The Power of Intelligence

[_E_]

Originally Posted by Proto

While the pursuit of knowledge should be something obvious for any intelligent being instead of just being done because some ancient book says so, I've got to agree that Islam had some positive influence in that regard... however you've got to accept that it is a system that didn't succeed. Just compare the state of modern islam states and their education level compared to those countries which have a more laic system. (with Cuba being one of the most obvious examples in terms of education and culture level under a laic system)

In the old times, pursuit of knowledge was not important. The logical thing back then was the pursuit of war and power. As for the lack of education in the middle east ( which is perhaps, its most fatal point atm ) has nothing to do with Islam. The political and military movements that shaped up that region eventually destroyed the civilisation, leaving people with nothing to learn. Lets not forget the thousand of books and libraries burnt by the Mogols and crusaders when they stormed the land. Or the tyrannt rulers who deprived their people from knowledge so they wont oppose them and remain in the dark side.

For a muslim/islamist, they still believe their system will work. Their argument is simply that the system failed when people stopped following its tenants; which is true to some extent. What I do have to agree with you however, is that religion cannot be used as source/origin of science. We can validate it against solid proven facts, but that still doesn't have an effect on the scientific progress overall. What I am disagreeing with you here is the blantant discrediting you're giving to perhaps one of the most rational religions existing in this world; though I am pretty sure - you, being your atheist self - would disagree on the usuage of word "rational" here. heh

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-= Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always =-
the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.
Margaret C. Smith

[Boltzmann]

Originally Posted by Seta-San

The church is, particularly a priest (Gregor Mendel), responsible for discovering genetic inheritance which made the base for evolution.

That's pure, triple-distilled BS. Darwin's Origin of Species came before Mendel's work. I'll proceed to disregard all your other comments, since you've no idea what you're talking about.

And speaking about muslims and science, I wonder why they didn't find out about gravity before Newton, or why they didn't come up with relativity. Those know-it-all muslims didn't know that much, isn't that so?

Anyway, the point of this thread is not to debate religion. It's about shaping our own future rather than leaving it for an optimization process that doesn't cares about us at all (evolution), or vain hopes of mythological gods.

Apparently only Proto and Coolsvilleman really got it (although I never expected Seta-San to do so).

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'You're spying and betraying Switzerland to try and keep alive somebody with a hook and spinal fluid and no skull in an irreversible coma? And I thought I was disturbed. You're making me totally reorient my idea of disturbed, mister.'

- David Foster Wallace, "Infinite Jest"