[bunny]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The rampant assumption that religion and science will ultimately point in opposite directions tho, just because once upon a time the pope and Galileo disagreed on movement (which, by the way, turns out to be relative anyway) - just blows me away.

Does this really seem clearcut to anybody?

[/ QUOTE ]
It seems clearcut to me because religion doesnt seem able to accomodate facts which contradict its cherished beliefs.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, science too. Usually it takes a generation or two to iron out the old prejudices.

[/ QUOTE ]
In the case of science, because revision of knowledge is part of the whole thing. Religion is much slower to change (if it changes at all).

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It seems to me that when science contradicts a religion's claims the response is to either attack the scientific findings or to alter the specific religious doctrine which has been challenged (through a "ahh - well that bit is figurative" approach).

[/ QUOTE ]
^ isn't a bad approach, especially if the bit in question is figurative. Probably most of 'em are.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is perhaps true (it's certainly my view of religious claims). But if religious claims are eventually going to be explained away as figurative then ultimately religion is just clouding the issue. Why not speak plainly rather than covering the meaning with claims which seem to be clear statements and which are actually only figurative?


[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It seems to me that the only way religion will get close to science is by following this latter course more and more, which rather than leading to it pointing in the same direction as science would end up pointing nowhere in my opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]
I meant, I wonder if science will end up at God, as religion does/did. Clearly the routes will be different.

[/ QUOTE ]
I didnt fully appreciate this was your point. I dont think this is clearcut (although I dont believe it's what's going to happen). What I do think is that if we end up at God through scientific endeavor, then we will have good reason to believe in God.