FYI Lez I went to church for about 12 years. I know a little about the subject..and I don't think much context is necessary in the quotes posted on that site. The meaning is quite clear.

Anyway, we are seriously off topic. Can't we all agree that it's not a good idea to teach creationism (or any other theory with no evidence) in a science class?

Creationism SHOULD BE TAUGHT alongside evolution. My goodness, how much more evidence do you need apart from the Bible?

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Originally posted by Alex Oh my, you haven't read much of the thread have you?

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov I thought we were all in agreement on that. The argument started when you and Cap tried to paint all Christiandom as out of touch with reality and akin to the Texas creationists.

I wasn't aware once a thread consensus was made we weren't allowed to comment anymore.

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Originally posted by Alex Also, your use of google to try and "own" me with a Bible passage is humorous in nature as you picked a passage that is completely out of context for what I was talking about.

Is it really out though? And I don't have to try and own you as you're doing a splendid job yourself.

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard Getting back to the original topic.... I really do believe that every topic taught in school should be open to scrutiny (although I expect that the scrutiny on evolution would be very very thin)

And therein lies the reason why the Texas school board should be ashamed. Theres a blatant bias and the scrutiny taught outside creationism is tenuous at best

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov "He said jihad! Time for an intolerant Islam joke!"

Islam is the ultimate intolerance. If Islam ruled the world we'd all be slaughtered. Why respect something that has nothing but contempt for you. I'd take the ebola virus before sharia law.

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Originally posted by jerZ07002 i certainly believe in Evolution, but I have my serious doubts about the 'big bang' theory. Since the universe is expanding, what exactly is it expanding into? Why can't the universe just be something that has been, and always will be of an infinite size and duration.

Pick up the latest issue of Scientific American. Cover story is about new theories of the expansion of the universe. Delves into what you're talking about here.

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Originally posted by Capitalizt Anyway, we are seriously off topic. Can't we all agree that it's not a good idea to teach creationism (or any other theory with no evidence) in a science class?

Yes, but then the thread would be over so lets digress.

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Originally posted by D-res Islam is the ultimate intolerance. If Islam ruled the world we'd all be slaughtered. Why respect something that has nothing but contempt for you. I'd take the ebola virus before sharia law.

Wow.

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Wow.

i think we'd be fooling ourselves if we didn't admit that a brand of islam like this certainly exists.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN a brand of islam

Key words, right?

I don't know, I just get tired of the preponderance of religious criticism to substitute the part as the whole, focusing on radical elements in order to make sweeping generalizations about that entire religion. It just comes off as naive, and there's absolutely no incentive to engage such people in discussion, because their fundamental assumption is simply wrong.

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Key words, right? I don't know, I just get tired of the preponderance of religious criticism to substitute the part as the whole, focusing on radical elements in order to make sweeping generalizations about that entire religion. It just comes off as naive, and there's absolutely no incentive to engage such people in discussion, because their fundamental assumption is simply wrong.

Indeed. This; however, is the case with pretty much any philosophy or ideology; some people who disagree (usually those without the intellectual wherewith-all to understand the subtleties of said ideology/philosophy) will focus on the most radical elements or isolated disagreeable aspects in an effort to discredit the whole. The truly terrible thing is that people who already hold a position and are only looking to strengthen their conviction to same will accept these (superficial) arguments as being profound and substantial then propagate them as though they actually were in any way valid. Ultimately, this works against them as any thinking person can see the folly in the arguments; however, it's never the thinking persons that are the most vocal and the end result is the entire "debate" gets dumbed down.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Key words, right? I don't know, I just get tired of the preponderance of religious criticism to substitute the part as the whole, focusing on radical elements in order to make sweeping generalizations about that entire religion. It just comes off as naive, and there's absolutely no incentive to engage such people in discussion, because their fundamental assumption is simply wrong.

i know, i know! after centuries of having all opposition firmly beneath the boot it takes some getting used to but dont you worry, the UN is one step ahead of you regarding the criticism of religion (read: islam).

seriously tho i do agree, and i think people are too hasty (or lazy) with their words when expressing themselves.

that said, i still think that moderate religion is the cesspool from which extremism is born. but i guess that's just me not understanding the 'subtleties' of people that do things like corrupt our education system

with that out of the way, a word from our sponsor

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN that said, i still think that moderate religion is the cesspool from which extremism is born. but i guess that's just me not understanding the 'subtleties' of people that do things like corrupt our education system

I would suggest to you that anyone seeking to corrupt the education system does not qualify as "moderate religion" (as you term it). I would further suggest that radical elements are usually born of some motivation other then faith and faith is co-opted as a means to that end... that said; my position is based on nothing more then my observances, I cannot back it up empirically so please apply whatever weight you wish to it. Oddly, many of your criticisms of religion I also hold; however, I tend to focus on the offensive elements rather then the larger whole.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard I would suggest to you that anyone seeking to corrupt the education system does not qualify as "moderate religion" (as you term it). I would further suggest that radical elements are usually born of some motivation other then faith and faith is co-opted as a means to that end... that said; my position is based on nothing more then my observances, I cannot back it up empirically so please apply whatever weight you wish to it. Oddly, many of your criticisms of religion I also hold; however, I tend to focus on the offensive elements rather then the larger whole.

yeah, i think you're absolutely right.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN yeah, i think you're absolutely right.

I'm not sure if it is, ultimately, encouraging or frustrating that we are so often much closer in position then either of us would care to believe.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

haha, well its not frustrating from my end coz you're one of those awesome specimens, the rational theist. very rarely seen in the wild, and i enjoy spending time with you in your natural habitat.

ultimately, i think the main thing is we're both good people (or at least you are) and i think that's all anyone can ask.

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