X-Message-Number: 31770
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Re: Tremendous, world class debate re: science vs. religion a...
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:02:40 +0200
References: <>

On 27 Jun 2009, at 11:00 AM, Rudi Hoffman wrote:

> This is on the subject of the relationship of science and religion.   
> And is
> highly "on topic" for this forum, conceptually.

No doubt, since religiosity is the key variable in attitudes toward  
cryonics.


> But not till you read Sam Harris, in this battle of the intellectual
> heavyweights, in a spirited debate with an editor of NATURE magazine  
> named
> Mr. Ball, do we realize how HIGH the bar actually is for genuine
> intellectual discourse.


Unfortunately, intellectual discourse has little, if any, effect on  
religiosity. In fact, it has been argued that the militant critics of  
religion are actually having the effect of promoting religiosity:

The New Atheist Movement is destructive
<http://www.fritanke.no/ENGLISH/2009/The_new_atheist_movement_is_destructive/ 
 >


Loud but not clear


<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/13/atheists-christianity-religion-dawkins-bunting
 >


The phenomenon is well known within social psychology. The critical  
attacks strengthen the identity of those attacked (social identity  
theory). A real world example is the Islamic Conference Organization  
(ICO). Before the Bush Gang's attack on Muslims, it was little more  
than a diner club, now it has become a real influence.


dss


David Stodolsky
  Skype: davidstodolsky

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