NationStates Jolt Archive


Raem

Raem
30-05-2008, 19:47
There have been religious "debates" on General since the dawn of time (time having dawned in November 2002). I've found myself unsatisfied with most such threads. It seems as if willful misunderstanding and antagonism goes hand in hand with discussions about religious matters. People always make sweeping generalities, wiping away the complex nature of the subjects with a dismissive wave of the hand.

In the interest of nuance, I would like to point out a few things:

Science and religion do not clash, anymore. Science is concerned with the measurable phenomena of reality. Religion has, in the Western societies, largely been relegated to concerning itself with the unreal and supernatural. Some theists will object to "unreal", saying it implies God does not exist. Please consider your own beliefs before you make that objection. If you believe God lies outside of space, time, or matter, then by default God does not exist as part of reality. In the past and in most of the modern world, religions consider themselves the final authority on not just supernature, but on nature as well. This is the arena where science and religion duke it out. So long as religions do not try to create predictive but unfalsifiable theories based on faith and revelation, there is no conflict here.

Philosophy and religion DO clash. Any philosopher with a respect for reason and an understanding of epistemology and metaphysics will discover deep faults in the foundations of religion. Religion is built upon the faults of reason (whether those faults are real or not is one of the matters of debate between atheists and theists). Many of the tenets of science are related to this style of philosophy, which may account for the idea that science and religion clash.

I am an atheist. I am not your enemy unless you want to kill me for my beliefs. Very few of us are enemies here. Hysterical shouting on both sides only serves to undermine the arguments presented. The louder you have to shout something, the less it deserves to be listened to.

These discussions don't have to degenerate into mindless trolling and flamebaiting, but they regularly do. This is understandable, given the passion with which many people hold their religious or irreligious beliefs. It is not necessary to the discussion, though: it is inimical to the free sharing of ideas. There's been enough intellectual intimidation and violence in human history, why create more?
Raem
30-05-2008, 19:49
I have NO IDEA how I managed to name this thread after myself. It was supposed to be titled "Clearing the Air." Apologies, I'm not a narcissist. Really.
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 19:49
Raem.
Hydesland
30-05-2008, 19:53
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13719637&postcount=56

I will post this every time something like this comes up.
Raem
30-05-2008, 19:53
Yes you are.

By the way, within 3 pages, this thread will devolve into the flamebaiting and hysterical shouting that you have thus desired to put out.

Would you like a drink?

I know. Yes, please.
Galloism
30-05-2008, 19:53
I have NO IDEA how I managed to name this thread after myself. It was supposed to be titled "Clearing the Air." Apologies, I'm not a narcissist. Really.

Yes you are.

By the way, within 3 pages, this thread will devolve into the flamebaiting and hysterical shouting that you have thus desired to put out.

Would you like a drink?
Raem
30-05-2008, 19:53
Time Warp - O Shi
Call to power
30-05-2008, 19:55
so what your saying is this forum is full of threads created and marketed by 13 year old goth kids with no real interest in alternative views

somebody hand this girl a diploma!

Raem.

Raem Raem!! *drives toy car across the walls*
Raem
30-05-2008, 19:56
so what your saying is this forum is full of threads created and marketed by 13 year old goth kids with no real interest in alternative views

somebody hand this girl a diploma!



Raem Raem!! *drives toy car across the walls*

I see what you did there.
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 19:57
Raem Raem!! *drives toy car across the walls*
HEY! My Lego house! You destroyed it! :eek::mad::(
Raem
30-05-2008, 19:59
And Galloism thought it would take three pages. Zero to hijack in five posts.
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 20:00
And Galloism thought it would take three pages. Zero to hijack in five posts.
Well, for me a hijack to fun is much better than a descent into flames...
Galloism
30-05-2008, 20:01
And Galloism thought it would take three pages. Zero to hijack in five posts.

I said "within" dangit.

All these atheists don't know how to read...

*steers thread into a flamewar*
Raem
30-05-2008, 20:01
I said "within" dangit.

I have no idea what's going on.



FTFY
Call to power
30-05-2008, 20:08
HEY! My Lego house! You destroyed it! :eek::mad::(

welcome to the modern economy :)

And Galloism thought it would take three pages. Zero to hijack in five posts.

not a toy person?

*tigs*
Raem
30-05-2008, 20:09
not a toy person?

*tigs*

I'm a Lego person myself. Your wanton destruction of Lego architecture makes you a dirty heathen.
Call to power
30-05-2008, 20:20
I'm a Lego person myself. Your wanton destruction of Lego architecture makes you a dirty heathen.

but he used different coloured bricks :(
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 20:20
but he used different coloured bricks :(
You don't like colorful houses?
Call to power
30-05-2008, 20:33
You don't like colorful houses?

don't be silly, I live in Northampton
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 20:40
don't be silly, I live in Northampton
I live half a world away from you, with lots of colorful houses. :)
Santiago I
30-05-2008, 20:48
tl;dr

*KILLS RAEM FOR NAMING THE THREAD AFTER HIMSELF...and destroys all his Lego toys*

:mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5::mp5:
Call to power
30-05-2008, 20:51
I live half a world away from you, with lots of colorful houses. :)

thats because your houses where made after colour was invented :cool:
Brutland and Norden
30-05-2008, 20:52
thats because your houses where made after colour was invented :cool:
But... does that mean your city is colorless? :eek:
Call to power
30-05-2008, 20:56
But... does that mean your city is colorless? :eek:

worse. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6221200.stm)