Dinosaurs?

[Crockett]

I am a believer and I don't think this post is fair or accurate.

That's pretty vague. Can you be more specific?

[Jeff Lebowski]

That's pretty vague. Can you be more specific?

Sure. Science is not based on faith premises in the way you describe. It is fundamentally different from religion. It is based on observations and hypotheses and things that can be repeated in an objective manner. It works remarkably well and is the best tool we have for unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

At the same time, religion should not be judged based on the literalness of the creation story, etc.

[taekwondave]

At the same time, religion should not be judged based on the literalness of the creation story, etc.

What do you think religion should be judged on?

(FTR, I don't think it should be judged based on the literalness of the creation story either)

*edit. I don't have an answer to my own question either, by the way--so don't look at this as a trap (i know you think everything I ask is a trap). I'm not sure what it should be judged on. I'm not sure I even look at it that way, but I think you might have a good answer.

[CardiacCoug]

OK I may regret this but I'm jumping in.

Religion should be judged by whether it is a net positive influence or net negative influence as you to a greater or lesser degree participate in the religion and apply precepts of the religion in your life. Every person should make that decision for himself. Since every interaction between the individual and the religion is unique I don't think you can make a universal decision and apply it to other people.

I'm deep down sort of agnostic/atheistic I suppose but frequently deciding that there are emotional and psychological truths and emotional and psychological benefits that come from the limited amount of religion I apply in my life.

[creekster]

OK I may regret this but I'm jumping in.

Religion should be judged by whether it is a net positive influence or net negative influence as you to a greater or lesser degree participate in the religion and apply precepts of the religion in your life. Every person should make that decision for himself. Since every interaction between the individual and the religion is unique I don't think you can make a universal decision and apply it to other people.

I'm deep down sort of agnostic/atheistic I suppose but frequently deciding that there are emotional and psychological truths and emotional and psychological benefits that come from the limited amount of religion I apply in my life.

do you think it can also be judged at a sociaetal level? Can it only be judged based on the effect it has on the individual?

[CardiacCoug]

do you think it can also be judged at a sociaetal level? Can it only be judged based on the effect it has on the individual?

Sure I think feeling like you are part of something that is good for society and good for the LDS community and larger community is a big part of the benefit.

I cringe when ex-mos talk about how they just weren't getting anything out of church participation, church became boring and they were sick of hanging out with dummies. Well no shit if you are a high functioning person without many problems you are going to be giving a lot more support and help to others than you are receiving but that's pretty much the point of religion/Christianity.

[Crockett]

Sure. Science is not based on faith premises in the way you describe. It is fundamentally different from religion. It is based on observations and hypotheses and things that can be repeated in an objective manner. It works remarkably well and is the best tool we have for unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

I don't disagree with this.

I'm not sure what the best word to use is for my previous comment -- faith may not be it -- but what would you call that massive, gaping inability of science to explain how this world and complex life was formed by chance from lifeless materials? Somehow chemicals combined with light to produce life? To create a complex, delicate cellular structure? DNA? A replication mechanism and so on? Really? Some atheists are deeply condescending to believers, yet they don't know and can't explain a lot of things either. That should lead to humility for them, but it often doesn't.