One of the projects I have had going for some time is that of putting together a manual for people undergoing the crisis of conservative or fundamentalist religious faith through which I went a few years ago. Hence, when I run across material that is relevant to that topic, I file it away. Last night…
This is a contribution I made recently to a science and religion list on which I participate. All the best, bob My continued reading here confirms that I have far more to learn than to contribute to those of you who have been at this science and religion stuff much longer than have I. Thank…
The answer to this question, as is so often the case with questions of this type is, “That depends on what you mean by ‘works’”. Let’s explore this interesting issue. I will set out my thoughts and would be interested to hear the impressions and experiences others have had along similar lines. In a recent…
Review of Michael Ruse’s “Mysteries of Mysteries – Is Evolution a Social Construction?†bob mccue July 26, 2005 A friend asked some time ago that I write a review of Michael Ruse’s (“Michaelâ€) book “Mysteries of Mysteries – Is Evolution a Social Construction?†(“Mysteryâ€) and post it to a science list on which we both…
One of the last barriers I had to jump on my way out of Mormonism might be called the “Smart Mormon” hurdle. As one approaches it, the hurdle looks like this: There are so many really smart Mormons who believe Mormonism is “true”. The smart Mormons are much smarter and better educated than I am.…
For this interested in the long story, see the thread at http://www.aimoo.com/forum/po….. The thread was started by the observation that a prominent scientist said at a recent conference that she found that ditching free will was itself immensely “freeing”. That is, she felt that be adopting a deterministic mindset (that all of her actions were determined…
I finished reading this book this morning, having heard Dr. Goodenough speak at a conference last weekend, and having had the chance to chat with her. She is one of those rare people who project both a sense of personal power and make those in her presence feel both valued and safe. And her book…
A friend just forwarded this to me. Since it is relevant to our discussion regarding the merits of different forms of spirituality and belief in God, I pass it along. Click Here For Original Link Or Thread. I found your discussion of spirituality interesting and useful, and during my trip with my son did some reading…
The following is a summary of some of the principles of social behaviour that make it difficult for insiders to accurately perceive their own behaviour. Cognitive Dissonance Cognitive dissonance is at the root of denial. Fear is at the root of cognitive dissonance. The extent of our fear is determined by our general tendencies in…
The widest angle lens I have found while trying to understand my experience on the way out of Mormonism was handed to me by a friend as I was going through some of my darkest moments of that birth canal. She referred me to comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell. I found him and others like him…