LOL... yes.. "or not". Which could certainly be better than actually learning one is wrong... Especially if particular world views are actually true that one has struggled to avoid . Hmmmm...
Perhaps Pascal's Wager has merit for the godless but risk averse?
It's very interesting to note that opinions become more dogmatically held on the metaphysical issues surrounding origins discussions the farther one gets away from research universities and theological seminaries. Most folks don't know reaserch scientists who are astronomers, physicists, chemists, geologists, biologists, etc... yet they can tell you what all of them are thinking. The same is true for theologeans and philosophers working in universities and seminaries. It's almost like listening to the Rebublican supporters and Democrat supports blasting the "opposition" with full and reckless confidence in their own position to in order to move their cause forward with little genuine understanding of the underlying realities or care for the truth.
Facts are facts... which facts you emphasize, and how you interpret them will show less about what the facts say and more about what you want them to say. When facts cannot be effectivly interpreted so that they are "on one's side" then one can defer to philosophical arguements or claim the "god of the gaps" or the "no god of the gaps".
This kind of discussion seems pointless.
The Origins show will be on. The origins show, I'm sure, was well funded. It should be a very good production, and many "cool" facts will be brought to light. You will also be invited to entertain the interpretation of those facts into various origins theories by the host or guest experts. What they say should be seriously considered, but one should also be careful to recognize that all people hold some vested interest in a world view that they have accepted.. critically or not.
Those who are materialists will surely find confirmation for their materialism in the facts presented. Also, many who are ID'ers or creationists will find much to confirm their beliefs... (with the possible exception of young-earth folks... sorry).
Remember, Kerry and Bush will debate in a few days, and everyone who watches their candidate will be proud of how he stuck it to the other guy.. That's human nature.
As for the untimate truth?... well.. we will all get to figure that out for sure after we die, won't we?
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It's very interesting to note that opinions become more dogmatically held on the metaphysical issues surrounding origins discussions the farther one gets away from research universities and theological seminaries. Most folks don't know reaserch scientists who are astronomers, physicists, chemists, geologists, biologists, etc... yet they can tell you what all of them are thinking. The same is true for theologeans and philosophers working in universities and seminaries. It's almost like listening to the Rebublican supporters and Democrat supports blasting the "opposition" with full and reckless confidence in their own position to in order to move their cause forward with little genuine understanding of the underlying realities or care for the truth. Facts are facts... which facts you emphasize, and how you interpret them will show less about what the facts say and more about what you want them to say. When facts cannot be effectivly interpreted so that they are "on one's side" then one can defer to philosophical arguements or claim the "god of the gaps" or the "no god of the gaps". This kind of discussion seems pointless. The Origins show will be on. The origins show, I'm sure, was well funded. It should be a very good production, and many "cool" facts will be brought to light. You will also be invited to entertain the interpretation of those facts into various origins theories by the host or guest experts. What they say should be seriously considered, but one should also be careful to recognize that all people hold some vested interest in a world view that they have accepted.. critically or not. Those who are materialists will surely find confirmation for their materialism in the facts presented. Also, many who are ID'ers or creationists will find much to confirm their beliefs... (with the possible exception of young-earth folks... sorry). Remember, Kerry and Bush will debate in a few days, and everyone who watches their candidate will be proud of how he stuck it to the other guy.. That's human nature. As for the untimate truth?... well.. we will all get to figure that out for sure after we die, won't we?