Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihu1m.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihu1m!gadfly
From: gadfly@ihu1m.UUCP (Gadfly)
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: Re: After the collection, comes the sermon . . .
Message-ID: <410@ihu1m.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 1-May-85 19:38:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1m.410
Posted: Wed May  1 19:38:49 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 2-May-85 03:21:08 EDT
References: <1928@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 58

--
> It is precisely the 'creationist' believer in a God who has given
> meaning to the dance who can bridge the existential gap created by
> the thought of the collective as well as the individual death. 
> My word, what ever is the whole message of Christianity?  "Death
> where is thy sting?  Death is swallowed up in victory!" Etc...
>                                                                      
> The existentialist answer is to look death right in the 
> eye and say it doesn't matter - the moment matters, DO something!
> Affirm, since we can't be 'sure' of ANYTHING it seems, SOMETHING!
>                                                         
> I spell relief (from death) S C I E N C E !  Or the one I like best,
> R E A S O N.
>                                                               
> The Christian believes in the ETERNAL destiny of mankind under a
> loving God!...
>                   
> Preachin' ?  You bet.
> 
> Keep chargin'
> Ken Arndt

Eloquently said, Ken.  But it's not science.  So what?  So what, indeed.
Science speaks to "how", not "why".  You've got your "why", which, like
so many fundamentalist-types, you assume to be the only possible
answer.  Have you noticed how dogmatic folks of all persuasions are
like that?  And thus do I lump you and Rosen together.

Maybe you find the "how" stuff boring, or irrelevant, but scientists
keep at least each other amused with it.  The scientific method
does not speak at all to the real pith of the human condition--it
does not claim to--but, as Galileo allegedly said of the earth,
"nevertheless, it moves."  Oh Ken, you ungrateful wretch, you reject
the madness in its method.  Question authority!  Always question
authority!

And now, a word from our sponsor:  Creationism is *by definition*
not science.  The theory of evolution may be impeachable, but it
is a scientific theory.  People can profess whatever explanations for
things they find satisfying, as is their right in this country, so
long as they keep the non-scientific parts out of public school
science materials.  Science deals only with a method for understanding
natural processes.  Of course, science classroom curricula have
always stressed "facts" and "right answers".  Thus, the creationists
can hardly be blamed for trying the same approach.

We're back live:  Well, Ken, I'm glad you've found the consolation you
need about death.  As for me, I never was one to cram for a test.
I'll see the questions--and the answers--soon enough.  Besides, I
hear that God (a) gives interesting exams that you can't really
study for, and (b) doesn't grade on a curve.
-- 
                    *** ***
JE MAINTIENDRAI   ***** *****
                 ****** ******  01 May 85 [12 Floreal An CXCIII]
ken perlow       *****   *****
(312)979-7188     ** ** ** **
..ihnp4!iwsl8!ken   *** ***