> thus, when you say "you may be a rational person _in general_, but when it comes
> to your beliefs".. I say, what's the *true* difference between being rational
> and having faith? at a high level they're just two memes..
>
> my 2c
>
> [deletia]
Yes, at one level they are just memes - no one better or worse than anyother
However: The benefits and detriments of certain memes to organisms can be discussed
on their own merits. If you agree that individual freedom, and an environment that
promotes learning how the Universe around us functions, and you want your offspring
to have to tools to compete in a global and technoligical society - then there is no
real choice - the rational, scientific meme is a proven meme at accomplishing this
goal. If you teach your children the religion meme as a dominant theme, then you can
pretty much guess that they will not be able to be rational about many aspects of
science later in life. From the origin of the species, to how they should act in bed
- the religion meme is one built on fear, guilt, social cohesion, oppression, and the
"need" to no be alone.
The common religious meme here in the states is for the most part, incompatible with
the rational meme. Even the concept of "faith" (in the religious sense) is
incompatible with rationalism. I was under the impression that we are here to make a
new religious meme - with rationalism as one of its parts. A meme that is not in
contrast with observation.
Bill Roh
Sodom