This talk that I heard a couple of weeks ago is a good springboard for a discussion. I wasn't sure whether to put it here, on Philosophy, or on the General Faiths pages - please feel free to move it Mods.
Daniel asks several questions here, particularly, "Do you think evolution is an argument for atheism?", "What is truth?" and "What is science?"
In the 19thC, mathematics, metaphysics and theology were all included in what was termed "science".
[url]Evolution, revolution: Exploring science and religion/spirituality[/url] by Daniel Scott PhD
Do you think evolution is an argument for atheism? This lecture argues that not only did Darwin believe in God, but today we can intelligently understand the nature of God without pushing aside scientific discoveries. Daniel looks beyond the popular evolution vs. creationism debate and explores the nature of God as a scientific reality.
About the speaker .. from theoretical physicist to practical Christian.
As a young teenager, Daniel Scott became fascinated with theoretical physics. He went on to spend seven years at Cambridge University studying mathematics and mathematical physics. During this time he gained a basic working knowledge of quantum theory and relativity theory, became a published mathematician, and earned a PhD in an abstract branch of mathematical physics. However, by the time he had finished his PhD, his desire to be a physicist had been superseded by a growing interest in scientific metaphysics. He explains that it was his desire to find answers to the big questions of Life, the universe and everything! that had sparked his interest in fundamental physics, but that he came to realize that the deepest answers werent to be found in mathematics or physics.
On the other hand, whilst at university he had been continuing his spiritual study, and it was during this time that he first glimpsed that Christian Science could be taken seriously as science. This led to a sharp turn in career plans: from theoretical physicist to practical Christian.
[DLMURL] http://cshealer.co.uk/about/dscott/ [/DLMURL]
Judy
Hi Judy,
I've always thought it strange that certain fundamentalist Christians can't credit God with more imagination than the limited one they possess themselves, and atheists who think that evolution disproves the existence of God are only reacting to very simplistic evangelical interpretations of scripture and are equally limited in imagination.
Barafundle, I agree with every word you say and I'll go as far as to say the statement: "Is evolution an argument for atheism?" is a non sequitur.
Atheism= A lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. That's all the word means, nothing more nothing less. A person can be an atheist and reject evolution, and a person can accept evolution and be religious.
A fine example of the latter would be: Kenneth Raymond Miller. Miller is as fine a champion of Darwinian evolution as anyone could hope to find, Yet he is a devout roman catholic. Indeed it was Miller's testimony that helped put Michael Behe and the other creationist loons to the sword in the Kizmiller V Dover trial.
Ken Miller is one wicked smart dude, a lovely bloke. Here is one of the most definitive lectures ever given on the subject of evolution.
Erm... It's very long and hideously complex.
This is a wee snippet from the lecture.
And this is the biggest lunatic in the known universe.
Enjoy 😀
Barafundle, I agree with every word you say and I'll go as far as to say the statement: "Is evolution an argument for atheism?" is a non sequitur.
Atheism= A lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. That's all the word means, nothing more nothing less. A person can be an atheist and reject evolution, and a person can accept evolution and be religious.
A fine example of the latter would be: Kenneth Raymond Miller. Miller is as fine a champion of Darwinian evolution as anyone could hope to find, Yet he is a devout roman catholic. Indeed it was Miller's testimony that helped put Michael Behe and the other creationist loons to the sword in the Kizmiller V Dover trial.Ken Miller is one wicked smart dude, a lovely bloke. Here is one of the most definitive lectures ever given on the subject of evolution.
Erm... It's very long and hideously complex.
This is a wee snippet from the lecture.
And this is the biggest lunatic in the known universe.
Enjoy 😀
An Atheist or a Christian, who talks about God, is like darkness talking about light.
An Atheist or a Christian, who talks about God, is like darkness talking about light.
Now that's what I call a profound soundbite, meta. You obviously thought long and hard about that one.