Atheists and religious skeptics are already told by religious apologists that we have to sit down and shut up in the field of politics rather than criticize the Christianity people are pushing in government. Just as bad, if not worse, is that some religious apologists also think that atheists should shut up in the field of science rather than criticize Christianity there because this prevents Christians from accepting the truth of evolution. Do you agree?
I don't agree, not in the least bit. I haven't noticed anyone telling Christians that they should shut up about science lest their theological spins on scientific data discourage atheists from getting involved in science. I don't think anyone believes that would happen, though, which suggests that religious apologists believe that Christians' sensibilities are far more delicate than those of atheists or adherents of other religions. Maybe that's true, but it's hardly the sort of encouragement you want to hear from your supporters, is it?
On a similar note, it has to be pointed out that evolution has to be accepted on the strength of the evidence for or against it, not on the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) held by, or commentaries made by, scientists. If Christians don't accept evolution — even in part — because of what atheists say about science and regardless of the scientific evidence, then they are approaching science in completely the wrong way. In that case, they could hardly be counted on as reliable supporters of science, could they?
Maybe religious apologists who wish that atheists would just shut up should concentrate instead on educating Christians and other religious believers about the basics of science and the scientific method. Without that education, all those religious believers will continue to mired in ignorance and this is ultimately much more harmful to science and modern society than anything that might be said by the small minority of atheists.
But then again, who said that the calls to get atheists to shut up was ever about making improvements in society?
I think “shutting up” about evolution, far from making xtians feel more comfortable in accepting it, would only create a silence in which creationism could flourish mostly unopposed.
to say that Atheists should shut about science would be to say that the non-existant seperation of church and state is acceptable.
One can not be silent on evolution. Since Darwin’s publication of “On the Origin of Species in 1859, not one article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal has countered or brought any doubt his well-supported concept/FACT. All science, every new fossil discovery and every new species discovered has bolstered and corroborated his overwhelming amount of evidence PROVING his point. For the naysayers: http://www.lexicorps.com/wallace.gif
Scientists should talk about science.
Atheists or Christians per se can only speculate about it.
That’s the biggest problem nowadays.
Anyhow, it’s clear that by “Christians” you mean “fundamentalists”. Gregor Mendel (inherited characteristics) was a monk; George Le Maitre (the big bang) was a priest. All mainstream Christians accept (officially) that evolution is the best theory in town.
Religion was invented to explain the unexplainable. Science provides the explanations and reduces the need for religion. We now know that what we don’t know will be explained one day by science, therefore religion is no longer needed at all and anyone who clings to is is a delusional ignorant.
Mainstream christians deal with the opposition between religious teachings and scientific evidence by selectively not believing in parts of their bible. This is intellectually dishonest and it brings to mind two observations : 1) fundamental christians are more honest; they fully believe in an all or none approach; of course this is totally unreasonable, but there is consistency. 2)Science will reach the point where virtually everything invented in religions will find a proven explanation and therefore, virtually all of the bible will be rejected by mainstream christians who will no longer be christians…
But I think (and there’s ample proof) that humans in general need to believe in supernatural stuff, despite all evidence that it’s baloney and because it’s easier to believe in astrology than study biology, and I do not think it will change.
Only education – scientific education – is the answer. Otherwise we head straight back to the Middle Ages (i.e. pre-enlightenment era or, to be more current, a Taliban society). Given the general state of the level and quality of education in a society incresingly illiterate where the favorite occupation of college students is getting drunk/stoned, please allow me to be a pessimist.
I NEVER turn away from a chance to discourage belief in god (and to tell people I am an atheist and reject all religion/supernatural beliefs equally), but only if others bring up religion or creationsim, etc. I simply trot out the scientifically gathered evidence for evolution and lack of apparent order in the universe (as well as the self-contradictory evolution and state of christian doctrine). As I am an employee of the highly faith based US military, this can be a sensitive subject.
Recently I was told, as an atheist I should “Sit down and shut up.” by a Presbyterian lay preacher. My response was. “I Will when you do.”
I did receive an apology
“But I think (and there’s ample proof) that humans in general need to believe in supernatural stuff, despite all evidence that it’s baloney and because it’s easier to believe in astrology than study biology, and I do not think it will change.”
Fantastic! We the (Calvinist Chosen People/Super-Evolved Ones/ Highly Moral Scientists) are the educated ones who choose to accept science; the rest of them just can’t handle it / stubbornly refuse to beleive / are predestined to ignorance.
“Only education – scientific education – is the answer. Otherwise we head straight back to the Middle Ages (i.e. pre-enlightenment era or, to be more current, a Taliban society). Given the general state of the level and quality of education in a society incresingly illiterate where the favorite occupation of college students is getting drunk/stoned, please allow me to be a pessimist.”
In the Middle Ages, universities were *invented*.
You confuse cause with effect. Simply, there needs to be more education. People are not getting it because the already educated have given up hope that “the others” will ever “get it”.
Atheists and everyone else should be free to talk about anything
Pray to stay, or resolve to evolve, but change will come; with or without you.