On Mon, Nov 25, 2002 at 11:19:14PM -0500, Robert Zimmerman wrote: > > >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 20:31:33 EST > >Subject: Fwd: religion is evil, why it must be eradicated > > > >In a message dated 11/24/2002 9:48:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > >>By that definition, when I teach a subject like introductory > >>astronomy or freshman math or physics for non-majors, I am teaching > >>religion, because I frequently have to say, "You'll just have > >>to take my word for this," because, for example, to establish a > >>particular result may require calculus or abstract algebra or other > >>advanced courses which not only do we not expect the students at > >>that level to have taken, but most of them will never take any time > >>in their lives. > > > > > >But there is a key difference. You ask them to take what you say on > >faith but they can in fact determine whether the thing you say is > >reasonable. They can learn enough to make a judgement. Basically the > >truth or falsity of what you teach is something that can be verified > >publicly
Thanks for explaining that, Bob. As I said in another message, I chose my words carefully but it appears some people haven't been reading them carefully. Either that, or perhaps they are interpreting my words as religious dogma rather than a statement that should be actively and intelligently applied. > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> To me, a religion is any system of thought or ideaology in which, > >> when you start asking questions, you soon reach the point where you > >> have no choice but to passively accept what you are told: "take my > >> word for it" or "just have faith". -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
