The fact is, this isn't about faith vs. reason. The average student that sits down to learn Evolutionary theory uses as much faith as the kid who sits down in Sunday School.

Science is constantly revising it's understanding of the universe. Troy was a myth until they dug it up. I know Evolutionary theory as well as the next high-schooler, but I didn't accumulate and interprate this data myself. When I accept it as something plausible, I use faith that I am being told the truth, and that the person has reason to believe what they are saying. I have to summon up as much faith to believe the average "Publish or Perish" scientist as my child as to summon up to believe in Santa Claus. The plausable, even the obvious, are routinely proven incorrect, and myths often become reality upon closer scrutiny.

I have been told that Australia exists, but I have never seen it, I talk to people that claim they live there, and I have seen pictures that people claim are of Australia. However much of that I swallow is faith. The most powerful words in science are "I don't know". They are its beginnings, and the words that keep it honest. If you accept that there are things that you do not know in the universe, you have to accept the possiblity of the existance of God. You don't have to worship him, or presuppose his character, to do so is bad science as well. What you have to do is keep an open mind and lean as little as possible on data you can't verify personally.

Baker....Australia doesn't exist....we made it all up one night down the pub getting pissed as farts....

MadIce: "We have done fine thousands of years without it."

We have? oddly, our earliest artifacts are fertility images and some of the oldest cave paintings show people in ritualistic attire. Shamanism predates, well, 'bout everything. As for now, there's a church a mile down the road form me. In light of that, I'm not sure what period you're referring too. From what I can tell, Religion is an instinct as old as we are as a species.

#328 by Kona0197 - 9/17/2003 3:30:33 PM It is funny that someone could actually deny there is no God.

My thoughts exactly Kona. I wouldn't have expected such wisdom from you...

Jafo: I KNEW IT!!! HAHAHAHA. i gotta go collect on some bets. Bah, kangaroos, people will believe anything...

lol, i've gone overboard again, posted like mad. I yield the field. I don't have a problem with anyone's beliefs. Please just understand that Ms. Leaky used as much faith as the average Catholic, and no one *knows* anything.

My thoughts exactly Kona. I wouldn't have expected such wisdom from you...

Actually I have all sorts of wisdom to share.

problem is no one listens to me.

And I play dumb!

#333 by BakerStreet - 9/17/2003 4:10:04 PM From what I can tell, Religion is an instinct as old as we are as a species.

Religion isn't an instinct, it's a construct. Religion was created by man, regardless of the influences they were under.

It is funny that someone could actually deny there is no God.

Yes, good wisdom. I don't deny there is no God either - I know there is no God.

Glad you've seen sense

#336 by Kona0197 - 9/17/2003 4:16:35 PM Actually I have all sorts of wisdom to share.

Re-read your post #328 Kona, but carefully. Pay attention to grammar and double-negatives and you'll understand my comment...

Yes, good wisdom. I don't deny there is no God either - I know there is no God.Glad you've seen sense

Whatever. You all know I meant to say the complete oppisite.

HOW CAN YOU ALL DENY THAT THERE IS A GOD?

It is all about believing? Whether you believe in a god or not? Do you believe in UFOs? Maybe they brought us humans here or brought us knowledge. There are people who truely believe that. We should keep an open mind to that too? For the moment the evolution theory has more structural proof than the other two, so I stick with that.

Someday you'll see the light. It does not matter what higher power you believe in, but the fact remains there is a God.

Do you believe in UFOs?

My take on Aliens and UFO are nothing more than the evil one, Satan, playing on peoples minds and beliefs in the form of demons. It is written that The devil can deceive in any form he chooses so he conjors up UFOs to take youir mind away from GOD.

#342 by Kona0197 - 9/17/2003 4:30:36 PM Someday you'll see the light. It does not matter what higher power you believe in, but the fact remains there is a God.

There you go using that 'fact' word again. For something to be a fact it has to be provable. Show me the proof and I'll gladly look at whatever this light is I'm supposed to be seeing.

#343 by Kona0197 - 9/17/2003 4:32:46 PM Do you believe in UFOs? My take on Aliens and UFO are nothing more than the evil one, Satan, playing on peoples minds and beliefs in the form of demons. It is written that The devil can deceive in any form he chooses so he conjors up UFOs to take youir mind away from GOD.

You know, that actually sounds crazier than the people who believe the aliens are among us. Your whole attitude embodies everything I despise about modern organised religion. You have your beliefs, so why not show some respect and let others have their own?
[Message Edited]

Proof=Bible