Do we still need religion?

[Ryumon]

And there it is, Godwin’s Law…


Gassho,
Ryūmon (Kirk)
Sat

[Wabo]

And there it is, Godwin’s Law…

Okay, that was too much, mentioning Hitler. But what about the eugenics policy that was in place in Europe, the US, and some parts of Asia?

Eugenics laws were in effect in California until 1979. Do you think this is ok?

Hail Galton
Hail science
raw.png

Wabo
Gassho
ST

[Jundo]

Science is good. It is not perfect knowledge, but it helps us test beliefs, rather than just believe any crazy thing.

However, so-called "scientism" is bad. That is the belief that science is the only answer, or has all the answers. I put it this way in my (hopefully future book) "Building the Future Buddha" ...

Please allow me to say that I have great trust in science, but I am not someone who believes that science has all the answers. That is patently not true. We have to resist the tendency toward “scientism,” an excessive faith and belief in science as the be all and end all in offering explanations and understanding of the world. For example, biologists and chemists, neurologists and physicists may have much to say on the mechanisms by which a flower germinates and grows, the wave patterns of light, the structure of electro-chemical signal transmission from the retina to the synapses of brain, and the physiology of heart rates and hormonal responses when two persons communicate something meaningful between them. However, no formula or equation can yet capture the richness and beauty of the simple experience of gazing upon a flower, offering one to a lover, or the wordless experience of the Buddha’s holding up a flower before his disciple, Mahākāśyapa, who smiled in understanding.

Furthermore …

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5).

I do not consider myself a “materialist” because, fundamentally, I am convinced that we barely have begun to pull back the curtain in understanding what is truly afoot beyond the surface appearances of time, space, energy and matter that seem to constitute this world.

Furthermore, some engineers I know (hopefully, not my son) cannot see beyond their transistors and screwdrivers, and can fall into a certain efficient amorality that is itself its own kind of religion.

On the other hand, science is wonderful because it helps us know that many crazy religious and other superstitious beliefs are just crazy superstition.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Wabo]

Thank you Jundo. I completely share your point of view

Gassho
Wabo
ST