And as Thomas Paine said, "To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead," POINTLESS!!  So if someone wants to believe that dinosaurs and pixies and devils, and other things wandered with man," well we can't STOP them.  Everyone is free to speak whatever they want.  At some point though, we might think to reccommend that they go committ themselves to a sanarium.

that helps explain why Al Gore's new book, "The Assault on Reason", is #3 at Amazon.com?

The reactions both for and against are not surprising in the least. 

Some will focus on the consequences of abandoning reason.  Fair enough. But what are the consequences of abandoning faith?  Being a Catholic, I believe we need both. 

However, I do not believe dinosaurs and humans were around at the same time, although, I would have loved to meet some triceratops. :-)

Matusleo
Ut Prosim

Nobody's talking about "abandoning faith."  What's going on with this dinosaur/frolocking children crap is a full-fledged "assault on reason" and science.  Period.

Lowell,

I was not in the least defending what this group is doing.  However, there were reactions in the thread that the story links to that were antagonistic towards all people of faith, not just the individuals responsible for this museum.  My comment was directed towards them.

I'd like to think you know me well enough not to believe I'd be putting out a straw man like that.

Matusleo
Ut Prosim

I thought you were referring to my original post.  You're right, I do know you well enough that I am confident you don't use "straw men" arguments.  Thanks for clarifying.

Hmmm, in rereading my original post, I can see where the confusion occurred.  Sorry about that, Lowell!

Now let's get back to kicking some elephant tail! :-)

Matusleo
Ut Prosim

n/t

Actually, I have seen children frolicking with dinosaurs --when Republicans play with their kids...  ;-)

:)

It's not an accident that these fundamentalist groups are attacking science, evidence and logic.  Behind every religious orthodoxy, regardless of the faith tradition, is the background noise of a voice saying, "shut up and believe; shut up and obey."

People who form their opinions based on reason, evidence, and critical thinking are not easily led.  They don't give up their freedom or independence of thought lightly.

Those who base their beliefs and opinions on unexamined faith that is not supported by evidence or reason will always be led passively by those with an agenda that is not necessarily in the best interests of their supposed flock.

And that's what the assault on reason is always about.

That sums up right-wing ideology pretty nicely.  Also, it's the Bush Administration's whole attitude...they're the "deciders."  Ugh.