Quote of the day
posted at 10:00 pm on June 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
“J.B.S. Haldane, an evolutionary biologist and a founder of population genetics, understood that science is by necessity an atheistic discipline. As Haldane so aptly described it, one cannot proceed with the process of scientific discovery if one assumes a ‘god, angel, or devil’ will interfere with one’s experiments. God is, of necessity, irrelevant in science.
Faced with the remarkable success of science to explain the workings of the physical world, many, indeed probably most, scientists understandably react as Haldane did. Namely, they extrapolate the atheism of science to a more general atheism.
While such a leap may not be unimpeachable it is certainly rational, as Mr. McGinn pointed out at the World Science Festival. Though the scientific process may be compatible with the vague idea of some relaxed deity who merely established the universe and let it proceed from there, it is in fact rationally incompatible with the detailed tenets of most of the world’s organized religions. As Sam Harris recently wrote in a letter responding to the Nature editorial that called him an ‘atheist absolutist,’ a ‘reconciliation between science and Christianity would mean squaring physics, chemistry, biology, and a basic understanding of probabilistic reasoning with a raft of patently ridiculous, Iron Age convictions.’”
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Allah’s really on a run today!
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:02 PM
A late night two-fer, Palin and Atheism.
Leg thrills for Allah.
fogw on June 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I’m all for putting food on Allah’s table, but I think it’d be funny if one time we all got together and decided not to comment on a post like this.
pifactorial on June 26, 2009 at 10:05 PM
If CERN succeeds in finding the Higgs boson (God particle), AP will have to find another red rag.
OldEnglish on June 26, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I agree. Who’s with us???
/d’oh
Ugly on June 26, 2009 at 10:07 PM
“the Nature editorial that called him an ‘atheist absolutist,’ a ‘reconciliation between science and Christianity would mean squaring physics, chemistry, biology, and a basic understanding of probabilistic reasoning with a raft of patently ridiculous, Iron Age convictions.’”
Poor guy. Glad I’m not that closed minded.
rihar on June 26, 2009 at 10:07 PM
The World is flat!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Allah damn it.
BPD on June 26, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Geez, Allah. Everything else happening today, and this is your quote?
Rosmerta on June 26, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Got me a seat right-cheer on the 45 yard line. Dogs, peanuts and two brews.
The Beagles are lined up to kick off as The Arks receive.
Limerick on June 26, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Who’re you rooting for Limerick?
Rosmerta on June 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Oh boy,a Post Mutiny!!
Somebody gonna get keel-hauled!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Cap and trade just passed the house, so why don’t you just give it a rest for tonight AP. I got an idea. Why don’t you research the dems who voted against Cap and trade so we can say thank you for their support on this issue.
DFCtomm on June 26, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Pretty silly. Science and religion have different jurisdictions, but are perfectly compatible when they don’t try to encroach on eachother’s turf. The simple way of defining that turf is:
Science: How?
Religion: Why?
Splunge on June 26, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Is this a rerun or has my watch stopped?
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Hope there isn’t a God
I’d get bored living FOREVER.
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:11 PM
The Arks recieve.
Limerick on June 26,2009 at 10:08PM.
Limerick: I all most spit out my tea!!haha!!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I think Rep. Boehner earned the quote of the day with his fine, but futile performance.
DFCtomm on June 26, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Obviously, the first commandment is completely anti-science.
“No gods before me, only worship my petty, jealous ass” really narrows down possibilities don’t it?
“Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge, stay stupid and docile” is anti-science.
That said, if positivism becomes a governing philosophy, like some are currently trying to do, it will morph into a religion itself. The best thing about science is that it is not absolute, and it should not be construed as such, thus the reason global warming is a religion, just like Christianity, just like Judaism, and just like Islam. A true scientist will realize just how primitive civilization is and not misrepresent that fact.
LevStrauss on June 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM
And tonights game,
is between the Bitters/vrs./Clingers!!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Groooan. Do we really have to do this again? I think I’ll go pick my toenails or something and sit this one out.
MikeA on June 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I’m not sure if the “Knowledge” there is the same as the one we usually think of.
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:15 PM
To do is to be.
- Descartes.
To be is to do.
- Voltaire
Do be do be do.
- Frank Sinatra
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Obama: Huh?
Rosmerta on June 26, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Yay! Let’s drive off some more readers! We don’t need em. If they can’t take the heat…etc etc.
TBinSTL on June 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
But really,in the whole grand scheme of things,were does
the Liberal Party religion fit in all of this!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
The words of Jello Biafra seem to work for this thread:
In lonely gas stations with mini-marts
You’ll find rows of them for sale
Liquor-filled statues of Elvis Presley
Drink like a vampire
His disciples flock to such a fitting shrine
Sprawled across from his graceless mansion
A shopping mall
Filled with prayer rugs and Elvis dolls
And I wonder
Yeah I wonder
Will Elvis take the place of Jesus in a thousand years
Religious wars
Barbaric laws
Bloodshed worldwide
Over what’s left of his myth
A growing boy needs his lunch
When pesticides get banned we’re safe up north
We just sell them to those other countries
Soon there’s lots of exotic deformed babies
Somehow that’s not our fault
Just dip ‘em in glaze paint ‘em orange and green
For the Arizona roadside stands
To sell alongside plaster burros and birthbaths
And I wonder
Yeah I wonder
Why so many insects around us feed off the dead
Death squads
Starvation
Foreign aid?
Just leave it to the magic of the marketplace
A growing boy needs his lunch
Everyone should just love each other
Dip your toe into the fire
Drop your guns and lawsuits and love each other
Life begins beyond the bunker
And while you’re busy hugging in the streets
Outgrowing your hatred for all to feel
Jiminy Cricket’s found a game to play
Stick your neck out and trust-It’ll be chopped away
Jimmy through your locked front doors
Rifle through your sacred drawers
Line my pockets
Deface your dreams
Til the cows come home to me
Nibbling like an earwig winding through your brain
Bound like Lawrence Harvey spreadeagle to a bed
The migraine gets worse when we find out we lay eggs
And no one in all of Borneo can hear you scream
Turn on
Tune in
Cop out
Drop kick Turn in Tune out
Mr. Joe on June 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
It’s worked so well for LGF afterall…
TBinSTL on June 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Once you realize that AllahP is really Loki, all becomes clear.
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Me?
I’m one of the resident Big Bang Christian Buddists. I’m here for the cheerleaders.
Limerick on June 26, 2009 at 10:17 PM
OK, Allah, I’ll play your silly game … yes, God is irrelevant to the scientific method. But to a person of faith, science is all about uncovering the mind of God.
There! Thread over. :D
Rosmerta on June 26, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Haldane’s statement is only true if one has an a priori commitment to materialism. I don’t think it’s acceptable to postulate God interfering directly with a direct experiment either. However, in reconstructing the history of life on earth, whereby we’re drawing inferences about unrepeatable, unobservable, unique events in the distant past, rejecting design as a matter of philosophical preference doesn’t make sense to me.
If design really did play a role in the unfolding of life on earth (to any degree), would a materialistic framework allow us to discover that? I think the answer is no, and therefore it’s an inadequate framework for properly describing biological history.
ultimate175 on June 26, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Wouldn’t it be easier if AllahPundit just gets stoned!!
I mean,not with rocks!!Ugh!haha.
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I think that atheists must believe that Christians are madmen. If you don’t believe there is a God, then you must believe everyone else is either mislead or foolish.
But the way I see it is they are the madmen.
If I, as a Christian am wrong about God, then I just die and am no more.
But if an atheist is wrong about God, then they live in eternal agony.
To me it’s a no-win to be an atheist.
therightscoop on June 26, 2009 at 10:21 PM
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Did you here the one about the dead atheist?
There he was, laid out in his casket, all dressed up and no place to go.
But seriously, folks.
The Gods created everything. Science is simply our way of trying to figure out how they did it.
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:23 PM
That’s OK, a decade long cooling trend contradicts AGW, but crap & trade is about to cost us trillions of dollars, millions of lost jobs, and a substantial part of our freedom. All in the name of science.
Wasn’t eugenics once a widely held science? It was taught at most American universities.
theCork on June 26, 2009 at 10:24 PM
You just have to ask yourself, “What is the first cause?” An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by some outside force. What outside force acted upon the universe to place it in motion? Just saying.
jimmy2shoes on June 26, 2009 at 10:25 PM
The Christian position: Man was made from dust.
The Big Bang position: Man was made from stardust.
The Buddist Position: The table is dusty.
Limerick on June 26, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Here’s a good place to start.
tru2tx on June 26, 2009 at 10:26 PM
No, if you are a Christian, and if God is not, he might take offense. Who are you to put words in his mouth? If God wanted to speak his mind he would. At least the Atheist went with the facts on the ground which I think God could respect if he exists.
LevStrauss on June 26, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Never mind the fact that a belief in a created, orderly universe has driven scientific advancements for centuries; and that science lately has been less about research and fact, and more about politics and activism.
Grafted on June 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Men rarely, if ever, manage to dream up a God superior to themselves. Most Gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.
- Robert A. Heinlein
Which is it, is man one of God’s blunders or is God one of man’s?
- Friedrich Nietzsche
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Well there it is in a nutshell.
Religion is about nothing but fear.
Ken McCracken on June 26, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Perhaps the atheist needs to investigate the facts again. There is no respect for ignorance.
therightscoop on June 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Good point. At least Atheists will not be in the awkward position of having worshiped the wrong god.
Ars Moriendi on June 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
You assume that there is only one God.
Many of us understand that there are more than one God, each with their own place in the great scheme of things.
Respects,
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Which is it, is man one of God’s blunders or is God one of man’s?- Friedrich Nietzsche
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM
A fine question for the searching heart to ask.
therightscoop on June 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM
oops…meant to blockquote.
A fine question for the searching heart to ask.
therightscoop on June 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM
No one has ever been able to answer this question for me so I thought I’d post it here to see if someone can. If mankind started with Adam & Eve, where did all of the different nationalities come from?
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Driven? Interesting word. You seem to think that if some guys in loin cloths didn’t fool the fools into believing in a skygod this would never happen. They used to burn scientists as heretics. It would seem that religion, if anything has retarded scientific advancement. Who knows how far along we would be if we weren’t offing scientists for all those years.
And I agree with your current issue with science, like I said earlier, the schism you talk of is a religion itself. Selling a BS story to control the masses.
LevStrauss on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.
- Thomas Jefferson
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
other Gods…..
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
obama?
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Very narrow viewpoint. Why can’t it also be about duty, honor, and justice? Does the believer have to fear God? Maybe they have chosen to serve and are loathe abandon their oath.
Limerick on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Yeah, Jefferson quotes don’t do it for me…
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:35 PM
This helps Romney.
V15J on June 26, 2009 at 10:35 PM
obama?
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
If that’s the case, I’m with AP, as I will not worship that man. :)
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Haha… Like the Che pic.
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Don’t you know that every existential question has one answer?
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Didn’t you try this on the other thread?
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Thank God for that! The big news story of the day that has saturated every channel is of no interest to me whatsoever. Anything else we can discuss is like sweet rain in a desert.
YiZhangZhe on June 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
And that answer would be “42″.
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I think the key phrase in this is ‘patently ridiculous’. The degree to which something is ridiculous is largely subjective (I would go with moderately ridiculous in this instance). We can’t rule out the existence of an intelligence that can utilize physics that we do not have access to having done so in accordance with the aforementioned convictions, all we can do is point out the ridiculousness of such a being that would choose to.
Count to 10 on June 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
AP:
AP: i really don’t know why you don’t like judeo-christian religion.
God says to you Gentiles: just don’t do these ten things and you can do EVERYTHING and ANYTHING else.
ANYTHING. and EVERYTHING.
sounds like a good deal to me.
(we jews have a few more commandments.)
reliapundit on June 26, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Don’t you know that every existential question has one answer?
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM
And that answer would be “42″.
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I’m so confused. I guess my original question will continue to go unanswered.
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I wouldn’t worry about that question
That story is made up by ancient men
If I were religious I’d worry more about doing the right thing.
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I dare not attempt to answer your question because a fight would erupt…
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I posted this the other night, but this is a good thread for a repeat…
Limerick on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Heres a good place to start.
tru2tx on June 26,2009 at 8:59PM.
tru2tx:
Earth First,seriously, these people are nuts,actually
‘CERIFIABLE’!!!!
I remember my grandfather,building a log cabin,by the lake,in which I spent countless summers fishing,exploring
and land clearing,of trees!!
And,Canada is nothing but a massive forest,who gives a
rats #ss,about a few trees!!
Anyhow,thank-you for that video,of the enviromental wacko’s!
—-:)
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
But most of them have no problem believing the universe had a virgin birth. I mean, if they can believe that the universe came from nothing, then they can’t possibly have an argument against a creator for that universe. It would follow that they couldn’t possibly have a rational argument against a virgin birth directed by the creator of the universe.
Buddahpundit on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I wouldn’t worry about that question
That story is made up by ancient men
If I were religious I’d worry more about doing the right thing.
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I try to do the right thing. Needless to say, however, I could never run for public office. :)
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Haven’t I seen this movie before?
Animator Girl on June 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Well I see Nietzsche quoted above, and this topic here reminds me of another quote where he said, “whenever a religion comes to prevail it makes enemies of those who would be its first disciples”. Think of Atheists or Anti-Religionists as the date that God stood up.
LevStrauss on June 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Among which convictions one could include individual worth, prophecy-as-social-criticism, human dignity, and so on and so on.
Stephen Jay Gould had a better idea with “non-overlapping magisteria”. The quote above just transfers deistic impulses in another direction.
ddrintn on June 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
BPD on June 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I dare not attempt to answer your question because a fight would erupt…
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I love a good fight.
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Oops,should be certifiable,forgot zee T,Ugh!
canopfor on June 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
someone would be bound to find out about you and the footlongs
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:43 PM
And here I was dreading another Michael Jackson thread, thinking nothing could be worse.
I was wrong.
The science vs religion argument is and forever will be pointless. To think otherwise shows ignorance of what science and religion represent.
Hollowpoint on June 26, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Ooooh, “Iron Age convictions”. My, aren’t the atheists being charitable tonight?
The Zoo Keeper on June 26, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Obama: Can we get the government to take this over? No? Not interested.
Splunge on June 26, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Did you hear about the dyslexic atheist philosopher?
He spent his entire life trying to rationally prove their was no dog.
AW1 Tim on June 26, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Not even God can help Huckabee.
(err… in this thread should I say if there’s a God, not even He could help Huckabee?)
red winger on June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
When will the “Real Scientists” be forced to renounce G-d?
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
someone would be bound to find out about you and the footlongs
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Not going to comment.
txag92 on June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Your loss, not his.
MB4 on June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
If you assume that all genetic material comes from two humans, you should be able to work out how many generations it would take for chromosome crossings and outright mutations to yield what we have now. There was a report here not too long ago that all Caucasian and Asian genes exist in the African gene pool at lower probability (so obviously, your ‘Adam’ and ‘Eve’ would have to be black).
I’m not sure how many multi-dominant genes (green eyes?) there are out there, which might blow the whole thing.
Just a shot in the dark, but I imagine it would take tens of thousands of years at least.
Count to 10 on June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Just saying, he wasn’t exactly the most “rational” being.
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Thanks.
Loxodonta on June 26, 2009 at 10:46 PM
The concept of a God that would help Huck is exactly why I would refuse to worship one, even if he proved his existence.
Count to 10 on June 26, 2009 at 10:47 PM
I didn’t “try” anything. It’s a given fact that anything that happens helps Romney.
V15J on June 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Yes, this would be a philosopher. I don’t know when the last time a scientist tried to rationally prove anything… at least those kewl ones on the Terevishon.
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Genesis 11:1-8 The tower of Babel.
jimmy2shoes on June 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
“Contradictions don’t exist. If you find a contradiction, check your premises.”
Either man is misinterpreting science or misinterpreting the Bible. They do not contradict each other.
TheRiddler on June 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
God does not exist. He is being itself beyond essence and existence. Therefore to argue that God exists is to deny him.
Tav on June 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
oh well
blatantblue on June 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
We’ve got a Modern Fangled Scientist here ;)
Upstater85 on June 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Well, I’m sure we can shoe horn some bronze age convictions in their, as well (though I think the actual claim would start with some stone age convictions).
Count to 10 on June 26, 2009 at 10:50 PM
As a counter Quote of the Day, I’ll quote the aforementioned Gould:
‘Nuff said.
ddrintn on June 26, 2009 at 10:50 PM
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