Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Religious Fanatacism

Even if we bend over backwards to concede that scientific truth is no more than that which enables you to pilot your way reliably, safely and predictably around the real universe, it is in exactly this sense that – at the very least – evolution is true. Evolutionary theory pilots us around biology reliably and predictively, with a detailed and unblemished success that rivals anything in science. -- Richard Dawkins
I could not have said it better, and I know because I've tried. I'd like all of you who have ever said "it's just a theory" to read this quote seventeen times and then say a Hail Mary.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I suspect those who still believe evolution cannot be reconciled with their religious beliefs will simply be left behind, at least in the Western world. Can you imagine holding this same view in fifty years? Perhaps "fanaticism" will be the popular term in the not-so-distant future . . . or better yet, people will realize that a book, regardless of how holy it is, is a not a substitute for a religious experience.

Hollis said...
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Hollis said...

But unfortunately Mark, there are those in this country who still fight over what we teach our students in public schools. There are lawmakers who believe that the literal "truth" of the bible is an appropriate ethical and historical guideline. My feeling is that those of us who have actually read the book forwards and backwards have a responsibility to let those people know that they are gravely mistaken.