Has the bastardisation of science become the new religion?

OutlawPete

This is not about Science by the way (well, not in the true sense of the word at least).

It's about the new foolish masses (apt word for so many reasons) that think by just mentioning the word "science" - they have somehow won a debate or in doing so, that their opinions are somehow inherently correct. They will usually make remarks about certain subjects as being "science" based - but almost everything is bloody science based at some level for God's sake (Opps, AH naughty step for mentioning the 'G' word).

Just because Science was, or is currently being used in a certain area, or is even at the heart of some thing's very existence, does NOT then make that: "science". I am wearing jeans that would not be here but for Science. When I squirt Ketchup on my chips, it's thanks to Science for making squeezable plastic bottles. When I get my rampant rabbit out and use it's motorised rotating head, that's down to science.

Just because someone might take issue with something and science has being used in it's coming about, in it's finding or in it's creation - this does NOT then make them "anti-science". Some of us are just not gullible enough to believe that everything that comes about because "science" has been used in it's discover, is in the best interests of humanity, that's all.

I really wish all you "science" worshipping sycophants would realise that "science" is just system of acquiring knowledge through observation and/or[SIZE=-1] experimentation[/SIZE]. When you refer to others as "anti-science" and the like, or accuse people of not believing in "science based" findings etc, you look foolish.

Do "anti-science" people even exist?

If they did, these people would never walk across a bridge ffs. They wouldn't use computers, or take medicines, or go to the dentist, or watch television, or drive a car, or do a million other things that would not be possible because of the use of science in their creation. So please, quit hijacking the word "science". We all appreciate the amazing advances that humans have made through observation, research and experimentation. Saying you "like" Science and implying that somehow others don't, is laughable. There is NOTHING unique about you because use the word science, truly.

Which brings me to the religion aspect of this.

What is this phenomena where people keep crowbarring the word "science" into every single conversation/debate these days? It's done in such a smug way also, as if the mere mentioning of the word means that the possibility of them being wrong, has just been obliterated. (1) I think they feel that the very word has superhuman powers and so that is the reason for their (2) worshipping of it. It has got to the stage where (3) people can have no opinion of their own without looking to what science's stance is on the subject.

The last three examples being pretty much what the definition of just what religion is after all.

--

TL;DR:

Has this new bastardisation of science now become like a new type of religion? Is there a new breed of people that, instead of having blind faith in a man in the sky with a white beard, now instead just have blind faith in a man in a lab, with a white coat?

Poll private of course, due to the obvious stigma of speaking out against "science" in any form and sure I wouldn't want any blasphemers being burnt at the stake bunsen burner on my account

Gunsfortoys

Have you any scientific evidence to support this?

prinz

The witch is floating, burn her!

The_Minister

What pisses me off is when people try to prove their argument by "Scientists believe...."

Anyone with a science degree is a 'scientist' and there is nearly never full consensus on any issue throughout the scientific community, and even if there was, they have been wrong before.

The number of absolute certainties that exist in any new developing branch of science is much smaller than the number of uncertainties.


I drink with scientists - nice people, smart people, but not omnipotent.

Oranage2

those idiots annoy me - "smoking is bad because a scientist said so". sure it is!

MetalDog

People aren't going to start murdering each other in the tens of thousands over science, so no.

prinz

My favourite part is when they claim science is the realm of the enlightened agnostics/atheists only. Anyone who believes in a god/gods/higher power couldn't possibly be a "real" scientist.

Sisko

This is from an argument you had with someone in the irish nuclear power plant thread isnt it?

Voodu Child

Recent studies by scientists have proven that this thread sucks.

phantom_lord

Sisko wrote: »

This is from an argument you had with someone in the irish nuclear power plant thread isnt it?

Could be from the martingale thread, or the one on vaccines too.

PAULWATSON

some people even believe in global warming

AnonoBoy

"Everybody knows I'm known for dropping science."

I used to think that Beastie Boys lyric was about dropping out of science class. I'm totally not down with the lingo dude, man eh..... homie.

Personally I only believe in science when it's being used to make sure my hair is silky smooth.

RichieC

Global warming? evolution? what topic is bothering you, son?

philologos

OutlawPete wrote: »

Is there a new breed of people that, instead of having blind faith in a man in the sky with a white beard, now instead just have blind faith in a man in a lab, with a white coat?

What religion is that? I've never heard of it personally

bonerm

I just wanted to vote Commodore 64.

Osgoodisgood

prinz wrote: »

My favourite part is when they claim science is the realm of the enlightened agnostics/atheists only. Anyone who believes in a god/gods/higher power couldn't possibly be a "real" scientist.

I agree that this is a sensible conclusion to draw.

Logical Fallacy

All i'm hearing is Hawkins this, and Darwin that.

But whatever happened to Jesus this...and Jericho that?

In all seriousness, the way people treat Science and Religion is almost exactly the same....Catholics who have never read the bible and atheists who have never read On The Origin of Species both taking the high ground with each other and acting like a bunch of kids while completely missing the point that the two things are largely mutual exclusive.

Theists too stupid to realise that there faith is a personal thing that doesn't require the validation of the masses (uberpun) to still be relevant to them and Atheists demanding physical proof of a faith based system.

When you are watching from the sidelines it's all freaking hilarious.

Agricola

The men in the lab with white coats don't even have blind faith in themselves so why should anyone else. As you say, they are just acquiring knowledge, experimenting, testing theories.
You can't really do much about the fact that lots of people will always like to grab a stick and beat someone else of an opposing viewpoint with it. That is the human way. Religious people have been hammering 'heretics' for millennia because they didnt go along with their way of thinking, nowadays a weakened church is being hammered by proponents of scientific reason.

People like to argue and hopefully get to feel superior to others while doing it....
In other news......!

Biggins

bonerm wrote: »

I just wanted to vote Commodore 64.

Racist!

What have ya got against Sinclair Spectrum's - even ZX81's!

Logical Fallacy

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

I agree that this is a sensible conclusion to draw.

"I have never been an atheist in the sense of denying the existence of a God. – I think that generally ... an agnostic would be the most correct description of my state of mind." - Charles Darwin

He had a complicated religious life moving from ardent Theist to relaxed Agnostic over the course of a life time.

Shame this disqualifies his work in the field of Evolutionary Theory.

Tar.Aldarion

May science preserve you.


There are anti science people of course, the 'god did it' reasons. Gravity doesn't pull you down, god pushes you down!

Schism

Jakkass wrote: »

What religion is that? I've never heard of it personally

Come on, he's obviously referring to Christianity, possibly as exact as Catholicism. I'm not trying to flame you but you're being a bit naive there purposely.

Knasher

OutlawPete wrote: »

Do "anti-science" people even exist?

Of course they do, creationists being the prime example of a group of people who reject a scientific theory because it conflicts with a personal belief. They then go a step further by trying to foist an unscientific theory into science using politics.


That being said I'd agree with some of what you are saying and believe that it would fall under the same principle as the Milgram experiment. Science has a position of authority in today's society and people have an, occasionally unjustified, abundance of faith in it (same could be said for politicians) without actually understanding what they are believing in. People will also occasionally leverage this faith without needing to fully understand it.

krudler

OutlawPete wrote: »

This is not about Science by the way (well, not in the true sense of the word at least).

It's about the new foolish masses (apt word for so many reasons) that think by just mentioning the word "science" - they have somehow won a debate or in doing so, that their opinions are somehow inherently correct. They will usually make remarks about certain subjects as being "science" based - but almost everything is bloody science based at some level for God's sake (Opps, AH naughty step for mentioning the 'G' word).

Just because Science was, or is currently being used in a certain area, or is even at the heart of some thing's very existence, does NOT then make that: "science". I am wearing jeans that would not be here but for Science. When I squirt Ketchup on my chips, it's thanks to Science for making squeezable plastic bottles. When I get my rampant rabbit out and use it's motorised rotating head, that's down to science.

Just because someone might take issue with something and science has being used in it's coming about, in it's finding or in it's creation - this does NOT then make them "anti-science". Some of us are just not gullible enough to believe that everything that comes about because "science" has been used in it's discover, is in the best interests of humanity, that's all.

I really wish all you "science" worshipping sycophants would realise that "science" is just system of acquiring knowledge through observation and/or[SIZE=-1] experimentation[/SIZE]. When you refer to others as "anti-science" and the like, or accuse people of not believing in "science based" findings etc, you look foolish.

Do "anti-science" people even exist?

If they did, these people would never walk across a bridge ffs. They wouldn't use computers, or take medicines, or go to the dentist, or watch television, or drive a car, or do a million other things that would not be possible because of the use of science in their creation. So please, quit hijacking the word "science". We all appreciate the amazing advances that humans have made through observation, research and experimentation. Saying you "like" Science and implying that somehow others don't, is laughable. There is NOTHING unique about you because use the word science, truly.

Which brings me to the religion aspect of this.

What is this phenomena where people keep crowbarring the word "science" into every single conversation/debate these days? It's done in such a smug way also, as if the mere mentioning of the word means that the possibility of them being wrong, has just been obliterated. (1) I think they feel that the very word has superhuman powers and so that is the reason for their (2) worshipping of it. It has got to the stage where (3) people can have no opinion of their own without looking to what science's stance is on the subject.

The last three examples being pretty much what the definition of just what religion is after all.

--

TL;DR:

Has this new bastardisation of science now become like a new type of religion? Is there a new breed of people that, instead of having blind faith in a man in the sky with a white beard, now instead just have blind faith in a man in a lab, with a white coat?

Poll private of course, due to the obvious stigma of speaking out against "science" in any form and sure I wouldn't want any blasphemers being burnt at the stake bunsen burner on my account

how has this thread made it to two pages without THAT being raised?

philologos

Schism wrote: »

Come on, he's obviously referring to Christianity, possibly as exact as Catholicism. I'm not trying to flame you but you're being a bit naive there purposely.

Christians don't believe that God is a physical man in the sky. That's why I'm asking what religion it is, it sounds interesting!

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Theists too stupid to realise that there faith is a personal thing that doesn't require the validation of the masses (uberpun) to still be relevant to them and Atheists demanding physical proof of a faith based system.

Faith isn't a "personal thing" or a "private matter" as far as I would see it. Especially if it has implications for all of mankind.

amacachi

The_Minister wrote: »

What pisses me off is when people try to prove their argument by "Scientists believe...."

By "people" do you mean "journalists who have never studied science"?

Biggins

krudler wrote: »

how has this thread made it to two pages without THAT being raised?

Its a Rampant Rabbit. Its always raised!

krudler

Jakkass wrote: »

Christians don't believe that God is a physical man in the sky. That's why I'm asking what religion it is, it sounds interesting!



Faith isn't a "personal thing" or a "private matter" as far as I would see it. Especially if it has implications for all of mankind.

mormons do though? thats way more believable, god comes from another planet, like Superman :pac:

ScumLord

I didn't really read the thread because I assume it's all heresy against my science gods. Kill the non believer, LHC is great! LHC is great!

Schism

Jakkass wrote: »

Christians don't believe that God is a physical man in the sky. That's why I'm asking what religion it is, it sounds interesting!

I see your point. I'm not very religious so I can't really comment. Just so you can see my end though, Google God for images

Osgoodisgood

[QUOTE=Logical Fallacy;71161186
Shame this disqualifies his work in the field of Evolutionary Theory.[/QUOTE]

It does? How so?

philologos

krudler wrote: »

mormons do though? thats way more believable, god comes from another planet, like Superman :pac:

Meh. You can't see them anyway even if one would believe that they are 'physical'.

Where it might make sense is in respect to the idea that people believed in idols because they were also physically present with them.

Schism wrote: »

I see your point. I'm not very religious so I can't really comment. Just so you can see my end though, Google God for images

I know, humans have lots of ideas I guess. Strictly biblically speaking one would struggle to find God to be a physical man in the sky.

ejmaztec

I stick to the rule, "If you can't blind em with science, baffle em with bullsh1t."

Logical Fallacy

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

It does? How so?

Sorry, the phrasing of your other post implies you have issues with scientists or the scientifically minded harbouring religious beliefs.

Apologies if i took you up wrong but your wording was quite ambiguous.

Red Hand

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Theists too stupid to realise that there faith is a personal thing that doesn't require the validation of the masses (uberpun) to still be relevant to them and Atheists demanding physical proof of a faith based system.

When you are watching from the sidelines it's all freaking hilarious.

I don't care that there isn't proof for religion. But if people who are religious are interfering actively in my life, then of course I’m going to show it up for what it is. If I wanted to get my child into school, I’d have to go through the rigmarole of getting him/her baptized just so he/she actually has a chance of getting into my local school.

KeithAFC

Don't need science. Follow the lord jesus christs words and you will be fine.

philologos

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote: »

I don't care that there isn't proof for religion. But if people who are religious are interfering actively in my life, then of course I’m going to show it up for what it is. If I wanted to get my child into school, I’d have to go through the rigmarole of getting him/her baptized just so he/she actually has a chance of getting into my local school.

Here's the latest on that.

RichieC

KeithAFC wrote: »

Don't need science. Follow the lord jesus christs words and you will be fine.

Are his computers faster? what about his medicine?

wonderfulname

I get what the OP is saying, the sheep merely switched shepherd.

Not everyone is the type to analyse meaning or look at things critically. I prefer that the people who are more inclined to work from simplified, spoon-fed information to receive that information from the concluding lines of some form of scientific process than to receive it from the plot line of an old text.

DOC09UNAM

There's a difference though!

You can be reasonably well assured the man in a lab coat did exist, whereas god is fictional.

liah

I thought this thread was going to be about Intelligent Design..

K-9

Horizon had a good programme on this and global warming in particular. There's a few journalists and writers who've built careers on "questioning" science.

Sea Sharp

Yes, I know one too many people that regurgitate Dawkin's quotes with an annoying smugness about them.
Having said that, I suppose it's a lot better that than people being anti-semantic or homophobic with an annoying smugness about them.

WolfForager

Andrew Ryan would only love to debate this with you i'm sure!

http://www.donttellmetheending.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/photoshop_phriday_time.jpg

TPD

Could you link to an example please Pete? I'm having trouble grasping quite what you mean. A hypothetical example will do if you don't want to pick on anyone in particular, cheers.

Tahuti

Sea Sharp wrote: »

Yes, I know one too many people that regurgitate Dawkin's quotes with an annoying smugness about them.

The dogmatic repetition of the one about stamp collecting is particularly galling.

ScumLord

K-9 wrote: »

Horizon had a good programme on this and global warming in particular. There's a few journalists and writers who've built careers on "questioning" science.

I would have thought questioning science was 50% of any scientists job?

Chuchoter

I think the media have a huge part to play in the whole thing, especially in terms of backing up gender stereotypes in articles like 'Why is my husband such a cold, heartless bastard' and it gets extrapolated to some random ****e about cavemen they have ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE FOR. Then they go on about MRI imaging things and responses to babies, even though no-one is actually sure how to interpret the data from those scans.

Saila

OutlawPete wrote: »

Has this new bastardisation of science now become like a new type of religion? Is there a new breed of people that, instead of having blind faith in a man in the sky with a white beard, now instead just have blind faith in a man in a lab, with a white coat?

yes, science IS the new religion :rolleyes: what the masses dont get is that science is paradigm - that is its constantly changing and what was 'right' this year will be wrong next year :rolleyes:

thats another thing the stereotypical scientist has changed from white haired loon in a lab to well anyone...science is everywhere, one look at the afternoon or one show will show you that if you listen

Ghost Buster

Sea Sharp wrote: »

Yes, I know one too many people that regurgitate Dawkin's quotes with an annoying smugness about them.
Having said that, I suppose it's a lot better that than people being anti-semantic or homophobic with an annoying smugness about them.

Do you mean his scientific works or The God Delusion which is not one?

partyatmygaff

MetalDog wrote: »

People aren't going to start murdering each other in the tens of thousands over science, so no.

People have murdered each other in the tens of thousands for a multitude of reasons. Whether for reasons of differences in Religious beliefs, difference in ideologies or scientific or technological secrets (Military usually). It's a tired and worthless point that people repeat over and over again.

KeithAFC wrote: »

Don't need science. Follow the lord jesus christs words and you will be fine.

You are quite honestly the biggest troll of AH. For one, all of your posts almost seem intentionally "Go against the grain to get the biggest reaction" style posts but let's leave that aside for the moment and focus on the quoted post.

A few problems with what you wrote:
1. Science and Religion do not go against each other. You can follow Jesus' words and equally study science. There is no incompatibility. In fact, to a person such as yourself who believes in God as being the creator of the world the study of science would be akin to studying the tangible work of God.

2. If you are indeed a Protestant Christian as you so ardently remind us all in every post or two why have you neglected to capitalise "Lord Jesus Christ"? You remember to capitalise the first letter of your username but not your God? Even those nasty auld Catholics that you dislike wouldn't disrespect God like that Keith