simple question

[_Hoops]

I was looking at this creationist site and reading some of the desparate pseudo-science when it occured to me to ask this simple question: http://www.creationism.org/

Is there anything detrimental to the public understanding of science in the Occident than biblical literalism?

Here is another one of the most insidious sites on the web:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/


I'll answer the question posed there; Is Noah's Ark a Myth?

YES

Would a better way to phrase it be: You believe Noah's Ark is improbable, and the website you posted believes it is possible. Does that fairly set the parameters?

[_Bond...James Bond]

Where of where is Fortigurn.....he usually had pretty interesting things to say about Noah's Ark.....he would at the very least keep Tarski entertained for a few minutes....

[_wenglund]

KA, I'm so sorry for you.

<edited because I said something mean about Christians and just can't live with myself for it.>

Thank you for making me realize I chose pretty well when I found a man that has it together in the smarts department. ;)

Well, actually, plenty of smart people beleive weird things:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articl ... 9EC5880000

Some of my favorite examples of smart people buying into questionable things, are: 1) the global warming nonsense (see: junkscience.com; and 2) the Embryonic Stem Cell boondogal (see:Science and Technology Magazine.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Anonymous]

I just had a big fight with my husband about Noah's Ark. Doesn't that sound crazy? What a dumb thing over which to argue!

My husband believes the story of Noah's Ark is literal and that it occurred exactly as it is recorded in the Old Testament. No matter what scientific evidence I point to which shows the story of Noah's Ark to be pure fantasy, he refuses to even consider that the story may not be true, or at least incorrectly recorded in the Bible. He says God isn't bound by science or physical laws, and besides, none had to be broken for the story of Noah's Ark to be true. I cannot see how he believes such nonsense, but I'm perfectly happy letting him believe it. The problem is he's not perfectly happy with me not believing it.

He doesn't even want me mentioning in front of the children that I don't believe the story of Noah's Ark. But I still do, anyway. They need to know all sides of the argument.

I'm content not to bring it up, but Tom brings the story of Noah's Ark and other Bible tales up incessantly. It's either agree with him, remain silent and let Tom and the children misconstrue my silence as agreement, or disagree and start arguments. ARRRRGGGHHH! I usually ignore his preaching, which is the best policy, but all this Noah's Ark talk on the board has me edgy about it for some reason. Thanks a lot, Tarski and The Dude! ;)

KA

Some people just won't see sense KA....I once had a debate on my old Myspace blog (probably the most substantial blog in the history of myspace) that went like 200 comments back and forth with a friend over Noah's Ark. Really....I don't know what advice to give on your hubbies preaching (what advice could an unmarried dude give to a married lady anyway....) I think just try to be calm and not let Biblical disagreements lead to major fights.

[_Tarski]

I was looking at this creationist site and reading some of the desparate pseudo-science when it occured to me to ask this simple question: http://www.creationism.org/

Is there anything detrimental to the public understanding of science in the Occident than biblical literalism?

Here is another one of the most insidious sites on the web:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/


I'll answer the question posed there; Is Noah's Ark a Myth?

YES

Would a better way to phrase it be: You believe Noah's Ark is improbable, and the website you posted believes it is possible. Does that fairly set the parameters?

I wouldn't put it that way. I would say that Noah's ark is as likely to be true as a mother goose story and should be treated on similar terms.
The website defies or abuses reason, plausibility and science to try to construe an obvious fiction as a fact.

[_Tarski]

KA, I'm so sorry for you.

<edited because I said something mean about Christians and just can't live with myself for it.>

Thank you for making me realize I chose pretty well when I found a man that has it together in the smarts department. ;)

Well, actually, plenty of smart people believe weird things:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articl ... 9EC5880000

Some of my favorite examples of smart people buying into questionable things, are: 1) the global warming nonsense (see: junkscience.com; and 2) the Embryonic Stem Cell boondogal (see:Science and Technology Magazine.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Except you are completely wrong and a victim of right wing politicization of science yourself.
Find me some names of publishing, top academics at our best universites that are experts in the very field of earth science of global climatology that disagree with the following:

1. Global Warming is a well established fact.
2. Evidence is strong (about 80% sure) that humans are significantly contributing to global warming.
3. The evidence is strong enough that policy changes are in order

You have to stop getting your science from fox news reports.
Just because a site chooses the title "junkscience" doesn't mean it really is an accurate site. They chose that just to undercut real anti-junk science sites. Did you bother to check out Steven Malloys expertise????

And speaking of environmental skepticism check out
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID ... 414B7F0000

[_Sam Harris]

Noah's Ark is not only a myth, it's not unique to the Bible. It's found at least in Sumerian texts that pre-date the Bible by 4,000 years...

But don't go saying that on Sunday, you'll make someone pass out. :-)

How does this fact, which I will attest to, comment on its truth?

Rephrase the question. I'm slow tonight, not quite sure what you're getting at exactly. It's a myth. I personally, even though I'm a Christian, am not fond of Biblical literalists. There are many symbols and rites of passage throughout Christianity and Judaism that were adopted from other cultures. But many who adhere to these faiths do not want you to know this, they want you to think that THEY are the ones who have the "copyrights" to these practices, and all others have infringed upon them.

I look at it this way: if there is a God (and I believe there is), the stories, myths, etc. mean that God is speaking to more than one group. But man got caught up in the idea that God made man/woman in God's image and decided that this should mean that God should be made in man's image. Bad idea, because we're flawed, frightened, territoral creatures. So we make a flawed, prejudiced, territorial God.

I probably didn't answer your question, but I didn't really understand what you were asking, either.

[_wenglund]

KA, I'm so sorry for you.

<edited because I said something mean about Christians and just can't live with myself for it.>

Thank you for making me realize I chose pretty well when I found a man that has it together in the smarts department. ;)

Well, actually, plenty of smart people believe weird things:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articl ... 9EC5880000

Some of my favorite examples of smart people buying into questionable things, are: 1) the global warming nonsense (see: junkscience.com; and 2) the Embryonic Stem Cell boondogal (see:Science and Technology Magazine.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Except you are completely wrong and a victim of right wing politicization of science yourself.
Find me some names of publishing, top academics at our best universites that are experts in the very field of earth science of global climatology that disagree with the following:

1. Global Warming is a well established fact.
2. Evidence is strong (about 80% sure) that humans are significantly contributing to global warming.
3. The evidence is strong enough that policy changes are in order

You have to stop getting your science from fox news reports.
Just because a site chooses the title "junkscience" doesn't mean it really is an accurate site. They chose that just to undercut real anti-junk science sites. Did you bother to check out Steven Malloys expertise????

And speaking of environmental skepticism check out
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID ... 414B7F0000

I see that you have joined the religion of "Global Warming", and Al Gore is now your prophet. If that is what makes you happy, then I am fine with that. I certainly don't want to be instrumental in undermining your faith, and so I will simply leave each to their own. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_KimberlyAnn]

I'm aware of that Tarski.

My point is that I'm thankful I don't have to fool around with someone that believes in archaic ideology and spews it at me. I think the inability to question set schema shows a genuine lack of intellect.

I feel bad for KA... I think the best she can do is try to ignore him. I have no idea what I would do in her situation.

Well, one thing's for certain. Anyone labeling someone else as lacking in smarts or intellect on no other basis than that they believe something which seems unbelievable to some people shows at the least a genuine lack of manners, and likely a genuine lack of intellect itself!

Tom's believing the Ark to be literal is no different than Mormons who believe the Book of Mormon to be true in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Personally, I find the Book of Mormon to be unbelievable, but I used to believe it. Do I think I lacked intellect as a Mormon? No, I do not. I also do not find the Mormons on this board who still believe the Book of Mormon to be true to be lacking in intellect or smarts. There are dumb people who believe dumb things. There are smart people who believe dumb things. My husband happens to be a smart man who believes something which I consider ridiculous, and, honestly, I really don't have an issue with that at all. I only take issue with his determination that I believe the same ridiculous thing as him. It's a control issue, not a smarts issue, in my opinion.

Yes, the best thing I can do is ignore my husband's pontificating, and the best thing I can do with the poster who so rudely labels him as lacking in smarts and intelligence is ignore her, too.

KA

[_beastie]

I see that you have joined the religion of "Global Warming", and Al Gore is now your prophet. If that is what makes you happy, then I am fine with that. I certainly don't want to be instrumental in undermining your faith, and so I will simply leave each to their own. ;-)

Does it strike anyone else as funny that when religionists wish to be dismissive of something, they try to turn it into a religion?