Nice to see you on 'my' side of this issue Betty..
Our Constitution is based on an unscientific philosophy of human ideas & principles, -- principles that most of us can agree are 'natural laws'.
At one point Nancy noted:
" --- The expansion of the "fact" realm into theology can be traced in the work of scientists such as Harvard's E.O. Wilson, who seeks to explain religion itself as a product of evolution.
Religion is merely an idea that appears in the human mind when the nervous system has evolved to a certain level of complexity.
In Consilience, Wilson says religion evolved because belief in God gave early humans an edge in the struggle for survival. --"
I have no doubt that Wilson is right about the fact that about our beliefs in a 'Golden Rule' gave us an "edge in survival" ..
-- But to claim that these beliefs are "merely an idea" is belied by his own reasoning. -- Political freedom is a necessary precursor to scientific freedom - to my way of thinking.
Without the golden rules of religions, our freedom to pursue science could never have grown past those of pagan Greek & Rome.
Amen to that, dear tpaine! Though Greece and Rome did provide important initial foundation for the quest that was to follow....
It's so good to see you again!!! It's been a long time, too long....