We have places for religious education; they are called churches, mosques, temples, ashrams, synagogues and so on.

We have places for the teaching of skills and understanding the natural world; they are called schools

Well, dan,

I have higher degrees in biology from UQ and Griffith. I have extensive experience in genetic analysis of cancer genetics, and I took an extra year of undergrad to look at both of these as well. Paleobiology was a sideline. As was evolutionary biology.

I suspect that like runner, you only know about these subjects from pamphlets distributed by pastor. What's *his qualification? six months of "bible" college"?

You should use pastor's pamphlets in the toilet, and flush them as deserved. Then you should go to pastor and inform him that *any* misinformation he distributes about biology may get him in the face one day (doesn't "god" hate liars?). I know you have low standards, therefore you don't care if he lies to you. I do. You vote and if you think flood geology has a basis not risible, your vote is probably wasted on you.

Next ime you anything to say about the fossil record, you better have one of my former professors to back you up. I suspect you won't. Not at *any* price.

What you *will* have is a couple of dropouts who can't get a job anywhere else, but who will do it for just about any price, down to a beer. Same dropouts runner depends upon to find out-of-context quotes for him.

Now Danny boy, catch up.

Rusty

I look at religion in this sence. ( and all pay attention ) Think about this! if you fall, take drugs, drop-out of school, hit the skids, loss of family, need a hand, when death calls, lost or frighten, no-one cares, a safety net for fallen smart-ares, criminal readjustment, the lonely, the old, those that the community forgets, the old man/drunk in the streets, the beaten and down, help with food and bills, a shoulder to lean on, or just some one who will just give a fu@k, when the rest of the world just walks right over you, and so on, and so on, and so on. This is what I understood what religion was for and more to some, that I didn't think I was hurting.

All you young just think it wont happen to you! Life is hard my friends and you can fall.

So dont be too hard on them, cause one day, you just might need them.

I know their a funny lot, but in their hearts they mean very well, trust me.
I believe everything works in complete balance and harmony and there is a top and a bottom, and some people, yes! even you can be floored without warning. I see religion as a safety net and that's the place I wish to always to see them, just in case life just doesnt work out as you planed it.

You know the saying!

Sh@T happens.

The world as one.

TTM

It is a fair and wonderful sentiment TTM you raise here.

Christians of differing faiths have assisted me at various times during my life along with those of no faith.

Having stated the above, I find it difficult tolerating certain religious fanatics or Christians who judge and persecute other people for not living the way they do or interpret the way in which they believe their God has prophesised, is the way in which others should follow. ie that we should all be doing the same. Different horses for different courses thank goodness.

For example, within the family I was raised, my christianity and how it was interpreted, was quite different from my siblings and parents.

My parents stance remained neutral in relation to their children attending mass/church; it was entirely up to my siblings and self. My brother chose not to attend Mass [parents were fine with this], my other two sisters did not attend Mass as teenagers; whereas I chose to attend on my own and through into adult life. I ceased attending many years ago however have retained my Christian faith and expanded it "in my own view, for myself".

I keep this to myself and do not impart my beliefs upon my children. I pray for my kids; however allow them to find their own way regarding faith. Both are against indoctrination at any rate.

Despite light hearted? comments regarding my christianity on OLO, I would never judge another person for following their own path and journey or think critically of those people; every person is equal to myself; Atheist Christian, Buddhist, Monk, Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, whatever people follow, as long as those people are not abusing or physically hurting others through their beliefs and religion.

I have never termed myself a religious person as in all honesty, the Church, I discovered at a young age, had its fair share of narrowminded people who behaved in a nasty hypocritical manner; some Priests included most sadly. However, there were many lovely broadminded non-judgemental people who were givers in the community yet not indoctrinating.

""I see religion as a safety net
"The world as one."
think than move, Monday, 12 July 2010 10:42:11 PM

I see resilience, knowledge and balance as safety nets. The world will never be "as one" with religion.

Rusty,
Our pastor is a lady. She did a university degree before studying at Bible college. I don’t know why you think you can jump to the conclusions that you do. I’ve never seen her distribute pamphlets.

While you certainly have achieved an education, the manner in which you accuse others of lying only because they disagree with you is behaviour befitting the unlearned.

I’ve never claimed to be an expert on anything. In my posts I have given a basic outline to what is an alternate to the majority view. My major at university was in philosophy, a domain in which they specialise in weighing and formulating arguments, and opening the mind to alternate views. One of the first things they teach about assessing arguments is that the majority opinion is not always right (although democratic processes must hold sway in issues of governance, as per your reference to voting).

If you are unable to cope when others disagree with you, then I think you have much to learn. I don’t think professional geologists would laugh at the views of others, as you suggest. Deriding others is not a particularly useful adjunct to the scientific method.

I consider that I’ve had a fairly broad education. I followed up my degree with two graduate diplomas for the two fields in which I have worked (linguistics and education).

While I can’t write much (and haven’t) about geology, the basic ideas are not hard to follow. You cannot say no professional geologist takes that particular view, as I’ve already referenced one that does. He’s earned his stripes. Ultimately you will have to learn to deal with those who take an opposing view to yours other than only trying to malign them.

Severin,
You said religious education belongs in one place, while the teaching of skills and understanding the natural world belong in another. Glen was talking about teaching ethics (the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment; moral philosophy). In what category, or which side of the line, does that fall?