Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeRedskin
Once a theory can no longer be debated and must be accepted as true even though it cannot be proven as fact, it becomes a matter of faith. Similarly,religions, at the core, contain an ultimate leap of faith as God's existence or non-existence cannot be proven or disproven.
Science and religion are more similar than different. Both seek answers to difficult questions, and both require discipline and study in order to work towards these answers. To me and in a very general way, the ultimate difference is that science's is a fact based inquiry. Religious inquiry is spiritual in nature and presupposes a leap of faith. IMHO, when science requires us to take a leap of faith, it can no longer be considered science but rather it takes on some of the worst aspects of religious practice.
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I believe true science is but it seems to me that much of science has been perverted by dogmatic faithfulness. Tripp makes good points about evolution and similar ones can be made about global warming or a bevy of other accepted scientific "truths". They are both fine
theories with decent rational thought and a little indicative proof but neither is "proven" as a matter of fact with stringent procedural scientific methods. I think the dismissal of religous belief goes hand in hand with this shift away from honest skepticism in science. Skepticism isn't just about not believing it is about understanding that you simply don't know. To make a definitive statement, presented as fact, based on any level of faith is intellectually dishonest to me.