From: Wim Nusselder (wim.nusselder@antenna.nl)
Date: Thu Oct 14 2004 - 09:14:54 BST
Dear Sam,
Let me follow your lead to return to these discussions. I much enjoyed your
14 Oct 2004 08:08:16 +0100 contribution.
You hypocrite: 'can't resist the temptation to add my own two pennies
worth'!
You mean that you -backed by The Church- have a monopoly on Wisdom and are
glad for this opportunity to express it. (-;
So have/am I.
I'd like to question a few things:
1) You -quite uncritically- quote Scott: "What I find annoying are critics
of religion who have not studied it. No modern non-fundamentalist theologian
is ignorant of the value of science, but how many critics of religion are
familiar with modern theology?"
As a Quaker I object to equating religion and theology. Theology guides my
life just as little as chemistry. If anyone wants to criticize my religion,
please study its practice.
2) How can distinguishing types of 'beliefs' clarify 'faith'? For me 'faith'
means 'trust' (in divine guidance, when I open myself for it) and has
nothing to do with any cognitive content.
3) Science and religion ARE comparable. Both intend to deal with the
unmeasurable and the unique. Science by reducing it; religion by giving it
meaning. In their (usual) worst forms they both exploit it: scientists and
hireling ministers alike get status and income from pretending to be able to
deal with what others feel unable to deal with.
4) Asserting 4th level patterns of value (either scientifically or
theologically based) is 'violent' too in a sense. It restricts people's
ability to follow DQ.
5) Both science and religion in their best forms are more than 3rd and 4th
level patterns of value: they reach out to the 'Meaning of Life' beyond.
Science and theology (!) by trying to catch and define it; true religion by
trying to 'live' it.
With friendly greetings,
Wim
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