Posted on 01/28/2005 4:28:41 PM PST by metacognative
THE ESSAYS OF FRANCIS BACON
I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind. And therefore, God never wrought miracle, to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. OF ATHEISM It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity. Nay, even that school which is most accused of atheism doth most demonstrate religion; that is, the school of Leucippus and Democritus and Epicurus. For it is a thousand times more credible, that four mutable elements, and one immutable fifth essence, duly and eternally placed, need no God, than that an army of infinite small portions, or seeds unplaced, should have produced this order and beauty, without a divine marshal. The Scripture saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it. For none deny, there is a God, but those, for whom it maketh that there were no God. It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man, than by this; that atheists will ever be talking of that their opinion, as if they fainted in it, within themselves, and would be glad to be strengthened, by the consent of others. Nay more, you shall have atheists strive to get disciples, as it fareth with other sects. And, which is most of all, you shall have of them, that will suffer for atheism, and not recant; whereas if they did truly think, that there were no such thing as God, why should they trouble themselves?
No, I'm aware of the history of science. ID was the assumption prior to Darwin. Darwin was aware of this also, which is why he delayed publishing for 20 years.
I am also aware that not one person in hundred understands selection. Until someone in the ID movement addresses natural selection, and not the cartoon version, the debate is just a shouting match.
I can tell when I've asked an interesting question in these threads because no one responds to them. I've asked about half a dozen in this thread that have received no replies. Some of them have been asked of you.
Try reading this thread, for starters.
That book's chillingly "futuristic," RobRoy; but not in a "science fiction" sort of way. For you can already see the description Lewis sketches is increasingly assuming "real form." To point to an example, the current "bioethical opinion" surfacing around such issues as partial birth abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research.
It seems to me all these questions drive straight into what it means to be human. The Abolition of Man shows you what your future would look like, if the current state of "bioethics" were to stand up on its hind legs as qualified to validate "mainstream science."
It would have to "kill" Judeo-Christian morality first. And so perhaps the battlelines are even now forming up.
There's a happy thought! Thanks so much for writing, RobRoy, and for your very kind words.
It's way too long to post. The entire list would probably occupy about 7 or 8 screens, and if I posted it I would correctly be accused of spamming. (No one wants to behave like Medved/Ted Holden.)
The list is kept at my freeper homepage for all to see, and it's mentioned in my tagline whenever I post -- although most people probably don't notice it. That's the best I can do. But I often post a link or two in response to someone's comments.
Well, we do hope to bring folks to their senses in due course, js1138. You could help, ya know.
I, for one, deny that the current age has some sudden influx of amoral thinkers. I can't think of any age in history that has not had rationalizing scum in high places, sometimes posing as religious leaders or leaders od liberation movements.
Just as pedophiles seek jobs that place trusting children within reach, so the psychopaths of the world gravitate to positions where they can preach and practice their sickness.
Start here
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1331041/posts?page=577#577
It goes on for a couple hundred posts.
Your posts are fascinating, A-G. Thanks.
Thanks.
I can tell when I've asked an interesting question in these threads because no one responds to them. I've asked about half a dozen in this thread that have received no replies. Some of them have been asked of you.
Wow, is that how it works? Apparently I’ve asked interesting questions too… Don’t be so high on yourself or science. I was actually trying to find a resolve to this issue.
If you close your eys and ears to what it really is, you can't expect to be taken seriously.
For starters, explain what you mean by "accidental". Do you mean that selection is a kind of lottery in which every individual has an equal, random chance of being eliminated?
Bravo WT! One again I must add, Most of the domesticated primates of Terra do not know they are primates. They think they are something apart from and "superior" to the rest of the planet....
8^)
One of the dumbist things ever said with a straight face. Right up there with claiming detectives primarily use deduction, as opposed to induction.
Elementary, my dear js ;)
Mhwahahaa!
Post 966 no less!
I love the stories, though. And the Jeremy Brett productions.
As long as you don't start drawing ASCII bats...
1000?
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