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Vancouver Off-Topic / Current EventsThe off-topic forum for Vancouver, funnies, non-auto centered discussions, WORK SAFE. While the rules are more relaxed here, there are still rules. Please refer to sticky thread in this forum.
Sonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hehe
Western society is heavily influenced by religion. And I think it's ok to have faith on something/one. But mixing that with science, an evidence based thing (for the lack of a better word) is a big no-no IMO.
I would quantify that nowadays, far more in the US. Most European countries are more secular than our neighbour down south.
Evidence based reasoning is what we are after, critical thinking is the key.
Faith is overrated IMHO, if it means believing in something without evidence, then it loses me.
The value of Christianity comes from its teaching of love, Buddhism its analysis of complex human psychology, Taoism its respect for family value, Muslim its discipline, the supernatural parts in all religions I say we can kiss them goodbye.
Not sure if you all caught the following email which went viral:
Hello, Cross-Cultural students, I am writing to express my views on how some of you have conducted yourself in this university course you are taking with me. It is not uncommon for some-to-many American students, who typically, are first-generation college students, to not fully understand, and maybe not even appreciate the purpose of a university. Some students erroneously believe a university is just an extension of high school, where students are spoon-fed “soft” topics and dilemmas to confront, regurgitate the “right” answers on exams (right answers as deemed by the instructor or a textbook), and then move on to the next course.
Not only is this not the purpose of a university (although it may feel like it is in some of your other courses), it clearly is not the purpose of my upper-division course on Cross-Cultural Psychology. The purpose of a university, and my course in particular, is to struggle intellectually with some of life's most difficult topics that may not have one right answer, and try to come to some conclusion about what may be “the better answer” (It typically is not the case that all views are equally valid; some views are more defensible than others). Another purpose of a university, and my course in particular, is to engage in open discussion in order to critically examine beliefs, behaviors, and customs. Finally, another purpose of a university education is to help students who typically are not accustomed to thinking independently or applying a critical analysis to views or beliefs, to start learning how to do so. We are not in class to learn “facts” and simply regurgitate the facts in a mindless way to items on a test. Critical thinking is a skill that develops over time. Independent thinking does not occur overnight. Critical thinkers are open to having their cherished beliefs challenged, and must learn how to “defend” their views based on evidence or logic, rather than simply “pounding their chest” and merely proclaiming that their views are “valid.” One characteristic of the critical, independent thinker is being able to recognize fantasy versus reality; to recognize the difference between personal beliefs which are nothing more than personal beliefs, versus views that are grounded in evidence, or which have no evidence.
Last class meeting and for 15 minutes today, we addressed “religious bigotry.” Several points are worth contemplating:
Religion and culture go “hand in hand.” For some cultures, they are so intertwined that it is difficult to know with certainty if a specific belief or custom is “cultural” or “religious” in origin. The student in class tonight who proclaimed that my class was supposed to be about different cultures (and not religion) lacks an understanding about what constitutes “culture.” (of course, I think her real agenda was to stop my comments about religion).
Students in my class who openly proclaimed that Christianity is the most valid religion, as some of you did last class, portrayed precisely what religious bigotry is. Bigots—racial bigot or religious bigots—never question their prejudices and bigotry. They are convinced their beliefs are correct. For the Christians in my class who argued the validity of Christianity last week, I suppose I should thank you for demonstrating to the rest of the class what religious arrogance and bigotry looks like. It seems to have not even occurred to you (I'm directing this comment to those students who manifested such bigotry), as I tried to point out in class tonight, how such bigotry is perceived and experienced by the Muslims, the Hindus, the Buddhists, the non-believers, and so on, in class, to have to sit and endure the tyranny of the masses (the dominant group, that is, which in this case, are Christians).
The male student who stood up in class and directed the rest of the class to “not participate” by not responding to my challenge, represented the worst of education. For starters, the idea that a person—student or instructor—would instruct other students on how to behave, is pretty arrogant and grossly disrespects the rights of other students who can and want to think for themselves and decide for themselves whether they want to engage in the exchange of ideas or not. Moreover, this “let's just put our fingers in our ears so we will not hear what we disagree with” is appallingly childish and exemplifies “anti-intellectualism.” The purpose of a university is to engage in dialogue, debate, and exchange ideas in order to try and come to some meaningful conclusion about an issue at hand. Not to shut ourselves off from ideas we find threatening.
Universities hold a special place in society where scholarly-minded folks can come together and discuss controversial, polemic, and often uncomfortable topics. Universities, including UCF, have special policies in place to protect our (both professors’ and students’) freedom to express ourselves. Neither students nor professors have a right to censor speech that makes us uncomfortable. We're adults. We're at a university. There is no topic that is “off-limits” for us to address in class, if even only remotely related to the course topic. I hope you will digest this message, and just as important, will take it to heart as it may apply to you.
While reading that article, did anyone else suddenly imagine parts of the bill nye show? God damn those were the best... Especially when during science the teacher rolls in a TV and queues up and then it goes .." BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY! BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL ..."
I wouldnt outright dismiss them because of that at all
You're right. They should be dismissed because they are basing their lives spreading something that was written in a book by other people, for no other reason than because science hadn't progressed yet, and people were desperately looking for answers to various things that couldn't be answered at the time.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp
You're right. They should be dismissed because they are basing their lives spreading something that was written in a book by other people, for no other reason than because science hadn't progressed yet, and people were desperately looking for answers to various things that couldn't be answered at the time.
No it's not. Creationism has literally no argument. Much in the way I would not argue with a 5 year old that unicorns exist, I won't listen to an argument that creationism exists. This isn't being 'closed minded' it is living in reality.
If I listened to creationists and what they had to say, I would also have to listen to 49,997 people who think THEIR religion is the 'answer'.
No thanks. I'll stick with science, which can be proven and disproven. If someone wants to argue about string theory and multiverses, I'm happy to hear it out. Otherwise, please live your life the way to see fit, and hopefully don't harm anyone else.
anyway i had an inkling most responders didn't watch the response video it would have been nice to read some thoughts on it ah well :P
And they are free to do so, and that's why it's absolutely pointless arguing about it. I don't care if someone wants to believe in creation, or any other story. I am still going to dismiss it, because it is just stupid to think you have all the answers to everything.
Not sure what kind of responses you'd expect, I think most logical people probably think along my lines - just let them do what they want. Hopefully they don't harm anyone, that's all that really matters in the end.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsx
Just because they're scientists, and obtained degrees doesn't mean their blinded by their faith.
exactly (i know you meant to include "not")
but if you watch the video it has nothing to do with their belief in faith really they take it from a scientific perspective
its only 3mins long and we've all watched dumber videos on here almost seems like ppl are afraid to entertain the other sides thoughts... kind of like what creationists are ridiculed for
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(i know you meant to include "not")
