XPost: sci.psychology.psychotherapy, alt.consciousness, talk.origins   
   From: Be@here.now   
      
   On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 10:52:31 +0000 (UTC), "Raan"    
   wrote:   
      
   >So to reason and apply that reason by means of the self correcting objective   
   >methods of science is to have as dogmatic a faith as any religion is that   
   >right.  And I suppose mathematics as it is applied to engineering is just an   
   >occult magical system.  You might want to reassess your view.   
      
   Nope!  Many of the belief systems, religious or otherwise, that are   
   being denounced by Secular Humanism also claim to have scientific   
   support or even scientific proof on their side.  All to often people   
   ignore data that does not fit there view point.  This includes those   
   who support Secular Humanism.  The observer is effecting that which is   
   being observed.  The interpretation of scientific data is very   
   subjective.   
      
   Secular Humanism has received a bad name due to actions taken by   
   Communist states under the banner of state sponsored Secular Humanism.   
   Much like many religions receive a bad name due to the actions of   
   extreme fundamentalists in their groups.  The Communist state replaced   
   God and all to often the state then decides that it's OK to execute,   
   imprison,  torture,  or re-educate all people who express any   
   religious or spiritual beliefs.  Hundreds of millions died in Russia,   
   China, Vietnam, and other Communists countries.   
      
   Bottom line is that all dogma, fanaticism, fundamentalism, and   
   extremism can be dangerous, even under the name of Secular Humanism.   
      
    Agreeing to respect other people's right to hold and publicly express   
   their beliefs, even those religious beliefs that you disagree with,   
   has proved to be the only workable solution.   
      
      
   ----------------------   
      
   "although all special manifestations of religion may have been   
   absurd(I mean its creeds and theories), yet the life of it as a whole   
   is mankind's most important function"  ---  William James   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)