Jump to content

Caesar

Community Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    683

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Caesar

    Religion Survey

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    Personaly I do not believe in forcing religious practices (such as praying) in public schools. Prayer is something that should be done out of devotion and reverance to God, not something to be forced or said merely for routine. Classroom setting with little Johnny picking his nose and other children with their attention elsewhere is not a prayerful enviroment. Open discussion over religious beliefs (or non-religious beliefs) is a differant matter althougather. Learning about other beliefs is a good thing, forcing those beliefs on someone is not. I am fortunate in many ways to have always gone to class in a religious enviroment as I have always gone to Catholic schools.

    Fundementalism is very harmful in many ways. It exists in almost every religion and from fundementalist doctrines we get people who (and I'm not kidding, there are really some protestant Biblical-literalists who believe this) that still believe the earth is flat and that it was created 4000 years ago. Also springing from fundementalism are groups like Al-Queda. Such rigid and negative belief-systems also exist in atheism, with many atheists who will take a stand against anything with the slightest religious context (such as the people against Christmas decorations in public, the debate over BC/BCE and AD/CE, and even those who are against the Gregorian calendar). The vast majority of people in the world are religious while atheists are a minority (5% or something like that) so while minority rights have to be respected, we cannot always place the needs of the few over the needs of the many.

    With all that in mind let me refer back to the quote that I included in the topic post:

    I came to the conclusion long ago … that all religions were true and also that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu … But our innermost prayer should be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian. - Mahatma Gandhi

    I'm sure that we can add atheists in there too ;)

    Religion Survey

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    That doesn't make me any less intelligent than a Religionist who doesn't know science. The problem comes when the Religionist FEARS science because of his or her ignorance, and spreads such fear among other likewise scientifically ignorant Religionists. That problem comes with any fearmongering on any subject.

    Fear of science and denial of scientificaly-proven facts (such as evolution) stem from fundementalism and (among Christians) Biblical literalism. As a Catholic I view scientific research as an essential part of discovering our place in the universe, just as I view religion as an essential part of finding our place in the universe. In comparision with fundementalist Christianity, I find the Catholic Church quite supportive of science (more so than it has been in the past) and, thanks to the teaching of many religious leaders, most Catholics are able to use scientific facts with their own beliefs (Pope John Paul II wrote several pieces about how evolution is completely compatible with belief in God). My basic point here is that you should not stereotype those with religious beliefs as having a hatred or "fear", or ignorance of science, because there are many, like me, who look at science as the "other half" of the equation. There are also many atheists who are ignorant of religion and some who even fear it ;).

    How were the Pyramids built?

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    Yes, there was a theory that the interior blocks were an early type of concrete made from limestone dust, but most experts disagree with this and say that all the blocks were quarried in the Khufu Quarry close to Giza (one of reasons that site was chosen) or in the Aswan Quarry.

    The most popular theory that exists is that the blcoks were dragged up a ramp that increased in height (and decreased in width) as each layer of blocks were placed. The blocks were placed on wooden sleds and dragged to the level being worked on using water (or in some theories, milk) to lubricate the sled for easier movement. The problem with the ramp theory is that, in the case of the Great pyramid especialy, the materials (mostly mud bricks and rubble) used in the ramp would be of greater quantity and volume than the materials used to make the pyramid itself. Also, no physical evidence has been found to indicate a ramp was used (even though it was dismantled after construction, it could be assumed that the rubble would have been dumped nearby, but no evidence has been found of this either). Expansions on the ramp theory include a spiral ramp that wound around the pyramid rather than going straight up one side, decreasing the amount of materials needed to create the ramp. Many experts favor a mix between the two styles of ramps.

    About the theory that this aticle details, I believe that it is physicaly possible, and the Egyptians could have had the technology, but I do not think it is very probable.

    Religion Survey

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    Nice post Eric ;)

    I agree 100%, but if you (and obviously a lot of other people) find that the mere fact we exist is proof of God, then how come so many of the world's leading scientific minds laugh at the thought of His existance?

    I mean unless it had some sort of purpose, wouldn't the entire universe be a vaccuum? Not even exist? Why does anything exist at all? Where did it come from? Hmm..

    That is the kind of question that makes your head explode :P

    Faith is a mystery. We are continously searching for the meaning of our faith, but (as one wise priest I knew put it) to fully understand the extent of our universe and God's plan for us is like trying to pour the waters of the world into a thimble.

    How were the Pyramids built?

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    Well I watched a show on the Discovery channel once where they theorized that the Obelisks were put in place with sand (they would be in a box filled with sand on their side and as the sand drained out the obelisk would shift into an upright position or something like that). May I ask what your father's theory is?

    How were the Pyramids built?

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted · Edited by Caesar

    I was researching a history project on the Art of Pyramid Building when I came across this article. The author hypothesizes that the ancient egyptians could have used kites (no, thats not a typo;)) to move the massive stone blocks that the pyramids are made of. At first the idea sounded kinda dumb, I mean come on, a kite being used to haul 80 tonne blocks around ;) - please, give me the traditional view of a mud-brick ramp any day, but then I read more into it and this guy actualy makes some good points. Of course this is just a theory, a theory that most experts would not agree with, but it is a possibility no matter how small of one. I just thought this was rather interesting.

    The Ropes of Egypt - Kite Control

    This guy claims not to accept the idea of 100, 000 slaves, but what about 100, 000 paid workers as most modern experts now say? Despite my passing interest in this, I personaly find it hard to believe that a kite, no matter how big, can move an 80 tonne block of stone, or that the winds could have been strong enough to lift it at all.

    Please share your opinions :P

    Religion Survey

    in Hall of Intellectuals

    Posted

    No offense to any atheists, but I cannot seem to fully understand the position that they take. I cannot begin to imagine living with the belief that there is nothing after this life, nothing to live for, nothing to hope for. Of course its their choice and I respect their choice even if I do not understand it.

    The only time atheists bug me is when they (certainly not all of them, but you get the odd atheist who firmly believes this) hold themselves as atheists to be more intelligent than religious people. We have all met one of these people- I went out with this girl a few years back (I knew she was atheist, she didnt know I was religious) and the second I mentioned that I was Catholic she gave me a look as if I had the intelligence of pond scum, not surprisingly we never talked again.

×
×
  • Create New...