Arrogance In Search of Humility

Should both creationism and evolution be taught side-by-side in public schools? As I was reading this section I kept thinking, “The argument isnt specific to the subject matter.” The issue in my mind is more general - rationalism vs. superstition. I was glad to see Dawkins quote shortly after the geneticist, Jerry Coyne:

…the real war is between rationalism and superstition. Science is but one form of rationalism, while religion is the most common form of superstition. Creationism is just a symptom of what they see as the greater enemy: religion. While religion can exist without creationism, creationism cannot exist without religion.

People have different paths by which they arrive at skepticism, and this section reaffirms my belief that evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins arrived as a result of resistance to teaching evolution in schools. There exists a powerful force against teaching evolution in public schools. Just imagine how high the hurdle must be for teaching evolution in home schools, that are often religious in nature.

Recall the opening question. Now, apply Coyne’s thoughts to that question. The question then no longer remains about creationism and evolution. The question becomes more broad: What merit do either have to warrant being taught at all? Evolution, being in the scientific realm is quite meritorious and invites scrutiny. I say creationism has no merit, only conjecture, and does not warrant being taught at all. If anything, perhaps it can be discussed in a mythology course.

I ask you fellow Tumblrs - Should creationism and evolution be taught alongside one another? What are your reasons?

Can prayer deliver a successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications? Well, I’ve never known of an amputee regrowing a limb, but let’s explore futher:

Dawkins examines a couple recent scientific studies on the effectiveness of prayer, namely for healing the sick and those in need of surgery. For standardization purposes, those praying were told to include the phrase “for a successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications.” These attempts at measuring the effectiveness of prayer produced no meaningful results.

I was at a Science Cafe in Little Rock a few months back. They had a panel that consisted of a doctor, chiropractor, and a neuroscientist. The topic of discussion was pain and how it is treated. They talked about the placebo effect for quite some time, so during Q&A I asked about the effectiveness of prayer. Here is my question as best I can remember:

Obviously the chemicals in drugs have an actual mechanism by which they react in the brain. Placebos obviously don’t chemically alter the brain, so the effect is purely psychosomatic. Is prayer basically a placebo of sorts and have there been any studies showing it’s efficacy? (I saw the lights turn on in several of the audience members’ eyes)

I think prayer just shows the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Even laughter and meditation are “good medicine”. Even if we’re not sick, if we’re constantly thinking negatively and not taking positive strides toward self-improvement, all the while wallowing in our own sulkeness, we are in effect killing ourselves. Proper nontheists should have more reason to embrace this life if we truly believe it is the only one. If you’re going to be depressed, find your false hope in religion - get saved, and anticipate your next life while disparaging the current. We must make the choice to live, not to die.

Once people realize that only they are responsible for themselves and their destiny will they pull themselves up by their bootstraps, STFU, get over themselves, and get on the merry road of living the only happy & productive life they have. God isn’t coming to save you - your life is in your own hands.

I was about 19 or 20 when I started to think this way. It was more out of bitterness than anything. I had flown from the nest at 18 only to find my wings hadn’t been properly groomed for flight. I crashed straight out of the nest and resented what I thought to be a lack of parenting/social influence. I now know that my folks/community did the best they could and remaining bitter just stinks up the house and doesn’t invite friends or success.

The day I started taking responsibility for my own actions and stopped blaming others or fate or what-have-you was the day I grew up. One requirement was to relinquish the idea that God is in control. We are the only ones in control of our life. The only question is how good a grip have you got on your steering wheel?

frozensilentxx:

who does not think it is flattering for girls to cake on shit loads of black eyeliner? It looks gross and makes your eyes look kinda small. yuuck

(Source: sailorsknot-sailorsmouth)