A Rant on Science

[Richd506]

When I was in college, I usually found myself half asleep in my Geology class. It was a four hour class with no breaks and my brain was fried from listening the teacher ramble on. I ended up failing that particular course, mainly because my mind was not in the right place but also because it wasn't my most passionate interest. But you know what? In spite of this, I would trust a scientist any day of the week over a preacher. It's not my place to drag the world straight back to the Dark ages Just because I don't know all there is to know about science.

If I fail a science class it's because I wasn't paying attention. It's my problem... not the teacher's. I embrace the system of scientific inquiry not because of the material but because of the method involved in gathering that material. You have to doubt first before you can believe for any ideas that survive the process of doubt have much more credibility. And even then, there's always the chance that that theory might be changed over time. That's just how it works.

I cast my lot with the scientists not because they are perfect but because they are the best of the imperfect. Whenever a theory fails, the creationists think that this is a free pass which validates their own beliefs no matter how illogical and irrational their beliefs are. But in the end, it boils down to one simple fact and it is this fact which defines the very reason I choose science. A scientist may know nothing. But those who know nothing and ask questions are smarter than those who know nothing and give answers.

[Dreamer Tatum]

1. That was a rave, not a rant. nt

[damntexdem]

4. And I'd give it a rave ...

review.

[etherealtruth]

2. " ... those who know nothing and ask questions ....

... are smarter than those who know nothing and give answers."

Perfect!

[Richd506]

3. Thanks!

[localroger]

13. Amen. $

[FBI_Un_Sub]

5. K and R ... nt

[ismnotwasm]

6. I had a chemistry teacher

A older female professor, who taught so well that I've never given up my fascination of it. Now, I'm not good at it. Like math, I love math, but I'm not good at it, I just think equations fitting together are incredible, just as chemical reactions are.

I remember college biology, studying cells and having a what I call a spiritual epiphany. It had nothing whatsoever to do with a deity or any religion, I was simply blown aware by the structures inside a cell, one single cell.

I think Creationists take this away, this beauty, these gorgeous intricacies, this soul-food and try to replace it with dry dogma and pseudo-science that really should be ultimately meaningless in the course of faith. Science strives for measurable truth, and when it can it can, and when it can't, well I guess it go looking for another, better, answer (and another grant) Just as you say.

Good for you!

[Ishoutandscream2]

7. This, in itself, would make a great OP

Great insight!

[LeftishBrit]

8. K& big R

[patrice]

9. I'm with you, because I'm still struggling with

why anyone, who prioritizes "faith" above all else, would try to rationally disprove rational empiricism, or, worse yet, try to use rational empiricism to prove what they BELIEVE.

The two semantic systems, science and religion, simply have nothing to say directly to or about one another.

[Heidi]

10. Recommended.

:kick:

[mindwalker_i]

11. Both scientists and preachers try to explain the world

Scientists question everything and, ideally, do their work for knowledge. Religions explain everything without asking questions, partially to give the followers of the religion a sense of comfort and partially as a means of control.

It much easier not to have to question your beliefs, it easier to just say, "I've got faith," and leave it at that. Unfortunately this leads to fighting when someone else disagrees with what you have faith in, whether that's because of a conflicting faith or because scientific evidence is in conflict with your belief.

[Swamp Rat]

12. k&r

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. Einstein stated: imagination is more important than knowledge... and

Bob said....

Heresy is a cradle; orthodoxy a coffin.

--- Robert Green Ingersoll

Nice rant, I can relate.

[longship]

15. Great post... Check out SGU!!

BTW, the best science podcast in the universe is:

Skeptics Guide to the Universe
It's witty, topical, and more than a bit on the edge.
Check it out.

Oh! :kick:ed and recommended.

[planetc]

16. Four hours without a break is a species of torture,

and your misguided instructor forgot that his or her students were all mammals, with a need to move around and gaze at the horizon for a few minutes in order to focus on the subject matter the rest of the time. Despite this probably accidental instance of academic malpractice, you still do justice to your college education.

[KonaKane]

17. Do you seriously believe that none of us know anything?

That seems a bit of a stretch.

[RagAss]

18. I was "Saved" from Religion by an Education !

[Uncle Joe]

19. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Richd.:thumbsup: