Science, Skepticism, and Religion
User Polls
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Ideally, science knows no dogmas and no sacred cows - this means that everything is open to questioning and testing. As a consequence, many favored beliefs may come under scrutiny and perhaps rejected - this includes but is not limited to religious and paranormal beliefs. If you have an opinion about the relationship between science and other aspects of society, you can vote in the polls here.
Is There a Conspiracy to Suppress Creationist Science?
Some creationists argue that there is a conspiracy of dogmatic scientists who work to ensure that the
research of creationists is suppressed and doesn't appear in science journals. Scientists say that there is no
good creationist research to bother publishing. Who is right?
Should We Send Humans to Mars?
Many believe that the next big step in space exploration is to send humans to Mars - at first just to explore
and get samples, but perhaps eventually to establish a permanent base... maybe even colonization. Do you
support spending the large amounts of money to send astronauts to Mars?
Are Psychics Genuine?
There are a lot of so-called psychics out there who claim the ability to read minds, see the future, and other
such abilities. They can make a lot of money from believers, but there is any real truth to their claims? Do
such powers really exist?
What Does Genetics Say About Who You Are?
Everyone seems to feel the need for some way to identify themselves in a complex world; the
problem is, it's not clear just what 'identity' should entail. Is it more about who you are as a
person, right now, or is more about 'what' you are, in the sense of your heritage and cultural background?
Where Should Death be Defined?
There are three different definitions of death used in medicine: traditional heart-lung failure,
whole-brain death, and higher-brain death. Which one we use affects how we treat people in
hospitals, how we get organs for transplant, and even questions on abortion and stem-cell research.
Should Human Cloning be Banned?
The prospect of scientists being able to clone human beings increases every year. More and more basic
research is done and the chances that someone will successfully do it grow. Many fear this, arguing that it
would dehumanize us. What do you think about cloning human beings?
Should Research into Human Cloning be Banned?
Many people would like to see human cloning be researched because even if no human cloning every occurs,
the research might provide a lot of information that would help medical science. Others, though, think that is
a path we shouldn't go down at all no matter what the reason. How do you feel?
What is the Current State of Science Education?
Scientific literacy is crucial in today's world. Science has become such an integral part of so much that we do
and need that, if a person isn't familiar with basic scientific principles and concepts, they will be lost in many
public policy debates and issues. But are our schools doing enough to teach about science?
Does Science Do More Harm or Good?
Modern science and technology have brought us many wonderful things that help and improve our lives.
Science and technology have also brought us many terrible things which threaten to wipe out all life. Are
science and technology doing us more good or more harm in the end?
Do You Believe in Reincarnation?
Reincarnation plays an important role in many religions - even atheistic religions like some forms of
Buddhism. If reincarnation is true, then our lives don't really end with our physical deaths - but is there
any evidence or any good reason to believe that this is so?
How did Human Beings Originate and Develop?
Debates over the origins of the human species are some of the most rancorous in America today. Many
believe, for religious reasons, that humans originated and developed through the work of God. Others,
however, argue that science shows that humans have an entirely natural origin and development.
Medical Research with Human Embryo Stem Cells
Some researchers argue that the use of human stem cells take from embryos could lead to incredible
advances in medical science - for example, cures for diseases like Parkinson's or even some types of
cancer. Others say that it would be immoral because it requires killing embryos. What do you think?
Can Creationists Teach Evolution?
There are a lot of people out there who believe in creationism and some of them teach in public schools.
At times, science teachers who are creationists have wanted to teach evolution - but do they really know
enough about science? Can they be trusted to teach evolution fairly?
Teaching Intelligent Design Alongside Evolution
Some argue that if a public school teaches about evolution, then students should also be taught about
Intelligent Design. This is called 'Balanced Treatment' - the ideas is, schools should be fair and present
'both sides' of the debate. Is this a valid argument? Should Intelligent Design be taught?
Do We Spend Enough on Space Exploration?
Space exploration has been an inspiration for scientists for many decades - unfortunately, it is very
expensive. There are suggestions for ambitious projects - like a permanent base on the moon and visiting
Mars. Should we spend more to explore space or do we already spend too much?
Do Ghosts Exist?
Many people believe that ghosts exist - they even claim to have encountered ghosts personally. The
alleged existence of ghosts is often cited as evidence that there is life after death and that there is more
to us than our physical bodies. Do you agree, or are ghosts just a myth?
Is There Life on Other Planets?
Some people believe that there must be life elsewhere in the universe and that it couldn't have arisen only
on this planet. Others are just as sure that it can't exist - sometimes for religious reason. What do you think
about it?
Will (Should) We Create Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)?
A popular subject of research today is in the nature of consciousness and whether computers can be made
to replicate human thought. The 'holy grail' of this research is the creation of A.I., Artificial Intelligence -
computers that can think independently. Will this succeed? Should we want it to succeed?
Does Astrology Work?
In one form or another, astrology has been around for thousands of years. Billions around the world believe
in it and use it daily - even making major life decisions based upon what astrologers tell them. But does
astrology really work?
Is Bush Manipulating Science for Political Reasons?
There have been a number of incidents where it appears that science has been manipulated for the sake
of political or even religious preferences - putting creationist tracts at the Grand Canyon, for example. Is
this part of a pattern of subordinating science to politics?
Should Faith Healing be Allowed on Children?
There are a lot of people out there who sincerely believe in the power of faith to treat wounds and cure
disease - even to the point where they dismiss the use of proven, scientific medicine. Perhaps they have
the right to do so for themselves, but what out children? Should their lives be put at risk for religion?
Whom Would You Be Willing to Clone?
Cloning technology is still being developed, and it may be that we'll never successfully be able to clone an
adult human being. Then again, maybe we will - and if we can do it, then we should ask some questions
about whether we should and in what cases we would actually clone someone.
Teaching Evolution in Public Schools
There are a lot of people out there who object to the teaching of evolution in public schools. They want
the subject removed from school science texts because they believe that the subject undermines True
Christianity. Others, however, argue that there is no conflict between religion and evolution, so it should be taught.
Alien Abduction Claims
There are a lot of people who claim that they have been abducted by aliens for strange, sometimes
sexual, experiments - and even more who believe these reports. Others, however, are very skeptical
about the claims because there just isn't any evidence for them but lots of reasons to disbelieve.
Conflict Between Science and Religion
It's not unusual to hear about conflicts between science and religion - there's evolution &
creationism, stem-cell research, cloning, and the list can just keep going on and on. But is
there a real conflict between science and religion - and, if so, is it getting worse or better?
Read More:
-->