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SLAM: debunk creationism, pseudoscience, and superstitions. Discuss logic and morality.

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Darth Wong
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Post by Darth Wong »

Colonel Olrik wrote:Oops, I forgot, the other one was banned, wasn't he? The Shaolin moron
No, Shaolin was never banned. He simply disappeared after repeatedly being reamed raw for his awe-inspiring stupidity and intolerance.
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"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing

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Post by Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi »

Well, another member has come and gone, and I wish he could have stayed. Now, on the subject of Naval vessels...
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kheegster
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Post by kheegster »

I think U-boats are cool...not modern subs though, too sanitized and comfortable.
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Kahlis
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Post by Kahlis »

Meh, all hail the rail-gun battleship concept.

To the original poster:
Keep in mind that Science will only tell you structure and pattern, even in its penultimate form. It is a grand classification system, and as a result it cannot exactly state the why and how of nature and existence. Any inference of that form has a human component and loses the strict rationalism and exactness that scientific logic provides.

Therefore, literal science is not a path to self-enlightenment. Description of the universe will never answer the philosophical questions of life unless you add in non-scientific processes.

As far as the idea of intelligent faith.. it is possible and exhibited in our world, though sadly not that often. Faith itself presumes that there is more to existence than physical description can provide, and so it cannot be totally rational (in a strict sense), but it can be entirely rational in an integrated sense. Good historical examples would be Aquinas and Augustine, neither of whom you can describe as "idiots" or "fundie morons" as blatantly as some describe most [if not all] Christians.

Alas, good luck in the Navy! I honor your choice to serve your country and wish you well. :)
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Nick
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Post by Nick »

Yet another welcome Kaiser, although you're probably stuck in boot camp by now. . .
Kahlis wrote:As far as the idea of intelligent faith.. it is possible and exhibited in our world, though sadly not that often. Faith itself presumes that there is more to existence than physical description can provide, and so it cannot be totally rational (in a strict sense), but it can be entirely rational in an integrated sense. Good historical examples would be Aquinas and Augustine, neither of whom you can describe as "idiots" or "fundie morons" as blatantly as some describe most [if not all] Christians.
Hey, we try to give people enough rope to hang themselves before we start insulting them :) And if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, we aopologise (well, I try to, anyway).

On the 'intelligent faith' idea, I only have two criteria:
1. The believer never allows their beliefs to contradict reality (i.e. if the two come into conflict, then they modify their beliefs rather than denying reality)
2. They recognise that faith is always subjective and personal. They can describe what they believe, why they believe it and how it helps them deal with the world (and I'll usually be happy to listen). But I expect them to be just as accepting of my point of view as I am of theirs (that's the only atmosphere where you can have a discussion instead of an argument).

The only believers I will attack are those who appear to be breaking one of these rules. To those who break the first rule, I will point out that they're being dumb. To those who break the second, I'll tell them to stop bugging me. Violence of response directly proportional to how grossly they break the rules :twisted:
"People should buy our toaster because it toasts bread the best, not because it has the only plug that fits in the outlet" - Robert Morris, Almaden Research Center (IBM)

"If you have any faith in the human race you have too much." - Enlightenment
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Cpt_Frank
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Post by Cpt_Frank »

kheegan wrote:I think U-boats are cool...not modern subs though, too sanitized and comfortable.
Yes they are, but the old boats were cramped and smelly.
I wouldn't have wanted to live and work on one of those, it must've been pretty terrible.
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