Religion vs Science

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2827/jewish/The-Torah-Science-Debates.htm

by shliachtx • 13 years ago

2 8 13 years ago

shliachtx4• 13 years ago

This is really about Judaism (Torah) vs. science, but I think it applies to the general religion vs science debate.

We want to retain some kind of Jewish institution, a synagogue or temple, if only because the Gentiles have their churches and look with suspicion on the unchurched.

Eh? I can tell I am not the intended audience, but perhaps a little bit more nuance wouldn't go amiss here.

shliachtx4• 13 years ago

As you pointed out, the intended audience is Jews, but I think the point made in that line is obvious - not so much that if only because the Gentiles have their churches and look with suspicion on the unchurched, rather read we feel that the Gentiles have their churches and look with suspicion on the unchurched. I.e. the point is in the psychology of the Jew, not to determine what everyone else is thinking (as that would be pretty ridiculous).

moocowduckquack4• 13 years ago

I think I get you, I did take the more ridiculous meaning first time round.

I still think the second version is still a bit ridiculous, as most gentiles don't have churches. It seems like this is maybe a specific use of the term gentile. I dunno, about the only thing I know of the word is it means someone who isn't jewish, which is a very wide range of people, so I find it hard to believe that jewish people in general are worrying that gentiles in general are looking with suspicion on the unchurched, I mean, what about all the buddhists, for instance? They aren't going to care, and there's loads of them.

edit - I do agree with him that there is no general problem between having articles of faith on the one hand and following processes of knowledge on the other, there can sometimes be specific instances that create problems of course, such as if you believe the universe to be younger than the rocks you are studying. That said, I am not religious by inclination, but I do not think that religion and science are exclusive subjects so I have much I agree with him on. I just found some of the tone of the writing a bit odd and thought it seemed maybe a little shuttered.

Religion vs Science

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