Comments on: Stop the continent, I want off. http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/2006/09/28/stop-the-continent-i-want-off/ As honest as a gambling man can be Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:49:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Mr. McLaren http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/2006/09/28/stop-the-continent-i-want-off/#comment-29542 Mr. McLaren Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:51:56 +0000 http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/archives/2006/09/28/stop-the-continent-i-want-off/#comment-29542 I suspect there is a sense in which the stats are correct, but as with all uses of statistics by people making a point, there's the old drunkard/lamppost thing kicking in. Obviously the first one is the most disturbing, because to disagree with the idea of evolution essentially means setting aside the entire framework of rational thinking and science. <blockquote>My problem is with literal readings of the Bible, arguments for one faith as the true and only faith, misinterpretations to suit political or personal needs, and refusal to accept concrete fact because it upsets that worldview.</blockquote> Amen! I suspect there is a sense in which the stats are correct, but as with all uses of statistics by people making a point, there’s the old drunkard/lamppost thing kicking in.

Obviously the first one is the most disturbing, because to disagree with the idea of evolution essentially means setting aside the entire framework of rational thinking and science.

My problem is with literal readings of the Bible, arguments for one faith as the true and only faith, misinterpretations to suit political or personal needs, and refusal to accept concrete fact because it upsets that worldview.

Amen!

]]> By: Fred http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/2006/09/28/stop-the-continent-i-want-off/#comment-29532 Fred Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:35:55 +0000 http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/archives/2006/09/28/stop-the-continent-i-want-off/#comment-29532 There is, of course, a very big difference in believing in heaven and believing that people different than you are going to hell. If those stats are right -- and I have my doubts, just as I have doubts about the supposed "red state/blue state" divide -- then it is more than a little disturbing. Not because faith is stupid or crazy or indefensible, but because evolution is a pretty incontrovertible fact -- whereas creationism is a lot of wishful thinking and bad science. I'm on the fence on the faith issue, though. Atheism is a perfectly -- and probably more -- defensible position, but I don't think that everyone who believes in god, including a Christian god, is necessarily some creationist nutjob. I haven't shaken my own faith completely. My problem is with literal readings of the Bible, arguments for one faith as the true and only faith, misinterpretations to suit political or personal needs, and refusal to accept concrete fact because it upsets that worldview. There is, of course, a very big difference in believing in heaven and believing that people different than you are going to hell.

If those stats are right — and I have my doubts, just as I have doubts about the supposed “red state/blue state” divide — then it is more than a little disturbing. Not because faith is stupid or crazy or indefensible, but because evolution is a pretty incontrovertible fact — whereas creationism is a lot of wishful thinking and bad science.

I’m on the fence on the faith issue, though. Atheism is a perfectly — and probably more — defensible position, but I don’t think that everyone who believes in god, including a Christian god, is necessarily some creationist nutjob. I haven’t shaken my own faith completely. My problem is with literal readings of the Bible, arguments for one faith as the true and only faith, misinterpretations to suit political or personal needs, and refusal to accept concrete fact because it upsets that worldview.

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