Have some scientists been too fanatical?

Hi, I am a christian. Some of you automatically hate me or have instantly stereotyped me as a fool who believes in santa claus and such. I would also agree that if I said I was an aethiest, some would also stereotype me or possibly hate me. I find both to be both morally and intellectually wrong.I feel that a phenomenon is occuring where more and more people are lashing out against christians. I also feel that a lot of christians have provoked this by ignorant arguments and a self righteous attitude. I know from self experience that a lot of times I want to tell someone trying to represent what the bible says and more importantly what it means to just stop talking. I can see why many feel the need to vigorously voice their opinions. However, I feel that many from the scientific community have trouble calling them for what they are, opinions...I feel this is a big mistake because if anyone should call fact a fact and opinions or theories for what they are it should be scientists.With so many citizens priding themselves these days to be keeping up with the cutting edge of science, I feel that its the scientists responsibilty to delicately put why they feel that a god must not exist. This is just how I feel about people that portray themselves as authorities in theism should delicatly present their beliefs.Reguarding the big bang, I feel that there has to be a massive amount of speculation to arrive at a position that that was almost positively the way our universe began or took shape as we now see it. Also to imply that God can not be real is just as far fetched as believing in a singularity for many people on both sides of the spectrum. After all, No one has seen this singularity only what they believe to be evidence of it. The same can be said for a lot of christians reguarding God. I personally have never seen God or heard his voice yet I believe based on my personal interpretation of data and life experience, not blind faith. I understand that scientists seek to explain as much as they can through scientific method but arent they using a bit too much philosophy too these days.Some people are so passionate and vocal about their great understanding of the universe and why there must not be any god, that they remind me of the fanatics holding signs and damning people to hell. My question is if anyone is embarassed by some scientific authorities on how they've handled their opinions just like I am embarassed by some christians and their opinions.Edited by sinamatic, : No reason given.

I would like to thank all of you for your responses, my goal of this thread was to bring to light the need for civility in discussion. I'm genuinely concerned about how the debate on evolution vs creationism vs intelligent design is represented from civilians and even some leaders from all isles. I'm tired of all the hate speech and view it as a true decline in civilization even in the midst of great discoveries and theories. Sometimes I feel like the general population of unbelievers have taken a "south park" stance on christianity. I mean how is it ok to portray what some people view as the almighty god as a dufus comic figure? These are sensitive topics and could carry weighty or even violent consequences if things get too out of hand.If aethists want god taken out of society, then who will be their moral leaders? Hate it or love it, christianity HAS kept many people sane. I've met people that have been violent and reckless who found Jesus and are now self controlled. I think aethiests are certainly capable of having great moral values without a belief in god if they can respect a person of alternative views.So while scientists may not see their job description as needing to care about hurting people's feelings with their statements, as a human I think it is their responsibilty. We live in a very diverse society and when people stop respecting others views, things can get out of hand pretty quickly. Don't get me wrong, I have seen many videos etc. of so called christians being an embarrassment to the religion so I know it definitely works both ways.Also for what it's worth I applaud you all that have taken care with your words, we all need more people like you.I'm sorry if this came across as arrogent or self righteous, I know I'm guilty at times of speaking before I think.

I'm passionate about what I believe and don't show up with a sign, bomb a building or wear a T-shirt. Also do I really need to give examples of what a fanatical aethiest is capable of?

I do understand how the world works, do you? Do you not see how popular television shows or radio programs can affect how people think? To say that all religion is bad is ignoring everything good that has come from it. If you want examples then I'm not wasting my time with you. Also, I'm not catholic and I, like you, think that a woman should certainly have the right to an abortian to save her life.

I like this, and you are probably right that I may be just a tad biased towards what I percieve. However I worded it like that because true christians, as I percieve them are taught from the bible which we believe to be God's word that we should love our neighbor. I worded it like that because I believe that the majority of christians also try to live their life like this. If thats not your experience from the town/city you live in then you have my sympathy.

I said that only to offer up my view point, that I view anyone that does not respect my views as having a moral flaw, even though you might have other great morals. I do not mean that to be insulting or imply that I as a christian have greater moral values then you. I really do believe that just because I'm a christian that does not automatically make me more moral. I think you may be overly defensive but its justified.

It's interesting that you include the funding referance. Seems to me that scientists working with a evolution based mindset have recieved far more money because it is by far the more popular and accepted theory.Edited by sinamatic, : No reason given.

This is just flat out not true from my experiences. I would never call someone uncivil for not believing in a god. Finding the truth would never hurt my feelings btw, undermining my intelligence would though.

OK but thats the same thing as saying that everyone is a scientist that practises science, even though they don't follow the scientific method and ignore logic. So why is it impossible that there would be people who claim to be christians but don't follow the bible? There are true scientists and false scientists, true christians and false christians, true doctors and false doctors. They are all people is what I think you mean to say

I like most of what you said here because it does carry the most truth that I've read so far. However bear in mind that not all of christianity has been as horrid as so many people claim. They have been on the recieving end of it too in history. There have also been millions that went to church, tried to live a moral and god fearing life and have never hurt a soul. Many have started charities and live only to help their fellow man.

Au contraire, I hang out with more non believers. I find it funny that you assume that automatically. You make my point though as you admit that people benefit from formal moral tutoring. I never implied that it must come from a church or christian.

Ok last reply for the night, I should have put them all together but oh well. I did get your point, however it's not a very accurate depiction in my mind. An extremist aethiest would be someone who believes that anyone who doesnt believe that life spontaniously came about and evolved into man is a danger to society. An extremist thinks that any one that believes in a god does not think logically and is automatically a fool.That is my take on it anyway. The reason I think like this is because I can see both sides. I have seen the evidence for evolution and I understand why so many believe that there is no god. I don't really blame aethiests for thinking believers in a god are misinformed, as the case for god has not been articulated very well to keep up with the ever expanding science of life orgination. Personally I don't get too wrapped up in the debate because I believe that god does not want to prove his existance through science. After all if science proved that god exists, who would not want to follow him? OK maybe a few nuts out there but lets be honest. This does not mean though that I base my belief on a feeling or blind trust. I do think that there should be evidence for god but I think its taken from more then just science alone. Things need to make sense and they do for me, in a logical way, not a dellusional way like dawkins would have people believe. I'm not here to convert anyone I just want to explain that when someone stereotypes me as naive or foolish it upsets me just like it does you.Creationists and intelligent life scientists are trying to show a case where science and religion can co exist. Maybe some of them are reaching too much, but I can say the same for mainstream scientists. I haven't fully decided exactly what all makes for good science and bad. I've always had a questioning mindset and dont ever take someone's word for something, even more so when money is involved. (Believe me there is a lot of money involved when it comes to science,politics and religion). Yes there is one truth and one side or neither will ultimately be proven right, when they die. Though the side believing in no god will never know they were right while the side believing in god will never know they were wrong.
(Crap that sounds like something someone already said somewhere)Oh well, it's the truthEdited by sinamatic, : No reason given.

You are here: Science >> Darwin's Theory Of EvolutionDarwin's Theory of Evolution - The Premise
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor: the birds and the bananas, the fishes and the flowers -- all related. Darwin's general theory presumes the development of life from non-life and stresses a purely naturalistic (undirected) "descent with modification". That is, complex creatures evolve from more simplistic ancestors naturally over time. In a nutshell, as random genetic mutations occur within an organism's genetic code, the beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival -- a process known as "natural selection." These beneficial mutations are passed on to the next generation. Over time, beneficial mutations accumulate and the result is an entirely different organism (not just a variation of the original, but an entirely different creature).common ancestor means that somewhere somehow life did start from non life.I understand that an aethiest is someone who does not believe in a god or gods.I'm not ignorant, but you can keep thinking so, I don't care

Fair enough, I would agree with this

Yep that's your opinion and interpretation. I and many others would not agree though.