gillian ross
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gillian ross commented on Big Think Interview With Richard Dawkins on November 10, 2009, 12:26 AM
Dawkins admits he doesnt understand physics but has 'faith' in what they tell him. It is not 'blind faith' he says because he has good reason to believe that they have evidence for what they claim. Now, why cant he say the same for theologians and more particularly mystics? Mystics through the ages have not practised blind faith, they have had and continue to have experiences that are evidence for the existence of realities beyond the physical. He would say that there 'evidence' is invalid because it is subjective but surely when mystics from all the great religious traditions speak of similar experiences we can say there is a consensus that has objectivity. Seems to me that Dawkins should stay out of pontificationg about theology for the same reason that he chooses to refrain from pontificating about physics!! Science may well be able to 'inform' morality but it cannot 'inform' mysticism'. Dawkins credentials as an evolutionary biologist are doubtless impeccable and his contribution in that field admirable but he is simply not qualified to comment on the philosophy of consciousness or theology or mysticism Furthermore, his evolutionary biology is is no threat whatsoever to spiritual beliefs. In fact the magnificance of the evolving universe revealed by science can be seen as spiritual inspiration. Cosmologist Brian Swimme articulates this brilliantly.
gillian ross commented on What is God? on December 9, 2009, 8:59 PM
Beautiful teaching Karen, Thank you for all that you are doing to help make this troubled world of ours a more tolerant and compassionate place.