Re: breaking the bond


John Harshman wrote:
> Rick Merrill wrote:
>
> > "Atheism is not the only conceivable worldview for a thinking person.
> > Belief in God gives us reason to examine the universe more closely,
>
> Two questions:
>
> Who are "us"? and More closely than what?

The "us" refers to that subset of believers who he asserts to be
speaking for. The "more closely" works in figure of speech sense
as part of the quest to learn more (than we currently know but
likewise more than the individual knows). There's quite a history
of believers using science in their investigations to better
understand their gods creation. More power to 'em.

> > and
> > generates a matrix that both encourages and facilitates an engagement
> > with the world.

> Surely this depends on the exact nature of your belief. If you believe,
> as a Hindu, in Maya the world-illusion, or, as a Manichaean, that the
> world is a snare created by the Demiurge, there's not much reason to
> engage; quite the opposite.

Indeed but such belief structures are atypical. Again, there's quite
a long role of scientists who are believers who have noted that their
own quest for knowledge is rooted in their belief systems. There are
also those who lack such belief systems who seem equally passionate.
And then there are those who seem to share similar beliefs but whose
belief systems seems to forestall the requisite curiosity about how
the world works. So what's the problem?

When did the reason to do science need to be monolithic?


> > Of course, I know this conclusion will be contested. The
> > arguments remain open, despite rather crude attempts to close them down.
> > I remain respectful of atheism, believing that I have much to learn from
> > it and the concerns that it expresses. But I no longer share its faith.
> > Or lack thereof."
> >
> > - http://www.beliefnet.com/story/172/story_17216_1.html
> >
> > Alister McGrath on Atheism, Religion and Science -- Beliefnet.com
> >
> > This is story of one man's intellectual journey into biology and
> > understanding.

> It's a real pity that he doesn't in any way explain his reasoning, at
> least not that I can find.

.

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