Religion is not the Problem: But is it the Answer...?

[Tigress DEM]

72. Because no one has ever gone through a black hole and come back with factual data.

We have theories and "see" them by other measurements and have theories as to what happens within but we can't completely grasp everything about them because most likely we'd have to die to get the answer. If the particle collider in France produces a microscopic black hole, theoretically it could be the end of all our conversations. So don't tell me that religion has cornered the market on stupid ideas.

Christians have shared experiences that point to an involvement in their lives of a higher power. In the scientific world that would simply be empirical data, observations. Religion puts forth dogma, people have individual epiphanies that lead to deeper faith and it's counterpart in science is theory and individual epiphanies that lead to more scientific investigation.

Science goes a step further and proves theories and pins down facts and measures. Christians don't do that. The purpose of our faith isn't to prove every facet, it's to live better lives and hopefully in harmony with our fellow humans.

I'm not one of those Christians that thinks Creationism is a true scientific option. But I don't think that Christians looking at their faith and applying the scientific method is a bad thing. Should they teach it in schools? Not as science, maybe as a Theology elective. I think it's simply a spiritual exercise and a way to think about faith differently.

Science is ALL about the facts and so sure scientists are always more likely to accept their own definitions as "better" explanations for everything.

Science isn't what kept prisoners of war alive during the Holocaust or Vietnam. People had to dig down and find something more to sustain them.

Science didn't end Apartheid in South Africa. People of faith brought new ideas to the table and people practiced forgiveness there and led the way to leaving the cycle of retribution behind at least for one generation.

Science is wonderful, but it isn't the only thing that matters in this world.

I don't ask you to keep your scientific ideas to yourself even though they might be eons ahead of your time and unprovable with present technologies. I don't scream at scientists to shut up and keep it to yourself.

I don't deny evolution completely. Still not certain about the missing link and think there is a possible alternative explanation for humans other than evolving from monkeys. I'm not 100% convinced either way, but I see evolution as a good thing and I see it in humans, just not convinced that path is conclusive. Probable, yes. Where the most obvious explanation is probably the correct one, ok. But 100% scientifically proven. No.

Many spiritual traditions talk about us coming from another place, so maybe the difference between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon man is alien DNA. I don't know. I'm just saying that where science isn't 100% able to answer some questions, then there is room to dream and think outside the box and believe differently.

So when people come on the "RELIGION THREAD" and people come HERE and tell us to shut up or say that everything we believe is wrong and IS the problem in the world, they need to own their part in the conflict. No one drags anyone into these posts. You're happy to "agree to disagree" as long as we go hide in our cloisters and whisper quietly enough so you can't hear us if you pass by an open window in the summer hence ruining your day. PULLL - EASE!

I'll fight for your right to be free FROM Religion, but that doesn't mean I can't talk about it or live it in your near vicinity.

Deal.