Why The Hostility Towards Believers?

[Theland]

Scientists who follow the evidence, and conclude that evolution and abiogenesis, and even the origin of the universe, required an intelligent designer, run the risk of losing their research funding, or even their jobs.
The prevailing attitude amongst the purse holders, is that only a materialistic view in science will be tolerated, regardless of the evidence.
Sadly it is the groups that shout loudest and remain in favour with the universities, who mould public opinion, and so the truth struggles to find a voice.
Do not fall for it. Think for yourself and read the bible for yourself. Check out Christian apologists, such as Chuck Missler on YouTube and give the evidence a fair hearing.
It is your future that is at stake.

[naomi24]

He would if he could, Khandro ..... literally..... but sadly for him, he can't. ;o)

Strange how many of those who embrace religious leanings leap to the defence of the religious .... regardless of flavour. You're into philosophy, Khandro. Care to explain that?

[vulcan42]

" Because in my mind all of the atheists are confused."
I believe you are have written this incorrectly, what it should say is,
Because my mind is confused by all of the Atheists.

[keyplus90]

Atheist's prophet "Dawkins" believes that "nothing" created "everything" from "nothing. And he is supposed to be a scientist.

Good thing he wrote a book where he used a word "delusion".

[ludwig]

I'm quite happy for anyone to join any cult they like, however silly. I only get hostile about it when their beliefs start to impinge on other people's lives.

[HansUrbancka]

@keyplus90......Are you suggesting that something created something.
In which case I ask you to explain what something created the initial something.

Hans.

[hereIam]

I believe in the big bang theory. Did anyone read recently, as I did, that scientists now believe that when we die we know in the first few seconds that we are dead ??? If true, I find that scary.

[naomi24]

hereIam, I haven't seen that. Do you have a link?

[hereIam]

Aww sorry naomi, I can't remember where I read it, although it may have been Mail Online and it was some days ago. I'll have a check later.

[naomi24]

Thanks hereIam.

[jim360]

If it helps, I imagine hereIam is referring to this story from about three weeks ago:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4992712/When-die-KNOW-dead-mind-works.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mind-works-after-death-consciousness-sam-parnia-nyu-langone-a8007101.html

[Gromit]

Naomi
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mind-works-after-death-consciousness-sam-parnia-nyu-langone-a8007101.html

[hereIam]

That's it, thank you.

[naomi24]

Thanks chaps. I'll have a look.

[Khandro]

Sounds like that's right up your street naomi, please report back :0)

[jourdain2]

I'll just chuck into this that I am at one with Minty, early on (although I'm C. of E. and not R.C.). I'd just like to say that one of my vicars (i.e. vicar i/c the parish I lived in) was a double PhD. His first Doctorate was in Astro-physics. His second was in Theology. He had been an atheist until his scientific studies led him to conclude that science alone could not explain everything. I may not have phrased that too well, but he said that the more knowledge he gained; the more he realised that another power had to be involved and that science explains the instruments used. He is a very intelligent man.

[Khandro]

jourdain; I have been saying on here for years that the world's greatest minds do not deny the existence of God; Einstein, Heisenberg, Max Plank, Schroedinger and many more past and present, but wiser ABers know much better.

[jim360]

Scientific opinion is divided on the subject, although it's not a 50/50 divide. But I don't think that using Einstein in particular as an example is fair. "The Lord God is subtle, but malicious he is not," for example, shouldn't be taken as a literal acceptance that God exists -- and anyway, even if it were it's a bit of a dodgy quote to cite because there Einstein was referring to his distaste for Quantum Mechanics as a theory, and he's been largely shown to be wrong in that regard.

Still, there are scientists, including a couple of my own friends, who are religious. I don't think that's going to change any time soon. Since, by and large, Science doesn't really say anything about the subject, this is unsurprising. I don't think its being unable to explain everything is a very good justification for allowing a "God of the gaps", but there we are. No need to be a snob about it one way or the other.

[nailit]

// was a double PhD. His first Doctorate was in Astro-physics. His second was in Theology. He had been an atheist until his scientific studies led him to conclude that science alone could not explain everything//

Now here's what I don't get about those that have had a scientific training who go on to become priests/vicars. Perhaps science alone cannot prove everything (obviously) but how do you then go on from there, to believing that man was made from dirt in an enchanted garden who had a rib for a wife and was seduced by a talking snake into eating the fruit from a magical tree?
I just dont get it...

[naomi24]

The problem is not in considering the possibility that a creator exists but in assuming we know what or who it was. It’s completely irrational for a man of science – or anyone else – to study theology from anything other than the position of an observer who is interested in the idiosyncrasies of human nature.

[jourdain2]

nailit - the things you mention are the early attempts by society to explain things. They are figurative rather than literal.

Naomi - I need to think about that. I will say that he had an 'experience' he told me about it. I also had a religious experience. My head can go anywhere it wishes, I am a rational being - but I know, viscerally, that God exists. Nothing to do with church or preaching or anything like that. I was an agnostic, verging on atheist, until then. Then I chose the branch of Christianity that I was most comfortable in - and I'm very happy with it. Low Anglicanism, very community-orientated and holding the village society together. :)