Oh, yes... science solves everything!

Posted by schwammy from tcache-wb01.proxy.aol.com on May 25, 2001 at 02:59:42:

In Reply to: The opposite in fact.. posted by Georgiana Jones on May 24, 2001 at 22:32:58:

That's why there are no more problems in the world.
I'm sorry, my friends, I truly don't want to get into an arugment,
but I cannot pass by such blind bravado without standing up for the Truth.

We need to recognize science for what it is -- our attempt at
understanding and mapping God's very large and bewildering universe.

Don't fall into the trap of what C.S. Lewis called chronological
snobbery, the belief that the specific moment in history that you
happen to occupy is better than all others by virtue of its being the
most recent. That's like saying I'm a better man than my father
because I'm 20 years younger.

Remember, too, that at one time, alchemy, the belief that lead could
be turned into gold, was cutting-edge science. So was phrenology.
Now, I'm not a Mennonite who has turned his back on progress. I enjoy
all of the wonderful imporovements science has given us. (To be
accurate, though, I believe these things really come from God,
THROUGH science.) But Science isn't the panacea we believe it to be.
Often, we merely trade one set of problems for a similar set of
problems.

-- An example --

Old problem: Travel via horse and buggy is time-consuming,
dangerous (horses are unpredictable and frighten easily),
and unsanitary (various parasites on horses; manure in the streets).

Scientific solution: The internal combustion vehicle.

New problem: Travel via auto is time-consuming (heavy traffic),
dangerous (drunk drivers; high-speed collisions),
and unsanitary (acres of junkyards; cities enveloped in pollution and smog).

I won't beat the Bible over your head, but please think about this:
Science can only explain the natural world around us in this life.
This life can be short -- sometimes painfully short.
What comes next?
How will science help you on that inevitable day when you wake up there?

Follow Ups:

Well.. Georgiana Jones 15:24:49 5/25/2001 (1)
- All excellent, points, my friend. schwammy 18:11:40 5/25/2001 (0)
Re: Oh, yes... science solves everything! Indiana Dean 13:53:00 5/25/2001 (0)
Very well put! (nm) Thefumegator 08:48:36 5/25/2001 (0)
Refreshing. And I thought this place was inhabited by atheists, agnostics, and idiots!(nm) Fedora 08:10:36 5/25/2001 (10)
- Re: Refreshing. And I thought this place was inhabited by atheists, agnostics, and idiots!(nm) Indiana Dean 12:49:02 6/04/2001 (0)
- Nope, just me! Georgiana Jones 15:25:22 5/25/2001 (0)
- ...and I thought this place was inhabited by homophobes, Republicans, and bigots. (nm) Brett (Maverick) Lambert 15:17:42 5/25/2001 (1)
  - BWAHAHAHA!!!! Don't forget Nazis! (nm) Georgiana Jones 16:22:02 5/25/2001 (0)
- We know you're neither an agnostic, nor an athiest. What are you suggesting? (nm) graml 14:53:24 5/25/2001 (1)
  - I am in the unmentioned category. Cantankerous, Gearheads. (nm) Fedora 17:44:05 5/25/2001 (0)
- You cannot stop categorizing people, can you? (nm) Fall Guy 12:31:20 5/25/2001 (2)
  - I am trying...really I am.(nm) Fedora 17:47:34 5/25/2001 (1)
    - I have a catagory for you Mr. Fedora... Georgiana Jones 17:54:54 5/25/2001 (0)
- It is. Hacim 10:06:38 5/25/2001 (0)

Post a Followup:

Name:    
E-Mail:  
Subject: 
Comments:

: That's why there are no more problems in the world.
: I'm sorry, my friends, I truly don't want to get into an arugment, 
: but I cannot pass by such blind bravado without standing up for the Truth.

: We need to recognize science for what it is -- our attempt at 
: understanding and mapping God's very large and bewildering universe.

: Don't fall into the trap of what C.S. Lewis called chronological
: snobbery, the belief that the specific moment in history that you
: happen to occupy is better than all others by virtue of its being the
: most recent.  That's like saying I'm a better man than my father
: because I'm 20 years younger.

: Remember, too, that at one time, alchemy, the belief that lead could
: be turned into gold, was cutting-edge science.  So was phrenology.
: Now, I'm not a Mennonite who has turned his back on progress.  I enjoy
: all of the wonderful imporovements science has given us.  (To be
: accurate, though, I believe these things really come from God,
: THROUGH science.)  But Science isn't the panacea we believe it to be.  
: Often, we merely trade one set of problems for a similar set of
: problems.

: -- An example --

: Old problem: Travel via horse and buggy is time-consuming,
: dangerous (horses are unpredictable and frighten easily),
: and unsanitary (various parasites on horses; manure in the streets).

: Scientific solution:  The internal combustion vehicle.

: New problem:  Travel via auto is time-consuming (heavy traffic),
: dangerous (drunk drivers; high-speed collisions),
: and unsanitary (acres of junkyards; cities enveloped in pollution and smog).

: I won't beat the Bible over your head, but please think about this:
: Science can only explain the natural world around us in this life.
: This life can be short -- sometimes painfully short.
: What comes next?
: How will science help you on that inevitable day when you wake up there?

Optional:

Link URL:   
Link Title: 
Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Indyfan Forum ] [ FAQ ]