The human race: success or failure?

"I agree. It's actually ironic that those who define themselves as secular truth seekers often close their minds to anything that doesn't fit with their world view. They are not really seeking truth, but are actually acting in accordance with their own restrictive belief system."

Careful, that ax swings both ways FRiend.

I agree. It's actually ironic that those who define themselves as (insert organized religion of choice here) truth seekers often close their minds to anything that doesn't fit with their world view. They are not really seeking truth, but are actually acting in accordance with their own restrictive belief system (particular brand of religious dogma).

Exactly my point. There are dogmatic beliefs held on all sides of this central and fundamental question (i.e. the origin and meaning of life). I'm just saying that it's disingenuous, and even hypocritical, for strict secularists to portray themselves as free thinkers who are beyond dogma when in fact they have their own brand of dogma.

You're right to a certain extent. However, if you re-read metmom's post, you'll see that she wasn't referring to toasters or microwave devices.

Her post was about "stem cell research, organ transplants, and chimeras" and I think it is a very valid one. Technology for technology's sake is dangerous especially when there can be severe moral and ethical consequences. In such a case, it is incumbent on us (scientists and laypersons) to evaluate the potential dangers in addition to any possible benefits.

Of course, all this might be beyond you as you seem to be fixated on toasters. Psst....in case you are not aware, technology has its uses outside the kitchen. If you have trouble understanding this, send me a note through FReepmail and I'll explain again.

Only this time, I'll consider my audience's comprehension skills while framing my reply.

Thanks for the ping, cornelius.

There seems to be a fatal flaw in the human personality which has always been there, and which has been designated by the term “original sin.” As the philosopher Immanuel Kant put it, “Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing can ever be made.”

I recall the words of Father Karl Rahner, the Jesuit, reflecting on the efforts of modern totalitarian states to drive out the spiritual element from society. “If ever God is banished from the world so that even His image is eradicated from the human mind, we will cease to be human and become merely very clever animals—and our ultimate fate will be too horrible to contemplate.”

Parts of this essay is a bit like reading Modern Times Paul Johnson's books are a great read esp for the price $10-15 for ~900 pages

...was working on my pile of "need to read books" last night. The Recovery of Belief, a Restatement of Christian Philosophy , by C.E.M. Joad. The general public generally considered him the greatest British philosopher of the day.

C. E. M. Joad was a atheist for most of his life, but converted to Christianity and wrote the reasons for the change in The Recovery of Belief. One of the many reasons given for the conversion the the book was the inability of atheism to explain the nature of man. Joad couldn't reconcile the belief in the perfectibility of man with how he observed the world. [needs quote here...currently not at home][couldn't reconcile the nature of man in other areas either ex. Cartesian Mind Body etc] Paul Johnson is making similar observations in this essay.

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