Comments on: SECULAR HUMANISM AND A PALE BLUE DOT http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/ It's a group blog. What more do you need to know? Mon, 21 May 2012 18:11:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Patrick Fish http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-78142 Patrick Fish Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:12:56 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-78142 Hi Conor, What a charming story about your formative experiences. Since the Symphony of Science was released, it seems Carl is becoming popular again. We who remember the first run of COSMOS need to carry on Carl's ideas and perspectives and make sure the next generation knows. Hi Conor,

What a charming story about your formative experiences. Since the Symphony of Science was released, it seems Carl is becoming popular again. We who remember the first run of COSMOS need to carry on Carl’s ideas and perspectives and make sure the next generation knows.

]]> By: sHnaCk http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-72985 sHnaCk Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:54:53 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-72985 I loved Cosmos and remember watching it 'religiously' as a kid. I went on to purchase the soundtrack which to me was absolutely fantastic - I too would fall asleep with it cascading over my ears and imagination. However, over the years of studying, learning and making mistakes - and yes, sometimes getting it right - I have found that most people unfortunately base a lot of their belief on fiction or on what 'they' have come to believe. A statement based on eisegesis about christianity is very popular and is tragically where christians just piss most people off. So, stating that Christians may be or should have "simple tolerance" is a case in point. When we discuss and read the bible with exegesis, which is the truthful way to read and experience it - you will find that Christianity is not passive and neither is it tolerant. Jesus is an offence to all, He says so himself. I say this based on fact and not anecdotal evidence. You can discuss bhuda, hindi, islam, yoga etc. etc. and never have an issue but the moment anyone brings up God; the 'chat' is over. Also, the bible has more insight and ""factual knowledge"" about the workings of our universe than most 'scientific' journals. Therefore it is ignorant (and I dont say this to be condescending) to say any different. If you ever truly check into it you will find that science and the bible are actually wholly compatible and NOT juxtaposed as virtually all secular "anything" would have "anyone" believe. I know and realise these are all sweeping statements which are easy to scoff at however there truly is all truth in them if you are willing to genuinely look via exegesis and NOT eisegesis. I loved Cosmos and remember watching it ‘religiously’ as a kid. I went on to purchase the soundtrack which to me was absolutely fantastic - I too would fall asleep with it cascading over my ears and imagination.
However, over the years of studying, learning and making mistakes - and yes, sometimes getting it right - I have found that most people unfortunately base a lot of their belief on fiction or on what ‘they’ have come to believe. A statement based on eisegesis about christianity is very popular and is tragically where christians just piss most people off. So, stating that Christians may be or should have “simple tolerance” is a case in point. When we discuss and read the bible with exegesis, which is the truthful way to read and experience it - you will find that Christianity is not passive and neither is it tolerant. Jesus is an offence to all, He says so himself. I say this based on fact and not anecdotal evidence. You can discuss bhuda, hindi, islam, yoga etc. etc. and never have an issue but the moment anyone brings up God; the ‘chat’ is over.
Also, the bible has more insight and “”factual knowledge”" about the workings of our universe than most ’scientific’ journals. Therefore it is ignorant (and I dont say this to be condescending) to say any different. If you ever truly check into it you will find that science and the bible are actually wholly compatible and NOT juxtaposed as virtually all secular “anything” would have “anyone” believe.
I know and realise these are all sweeping statements which are easy to scoff at however there truly is all truth in them if you are willing to genuinely look via exegesis and NOT eisegesis.

]]> By: Gavin McBride http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-67022 Gavin McBride Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:24:35 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-67022 Heartily recommend to you the book "Breaking the spell" by Daniel Dennett. http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Spell-Religion-Natural-Phenomenon/dp/067003472X Its a whole book arguing for the concept of studying religion which most people resist. The subtitle is "Religion as a natural phenomenon". I'd say its a book Sagan would have loved. Heartily recommend to you the book “Breaking the spell” by Daniel Dennett.

http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Spell-Religion-Natural-Phenomenon/dp/067003472X

Its a whole book arguing for the concept of studying religion which most people resist. The subtitle is “Religion as a natural phenomenon”. I’d say its a book Sagan would have loved.

]]> By: Seán Báite http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-67004 Seán Báite Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:59:32 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-67004 Prefer Françoise Sagan me... she was prettier too :-> Prefer Françoise Sagan me… she was prettier too :->

]]> By: WorldbyStorm http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66996 WorldbyStorm Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:25:59 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66996 John, I love that book and it's on the shelf beside the bed now. Cosmos was stunning. Even now I remember the music and if you look it up on YouTube you can get clips from it. I think Conor you're completely right about his approach to such matters. It was so open, so <em>humane</em> it just was stunning. It was like, everyone is welcome... but here is the science. The graphics were stunning too for their time. I wonder is it available on DVD? John, I love that book and it’s on the shelf beside the bed now. Cosmos was stunning. Even now I remember the music and if you look it up on YouTube you can get clips from it. I think Conor you’re completely right about his approach to such matters. It was so open, so humane it just was stunning. It was like, everyone is welcome… but here is the science. The graphics were stunning too for their time. I wonder is it available on DVD?

]]> By: John http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66992 John Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:56:56 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66992 Better yet "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark." One of my all-time favourite books. In fact I'll go dig it out and read it all over again right now. Better yet “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark.” One of my all-time favourite books. In fact I’ll go dig it out and read it all over again right now.

]]> By: Gavin http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66972 Gavin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:45:44 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2008/06/24/secular-humanism-and-a-pale-blue-dot/#comment-66972 I've recently had conversations with several people who are fans of Sagan, but it seems rarer these days to find them. My favourite work by him remains Billions and Billions, a truly awe-inspiring book. I’ve recently had conversations with several people who are fans of Sagan, but it seems rarer these days to find them. My favourite work by him remains Billions and Billions, a truly awe-inspiring book.

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