The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Alex]

I wasn't voting for McCain anyway but if he picks Jindal it definitely won't strengthen his case with me.

Today Jindal signed a horrible bill allowing science teachers to use any "supplements" to the official textbooks they want until such time as the school board tells them a specific one isn't appropriate.

So, it doesn't mandate teaching creationism but that decision will be left to the individual teacher (and while the bill language tries to pretend it has nothing to do with religion that is quite clearly the goal).

So, I feel sorry for the children of Louisiana who hope to get an high school diploma with an education in something other than mythology. And it isn't just religion that I worry about but simply the gullible. I'm just as bothered by the idea that a teacher so inspired could teach as fact the reality of Richard Hoagland's Mars civilization.

A good recap on the bill here, from when it was first sent to the governor.

[BDBopper]

Welll i guess I am not going to get to see and hear my political hero speak tomorrow morning. My ride fell through. Such is my life I guess. I'm not too bummed. There will be other times I am sure of that. It's not that my friend isn't going it is just that his wife doesn't want to go out of the way just to get me. I am understanding and considerate of that. At least my friend offered to take a note and give it to Governor Huckabee for me.

[BDBopper]

I know I am going to really turn some heads at me by saying this but why does Creationism have to be a myth and why does Evolution have to be bull Crap? i subscribe to fusion of both. I believe that we were created by God to Evolve. And do I believe that God created the Universe in six days? Yes. But how long in our system of measurement did those days take? I believe that each of those six days actually lasted thousands of years. So why aren't the scriptures that exact? Well if the Bible was exact on every point it would be larger than the entire Encyclopedia Britanica. Who would want to study and read that that on a daily basis?

You may go ahead and point fingers and laugh at me hysterically. I don't mind.

[innerSpaceman]

Not to judge people I don't know, but your friend's wife sounds like a charming woman. (where's my "sneer" smiley??)



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Oh, and kudos to Pixar for having Fred Willard stick it to George Bush in their new movie.

[wendybeth]

BD- it sounds like you believe in Intelligent Design, with the caveat that the unit of time measurement that so many have problems with is either misunderstood or misstated. Entirely possible, especially given that many of the Scriptures were passed down through oral tradition and any kid whose ever played 'Telephone' knows how well that works out with regards to accuracy. Factor in the tendency towards superstition as a means to explain the terrors of the unknown that seems a part of human DNA (as virtually every known society that exists or has existed in humankind shows in their religion and folklore) and add the rather limited intellectual and technical capacity of humans during the time frame the Bible was being pieced together, and you have a slight potential for inaccuracy.

(Not to mention that time is most likely a unit of measurement created by humans to keep their lives in order, and may not really exist, at least as we think we understand it....)

I think most people do as you- they have a basic belief but they modify things to better fit their idea of spirituality. The problem is that most religions adhere strictly to their own interpretation and require their followers to do likewise. That's one reason why there are so many Protestant religions- the reformers keep splitting and reforming, and no matter how liberal they may seem they still require a profession of belief in their dogma. Same goes for the Islamic faith, Buddism, etc. It's just human nature. So, go and start your own church, already!

[innerSpaceman]

And tomorrow morning, the Church of Latter Day saints will require its followers to devote time and means to change the California Constitution to define marriage as between "one man and one woman."


I hope its grip on its followers is less than ironclad ... and that more than a few among them appreciate the irony of the Mormons, of all people, foisting a definition of marriage that's between one man and one woman.

[Fab]

I heart separation of Church and State.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by BDBopper

I know I am going to really turn some heads at me by saying this but why does Creationism have to be a myth and why does Evolution have to be bull Crap?

Creationism is mythology because, even in the unlikely event it were to turn out to be literally true, it fits the definition of mythology.

If Zeus were to walk down off of Mt. Olympus tomorrow and start tricking comely young ladies into having sex with him, that would not move the Greek pantheon out of the realm of mythology.

And there are plenty of people who believe that god created the universe with evolution as the means to the creation of humanity. Of course, that can't be proven and there is no evidence for it. It may certainly be true, but it isn't science. Which is why it shouldn't be taught as a scientific theory (as ID would do) in science classes.

And do I believe that God created the Universe in six days? Yes. But how long in our system of measurement did those days take? I believe that each of those six days actually lasted thousands of years.

First, those six days would have to have actually about a billion years each (though I'll grant that this is simply a whole lot of thousands). And second, that is a statement without any meaning. Titanic is a movie that is 6.8 millennia long, but each minute is only a decisecond long (don't check the math Kevy or GD, I just made up the numbers).

Well if the Bible was exact on every point it would be larger than the entire Encyclopedia Britanica. Who would want to study and read that that on a daily basis?

But if people are going to use the Bible as the explicit blueprint for how the world was created, works, and how we should behave, then "who wants to read all that" isn't a good excuse for its shortcomings. And while you may not be a proponent of biblical literalism there are millions of people in this country who are.

While I certainly would prefer children not be exposed to religion as reality until they are adults and can bear full responsibility for their decisions, I know that isn't going to happen. So I am going to continue strongly advocating that religion not be presented as scientifically valid.

[BDBopper]

Ugh. My friend was going to give Governor Huckabee a letter for me but it did not happen. they were having their pictures taken and my friend had the letter in his hand but my friend's wife was having problems with the camera and he had to help her. The letter was placed on a side table and forgotten until it was too late. As far as we know the letter is still sitting there or in the trash or something. No I am not upset with my friend. It is not his fault. However that won't change the fact that I am totally bummed now.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex

But if people are going to use the Bible as the explicit blueprint for how the world was created, works, and how we should behave, then "who wants to read all that" isn't a good excuse for its shortcomings.

There are hundreds of scholars who have taken the time to research the archealogical evidence and other historical references to happenings in the Bible. A large portion of the Bible is simply historical....not much of a purpose for the Book of Numbers in my life today. At least not that I've been able to figure out. You see, what I like about the whole new covenant aspect of the New Testament (everyone here gets the old covenent vs. the new covenent?) is that it is very NON restrictive. A lot of people think I'm stupid for saying that, btu that's the way I see it. There's a reference in the Book of Romans to people eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some thought it sinful, others did not. Paul said something to the effect of "if you've got a problem with it, don't do it. If you don't have a problem with it, don't flaunt it in others faces and make them mad.". The way I see it, there are some absolute rights, some absolute wrongs, and a whole bunch of things that really don't matter much.