Bogosity

I can’t decide whether to lay off the Intelligent Design / Creationism poeple or not. It is getting headlines lately as the debate goes around in circles in USA but it’s a bit repetitive. Anyway, this guy illustrates why it can all get a bit silly – speculating as to whether God plays with our genes and how or why. As you know, I have trouble accepting that God is into what we’d describe as supernatural intervention.

But anyway, the bit I’ve quoted below is more intersting to me as it illustrates yet again my conviction that the real plague of humanity is stubborn ideology on any side of the political or religious spectrum. Perhaps there is some biblical wisdom there where it’s how we treat each other that matters more than what we believe – though beliefs do inform our actions and vice versa. (The parable of the Good Samaritan is an example – replace the word samaritan with a political or relious group that you despise)

Progressive Creationism: Notes on Jeff Cox’s Work

The cruellest, most vicious people I’ve met have almost always been either “deeply religious conservatives” or shout-and-pout liberals. By contrast, ordinary people who are interested in science and in learning about the natural world as it really is are generally humane, clear-headed,
and desirous of the health and happiness of others. Although I question whether our era is actually more wicked than the past, I share Cox’s concern about contemporary culture. I would see religion and science as allies against superstition, cruelty, tyranny, and stupidity.