And just what did that have anything to do with his ignorance? You went on a tirade against religion but where did he indicate any degree of favor for mysticism? I frankly didn't appreciate the downgrading of Pluto because Tombaugh's story was one of triumph in the face of adversity, and because I didn't like the arbitrary manner in which it was done. Since when have scientists determined the truth by a show of hands? That kind of autocracy is something I'd expect out of medieval organized religion. I'd call that mock-worthy yes. If that's where science is headed these days.McMullen said:
Speaking of which, the two are not competing ideologies. Einstein was a man of faith who wanted to understand "the mind of god" and happened to be one of our greatest scientists. You mentioned the medieval Islamic empire and forgot they flourished under the unifying force of their religion. It wasn't until the 12th caliphate was destroyed by the mongols that they fell into ruin, and that had everything to do with the anarchy that that created, not a magical declaration from the mullahs that cast them into the fire. You're just as ignorant and fanatical as the people you bemoan, trying to make this about something it's not like some paranoid who sees the boogie man lurking in every shadow.
That straw only wound up on your back because you were grasping at it.
Brilliant? Not really. People are always willing to agree to a statement if it's something they want to hear, no matter how unintelligible it may be. We have a broad diversity of news outlets and politicians lined up to prove it. The evangelical atheist is really no better than any other zealot, be his stance religious, political or philosophical. He seeks his crusades in inappropriate places, sees challenges where there are none and lacks the understanding to respect other's points of view. He'll readily advise others to question their viewpoints, or simply criticize them, but takes no time to examine his own. Those who differ are automatically his inferior or are in need of salvation, such is their hypocrisy. If you honestly think the two cannot co-exist then you have made science your religion, and in playing defender of the faith left the realm of reason behind you.FieryTrainwreck said:
