Bad Cosmology
In the book of Acts we are told the incredible story of a god-man named Jesus levitating into heaven.
Luke records, "And after he had said these things, he was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11, NASB)
So where the heck was Jesus levitating to? There is no literal heaven above the clouds. This ancient writer's cosmological ignorance has been laid bare for all to see.
Sam Harris explains, "Imagine that we could revive a well-educated Christian of the fourteenth century. The man would prove to be a complete ignoramus, except on matters of faith. His beliefs about geography, astronomy, and medicine would embarrass even a child, but he would know more or less everything there is to know about God. Though he would be considered a fool to think that the earth is the center of the cosmos, or that trepanning [boring holes in the skull presumably as a point of egress for evil spirits] constitutes a wise medical intervention, his religious ideas would still be beyond reproach. There are two explanations for this: either we perfected our religious understanding of the world a millennium ago - while our knowledge on all other fronts was still hopelessly inchoate - or religion, being the mere maintenance of dogma, is one area of discourse that does not admit of progress" (The End of Faith, page 21-22)
People, these are mere fables, lets finally acknowledge them as such and grow up as humanity!
Luke records, "And after he had said these things, he was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11, NASB)
So where the heck was Jesus levitating to? There is no literal heaven above the clouds. This ancient writer's cosmological ignorance has been laid bare for all to see.
Sam Harris explains, "Imagine that we could revive a well-educated Christian of the fourteenth century. The man would prove to be a complete ignoramus, except on matters of faith. His beliefs about geography, astronomy, and medicine would embarrass even a child, but he would know more or less everything there is to know about God. Though he would be considered a fool to think that the earth is the center of the cosmos, or that trepanning [boring holes in the skull presumably as a point of egress for evil spirits] constitutes a wise medical intervention, his religious ideas would still be beyond reproach. There are two explanations for this: either we perfected our religious understanding of the world a millennium ago - while our knowledge on all other fronts was still hopelessly inchoate - or religion, being the mere maintenance of dogma, is one area of discourse that does not admit of progress" (The End of Faith, page 21-22)
People, these are mere fables, lets finally acknowledge them as such and grow up as humanity!
posted by R.K. at 12:39 AM
4 Comments:
What is so wrong about a lie/fable? Do you have a sense that you see reality as it actually is?
We get it you are angry with God.
Nothing is that wrong with a lie/fable until it becomes the center of a persons life and they start making important life decisions based on them, only to be frustrated and disappointed in the end. How many people accept jobs, buy houses, or even get married based on how they feel after they've prayed? Belief can be a great comfort and support but it can also leave a lot of broken and hurt lives.
I don't think it is belief that leaves broken and hurt lives... It is the feeling that that belief has in some way been misplaced.
We all base our actions upon our beliefs. Your belief in atheism starts a blog. Or maybe it keeps your shadow away from those pesky church doors.
If your argument is that being rational is better than being emotional than you should watch some Dharma and Greg. Get your shit sorted out. ^^
We are all broken and have hurt. This is not a viable argument for or against belief. If you think it somehow creates more hurt than hope... well, I go back to my beginning, we all believe in something, even if it's nothing.
That was me above, if that didn't come through.
Post a Comment
<< Home