mollyImalone
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Feb 6, 2014 2:58 PM
mollyImalone
265743
13419
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senshu
We don't GET scientifically literate voters and taxpayers regardless of evolution.
whaticallhilarious
This is Bill Nye's worst quote lol
thatguyyouknowfromthevelveetacommercial
julimagination
I signed in just to upvote that.
Brained
This was well played. Nicely done. I'm not a fan of how quickly people come out swinging at each other. I'll use your post as a nice exit.
NotTheKetchup
Luigi!
Oinchackolp
thatguyyouknowfromthevelveetacommercial
The look of "Oh...damn" at the end really made this. Well done.
GuyKneeCologist
Kung Pow!
BDyne
I was raised in a Christian household that gave me the freedom to make my own religious decisions. Everyone deserves to live that way.
MyLuggageAteMyHomework
I lived in a non-religious household, and I still came out Christian. Freedom to choose is indeed a birthright. :)
HotNSpicyColdNIcy
I appreciate your boldness to say that in this forum haha, many wouldn't.
goodguyjohnny
Bill for president of the universe!
dante979
xenu will be pissed...and so will be tom cruise...
paddymcnasty
Campaign slogan: BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL!
CaptainButtbeard
Not one single president. A quartet of presidents with Bill, Neil, Carl and me.
IDontKnowHowToHuman
Since your name contains the words "Captain" & "Beard", I'd vote for you :{D>
nickrad
bill bill bill bill
DjDistinct
fuck yes!
Steakandeggs
Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!
minabear
That I can get behind.
2Grenades1Strax
Bill Nye seems to be some kind of real life Doctor (Who)..
katiec523
Call Stephen Moffat! he should play the 13th
IsThereAnyUsernameThatIsntTakenYet
this. needs more upvotes.
FingolfinHighKingoftheNoldor
I'd rather have him as the galactic emperor.... I'd follow him to the dark side in a heart beat lol.
TeamRocketBlastOffAtTheSpeedOfLightSurrenderNowOrPrepareToFight
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
TeamRocketBlastOffAtTheSpeedOfLightSurrenderNowOrPrepareToFight
you have now idea as to what im refurring to do you?
Iamahugefanofcamembert
My creationist room mate does mech eng at imperial. He seems to be fine at building stuff...
mikeymike
no way dude, everything is going to fall apart because its related to what he does!!!
Iamahugefanofcamembert
i'm called michael too ^ - ^ (judging by your username)
mikeymike
lol cool cool
RoswellM
Let your kids CHOOSE.
wrenish
Let them choose, but first teach them critical thinking and scientific process so that they can make an informed decision.
bi0v0id
I am about to attend Georgia Tech, plan on becoming a computer engineer, and hope to run my own electronics business... I believe in God...
tanyuu
There was nothing in that quote that said anything about believing in God. That's separate, despite what others want people to believe.
bi0v0id
If you believe fully in God though, you cannot believe fully in evolution, and that is what I was saying, thank you for clarifying though
MeLlamoGroot
(1) As a devout Catholic who's pursuing an M.S. in biomedical engineering, I'd appreciate it everyone stops labeling religious individuals
MeLlamoGroot
(2) as scientific illiterates who completely ignore logic and live to shove dogma down others' throats. I'm not asking for much.
GoddamnitClown
You might want to reread what was posted. Unless you just wanted to get that non-sequitur off your chest. If so, I hope you feel better.
CausticAcrostic
Some men just want to watch the world learn
AlGoreRhythms
Some people just want to watch the world turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely and your never coming 'round.
SnarkyBiscuits
darkstorm47
edgykitty
Him and Levar Burton are heroes
JPre35
great comment
mollyImalone
oh you.
lakovkreativity
OP, cool people don't look at explosions.
funkjacket
Bad job running there, stumpy
shift24q
Dude you were supposed to run
TheRealMNightShyamalan
He's right
HeyDontJudgeMe
Whos left?
muntoo
Who left?
mnsu
Dad.
LokiKingOfJotunheim
screamingwinemaker
*watch the world evolve.
helloitspen
... *slow claps* Not bad.... not bad....
TheGrayFox
I wish I could upvote this more than once
antidentite22
I hate you so much cz u thought of this before me...
taylordaslayer
YES.
LordWok
quite witty~
HanktheHeliotropeShank
Dude, I thought of that comment like over a year ago after seeing some Joker stuff online and I was like I'll just have to wait...
HanktheHeliotropeShank
...and then, when the time was finally right, I was nowhere to be found.
TheMrFountain
+1 for comment of the month.
Beelsebooob
You sir, are a genius.
derpesofthemouth
... woah
differently
I usually don't read posts with multiple gifs that you have to read, but it's Bill Nye so I had to
theartofselfdefense
Some people just want a tangerine
GarrettStopMotion
I am hungry, I wish I had some Chinese food/pizza right now
edgykitty
I want a tangerine
eddiewardo
^some people
RiverBear
Some people just want to throw away rubies the size of tangerines. :P
Jarkeler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SuTLMp6Ytw
Jarkeler
Fuck you downvoter, get a sense of humor!
zeaga
Can comfirm; am some people
TheOriginalNonfiction
thorbatestogirls
This is beautiful
lozeldatkm
I don't recognize the guy between Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross...
muntoo
reddit wants to have a word with you.
TheOriginalNonfiction
Carl Sagan
l00kylou
Carl Sagan
SunburnHelio
but I have Christian friends who are engineers, doctors, and software programmers.
embracethepain
Let your kids decide for themselves, what they believe. If they ask you questions, answer honestly.
IndianaHoosier
But why can't someone who doesn't believe in evolution be an engineer?
endbit
Replace 'evolution' with 'gravity' and ask the same question. It's about denying evidence from the scientific method.
tomyironmane
Too bad all we're getting are common core indoctrinated fools. Give 'em back to the creationists, at least they'll teach them to be polite.
1QQQ1
You don't have to believe in evolution to be scientifically literate or an engineer.
TheMCArcadia
I don't believe Bill means "Engineer" in the way you think. Humanity needs to solve problems... we're all engineers.
Odessa
You're right about being an engineer, but I also think we have different definitions of what it means to be "scientifically literate".
messimesmess
what does it mean to you?
cheddarhat
Bill. Bill, Bill, Bill. Being a creationist doesn't make you scientifically illiterate, or incapable of engineering, or innovating. It's OK!
gary125
...because those who believe in creation can't be literate voters or pay taxes??
blitzschmeiss
Woohoo! I don't have to pay taxes!
theGhostOfIsaacNewton
He didn't say anything about believing in creation. He talked about denying scientific knowledge and imposing religion on children.
alexandercamp
I feel like this is kind of super shitty to Christians who don't be believe in evolution and are good engineers.
JoshHackney
Read dude. it's an important skill. no one said Christian, he said creationist's.
greymouser7
or those of us that do believe-my whole family: several engineers, 2 doctors, etc. - all devout Christians that accept evolution- WTF?
cdoe
So they take Genesis figuratively and not literally? Only God knows for sure and the Bible HAS been translated a lot...
LordEcneralc
Bill said he doesn't believe god created the universe, but he also said god could've. He said 2 believe the world is only 6000 y/o is stupid
LordEcneralc
Creationists believe Noah had a male chihuahua and female and over 4000 years they made huskies, puddles, pugs etc. just from them.
LordEcneralc
Basically is what ken ham said happened since the flood was only 4000 years ago.
LordEcneralc
Why the down vote? Ken ham stated that Noah had 2000 species on his boat 4000 yrs ago and from that 2000 30 million came to exist in 4000 yr
johnsonator129
Thank you
BrumpoTungus
He didn't say that you can't be a good engineer. He said that society needs scientifically literate people.
JaromirAzarov
Don't worry, we're used to it...
[deleted]
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Robintheultimatebadass
You can still believe in eternal life but not in creationism...
mosdefin
It's hard to be smart and willfully ignorant at the same time, which you'd need to be to not believe evolution. There are Christians who...
mosdefin
Believe in evolution, though, so it's not necessarily the religion that's being failed against.
LeetleAsian
Christian and creationist can be two very different things though.
GetsMeEveryTime
Actually all Christians must be creationist. The real divide is old earth versus new earth creationists. All Christians nonetheless.
blaergh
Not all christians are that concerned about the issue. They are happy with thinking it's a mystery. My mum and grandma are like that.
angus017
He literally said "Christians who don't believe in evolution." Call me stupid but I'm pretty sure he is referring to creationists.
Knollds
You can't be Christian without being a creationist.
[deleted]
[deleted]
Knollds
That has nothing to do with what I said.
AshleyQueen
Is that a thing?
SaintMaceToTheFace
Yeah. My uncle worked on The Apollo Missions
HousePIant
Yes.
bucketmouse
Just because you are scientifically literate, doesn't make you a great problem solver or a good citizen.
Yourideatrain
Psshh! What about "Eugenics," huh? That's science-y, and it's all about producing good citizens!
bucketmouse
(can't tell if sarcastic or serious) to clarify, good in the moral sense not the physical. Note* moral does not equal religious.
Yourideatrain
To clarify: It is sarcasm.
bucketmouse
good, cause I may have giggled
[deleted]
[deleted]
bucketmouse
Those crazy Christians, who do they think they are, believing in science. Lies all lies I say. FTR: I think they work well together.
bucketmouse
FTR 2.0- Don't get me wrong, evolution advocating Catholic right here, I just didn't like how he worded his sentiments. <3 knowledge
HotNSpicyColdNIcy
Ok, I believe in evolution, but saying that you have to believe in evolution to basically be ANY help to society is illogical.
kudoz
Evolution isn't a belief. You don't believe in it. You understand the evidence supporting it.
blaergh
Bill Nye was worried about the chaotic results of passinf creationism as science to new generation. It's a belief, not science.
godores
Evolution is still a theory. You can believe there is evidence of it, but jumping in head first is just putting faith in man instead of God.
acunninglinguist
Gravity is also "just a theory".
zombiecleo
Also, more evidence for evolution than gravity
TheLastSouthernGentleman
How is that exactly?
zombiecleo
You mean aside from the numerous records detailing evolution, some scientists don't think gravity even exists as it's been theorised
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
Evolution is a fact. The theoretical part of it is whether it happened by natural selection or some other process.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
field. Then there are bacteria. Here is a link you can read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._coli_long-term_evolution_experiment
GoddamnitClown
It isn't a requirement. The (reasonable) assertion is that faith over evidence is of no help to society. Which it isn't. 1/2
GoddamnitClown
You can find (as Señor Ham did) examples where it did not *preclude* being useful but, plainly, legitimising it does not push us forward.
GoddamnitClown
Holy (golden idol of) Jesus Christ on a sacred cow! Downvoted within 5 seconds of posting but with no reply :D
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
"Don't teach children what to think; teach them how to think."
missdeschaneaux
Awesome awesome awesome awesome
SansasPeriod
My very religious parents raised me this way but boy do they regret it now.
IDontKnowHowToHuman
My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. (And I'm keeping the sentence that way. My love to Pluto.)
MrAwesomesauce101
Kind of hard to draw the line on the difference between the two.
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
How so?
MrAwesomesauce101
You can teach kids how to think and what to think in the same context. Many people have different thought processes, some aren't clear.
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
What. There is an objectively correct way to think. If you teach someone this, you don't need to "teach" them any conclusions at all.
tomyironmane
Oh yeah, have you ever seen someone who is about to graduate with a 4 year college degree who doesn't know this? 16 years of school
tomyironmane
And they can't think on their own. They can buy alcohol, vote for president, die for their country, and all the rest
tomyironmane
and can't string together a single logical train of thought! They've been discouraged from doing so for the last 16 freakin' years!
pixels
I think ham was trying to say that, he may have not answered the question, but he answered others.
Vranak
You shouldn't need to teach anyone to think. Thinking happens automatically. Just clear out the shit and away you go.
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
Brutally false.
[deleted]
[deleted]
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
lol
Vranak
I'll take that as a yes.
photog
Just keep your kids out of trouble. Let them know the basics, don't cheat, lie, steal, kill or rape people. Let them figure the rest out.
biologywin
Wisdom is known by her children. Most of the evolutionary stories I was told are now "known" to be false. How could we feed ourselves?
kainaris
That's perfect.
cufa
I live in Hong Kong. That phrase should be hanging from every school hall here. The spoon feeding carried out here is disgusting.
nrwal6425
And America
asheara
In Korea too. :(
momofgamers
There is no need to teach a child to think. There is a need to not mess him up so much that he is incapable of using his innate intelligence
nrwal6425
Children think, yes, but, not always using logic. We need to teach logic, pattern recognition, and the scientific method
momofgamers
No need to teach something they will learn over time as a result of following interests
nrwal6425
And to question information
helpidontknowmyname
This is not always true, at least with my students. They watch and react, but they have little practice thinking.
momofgamers
My oldest is homeschooled. I have seen him think from very, very young. What you are seeing may be children who have already been messed up
helpidontknowmyname
I absolutely agree. My kids are thinkers, but we raised them a bit outside the box (no TV, lots of discussions, high vocab, etc.)
godores
For how smart we all think we are, we spend very little thought trying to understand the other sides to a debate. That goes both ways here.
Flyndaran
Reason vs. faith. I understand it. I just reject religion as wrong. The religious aren't all evil, stupid, delusional etc. just wrong.
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
We all think we're pretty smart until we try to turn on someone else's shower.
endbit
You'd be surprised how well some understand the debate between evidence based rationalism & belief.
TurbulentEddie
Both are necessary sometimes. You're not going to be able to answer a five year old's "why is the sky blue?" with the Socratic method alone.
darklydreamingpanda
I try teaching my daughter with the Socratic method. She screams and goes to her room. I'd call that a win.
fortheloveofpete
My 4yo nieces asked me that weeks ago & I told them the truth. They still remember. They're wicked smart because I don't baby shit for them.
IDontKnowHowToHuman
I wouldn't baby shit for children either. I just put in the toilet & flush it away.
tarataqa
"And just why do you think the sky is blue, Timmy?"
TheChinamanIsNotTheIssue
That is implicit in the message. Teaching someone how to think necessarily includes teaching them how to acquire the info they think about.
Almightygir
Actually you can. clear tub, milky water, white flashlight. it explains colour wavelengths in a visual, child friendly way!
Leithoa
The socratic method only works if the teacher fully understands the topics and which questions will actually help students. Most don't
AllYourPeppermintAreBelongToMe
*necessary always, as with wisdom.
River9448
I am 16 and I don't know why the sky is blue
tomyironmane
your public school education has clearly failed you.
ImGonnaTryScience
(1/2) Rayleigh scattering. Sunlight is scattered by particles in the atmosphere, but the intensity varies with 1/(lambda^4).
ImGonnaTryScience
(2/2) where lambda is the wavelength of the photons. Blue light has a smaller wavelenght, and hence a greater scattering intensity.
ScruffyBelievesInThisCompany
Science.
SrPantalonesdefuego
When they made the world in color they decided that blue was really fucking pretty so they poured a few zillion tons of blue dye in the sea
Quisquose
I'm 16 and the only reason I know is because of that insurance commercial with the cute little girl and her dad on the beach.
TurbulentEddie
Clearly you don't know how to think ;). The reason is Rayleigh scattering. (And not one of the many religion-derived reasons, who knew!?)
MrRandomUK
Its caused by an effect known as Rayleigh Scattering... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering
BluHaze
When sunlight reaches earths atmosphere the air molecules scatter the short wavelengths of light more, and blue is in the shortest spectrum.
Zodi
TIL it's not the reflection of the water, as I was told by everyone around me.
theorybird
What about the places that are far from large bodies water?
pofist
The ocean is blue because it reflects the sky. Water is nearly colorless.
anzolr
LMAO! Honestly, that wouldn't make sense because water isn't blue.
Geek13
I'm an engineer. I was raise to believe in God. I can solve a problem, too. Just not in Dif-E. That crap I just memorized for the test.
kickliquid
as a person of faith w/ an engineering background can you construct a machine that turns water into wine instantly? cause that'd be badass.
Geek13
I could design it, but I'm not union certified to construct.
YoureGonnaStandThereOwningAFireworksStand
I think i found a brother...
YoureGonnaStandThereOwningAFireworksStand
s*
ToastyMozart
Oh god, fuck Diff-Eq.
Geek13
When/if you read the above, I just realized that I need a "d". Please add your own d.
markskar
As a Doctor of Journalism I thank you for the correction, have an upvote. Also, I inserted the D to completion, so we're all good.
javer80
Way ahead of you, buddy.
Corsair212
What does believing or not believing evolution have to do with being an engineer and solving problems? So what, Muslims can't be engineers?
[deleted]
[deleted]
knikkers
The problem is that creationism is taught in lieu of science.
JoshHackney
For fucks sake people can no one on this thread read? Show me where he said Religious in the post at the top. he said "creationist"
endbit
To deny evolution is to deny the validity of science. Denying the validity of science can't help with being an engineer.
gebsmith
No. Imgurians demand we accept everyone EXCEPT the religious
Turtleyturtle
First off, since when is a disagreement a lack of acceptance? Secondly, This post or any other post is not the entirety of Imgur.
godores
The most tolerant generation as long as everyone completely agrees with us. Its funny how different people rationalize their hatred.
ToastyMozart
For example: the "activist" side of Tumblr
only90skidswillgetthis
Imgur is actually pretty anti-athiest normally. As evidenced by your upvotes and my likely upcoming downvotes.
gebsmith
So basically accept everyone that's like them and reject anyone who is different but at the same time preach acceptance..
MyLuggageAteMyHomework
Yeah, it's things like this that make me hesitant to even come to imgur anymore :/ This place used to be so classy.
Turtleyturtle
You can accept someone and talk about how you disagree with them, I wouldn't kill a Christian on sight But I'd have a friendly discussion.
gebsmith
I agree. Unfortunately you can make a completely rational, friendly comment but if it's pro-religion then you'll get downvoted to hell.
gebsmith
I know the points don't matter but try making a logical rebuttal rather than downvote with no discussion.
SenorPandaMan
I don't see how believing in God and practicing proper science are mutually exclusive. I'm an engineer and I believe in God.
[deleted]
[deleted]
SenorPandaMan
Maybe. Who knows. I cannot, because only God may judge. That is how it goes. But keep being condescending and snarky.
MrROFLKNIFE
Engineer is the key word. This applies if you're doing pure science (research) in a relevant field vs. applied science.
blaergh
Bill Nye DID NOT bash christians or religion. He is worried about posing creationism as science and teaching it to impressionable kids.
MaybeeAB
yeah but a lot of people in the comments did...
blaergh
I don't agree with many religious views, but bashing people is immature. No one can or should be forced to change their religious views.
SenorPandaMan
I know. I agree. Religion should never enter into a government facility or functions, especially schools.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
Engineering is not science.
SenorPandaMan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science#Branches_and_fields Hop down from that pedestal.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
"Applied Sciences" is not the same as the science I meant, which is the natural sciences, the ones which do the observing and theorizing.1/2
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
How about you use context instead of insulting me. I'm in natural sciences, and lack of understanding evolution in my area is bad.
SenorPandaMan
I see no point in differentiating applied and natural sciences. It's semantics; both are arbitrary definitions. It's a petty endeavor.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
They have different purposes and ways that they go about doing things, they are different. Just because you refuse it doesnt mean I'm wrong.
acunninglinguist
Do you believe the earth is 6,000 years old? How about the universe, do you believe it's also 6,000 years old?
marksoccer
Only a fool would. The creation story was written in a manner for people to understand the relation between God and man, man and man, (1/2)
marksoccer
and man and sin. The Bible is not a science texbook and should not be treated as such. It is a collection of books that were (2/3)
marksoccer
divinely inspired that outlines how a person should live there life in accordance to the Word. (3/3)
SenorPandaMan
Of course not. It would be impossible to completely take the Bible seriously. I'd have been charged with murder for stoning people.
acunninglinguist
Don't know why you got downvoted, it's true. The ethics and morals of the bible are horrible.
wrenish
That's just the point he (Bill) was making. Teach your kids to think critically. If they do and still decide for God, power to them.
MaybeeAB
I grew up learning that it's not that we dont take it seriously but some of it shouldnt be taken literally. it's allegorical
SenorPandaMan
Yeah. I kind of think of it as a story where the meaning of the words was twisted over time. Like a tribe talking about a person in a myth.
MaybeeAB
I dont know if I believe that but I believe that religion started as a pursuit of the truth which is what science is. If something doesnt
MaybeeAB
4. a day? 24 hours? it could be that days and weeks were totally different & that the knowledge of this was just assumed back then
MaybeeAB
3. the bible it talks about the first 6 days before man was created, but before man was created, before the sun & moon, how did you measure
MaybeeAB
2. seem to connect than its my failure to understand it properly, not science or the bible's error. for instance the 6,000 year thing. in
subterraneanastronaut
I believe that God works THROUGH science. They are NOT exclusive.
wrenish
Can you please cite an example?
msbird
THANK YOU.
Cravenmobile
This^
JohnWilkesTableorBooth
present both sides to kids and let them decide for themselves.
whaticallhilarious
As a Christian, I full heartedly agree.
endbit
Sure physics & witchcraft, alchemy & chemistry, phrenology & neurology or we could just teach our current best understanding of reality.
ExpectedDickbuttGotDickbutt
your intentions are SPOT ON. however, you have to draw the line somewhere. should you teach kids both pro and anti Nazi beliefs? for me (1)
JohnWilkesTableorBooth
they should be taught hate and intolerance is bad and to see both points of views, even the Nazis were humans
ExpectedDickbuttGotDickbutt
strict, complete, every-creature-is-descended-from-Noah's-ark creationism is over that line and i personally do NOT teach both sides
truk77
Telling somebody "It's okay to believe ___" and then expecting them not to raise their kids in said belief is logically inconsistent.
IceCreamBeaver
It is important to let your children formulate their opinions. I was raised in a catholic house, but was allowed to have my own beliefs.
thiscannotpossiblygowrong
What about if you believe that unless children are properly guided they are likely to be misled, which is not an implausible position.
IceCreamBeaver
I believe guidance is good to a certain extent, but I see no harm allowing them to choose for themselves.
thiscannotpossiblygowrong
What if they decide that that position on raising children is wrong?
IceCreamBeaver
Everyone is free to raise their children as they wish, but I'm saying I believe that you should not brainwash your children into a religion.
CreamOfButts
I'm sorry, but no. My parents and I have different opinions on tons of things because they raised me to think for myself.
chemistrydoc
You are absolutely correct. Why do we have racists in the year 2014? Exact same reason. Parents need to teach their children to THINK period
m0therofcharizard
so it has nothing to do with racist parents using racial slurs and constantly demeaning another race around their children?
chemistrydoc
That is my point. Parents will teach their children what they know. If they are ignorant bigots...their children will be to.
m0therofcharizard
my bad. I thought you were arguing this as a reason to impose one's beliefs on children. rock on chemistrydoc
truk77
If you believe something, you live it. If I believe in God, I will tell my children that God is real. If you believe that poison kills (1/2)
m0therofcharizard
"I think God is real. He has helped me in so many ways. What do you think?" Doesn't that just sound a lot nicer than imposing? You're still
m0therofcharizard
leaving room for your children to think and decide for themselves.
truk77
If you believe what the Bible says about God, you believe in consequences of disbelief and do all you can to keep your children from that.
truk77
Will you tell your kids "I believe this will kill me, but it is okay with me if you drink it"? (2/2)
ITookTheHobbitsToIsengard
No, he's saying don't force your beliefs on your kids.
blzrdphoto
But my beliefs are right! *insert sarcmark here*
DavosSeaworthTheOnionKnight
Here's the thing though. These people believe in Hell and that if their kids aren't Christian they will be going there.
ITookTheHobbitsToIsengard
A scary thought for them indeed and I know its out of concern.
DavosSeaworthTheOnionKnight
To THEM it's like telling them to let their kid play with bombs at 5 years old. To them it's going to end up with eternal suffering
MetalJesus
Parents still have no business deliberately keeping their children ignorant.
Raithul
I think it is okay to believe in Christianity but it is not okay to raise children that way, as I imagine many do. This is because...
Raithul
...the brains of children are predisposed to believe into adulthood things that they are told by authority figures. Abusing this is not cool
gebsmith
Chances are your kids will be like you. If you are atheist they will probably be too. Old habits are hard to break.
gebsmith
So by not teaching your kids religion you are basically forcing atheism on them.
Raithul
Or, you know, tell them to make up their own mind.
gebsmith
Kids are like lumps of clay. You mold them to your image but teach them to think for themselves. By not molding the clay it can't choose
gebsmith
"Let them make up their own mind by not teaching religion" is a comment made by irrational atheists or people without children.
IDoNotBelieveYou
I think Ken Ham had a point when he he said that a lack of belief in evolution does not mean you can't contribute to science.
Soapybuttcheekz
Couldnt agree more,my dad has been a minister for 40 years and has raised 2 engineers,4 nurses and a Dr our beliefs have never hindered us.
reruns
If the evidence in favor of evolution does not convince you, you do not believe in evidence enough to execute the scientific method.
TheMightiestRiver
Perhaps, but it was unrelated to the point at hand. Nobody said they can't contribute, just that they're flawed by wilful ignorance
MrROFLKNIFE
This exactly. It's only relevant if you're studying development of organisms or the fundamental nature of existence or something like that
ArtCartoonsandCandy
This is my entire problem with what Bill Nye is saying....
nihilion
Ham's view is like the Chinese cmmnist party's view on journalism-you can cmment on this, but not that. Part of scince can't be untouchable.
AbnerDoon
true but, the point of the debate was whether or not Creationism is a variable model and should be taught in schools, which it is not.
ANinjaInATree
Lack of belief in evolution does not bother me. The fact that he stated that no evidence would ever change his mind is extremely bothersome.
opad
I doubt the scientific abilities of people that can not understand current science and question their ability to contribute anything.
SaintMaceToTheFace
My uncle helped put men on the moon. He is a creationist you preachy asshole. What have YOU done?
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
What has creationism done to help anything? What about you, have YOU done anything?
muellerbones
Wrong. Ham has no good points. If you can't accept evolution, then you lack the reasoning skills needed to be a scientist.
indyliberal
Lack of belief in evolution means lack of belief in observable, repeatable, provable data. It means you're not a scientist.
philosophical1
This x100. Religious scientists cannot catch a break from segregation in the science community. Everyone has a right to speak.
katelikesrectangles
Ps. I upvoted you even though I disagree, because, well, that's just how I roll.
TurbulentEddie
In this way, Bill's argument is kind of begging the question. But to fill in the gaps, teaching non-science (or teaching the controversy) ¹
TurbulentEddie
in science courses as a rule will lead to said bad results in adult science/engineering world. Allowing creationism is 1st step towards this
TurbulentEddie
If government forces creationism to be taught in science, why not other alternative (no/low evidence) theories to germs, gravity, etc.?
RiversR
I feel like this statement should be over a picture of a small penguin like bird.
Darksonion
whos arguing that?
tallstaff
He's perfectly right - it's absolutely possible for a person to be objective about some things and not about others
AllYourPeppermintAreBelongToMe
I'm sure Ken Ham is a Christian, but my own father or one of my brothers would have been better equipped. They love science, physics, etc.
Paraprax
It's not just a point, it's an absolute fact demonstrated over and over.
CarolinaDrama
I disagree. If you don't believe in evolution, anything you think or even do for that matter should be completely disregarded.
nrwal6425
If you teach that it is ok to have absolute answers in science, as ham believes, then you will have problems
endbit
.. any more than the denying the existence of gravity because it conflicts with your beliefs, it just makes you look like an idiot.
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Paraprax
How about Isaac Newton then?
ForgedinFlames
Bill's evidence is the same by your standards. View my (2/9). They are both people that have learned a lot through experience in science.
Jhecht
Absolutely. But if I believe women's bodies can shut down pregnancy from rape I don't think my papers on biology would hold alot of sway.
Jhecht
Women's* biology
ChewableJim
Uh, one douchebag senator said that, and he got voted out by his own party.
Jhecht
Because people recognized stupid.
ForgedinFlames
Totally agree. Most of the people replying to this did not even watch the debate. Ken Ham said quite a few examples of scientists (1/2)
nihilion
Cherry-picked examples of ppl who had the fortune of receiving high quality science educations. Which is what this is really about.
ForgedinFlames
Cherry picked from what? The hundreds of thousands of scientists in the world? Would you care to elaborate? Also I would like to point (1/?)
ForgedinFlames
out that neither Bill nor Ken have advanced degrees in science. They are just science loving geeks like myself (bow ties are cool). (2/?)
ForgedinFlames
The people Ken pointed out are not just "fortunate" people. They are hard working people. They probably worked their butts off just to (3/?)
ForgedinFlames
that have made considerable contributions to science, but don't believe in evolution. The fact that they don't will not hinder them (2/3)
ForgedinFlames
from creating the cure for cancer or being the first person to step on mars. The only difference is what they take away from their discovery
thefunbatman
I agree with Ham on that. Perfectly wonderful discoveries can be made regardless of believe. But if you start to get REMOTELY near 1/2
thefunbatman
anything biological or evolutionary, I personally believe that I lack of belief in evolution would hinder discovery. Just my thoughts. 2/2
TemporaryUzername
But putting faith in stupid stories like that of Noah's Ark prevents people from questioning its validity, and putting it to the test.
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TemporaryUzername
Nye is simply stating that instead of believing a fairy tale, he'd much rather have more people testing it out instead.
HarryPotterGeek
OTOH, where do you draw the line? At what point do you cross the line to "must be God/magic" when you don't understand something?
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
Never cross the line. There is a logical answer out there, all you have to do is look for it.
HarryPotterGeek
This is why I struggle with trusting people who believe Biblical Creation. What else will they fall for?
Paraprax
How are they mutually exclusive? There is no line - If the ultimate creator-God exists, all the laws of physics could count as "God's doing"
toastytheburninator
That was actually the point of the entire debate. Things got super off-topic.
PretoMal
Not really man. The point as stated was to determine if Creationism is a viable scientific model. So by bringing up the point that (1/?)
PretoMal
A belief in god doesn't hinder one's ability to contribute to science, Ham was actually the person getting off topic. Admittedly, (2/?)
PretoMal
He does still have a point, but it's a point that was tangentially related at best to the topic at hand. (3/3)
acunninglinguist
Dunno why people downvoted you. It's true. Have 3 upvotes.
acunninglinguist
No, Ken's argument was that Creationism was a viable scientific theory that should be taught in schools. Nye soundly tore apart that theory.
katelikesrectangles
Unless it's pretty much any kind of biological or medicinal science.
halfcafsociopath
I have a friend working on her PhD in biochemistry and her beliefs don't interfere with studying RNA replication at all.
silentgeorge
Or astrophysics, cosmology, geology ...
IDoNotBelieveYou
No you can understand the processes without believing that all organisms come from one single individual. The mechanisms are the same.
MrROFLKNIFE
Something more applied like engineering, sure. But a pure science or a biological/medical setting, absolutely not
katelikesrectangles
As a scientist, I don't believe that. I hypothesize that. There is a significant difference.
thiscannotpossiblygowrong
So what you're basically saying is that people should be engaged in double think. Because without that interconnected ancestry a lot of 1/2
katelikesrectangles
Cognitive Dissonance is the technical term <3
thiscannotpossiblygowrong
biology makes far less sense. 2/2
DrMardini
no you really can't, in fact the science stops making sense absent evolution. Creationists get laughed out of the medical sciences.
OuroborosX
Is that what you think evolution means? May I refer you to some reading? Any reading really.
IDoNotBelieveYou
More or less macro-evolution.
SAWhowhatnow
The only difference between micro and macro-evolution is time. It's both just simple evolution.
SAWhowhatnow
You might as well say that you believe a man can walk 5 feet, but not 5 miles.
ZombieRaptor
My dad is a strong Christian and he works for NASA.
cdoe
What is his take on evolution? Genuinely curious
ZombieRaptor
I can find out and let ya know if you want to.
acunninglinguist
But can he see why kids love the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
theshoeminator
But does he think the world is only 6,000 years old?
ZombieRaptor
No. He knows the earth is way older than that.
trollprozac
The pastor of my church used to work for NASA.
ZombieRaptor
That's pretty awesome man.
Rayxor
How much can he bench?
ZombieRaptor
Not sure about bench but he runs 5k's weekly and can do 100 push ups in two minutes.
Supyall
You. I like you.
DrMardini
thats like saying if i poke out my eyes it doesn't mean i can't drive a car. Maybe i can, but it sure as hell is gonna be a lot harder.
CaptainRedHat
You don't have to know how the universe started in order to build a bridge. Your argument is irrelevant.
Rawrsilentdragon
2/3 As in, evolution ties it all together so it makes sense. Instead of all scientific fields being separate, they are all interconnected.
Rawrsilentdragon
3/3 You simply cannot be a legitimate scientist without understanding evolution, or else you lose that fluidity.
CaptainRedHat
How does it tie it all together? What does the evolution of a biological organism have to do with mechanical properties?
Rawrsilentdragon
Well you can't relate how an engine works to evolution, no. It ties together all the life and physical sciences. Engineering is not related.
Rawrsilentdragon
It isn't about how the universe started, that's an entirely separate theory. Our knowledge of evolution is what unites all the sciences.
SaintMaceToTheFace
Evolutionary theory provides the secrets of building a better rocket? Also the breakthrough to make electric cars feasible? It's so clear!
CaptainRedHat
Is it? Because I don't know anything about evolution, but I know how an internal combustion engine works. That's science right there.
Rawrsilentdragon
Yes, evolution ties together chemistry, biology, physics, medicinal science, anatomy, natural history, paleontology, I could go on...
SAWhowhatnow
He did have a point. But that doesn't make creationism any more valid, which is what he was implying.
number107602707792
Did you watch the debate?? There was no such implication. This was a direct response to Bill Nye's statement in this video (gif)
TheCrowFather
That's not what these gifs are saying. They're saying you have to believe in evolution or you aren't a scientific benefit to society.
endbit
Bill is saying that denying the validity of science in one area undermines all of science. Not a plus for a scientific literate society.
intothepitt
the ability to draw reasonable conclusions from evidence is a valued trait amongst scientists
GalaxyFrame
A scientist who doesn't understand the simple science of evolution can be deemed scientifically illiterate. It damages credibility.
Conflict
Bill is implying that if you believe in the scientific method you will believe in evolution because it makes sense.
acunninglinguist
Creationists who are scientifically literate are the EXCEPTION. Not the rule. And that's the point.
ScienceAndThingsAndStuff
That's true but that's not what Hams saying. He said since creationists are good scientists creationism is valid.
TheDon850
That's not what he was saying at all. I see where youre coming from though.
bigmikem2000
But the gifs aren't saying that, this is about the gifs not Ken Ham.
YouNowKnowTheMuffinMan
These 2 statements are quite separate. People can learn science and engineering while remaining religious...
FarkasMacTavish
Religious is one thing. Stupid is another.
tiramigiu
You should be top comment, for such an intelligent guy his statement is fucking retarded.
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
Religion and its mores often get in the way of clear reasoning and decision making. E.g., Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions.
baconsmellsreallygood
You are focusing in a small minority in the Christian faith. That is like saying all Arabs are terrorists and cannot be reasonable.
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
Funny, I'd swear my comment includes the word "often" and the abbreviation "e.g." which means "for example". Hmm.
baconsmellsreallygood
Ik what you were saying. I am stating that it is not a good example in this context because a majority of the religious are progressive.
tanyuu
I don't think Bill's statement is directed towards being religious, but towards people who force religion into science.
goawaybird
There is no mention or religion in the post
beatlegs
you can't accept science while living in a world completely inconsistent with everything we've observed in the universe
TurbulentEddie
You can't learn science and engineering *from* religion, though. So ideas like creationism should not be part of science curriculum.
julimagination
Wait, is that what they were saying? When was creationism part of any science curriculum?
TLove1984
Not sure why this comment was downvoted. He's right.
DrMardini
i agree engineering =/= science. Physicists are the scientists for engineers.
endbit
Some engineers practice science some just practice applied mathematics. Hence most of the confusion here.
Tanishh
As a just graduated engineer who spent months in a lab working with chemicals and performing experiments for my thesis, I beg to differ...
Mairoa
My mom believes in both. It's interesting. She believes in evolution, but believes the inspiration behind the big bang was divine.
ToastyMozart
Which is a fairly reasonable merging of the two. I'm pretty sure Bill never denied that possibility either.
Mairoa
I feel opinions like hers are the product of an open mind which should be encouraged in everyone.
GozerTheGozerian
He isn't disputing that, in fact, in the debate with Ken Ham, Nye states it's perfectly fine. His issue is with specifically creationism.
Guanjyn
He didn't say that religious people were wrong, he said creationists were wrong.
darcnavyseal
Which is not fair for us. Whether evolution is true or not has absolutely no bearing on developing technology.
Tanishh
I mean, as an engineer, I don't need to know that 2+2=4 because I can do it on a calculator, but would you really want an engineer around
Tanishh
who can't do simple math on his own? Similarly, you have to question a scientist who favors literal interpretations of 2000 year old
Tanishh
writings over extremely well-established theories that no one can scientifically disprove.
gebsmith
He said new Earth creationists were wrong
blaergh
He said new earth creationist were wrong by trying to pass creationism as science. He did not bash christians in general in any way.
DemographicUnknown
It feels like people are using him as a posterchild for general religion bashing but Bill's quite vocally against being represented that way
Knollds
It's hard to not be represented that way when that is the way he is.
DemographicUnknown
Being against creationism=/=being against religion. He has outright stated that science and religion aren't antithetical multiple times.
Knollds
That is a fair statement, but only so far as young earth creationists, which it does seem what Bill Nye is against.
skyhook
Once told a coworker I didn't believe in God. He was confused and finally managed "But, you're not raising your kids that way are you?"
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Shistosomiasis
Totally with you on this. I'm only mildly religious, but my hypothetical child will be able to decide to go to church or not
eviscera
HAHAHahahahaha...
sindarinchasm
I get that all the time, I tell them I believe that everyone should come to the decision on their own so I give them both sides
tylertlat
Change "God" to "evolution" in that statement, and you and Mr. Nye have a problem.
1QQQ1
how is this different than what the OP is saying?
AngelOfDownVotes
My mother sobbed the day I told her. She asked, I wasn't going to lie. That was 18 years ago. Holy shit I'm old now.
fartharder
LOL
thisappisajoke
My daughter loves going to church and is all about God, right now. She's 10. My son isn't really into it. I'm not a believer of a God (1/2)
thisappisajoke
(2/2) but, I allow my children to choose what they want to believe or not believe. If my daughter wants to go to church, then she can.
justasomeone
i had the same but he said it wasn't true because i wasn't out killing people. wtf??
ihavethepower
Really though, they should be encouraged to explore and decide on their own. On both sides of the issue.
carolinaj
+1. Personally, I will tell them that some people like to believe, while other's don't, and both things are ok...
carolinaj
Including other views! (I mean, we have a lot of different views and that's what makes us human). As long as they do good, I care more...
carolinaj
About what do THEY believe because that's what will shape'em, whether they think buddhism or atheism or christianism or whatever suits'em :)
ImVeronicaCorningstone
I honestly have to say my mom did a fantastic job of this. She is devoutly Catholic, but completely understood why we weren't and let us be
ifyouknewmeyouwouldbeme
So "I'm an atheist so of course I'm raising my children as atheists"?
CPatricoo
No, he's just going to not teach them religion, make comments about religious people and encourage otherwise. Different. Totally.
ihaveafunnyusername
I'm sorry they did that to you :( That's so judgmental and is the complete opposite of what we're supposed to be doing.
missaligned
My mom said the EXACT same thing to me. Does stupid grow like mold or are they born like that?
colinkarr
Interesting...it's like it goes both ways.
StamosatmyFuneral
Religious people have it easy, they can pray to God to have their sins forgiven. Atheists have to simply avoid sinning.
tiramigiu
You mean, religious people have to avoid sinning, plus they have to ask for forgiveness if they sin. So the atheist actually has it easy?
Erbinish
no, its that we believe our sins can be forgiven. we dont think we get to sin all we want and simply pray to make it all better again. 1/2
Erbinish
and nobody can avoid sin, for we are all flawed (we believe) and god understands that. we strive to eliminate sin from our lives. 2/2
beeanisimo
As a religious person, it isn't like this for many of us. We strive to improve. Also, some religions don't have a God.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
Which religions lack a god? Just curious...
beeanisimo
Buddhism for one, Gautama Buddha did not believe in a creator god.
TardigradesAreNotFromSpace
Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion.
ChameleonFacedGoon
Atheists can decide that the sin isn't that bad. Religious people do this too, but I argue that its a little harder to do so. (1/2)
ChameleonFacedGoon
I also would argue that it is easier to live life as an atheist than a religious person. (2/2)
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
Because actually having to come to your own decisions about life, morality, and the universe is easier than being spoon fed your whole life.
ChameleonFacedGoon
I'm not saying that it's easy to find your own morality, but it's much harder to abide by a strict set of rules, don't you think?
ToastyMozart
It's more like a forgiving 3rd parent. The idea's supposed to be that you get excused if you take steps to not let it happen again.
TeamRocketBlastOffAtTheSpeedOfLightSurrenderNowOrPrepareToFight
When I have children, i want to have them learn about most of the religions so when they become adults, they can have the luxury i didnt 1
TeamRocketBlastOffAtTheSpeedOfLightSurrenderNowOrPrepareToFight
of choosing which religion to believe in.
atomsk1
You should have been like "no, im definitely raising them Muslim"
dante979
Well fuck you and your reasonable child raising!
Idownvoteifunnyand9gagrepoststoimgur
Once told a coworker I'm atheist. She literally started crying and her response was "But you're so NICE!" B/c apparently no atheists are...
YoureGonnaStandThereOwningAFireworksStand
not because she dosen't think you're nice...she genuinely cares about what will happen to you
Idownvoteifunnyand9gagrepoststoimgur
I'm going to die, content with the fact that I lived life as a good person. I don't expect rewards in an afterlife for doing so.
casualmex
The most morally dubious people I know are hyper-religious. I may not believe in god but I still have morals. People make odd assumptions.
Idownvoteifunnyand9gagrepoststoimgur
Well that's because to those types of people they equate morals with religious belief, and think they are not mutually exclusive.
ihaveafunnyusername
Ugh, as a Christian this makes me so mad when people do this. They have been too sheltered growing up, and not everyone believes. It's very
ihaveafunnyusername
naive thinking. I'm sorry you had this experience!
graboids
The only caveat I have to raising my kids religionless is that there are countless references to the Bible in literature, and most lit 1/2
graboids
classes take it as read (pun intended) that the students have had exposure to it. You can't understand Milton if you haven't read the Bible.
veronicamarsdestroyerofworlds
I am an athiest; was raised by two athiests. The Intro to Bible Studies class I took this year was incredibly interesting; I loved it!
graboids
That's awesome! Was it an objective study class?
veronicamarsdestroyerofworlds
yes and no; it's a Catholic college and the professor was very religious but he did quite a good job with keeping the discussion based in
veronicamarsdestroyerofworlds
Basically the prof was just the coolest of cool guys. He loved discussing the dangerous moral implications of some of the parables.
veronicamarsdestroyerofworlds
fact and historical context; he was fine with my beliefs and we had great discussions about God's "character development" in office hours
gingerkangkang
My brother and his wife, successful and intelligent people, take their daughters to church even though they don't believe. Drives me nuts.
yesitsluis
They sound like awesome and supporting parents.
gingerkangkang
They ARE awesome and supporting parents. But they don't need to lie to their kids to instill good morals!
javer80
Who don't believe? The parents or the daughters?
EnterToTheRealmOfimgur
Some people attend church because they enjoy the social aspects, even though they don't believe the dogma.
gingerkangkang
The parents don't believe. The kids probably DO believe now because they're kids and they listen to the authority (priest).
lampwork
just fyi you replied to yourself not @javer80, correct it so they can see ;)
javer80
thanks~ i got it
RoboLuddite
If they're kids then I doubt they're listening to the priest. Don't think I took in a thing he said before I was 13.
javer80
That's - well! That's very unusual. I would love to ask them why. I guess church helps establish a strong sense of community, but . . .
gingerkangkang
2/2. That's why my bro and his wife do it. And it's one of the big reasons why religion continues...
gingerkangkang
1/2 I don't think it's unusual. Lots of adults don't believe, but send kids to church because they think kids need church for morality...
KNIVESY
Well, are you? Or are you gonna let them decide for themselves?
CallMeInV
I'm going to teach mine rational thinking and skepticism, and if they come to god then they'll have done something no human ever has.
abstractanime13
My dad took me to all sorts of different places of worship and then we would talk about each belief. Then, when I got old enough, I chose.
minabear
I was raised by atheists. I don't believe it's outrageous to introduce your kids to what you believe. Then, they can decide.
BDSMBlooddoll
That's a good question. I'll teach my child of my religion growing up because I'm certain they'll be curious but if they change it (1)
BDSMBlooddoll
(2) at some point, or at multiple points, I'll support them :3
blackhawkwithabowtie
Nailed it.
opad
If they ask questions about things i'm going to answer with what I think. They aren't mini-adults picking out flavors of ice cream.
shetrollz
I'm an atheist. But my children have every right to choose for themselves. I just don't believe I have to teach them about religion.
MrROFLKNIFE
I think you're obligated to at least talk about it, because at some point they'll encounter it in the real world
shetrollz
When they come to me ( my oldest already has) I will discuss it with them. But I don't believe I need to before then
Ishouldprobablybedoingsomethingproductive
I do this exact thing. I'm atheist, my wife christian. Our kids have the freedom to choose what they like believing based on the evidence.
dntspard
I think they may choose the one that lets them sleep in during the weekend
MissBunnyCake
That played a major roll in my decision i'll be honest haha
Flash635
I have an atheist friend who gave some equipment he had spare to the religious parent of his kid's schoolfriend. The parent couldn't .....
Eowyneb
I an atheist and will make my hholdren read the koran, bibble (old testament and new) and make sure they understand budisim and hinduisum
DrBreadbin
See why kids love the taste of cinnamon toast crunch
MatrimBloodyCauthon
Aw I was hoping someone else would finish this too. Disappointment.
BingleyBingleyBeep
Return then to have your disappointment removed and be happy. Have a nice day. :)
BenMathis
...put on his jumpsuit to eat cornbread from the rafters. Instead he took his kid down to the lake to howl at the moon.
Flash635
....oh you.
cable7193
Dis one. Dis one mein favorite
Flash635
...understand why someone who didn't believe in god would do such a generous thing.
pyratheon115
idon'tbelieveyou.gif
Flash635
That's your prerogative but it really happened. My friend is very generous but mean as fuck if you get on his bad side.
pyratheon115
No, about the surprise. I'm sure you're friend is very generous. I've just never met a single Christian who would be shocked by that.
BenjiSchan
*screams in frustration*
IHazNuke
*FRUSTRATION INTENSIFIES*
BenjiSchan
*SCRAMBLES EGGS*
iDrinkDrano
My SO dad said that I was too nice to be an atheist.
kinsmonster
“You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy, not religion.”
DoomEndures
My uncle claims he would be a murderer and rapist if he didn't believe in god... he makes me want to be a murderer
funzies
story of my life working in the non-profit world.
thesecondcomingofgeometry
A form of this idea was in Nye's debate with Ham. Ham asked, "If your life ends at death, why get so excited about discoveries? .. [1/2]
thesecondcomingofgeometry
You wouldn't know the difference after you're gone." Maybe cos scientific discoveries benefit humanity? Atheism =/= selfishness.
KNIVESY
That's weird.
MyCatsAreBetterThanYourCats
GAAAHHHH so frustrating.
rainbowgravy
I told a christian friend I did not believe in god, and he asked, "Well, what's keeping you from going and murdering whomever you want?"
Flash635
I've heard this so often, there must be so many xtians that believe atheists are monsters.
rainbowgravy
Yes, but what's truly scary is that there are so many people that are one disillusionment away from going on a killing spree.
heythatsmymiata
I was forced to attend religion for 10 years. I was constantly reminded that I had no morals because I didn't believe in their faith.
Flash635
maybe it's true. A lot of religious people, especially those that came in late, use it as a crutch.
ImanerdDontjudgeme
I don't have to selfishly care for my 'afterlife' when I do good. I do so because it gives me dopamine.
ImanerdDontjudgeme
Personally I do good because I know this act helps humanity and the Earth to thrive for a while longer. Everyone's choice affect our future.
DVSBSTrD
Faith makes you kind, religion makes you stupid.
Flash635
Faith does no such thing. A person is either kind or not.
DVSBSTrD
I find that people are kind because they have faith in others, or at least I do.
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
Yep. These people exist. *slams face into desk*
Strox
The problem is... We Atheists still have morals, but we DON'T believe that they came from God.
SummerSerenity
I get my morals from myself! :D Life teaches you these things as you grow older, some people get it wrong and murder everything though...
Dominian
Exactly. We believe that they come from lesser men to keep us down.
demut
Easy there, Übermensch.
ThatsMySecretCapImAlwaysHorny
Religious laws are there from before there were police. Punishment is hell, rather than prison. A lot of religious laws are based on (1/?)
ThatsMySecretCapImAlwaysHorny
actually protecting people, e.g. Jews rubbing salt on chicken kills bacteria, but the religious leaders wouldn't trust people with a real (2
willitgoalltheway
I don't necessarily believe in God but I try to be nice. Why do some people think only be nice to get to heaven? Just be nice to pepole
SihayaOfTheAllPowerfulMeh
My entire philosophy in life: don't be an asshole.
IDontKnowHowToHuman
On behalf of Wil Wheaton, I upvote you.
lozeldatkm
My religious family always told me a good deed done with heaven as your driving motivation would be written off as shallow in god's eyes.
gingerkangkang
So God knows your motivation? That must mean God knows all. So he knew when priests were raping children, in his name, and did nothing. K.
livebackwards
Because they themselves are only decent because of the threat of Hell and think everyone else is the same way.
opad
That person is an asshole down deep. They need religon to not be a complete sociopath
RDAT
Or that person just believes religion is their reason. Indoctrination is powerful, and all religious people can't be sociopaths.
opad
I doubt most cant understand non-christians doing good works though
blaergh
This is what worries me. Imagine what happened if these people suddenly realized there is no eternal hellfire to stop them from being bad...
lozeldatkm
I mean shit, why bother being a decent person if you don't have eternal hellfire to fear? Some people...
demut
Right ... because that is the only reason why people debate if there can be ethics without a moral, transcendental, atemporal entity!
rainbowgravy
If the only reason you don't treat people terribly is because you fear your own punishment, you are morally depraved and unenlightened.
MetalJesus
You're not being a truly decent person if you're afraid of punishment.
JPBStory
*if you're JUST afraid of punishment
lozeldatkm
That's exactly what the religous members of my family always taught me.
DonkeyKongsLongShlongInABongIsWrong
i guess metal jesus aint so metal
SihayaOfTheAllPowerfulMeh
I do good things because I'm a good person, not because my imaginary sky friend threatens me with punishment.
Canchocolatejustletmefinish
You don't have to believe in god to have good morals.
theOGnoob
And believing in god doesn't automatically make you a moral person. It's a two way street.
Flash635
I see so many smug religious people who believe they'll be forgiven so they can do it again.