Having picked such contentious subjects, we should not be surprised that we had a contentious, but good natured discussion on December 3rd. We viewed science and religion, morality and knowledge in different ways, comparing and contrasting. There was a common regret that people often use religious intent to arrive at immoral outcomes. Dogma has been used to justify war and slavery, and principled opposition to the plan B contraceptive could well mean more abortions. But it is not always clear cut. Although end-time theology actually advocates environmental degradation, there is a growing green movement in many churches. One in attendance referred to Noah as the first conservationist.
We compared the philosophies of faith and objective inquiry. Some suggested that religious thought stifles critical investigation, to the detriment of progress. But it was also asserted that a belief system is essential to the art of being human. We imagined the food pills and cyborg-like wombs of a science dominated world, stripped of nonessentials. It seemed that most of us are happy to maintain a balanced spiritual, yet inquisitive humanity.
Of course being human means being flawed and we spent some time discussing the selfish vanities of our kind- all of our kind. We were provided with tales of malicious dealings within the halls of science and we debated the scope and motives behind charitable giving by religious and secular groups. And politically, some had first hand accounts of faith-based discrimination.
It seems no matter what position you take in this world there is somebody or bodies intent on exposing the error of your ways. Deep down, we are insecure about our beliefs and many find solace in the ridicule of competing ideas. When the zealous create alliances and dominate a society, independent thinkers become an endangered species. Next time, we'll explore personal liberties within the social constraint. The law says we are free but social pressures still enforce the "rules". Do you feel completely free? How important is it for a culture to have accepted mores? Is America the freest place and is it getting better or worse?
Come join us Sunday, December 17th 3 PM at the City Café as we speak freely about this and undoubtedly more.
1 comment:
I found the comment about Noah interesting. I think that human beings are naturally destructive of our environment. When humans first came to Australia and the Americas, mass extinctions followed, just like with the Dodo bird. I suspect that the reason the Bible and so many other spiritual systems place emphasis on being good stewards of the earth is that humans are not naturally inclined towards conservation. So, for all its evils, this might be one place where religion can curb the destructive impulses of humans.
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