On 5 Dec 2007, at 00:55, Warren Ockrassa wrote: > On Dec 4, 2007, at 10:56 AM, William T Goodall wrote: > >> >> On 4 Dec 2007, at 16:26, Richard Baker wrote: >> >>> Nick said: >>> >>>> I'm pointing out that there's a correlation between skepticism >>>> about >>>> science >>>> and good science. The country that includes a lot of skeptics >>>> about >>>> science >>>> is the same country that excels in science. Therefore, one may >>>> leap >>>> to the >>>> conclusion that skepticism about science causes good science. >>> >>> It's not scepticism though. The people in the US who don't believe >>> in >>> evolution by natural selection by and large aren't saying "we don't >>> think evolution by natural selection is an adequate explanation for >>> the extant biological diversity so for the moment we won't believe >>> in >>> it even though there are no plausible alternatives" but rather "we >>> don't believe in evolution by natural selection because these fairy >>> stories are so much more plausible despite the total lack of >>> evidence >>> for them!" That's not scepticism, it's misplaced credulity. >> >> And people who think like that are dangerous to themselves and >> others. >> Hence religion is evil. > > No more nor less so than any other institution.
Other institutions don't necessarily require people to believe untrue things. > -- William T Goodall Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/ "I wish developing great products was as easy as writing a check. If so, then Microsoft would have great products." - Steve Jobs _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
