all science is at its core non-denomination/atheistic
Given the scientists down through history who have been religious, scientists who have made break through scientific discoveries, I do not see how this statement could possibly be true? Science presupposes that natural events have natural causes, but I do not see that a theistic belief necessarily disturbs that presupposition. (Some theistic systems seem to disturb it, yes, but certainly not all.)
(ie flying spaghetti monster).
I honestly don't have the energy tonight to address your excellent concerns with ID in the school system, but your reference to Henderson's flying spaghetti monster (also so gleefully and popularly referred to by Dawkins) gets us back to the concern I really wanted to address - the one I initially wrote about in responding to the Palin article, that is, my concern with calling people who don't agree with us idiots. To respond as Henderson did to proponents of ID with a flying spaghetti monster theory is, at heart, to mock and ridicule those supporting ID, or, if I read Henderson (and certainly Dawkins) right, to mock any theistic ideas about the world's beginnings. I simply do not see the usefulness of that kind of interaction. To mock others and to name call closes down respect and useful interaction. That was my main problem with the Palin article. And to make clear, I'm not implying that you're mocking religion, lise, with your referral to the noodle monster; your reference just reminded me of my primary concern. Something I love so much about the Filmspotting message boards is the fact that we disagree with each other so often and yet the general tone is one of respect and kindness. This politics thread is difficult for me (so I probably should stay out of it
) since it somehow seems so much more the tendency here to revert to name-calling.
Politics (and religion!) are more upsetting than film, I guess, but still, I long for a way we can show respect for all viewpoints, even political and religious ones, and thus have a useful discussion that brings about sympathy and understanding with those with whom we disagree.