Comments on: "Atheism being promoted in science class" http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:52:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: XanderG http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-41042 XanderG Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:26:14 +0000 http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-41042 A very good and true cartoon. You touched on a point in your comment, Pedro, that for me is one of the most powerful arguments against religion. H. P. Lovecraft once said that "If religion were true, its followers would not try to bludgeon their young into an artificial conformity; but would merely insist on their unbending quest for truth, irrespective of artificial backgrounds or practical consequences." This quotation really struck a chord with me, and is one reason I enjoy science so much. Whereas religion needs apologists, theologians, ignorant believers and martyrs to give itself validity, science does not. In science you follow the evidence. And eventually that evidence leads to the truth. And not just wishy-washy makes me feel better truth, but reality. A very good and true cartoon.

You touched on a point in your comment, Pedro, that for me is one of the most powerful arguments against religion. H. P. Lovecraft once said that

“If religion were true, its followers would not try to bludgeon their young into an artificial conformity; but would merely insist on their unbending quest for truth, irrespective of artificial backgrounds or practical consequences.”

This quotation really struck a chord with me, and is one reason I enjoy science so much. Whereas religion needs apologists, theologians, ignorant believers and martyrs to give itself validity, science does not. In science you follow the evidence. And eventually that evidence leads to the truth. And not just wishy-washy makes me feel better truth, but reality.

]]> By: Pedro Timóteo http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-41012 Pedro Timóteo Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:06:17 +0000 http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-41012 Thanks. :) A science teacher saying "God does not exist" would indeed be promoting atheism, but, of course, that's not what is happening. What science teachers say (good ones, at least) is: "this is how this happened, this is how that works", with no mention of God. Now, those kids may have come from a home where they were taught by their parents that none of those things could possibly have a natural explanation, so, of course, goddidit. But now they're hearing something completely different from their teachers. And if they happen to believe the teachers, then they know that their parents were wrong... or even lied. What more could they be wrong / lying about, then...? To certain people, this may indeed be seen as "promoting atheism", because it may lead some children to question their parents or their faith. There's also the fact that they believe their faith is the default position, not neutrality -- so anything that is <i>not</i> actively promoting their faith, must be promoting the lack of it... Thanks. :)
A science teacher saying “God does not exist” would indeed be promoting atheism, but, of course, that’s not what is happening.

What science teachers say (good ones, at least) is: “this is how this happened, this is how that works”, with no mention of God. Now, those kids may have come from a home where they were taught by their parents that none of those things could possibly have a natural explanation, so, of course, goddidit. But now they’re hearing something completely different from their teachers. And if they happen to believe the teachers, then they know that their parents were wrong… or even lied. What more could they be wrong / lying about, then…?

To certain people, this may indeed be seen as “promoting atheism”, because it may lead some children to question their parents or their faith. There’s also the fact that they believe their faith is the default position, not neutrality — so anything that is not actively promoting their faith, must be promoting the lack of it…

]]> By: Rose / Intergalactic Hussy http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-40981 Rose / Intergalactic Hussy Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:56:00 +0000 http://www.wayofthemind.org/2008/04/09/atheism-being-promoted-in-science-class/#comment-40981 Some people just don't understand what science actually is. Great find! :) Some people just don’t understand what science actually is.

Great find! :)

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