On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:03 PM, Art Harris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> What might be interesting, however, is a presentation on the differences
> between inquiry-based and authority-based belief systems. We hear a lot
> about different world views, but I'm not much convinced that either groups
> truly understand what the other's world view is nor why each group is
> impervious to the arguments of the other. Such a presentation is unlikely to
> change anyone's mind, but might be of considerable help in understanding
> where people are coming from.

Speaking as someone who grew up in a fundy church (and left it nearly
20 years ago), the primary problem with any sort of authority-based
belief system is that the fundies fit the evidence to their world-view
instead of adjusting their world view to fit the evidence. In science,
the "world view" is constantly changing and rearranging as new
discoveries are made. Fundies will *never* change their world view, no
matter what evidence is presented to them. Therein lies the problem
and the reason why there will never be a way to have a civil discourse
between the two sides. It's not the same as a debate between two
scientists who have differing viewpoints. When one argument is
ultimately based on faith, there is no scientific way to debate that.
You either believe it or you don't.

I fully respect anyone's religious beliefs, just don't call them
science or try to justify them with science. That's not what religion
or science is for. I don't visit a church to hear someone present a
scientific paper nor do I visit a science museum to hear a sermon.
Different buildings; different purposes.

And you know what, that's okay. It's a big world. There's plenty of
space for all of us.

Deb Fuller

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).