Theology

[Atheist]

Is there any sense in which theology could be considered a science? I mean, I know it uses the suffix 'ology' but is that a valid claim for it to be considered a branch of knowledge, any more than astrology, scientology etc, or is it simply an attempt to use 'ology' to give it respectability? There is christian theology, muslim theology, Jewish theology, but the real sciences don't attach themselves to religion.

[bhg481]

ology derives from Greek for study, so theology is a study of God.

[Atheist]

bhg, and unicornology is the study of unicorns. Just because it has 'ology' at the end doesn't mean it has any meaning.

[Karolina82]

Sociology versus social science. Are they the same?

[Atheist]

I don't know, Karo.

[ToraToraTora]

the suffix "ology" does not mean it's a science. eg Astrology is a load of old pony.

[ToraToraTora]

similarly the absence of "ology" does not mean it's not a science, eg Physics.

[Karolina82]

Didn't Maureen Lipman, in the old British Telecom advert, say, "Oh, you got an ology, that makes you a scientist!" (or words to that effect)

[THECORBYLOON]

Glad that's been cleared up then...

[woofgang]

ology has never meant its a science. It means a study. Its perfectly possible to study something that is not provable...eg mythology.

[Atheist]

I suppose I'm just launching an attack on theology. We don't have christian physics, muslim physics, Jewish physics, or maths or chemistry, but we do have varieties of theology. To me they're all 'pony' as TTT would say.

[Mamyalynne]

You got that off your chest then.

[Atheist]

Yes, Mamy. Sometimes it helps to say stuff that you feel. I won't do it again.

[Atheist]

On the other hand, why don't we have proper application of the advertising standards legislation to stop charlatans pushing their phony claims of clairvoyance and fortune-telling?

[Mamyalynne]

Start a petition?

[douglas9401]

I knew you'd say that.

That'll be £5 please.

[Atheist]

I'm not interested in whipping up a movement; I just thought I'd put the point to the intelligentsia here to see what they thought.

[jackthehat]

///On the other hand, why don't we have proper application of the advertising standards legislation to stop charlatans pushing their phony claims of clairvoyance and fortune-telling? ///

We do.

[Atheist]

JTH; I'm afraid we don't. We still have horoscopes in the papers, and we still have so-called clairvoyants etc operating. The Ad standards authorities don't try to take action.

[Paigntonian]

What on earth is about atheists that they feel the need to criticize religion all the time? I'm a churchgoer and I don't criticize atheists. My views, their views, fine.

[jackthehat]

I'm afraid that all such adverts have to carry disclaimers, such as.
"Disclaimer: All clairvoyant consultations are subject to your own interpretation and are for entertainment purposes only."