so much better than claiming a 2000+ year old book has _all_ scientific answers.
Your last comment is fun - because I really agree with it. But not for the reason you think - I agree because there is no God, so of course he/she has nothing to do with whatever we do.
Post a Comment
<< Home