...Advancing naturalism (the belief that nature is all there is) produces both expected and unexpected effects. The Harris poll found that belief in Darwin’s theory of evolution increased to 47 percent, up from 42 percent in 2005.
...As a result, some will crow that “Science is winning over superstition!” But it isn’t. Between 2005 and 2013, belief increased in
– ghosts from 41% to 42%
– UFOs from 35% to 36%
– astrology stayed the same at 29%
– witches decreased significantly from 31% to 26%
– reincarnation increased from 21% to 24%
While the noted increases are small, we should expect declines nearly across the board instead, if the “science wins” thesis were correct. (The one exception is UFOs; as a “sciencey” belief, they correlate with naturalism despite lack of evidence.) Further, we would expect young people (18–36) to reject ghosts and reincarnation more strongly than older people (68+) do.
And they don’t. On the contrary, younger folk believe in ghosts at 44% to seniors’ 24%. In UFOs at 36% to 30%. In astrology at 33% to 23%. In witches at 27% to 18%. And in reincarnation at 27% to 13%.
In short, naturalism offers liberation, not from the bonds of superstition but from the burden of rationality. And we must address the fact that increasing numbers of young people are embracing that liberation. More.
In short, naturalism offers liberation, not from the bonds of superstition but from the burden of rationality. And we must address the fact that increasing numbers of young people are embracing that liberation.
I’ve been on this issue for quite some time now.
What I seeing advancing is what I call, “The Embrace of Uncertainty”.
Uncertainty is the root of what has been called Moral Relativism, Cultural Relativism, Gender Relativism and Political Correctness that are all part of an indoctrination occurring in our public schools, Government and Businesses.
At one point Naturalism was at least an effort to only consider what is known and/or could be known through Materialistic reductionism. Between the unsatisfying conclusions and an increasing trend in physics for unprovable concepts, I’m surprised the acceptance of the “Supernatural” isn’t greater.
The so-called advocates of “reason” or “Science” Vs. “Religion”, are embracing virtually anything that avoids a Creator or Religion. They embrace scientific models that posit a “Multi-Verse”, “String Theory” with 9 dimensions and Darwinian Evolution, all being unfalsifiable according to the same scientific standards they support. Go Figure.
It’s a high level display of the Human capacity for rationalization.
Avoidance.
Illogical.
Anything but the certainty of Christianity.
They deny their very own nature while pursuing an explanation of their nature.
It’s sad that the term “reason” has been co-opted buy people that advance the most unscientific concepts imaginable.
“When does a Snake realize it is eating its own tail?”
I’ve posted this a number of times and think it is worth viewing more than once.
No Science, No Logic and No Morality: Atheism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hsZIauQex4