Friday, August 11, 2006

A few interesting items I'd like to share:

First, We're screwed.

A recent survey shows that we are dumber than every country except Turkey. See the graph on the link. Gulp.

In other, more positive news, a Wisconsin family is has thrown it's hat into the ring to fight the good fight.

Nearly 200 bishops were named in a civil lawsuit Tuesday by the family of Dan O'Connell, one of two men shot to death at his family's Hudson funeral home in 2002.
The family filed the unprecedented lawsuit, which asks for the names and locations of some 5,000 clergy accused of molesting children, so they can publicize the list. They say the list is known only to the church.


The litigation is unique because of its scope and because others may join to make it a national class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Jeff Anderson, the attorney for Dan O'Connell's family,

"The bishops and the USCCB have established a policy of harboring and protecting suspected child molesting agents, thereby endangering numerous children throughout the United States," the complaint said.

Maybe the courts and the media will quit giving this organization a pass for once. But it's not likely. "Religion made me do it" is a pretty surefire defense when it comes to conspiracy, child molestation and murder.

Finally, my garrulous old pal Steve has, based on my comments on another of his posts, asked where my morality comes from absent god. I always find this question to be insulting and obvious at the same time. Yet it is often asked. I posted a brief response there, but I haven't had time to fully answer it yet. Steve hasn't answered me, or the other commenters yet. He is completely dodging the question of whether he would still find murder to be morally wrong if god told him it was morally right.

Update: Steve has still not responded. I'd like to think that maybe it's because he's seen the error of his ways and has decided that morality has nothing to do with belief in illogical fairy tales. But I doubt it.

10 comments:

Billiam said...

I was skeptical of Evolution before I became a Christian. Part of that, is an upbringing in a Catholic family. Yes, they are shocked that I'm no longer Catholic. It was also before I knew of anything political. I still am skeptical of it. As far as ID is concerned, I'm ambivalent about it. I beieve God created the universe. That being said, I also think it's up to parents and family and other Christians, as that's my Faith, to offer it. Would I like to see a mention in a course that it's another line of belief? Yes. Taught? No. Nor would I want Evolution to be taught as PROVEN FACT. Make any sense to you?

JesusIsJustAlrightWithMe said...

It makes a little sense I suppose. But the problem is that nobody would ever suggest that evolution is a fact. A theory, however, is not something less than a fact. Evolution is a theory in the same way that gravity is. There is no serious debate within the scientific community about whether or not evolution occurred.

Billiam said...

Seems to me, I read somewhere, that there are a growing number of scientists who dispute it. So, do we take the intolerant path, and stifle debate, or do we continue looking? Are Craig and Collins quacks? Also, is the thought of Creation doubted because of the way it's written of in the Bible? Just curious. I'll stop by tomorrow when I get back from Chicago to continue. I need to sleep. Be well!

Anonymous said...

and to this i believe the average american would respond "duh, of course we're smarter than a turkey."

;)

JesusIsJustAlrightWithMe said...

No. Legitimate scientists aren't coming over to the creation side any more than historians are siding with Kevin Barrett. Science, above all, is a method. Science hypothesizes, observes, tests, theorizes, verifies, repeats. Creationism starts with a biblical theory and attempts to cram the "science" around it. Science alters its theories to fit the facts. Creationists alter the facts to fit their theories. That is NOT science.

JesusIsJustAlrightWithMe said...

Billiam, I'd like to point you to this old post of mine for a more complete discussion of science vs. creationism:

http://yuiopqw.blogspot.com/2005/11/science-101-shana-one-of-my-rare.html

Billiam said...

Seems it'll be a while before we can find any kind of solid common ground. You won't change my beliefs, and I won't change yours. That being said, I still enjoy reading your blog, as well as these discussions.

Billiam said...

BTW, that was a nice piece you linked for me.

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