Themis wrote:
What studies. I think many here don't even realize what real science is about, and what constitutes proper methodology and peer review. Can you show any studies that have been through peer review by experts in the relevant fields of scholarship.
Hello Themis,
Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean they do not realize what real science is about. It means they have come to a different conclusion than you have about the evidence gathered. I do not have much faith in the peer review process. Just like churches stray - though with good intentions, which then progress to agendas, greed, jealousy, etc., the scientific community has strayed from the good intentions of their peer review system. Like it or not, the peer review system is plagued by agendas, greed, jealousy, etc. It is not representative today of its original intent.
Since I have seen no real evidence come forth from these groups, I would say their faith is very blind, while the scientific knowledge amassed is based on sound evidence and methodologies. Science really has never had an agenda against the Bible. Early science was dominated by Christians, and there still is many christians today involved in scientific research. It's the fundamentalists who really have an agenda.
Evidence HAS been presented to you; because it does not meet your criteria as good science (due to the fact anyone who goes against the flow of agendas, greed, jealousy, etc., cannot receive the all important approval of peer review) you dismiss it. The almighty peer review approval has become a club which excludes the work of those who refuse to cow-tow to the gods of science. Too many times it is only after a fellow scientist has been humiliated and disgraced by the powers that be - who also have the power to destroy a career; and frequently after the unlucky but brave individual has died, further discoveries deem their work accurate and "worthy". Suddenly, everyone is on board; and attempts to overlook, underplay, and bury prior disapproval blurs history unless someone comes along and makes a serious effort to find out the true circumstances.
I have not been surprised that the scientific communities of other countries are not immediately inclined to give that much creedence to America's peer reviews. I have seen them embrace American scientists who have been ostracized by the American scientific community.
So here we see evidence of the scientific version of both religious persecution; as well as the creation of denominations due to differences in beliefs caused by differences in interpretations of the findings used to create theories. A theory does not equal proof or truth; that is why it is called a theory.
by the way, I am curious. When a scientist identifies a theory as proof or truth, doesn't this effectively close the mind of that scientist concerning that particular truth (with the exception that they will accept other evidences which they believe support that truth)? Once they believe something is truth, aren't they then reluctant to look at evidence which might cause that theory to no longer be truth? I have found this to be the case with many believers of various religions (not just the LDS). People settle on a specific interpretation as being the only truth possible, and they close their minds to any other possible addition or expansion of what they consider to be truth; unless of course, someone comes along with what they consider to be evidence which supports their interpretation of truth.
This is just something man does.
Here you are preaching that you have proven scientific theories and expect me and others to accept your words as truth. Meanwhile, you are challenging these same people's claims about religious spiritual truth. In other words, you expect others to accept what you are saying; and are amazed when we do not agree with you. Yet you complain and continually badger the religious beliefs of others; demanding evidence of them which you quickly dismiss. But you cry foul if we dismiss your evidence.
You can't have it both ways. Accept the fact that people repeat this same pattern in all areas of life. Don't hold one standard for others to follow when you are not willing to follow that same standard. It is only going to cause discontent, confusion, anger, hostility.....all the conditions which cannot even produce a compromise. This is exactly what the adversary wants. In all of the confusion, the truly important things are forgotten. What really does it matter if the flood was global or not? If it is only an allegorical teaching, is this going to matter to a true believer?
What purpose does trying to "win" this argument accomplish? Is it just an ego trip you are on? Are you trying to judge others as stupid? Are you trying to prove you are smarter or more intelligent than those who disagree with you? Are you trying to show us that you have more wisdom than others?
Why can't we just share what it is we believe, why we believe it, and let it go?
Do you complain that the LDS Church is too controlling in what they will allow members to believe? Do you feel they are trying to hide evidence they don't want members to have access to? Aren't you doing the very same thing with science? Aren't you demanding that others believe what you believe, thereby controlling what they are allowed to believe? By dismissing unsanctioned peer review evidence, aren't you hiding evidence that any person should be given knowledge about so that they can have the freedom to come to their own conclusions with ALL of the evidence made available to them?
If we are honest with ourselves, all of us can see where we have done this very same thing. Let's try to get over it and move on to things which can have a more positive and constructive impact and/or influence in each other's lives.
Blessings,
jo
