[net.religion] Religion and Science are different?

mlenk@watrose.UUCP (mlenk) (10/19/85)

> This would serve a hidden purpose, also.  (After all, we evil pagan
> types are always after your children. [insert obligatory :-) here])
> It would show thinking students that their religion is one among many--and 
> is not that unique.  Nor uniquely useful or beautiful.  To that end, one 
> assignment in the class would be to make a pantheon of gods and a set of 
> myths about them which contain some important mythic elements learned 
> in the course.
> 
> I would never allow religion into science classes--where it does not
> belong.  Myth is myth and science is science.  Only Christians seem
> to have that silly problem of trying to combine them.
>                                      Sue Brezden

There is no point in trying to Combine science with christianity. The
notion is as silly as trying to combine buddhism with christianity.
All three of these are mythical systems explaining the world we live in.

Yes that's what I'm saying (like it or not) Science is "just another myth".
BUT, I don't think that Mythology is as easily thrown out as many 
Sciencians and Christians seem to think (I'm not using Scientist in
this phrase because I'm refering to laypersons. The other comparison
would be Scientists and Theologists).

Now that's pretty bold so I really ought to back it up somehow.  The
basic premise of Science is that of an Absolute Reality. This reality
is completelly separate from individual experiences and the object is
to explain all experiences in terms of one common statement about the
world. But the common statement about the world is too complex to
be used everywhere at the same time, so simplifications are made that
apply within certain bounds.

What happens with all mythologies at this point is that the simplifications
are taken as global truths and you get dogma.  The bible thumpers of the
world are sufferers of dogma.  What they are missing is the huge mass of
liturature and thinking behind and beside the bible.  In a living 
Mythology (Christianity, Hinduism, Sciencism, etc.) new research is always
being added to the universe. The problem with science thumpers is that
they refuse to believe that there is honest research in any other religion.

I could go on (and on and on and on and on) but I think this is a nice
place to leave my argument.    BYE

			Larry Fast
PS I'm a raving sciencian and an amatuer theologist by nature.

drumm@puff.UUCP (11/05/85)

> > This would serve a hidden purpose, also.  (After all, we evil pagan
> > types are always after your children. [insert obligatory :-) here])
> > It would show thinking students that their religion is one among many--and 
> > is not that unique.  Nor uniquely useful or beautiful.  To that end, one 
> > assignment in the class would be to make a pantheon of gods and a set of 
> > myths about them which contain some important mythic elements learned 
> > in the course.
> > 
> > I would never allow religion into science classes--where it does not
> > belong.  Myth is myth and science is science.  Only Christians seem
> > to have that silly problem of trying to combine them.
> >                                      Sue Brezden
> 
> There is no point in trying to Combine science with christianity. The
> notion is as silly as trying to combine buddhism with christianity.
> All three of these are mythical systems explaining the world we live in.

	I'm wondering how much you know about Buddhism.  When you come to
	"know" both Buddhism and Christianity you find remarkable 
	common thyme (given that you dont read the Bible literaly).
	On one level the are very combinalbe.

> The
> basic premise of Science is that of an Absolute Reality. This reality
> is completelly separate from individual experiences and the object is
> to explain all experiences in terms of one common statement about the
> world.

	Partly.  Science would never claim an Absolute Reality.
	Absolute Reality could never be tested (I would like to 
	see the first plan) thus it would never be aserted. Its
	just an easy thing to believe; we know nothing else!


> PS I'm a raving sciencian and an amatuer theologist by nature.

	PS by nature I am.

						Danny.