tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post5892083811147759048..comments2024-01-08T10:16:34.686-08:00Comments on Engineer of Knowledge: Religious Myths Conflicting With Science FactsEngineer of Knowledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02179784871538454388noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-23706962667170544732011-12-15T13:47:41.931-08:002011-12-15T13:47:41.931-08:00I'm almost 2 years late to this discusiion. W...I'm almost 2 years late to this discusiion. When you say, "Anyway, I wanted to get beyond this "atheist spiritualism" which by definition is oxymoronic.." you are 100% wrong. Atheism is not believing there are gods. That's it. <br />There is no such thing as Atheist dogma so we are free to be spiritual or anything else that doesn't include gods.Sunshine Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887177107018808031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-78390456297018983602010-01-06T16:06:48.025-08:002010-01-06T16:06:48.025-08:00I have a rational bias toward things for which we ...I have a rational bias toward things for which we have can demonstrate evidence of efficacy. I don't think one could call that a crack, or defect aka chink.<br /><br />I'm not an absolutist. I am open to new proofs, objective evidence. But the " I want to believe" Xfiles mentality some folks have is a longing for a fantasy world. I don't "want" to "believe" anything, but I will accept as genuine that which is demonstrated with science and rationality.<br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to get beyond this "atheist spiritualism" which by definition is oxymoronic..Dromedary Humphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165566701791663057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-29252178557612792852010-01-06T14:54:54.029-08:002010-01-06T14:54:54.029-08:00Well, I might mean quite a few of the qualifying c...Well, I might mean quite a few of the qualifying criteria you mention as a substitute for the word spiritual.<br />I realize that you have rationalist bias towards anything that hints of a belief in another dimension of existence...Perhaps that would be the chink in your wall?<br />I have been a profound atheist since I was 12, but I still have this whole X files sort of attitude towards the universe...I can believe everything and trust nothing and vice versa and it still makes sense to me....microdothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564820031343630871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-21293433671264669332010-01-05T15:00:42.628-08:002010-01-05T15:00:42.628-08:00Oh boy..here goes:
Marcia,
if you agree that the...Oh boy..here goes:<br /><br />Marcia, <br />if you agree that the bible is in error on a great many things relating to science / the physical world, can I also assume that you are willing to accept that the "history" as described in the bible is also subject to gross error? There are any number of contradictions and erroneous datings, lineage accounts, etc. <br /><br />If you are willing to compromise on one, why not the latter, since by vitue of it's faults its luster of divine inspiration is tarnished?<br /><br />Then if you're willing to admit to those, can I assume that you are prepared to agree that the "miracles" and "god's laws" as outlined in the five books of moses, were simply mans inventions? If not, why not?...we've already thrown out biblical science, the innerrency of its historical accounts. Why this need to cling to this book of myth and fable as a basis for supernaturalism when it has already been shown to be grossly flawed (not to mention hideously obscene)?<br /><br />Micro,<br />this use of the word spiritualism in any secular sense always troubles me. If you look in the dictionary, spiritualism has alot of supernaturalistic definitions as its primary definitions. <br /><br />Exactly how do YOU define atheist "spiritualism?"<br />Is it "wonderment" at the beauty and vastness of the universe? Is it "awe" at the intellectual excellence of a scientific formula, or Beethovan symphony? Is it "respect" for the unkown / yet to be dicovered? Is it the "introspection" one calls upon to evaluate ones sense of self etc.?<br /><br />Don't you think that "wonderment, awe, respect, introspection" better define the essoteric nature thinking people and their appreciation for nature, the physical world, and greatness?<br /><br />Frankly, this "I'm not religious but I am spiritual" crapola smacks of New Ageism and quasi-theism.Dromedary Humphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165566701791663057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-29068166604305470652010-01-05T13:05:17.152-08:002010-01-05T13:05:17.152-08:00That is so true, Marcia. I know quite a few people...That is so true, Marcia. I know quite a few people who fit your criteria of religious people who believe in the rational world of science and I respect their faith.<br />It is harder, though, to find believers who respect my profound atheism.<br />That is the crux of belief...when someone doesn't believe, it represents a chink in the wall.<br />When I say, I don't believe in god...it really doesn't mean that I don't believe...<br />How can it be that some of the atheists I have met are the most profoundly spiritual people I know?microdothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564820031343630871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296812581212979823.post-11950256347563561862010-01-04T07:34:13.624-08:002010-01-04T07:34:13.624-08:00The conflict is between science and the literal i...The conflict is between science and the literal interpretation of scripture, not between science and religous belief. There are many religous and spiritual people who do not interpret scripture literally and are able to reconcile their religion with science. Religion does not always equal fundamentalism.Marcia Earthhttp://www.earthfacts.netnoreply@blogger.com