I came home with a new copy of Newsweek magazine today with a science article entitled "Cavemen, Chimps and Us." It would seem that a scientist at the Max Planck Institute in Germany is going to sequence the Neanderthal genome - the complete DNA of the closest known relative to modern humans. Rock.
I'm a bio nut, so the possibility of soon discovering the key molecular changes that led to our race makes me a little giddy. With only a 0.04 percent difference between our DNA and the Neanderthal's, we could finally identify exactly what it is that makes our race different. 0.04 percent - the genes that involve language, brain size, and metabolism. It's pretty amazing how far we've come in science.
In all this, I can't help but feel angry with the evolution/creationism debate. I can't even believe there's anything to debate. It's a scary prospect, knowing that people would rather not know, or would rather discuss science as something you have to "choose to believe" in, as if you could choose to believe or not to believe in carpet or something. Add this to the list of problems that the arrival of our current president has created - religious fanaticism under the guise of political rhetoric has brainwashed people into ignoring what is so clear. It's simply impossible to have a rational conversation with someone who refuses to accept that fossils and DNA of other living creatures exist from a traceable time period. I show you hundreds of carbon-dated skulls and you tell me it's imaginary. How am I to beat that? And I take almost nothing at face value.
The worst part of this debate is that it even exists. To be clear, I am a Hindu, which by definition makes me an agnostic. But I do believe in a greater purpose, and I meditate regularly because I think it works for me, and that it helps me to be thankful for my good fortune and to better understand my downfalls. These things I don't deny. So it's with even greater concern that I address this debate, because I see no reason to believe that evolution somehow destroys faith or the existence of god. I mean, isn't that the point of faith? Of course, while it does contradict some specific interpretations of god, especially ones requiring a literal interpretation, I would like to think that few people have this narrow of a view of god. If so, that kind of belief would breakdown in the face of numerous situations and realities of modern day life. Religion or faith or even spirituality would either have to be complete shit or all true, neither of which seem to be the case.
If the question is whether evolution contradicts a literal interpretation of religion, and more specifically the Bible, then it does. And regardless of what could have happened - regardless of god's potential to create the world in seven days or throw down fire bolts or permanently remove all murderers or whatever - the evidence would still show that evolution is the way things happened. I guess I just don't need dogma to make me feel like I have a purpose and that I might be accountable for the things I do in this life.
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
July 25, 2006
January 20, 2006
they drew a circle that shut us out
heretics, rebels, things to flout
but love and we had the wit to win
we drew a circle that took them in
i don't usually do this.
actually, i never do.
hey. you asked.
enjoy: dr. ken phifer.
heretics, rebels, things to flout
but love and we had the wit to win
we drew a circle that took them in
i don't usually do this.
actually, i never do.
hey. you asked.
enjoy: dr. ken phifer.
November 13, 2005
so gay
stolen from alex. enjoy.
10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong
1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were
allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong
1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were
allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
June 10, 2004
something of interest
so chad read this to me a while ago, and my friend recently re-sent it to me so i thought i would share this with all 2 of you that read my blog. holler. -avani
Dr. Laura Schlesinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice
to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as
an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according
to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The
following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident,
which was posted on the Internet.
Dear Dr. Laura
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that
knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend
the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other
specific laws and how to follow them.
1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors.
They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in
Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair
price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in
her period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is,
how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend
of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can
you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus
35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don.t agree. Can you settle this?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I
have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room
here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.
19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes
me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two
different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing
garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester
blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really
necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town
together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn.t we just burn them to
death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with
their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident
you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is
eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan,
Jack
so chad read this to me a while ago, and my friend recently re-sent it to me so i thought i would share this with all 2 of you that read my blog. holler. -avani
Dr. Laura Schlesinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice
to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as
an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according
to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The
following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident,
which was posted on the Internet.
Dear Dr. Laura
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that
knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend
the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other
specific laws and how to follow them.
1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors.
They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in
Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair
price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in
her period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is,
how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend
of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can
you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus
35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don.t agree. Can you settle this?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I
have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room
here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.
19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes
me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two
different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing
garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester
blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really
necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town
together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn.t we just burn them to
death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with
their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident
you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is
eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan,
Jack
November 21, 2003
god?
walking home, a 10-year-old child attempted to hand me a flier with a message from god, the one and only message apparently... this while another preached over a microphone, telling me that i was a sinner bound for hell. what a sad existence to put one's faith in a god that would condemn decent people to hell for eternity.
people have often asked me if i am religious, and i always hesitate to answer yes. for one, i fear the word 'religious' invokes a sense of blindness. though it's not the hard and fast rule, religiousness can often equal close-mindedness, condemnation, and often, hate. secondly, i refuse to call hinduism a 'religion.' hinduism is a term that was given to the indian way of life by colonizing westerners who needed to call it something, for lack of a better word. and because the word "religious" is generally associated to western practices and beliefs which require dogma, a concept strikingly different than eastern philosophies, the term religion seems as applicable to the indian way of life as it does kant's.
since i was a child, i learned that hindus believe - and i think it is the truth - that god has as many names as there are creatures and, therefore, we also say that god is nameless. since god has many forms we also consider him formless, and since he speaks to us through many tongues we consider him to be speechless. in the words of gandhi, "is there one god for the mussalmans and another for the hindus, jews, and christians? no, there is only one omnipresent 'god'. he is named variously, and we remember him by the name which is most familiar to us."
because my heart and mind have always agreed with this concept on every level, i never really understood western hierarchical beliefs. it just seemed to me that if you claim that only your version is right (which you could never know), and that everyone else is wrong (and will subsequently go to some version of hell), then that ideology itself was hate disguised as religion - a complete contradiction if your religion is supposed to teach love. ultimately, i've observed the following: that we've got just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love each other.
it is sad to me that my christian friends have to defend their faith against proselytizing preachers, and that my muslim friends must prove to others that religious fanaticism is not in accordance with the teachings of the koran. how can people possibly "know" that they are right? at the end of the day, isn't my god going to have to be your god (if there is one to begin with)? or - and the evidence suggests that it's more likely than not - maybe there is no god. maybe no one is up there. perhaps he isn't at temple or church, or in the repetitive rituals people perform. what then?
it is for this reason that i have always believed that god is the self and inherent in everyone. god is our highest state of consciousness; god is our personal best; god is who we find when we learn to follow our bliss and pursue that which makes us come alive.
so what should you believe in? i don't know. that is up to you. but perhaps we can start by bettering ourselves instead of condemning others. talk about humanizing religion.
people have often asked me if i am religious, and i always hesitate to answer yes. for one, i fear the word 'religious' invokes a sense of blindness. though it's not the hard and fast rule, religiousness can often equal close-mindedness, condemnation, and often, hate. secondly, i refuse to call hinduism a 'religion.' hinduism is a term that was given to the indian way of life by colonizing westerners who needed to call it something, for lack of a better word. and because the word "religious" is generally associated to western practices and beliefs which require dogma, a concept strikingly different than eastern philosophies, the term religion seems as applicable to the indian way of life as it does kant's.
since i was a child, i learned that hindus believe - and i think it is the truth - that god has as many names as there are creatures and, therefore, we also say that god is nameless. since god has many forms we also consider him formless, and since he speaks to us through many tongues we consider him to be speechless. in the words of gandhi, "is there one god for the mussalmans and another for the hindus, jews, and christians? no, there is only one omnipresent 'god'. he is named variously, and we remember him by the name which is most familiar to us."
because my heart and mind have always agreed with this concept on every level, i never really understood western hierarchical beliefs. it just seemed to me that if you claim that only your version is right (which you could never know), and that everyone else is wrong (and will subsequently go to some version of hell), then that ideology itself was hate disguised as religion - a complete contradiction if your religion is supposed to teach love. ultimately, i've observed the following: that we've got just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love each other.
it is sad to me that my christian friends have to defend their faith against proselytizing preachers, and that my muslim friends must prove to others that religious fanaticism is not in accordance with the teachings of the koran. how can people possibly "know" that they are right? at the end of the day, isn't my god going to have to be your god (if there is one to begin with)? or - and the evidence suggests that it's more likely than not - maybe there is no god. maybe no one is up there. perhaps he isn't at temple or church, or in the repetitive rituals people perform. what then?
it is for this reason that i have always believed that god is the self and inherent in everyone. god is our highest state of consciousness; god is our personal best; god is who we find when we learn to follow our bliss and pursue that which makes us come alive.
so what should you believe in? i don't know. that is up to you. but perhaps we can start by bettering ourselves instead of condemning others. talk about humanizing religion.
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