Monthly Archives: January, 2010
Science on Religion
Sean Carroll: <Some people have as their primary goal advocating for some sort of cause, whereas others are simply devoted to the truth. But an organization advocating for science needs to take both into consideration.> I agree with this, in principle. However, we need to be very clear about what one means by Truth. There …
On Grace
Among the many in intriguing aspects of the human experience is the fact that we have achieved different levels of understanding, awakening, and sensibilities. At the simplest level we may attribute this to different guiding factors, educational opportunities, healthy influences. Biologically one may trace aspects of them to genes and other biochemical influences. But, as …
Thoughts provoked by the Earthquake in Haiti
The human condition depends largely on the helpful balance of bio-friendly factors in Nature and on the availability of resources to feed and sustain the creatures on our planet. Life-destroying disasters arise from Nature’s periodic whims such as hurricanes and earthquakes. But there are also calamities that result from social injustice and iniquities, fanatical beliefs, …
Sharon Begley of Newsweek and Sacred Values
Begley wrote: ” Sacred values are ideals so transcendent they have no equivalent in anything material,” and insinuating that a sacred value such as sovereignty over Jerusalem can be denominated in anything so crass as money is deeply offensive.” Let me first say that I have the greatest respect and sympathy for the leigitimate demand …
Michael Shermer: <To find out whether an action is right or wrong, ask first.
Shermer wrote: <The moral doer should ask the moral receiver whether the behavior in question is moral or immoral. If you aren’t sure that the potential recipient of your action will react in the same manner you would react to the moral behavior in question, then ask. You will almost always receive your moral answer …
Truth and Tension in Science and Religion: Some Reviews and Reactions
1. Truth and tension in science and religion. Beech River Books, 2009. 390p bibl index afp ISBN 0979377862 pbk, $24.00; ISBN 9780979377860 pbk, $24.00. Reviewed in 2009dec CHOICE. This is not just another entry in what seems an endless stream of books examining the interconnectedness of science and religion. Raman (emer., RIT), a physicist and …
What Is the Difference Between Pantheism and Panentheism?
Perspectives on Pantheism and Panentheism Inbam inbam jagam engum Iyarkkai ânandam pongum Joy, joy, all over the world, Nature brimming with bliss! (From a Tamil song.) Theism is the belief in a Transcendental Principle managing and manipulating the world here below. This Supreme Principle is personified as God. But where is God located? One ancient …
On Michael Shermer’s Statement
Shermer wrote: “Yes, some religions are better than others, and some are worse. How can we tell the difference? Here’s a test: if I am not a member of your religion, or if I don’t believe in your God—indeed if I don’t belong to any religion or believe in any gods—will my liberties or my …
On the Armstrong-Harris Debate
As often happens when two intelligent people debate both are right from their respective understandings/convictions/definitions of the issue they are debating, each impervious to the other’s perspective. To Sam Harris the word religion evokes witchcraft, cannibalism, superstition and such. It cannot be denied that these have been aspects of religion in the past, and still …
