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Originally Posted by Tea on tuesday  I like to use an analogy here. Suppose I were to propose that I had a new theory for the structure of the Earth's crust. Don't tell anyone, but it's the same theory only I have broken it up into two parts. The first part I call micro plate tectonics. Everyone can see that the plates that form the Earth's crust occasionally bump around like school girls in a mosh pit. It's a quite adequate explanation for earthquakes and volcanoes and such, and what's more we can directly observe it. We can see the plates moving ever so slightly thanks to things like seismographs. But then there's this other theory that I call macro plate tectonics, which states that over geologic time that the plates shift the continents around over thousands and thousands of miles. There may be some evidence to suggest that this does indeed occur like magnetic pole wandering, but it's never been directly observed and we have no way of knowing if it really happened like that. So, I maintain a healthy aura of skepticism like any free thinking rational person should. |
I have to agree with Zuuljin that it is an excellent analogy, probably the best I have read on these forums in any (ir)rational discussion.
After exchanging posts with Millie I decided to do a little more research for myself on the evolution/logic side of things, along with a review of atheism/agnosticism for the arguments for and against the existence of God in a nutshell. Very enlightening.
I can see in the secular community how evolution is followed practically as fact, or generally accepted due to it's being the most likely, most rational theory. However, there are bumps in the road that leave me, as many others, a skeptic.
As for Ceefo's comments, I think they are a fair evaluation of the real problem with Fundamentalist Christian movements (since I'm most familiar with those):
Having God take responsibility for your life/actions when it should be you;
Accepting on authority certain statements regarding God, scripture, lifestyle, and perception of others without evaluating what you're accepting (aka "blind faith").
For those who do believe God/a god/gods (might) exist, temper your beliefs with reason and make sure what you believe is balanced by a mature community of believers (especially a mentor whom you believe to be mature in the faith), the entirety and detailed study of (your) scriptures, and translate those into practice if you *really* believe them.
If people are serious about their faith then they should learn it thoroughly, live it, and not be afraid to have it placed under scrutiny.