Freakish Fact

[Chris]

Quote by: Captain Chaos I live in Bible belt central... It is scary sometimes.

It is indeed.

[Gods_Mercenary]

In MA we barely have Jehovah's witnesses, mainly because most of us are either staunchly traditionally catholic or ex-catholics who still aren't going to go to another religion. Protestants are comparably rare out here.

[iclaudius]

Quote by: Isherwood It's also the student's fault for not learning with open minds.

Only to a point.

[loser]

When you approach the study of science with a mind that filters everything through the screen of religious belief, you cannot properly learn. Nor can you properly believe by faith if you approach religion through science. Believing by faith and learning through the scientific method are incompatible.

You couldn't be more wrong. Science and religion are INSEPARABLE! If you reject religion, you are unscientific. If you reject science, you don't believe in God.

Religion is the study and attempted understanding of God. Science is the study and attempted understanding of God's creation and His creative forces.

When you build upon false premises, your conclusions will invariably be false, as well.

[RickSp]

Does anyone have the original data? The site referenced is down. I have seen statistics where over 40% thought God created man "as is" but that is not the same as buying into Young Earth creationist nonsense.

[iclaudius]

Quote by: loser You couldn't be more wrong. Science and religion are INSEPARABLE! If you reject religion, you are unscientific. If you reject science, you don't believe in God.

They are inseparable and the same only if science is fitted with the blinders of religion. That rejection of religion makes you unscientific and rejection of science constitutes an inconsistency in logic for those believing in God only demonstrates that scientific concepts apply universally even to concepts where you ignore the rest of the science. This statement, perhaps more than any other you have typed, demonstrates your precise ignorance concerning the things you pretend to know something about.

Religion is the study and attempted understanding of God. Science is the study and attempted understanding of God's creation and His creative forces.

See the first sentence I typed in this post.

When you build upon false premises, your conclusions will invariably be false, as well.

Oh, the irony.

[Nono]

Quote by: Gawd You guys don't have typically american fundementalist protestant sects like evangelicals and other, even wierder people. You still mainly have the more moderate, clerical based forms. (correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.)

You're right about the Catholic church having been in on the ground floor in these parts, unlike North America (except Quebec and bits of the Canadian Maritimes, and well-alright Aztlán and Louisiana, but you know what I mean).

But all this does is restate what I said about the large-scale presence of religious extremists in the US. It really doesn't explain why there the Enlightenment changed thought in Protestant areas of Europe (like Scandinavia) but not in so many Protestant areas of the US (like Outer Redneckia).

[Gods_Mercenary]

Well, the south has always been somewhat of an agricucultural place, a backwater. Plus, things like the scientific and the Indust. Rev. never really happened there, at least not at the same time as in europe and the north. These things caused people to question religion and start to realise that the Bible wasn't factually correct all the time. Not to mention, that as the new world, the americas became a haven for those who wanted to start more extreme churches than those in europe (think puritans). This, and the backlash against the rejection of religion (brought on by the fact that people were able to keep away from the sixties) spawned the new fundementalist movement we have today. Extremism appeals to people because of its simple answers, and suddenly we had an amazingly significant evangelical population, which gave them political power, which gave strength to theor cause. That's the best I can explain it, I'm gonna look into this.

[Mozart1220]

Quote by: pikatore Pulled from NCSE.com That is quite a scary fact I think. Why do so many Americans believe this, most probably knowing about scientific data saying otherwise?

Kids get taken to church and Sunday school as early as three years old, but don't get any real science taugh to them until Middle school or later.

Guess which Idea gets ingrained into the psyche and is hard to let go of?

[loser]

Well, the south has always been somewhat of an agricucultural place, a backwater.

Typical stereotypical BS from a Yankee who couldn't make it past 6th grade if his mother didn't do his homework for him. At least most Southerners can spell "agricultural" and if they can't they know how to use a spelling checker.

BTW, backwaters are TEEMING (that means there's a lot) with life and agriculture puts food in your mouth (No, I'm sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble but food doesn't just evolve on the shelves of Big Y...they actually have to truck it in from farms where they, get this, grow it.)

Plus, things like the scientific and the Indust. Rev. never really happened there, at least not at the same time as in europe and the north. These things caused people to question religion and start to realise that the Bible wasn't factually correct all the time. Not to mention, that as the new world, the americas became a haven for those who wanted to start more extreme churches than those in europe (think puritans). This, and the backlash against the rejection of religion (brought on by the fact that people were able to keep away from the sixties) spawned the new fundementalist movement we have today. Extremism appeals to people because of its simple answers, and suddenly we had an amazingly significant evangelical population, which gave them political power, which gave strength to theor cause.

To the ignorant, this probably ALMOST makes sense. To the intelligent, they have heard better drivel drooling like spittle from the spasticizing lips of a bottom-dwelling retard.

Want to sound credible to the wise? Stick to subjects (like Go Fish) that you know a little something about.

That's the best I can explain it,...

What a surprise that is...

I'm gonna look into this.

Yeah, maybe that will help...maybe.

Hey, it could happen...

[Nono]

Well then loser ol' pal, how would you explain the prevalence of religious fanaticism in those parts (since you accept none of Gawd's explanantion)?

[Gods_Mercenary]

Typical stereotypical BS from a Yankee who couldn't make it past 6th grade if his mother didn't do his homework for him. At least most Southerners can spell "agricultural" and if they can't they know how to use a spelling checker. BTW, backwaters are TEEMING (that means there's a lot) with life and agriculture puts food in your mouth (No, I'm sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble but food doesn't just evolve on the shelves of Big Y...they actually have to truck it in from farms where they, get this, grow it.)

Agricultural Anyway, Yah, I'm a yankee, although I doubt you can make it in college with your mom doing your homework. (but our education system is pretty screwed up) And I'm not bashing Backwaters, just saying that they avoided the effects of the IR and the enlightenment, for better or for worse. I'm not making judge ments, just attempting to explain, I save judgements for when people ask for it. How do you explain why we in the U.S. tend to be more likely to be say, evangelical christians who reject evolution than europeans?

[Chris]

Quote by: loser Typical stereotypical BS from a Yankee who couldn't make it past 6th grade if his mother didn't do his homework for him. At least most Southerners can spell "agricultural" and if they can't they know how to use a spelling checker. BTW, backwaters are TEEMING (that means there's a lot) with life and agriculture puts food in your mouth (No, I'm sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble but food doesn't just evolve on the shelves of Big Y...they actually have to truck it in from farms where they, get this, grow it.) To the ignorant, this probably ALMOST makes sense. To the intelligent, they have heard better drivel drooling like spittle from the spasticizing lips of a bottom-dwelling retard. Want to sound credible to the wise? Stick to subjects (like Go Fish) that you know a little something about. What a surprise that is... Yeah, maybe that will help...maybe. Hey, it could happen...

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[Chris]

religion and science are not the same

[shunyadragon]

Quote by: Autolykos I didn't realize that the percentage was so high. Did the study explain their methods? Assuming that it is true, then I agree that it's quite scary. Such people obviously prefer faith over science -- at least when it suits them. - Rob

There ar a number of studis and surveys conducted over the past 20 to 30 years or so. This figure is likely higher than the beginning of the twentieth century when most evanglists accepted the old earth concept. Beginning during the period betwen 1915 to 1920 with the rise of communism there was a backlash against Scientific intellectualism and Darwin' theory of evolution whn thse became associated with communism and atheism. This becam a collective rallying cause to evangelical Protestants, who in the twentieth century began to experience a deterioration of church attndence and belief, as science rose to promenance and success in many fields that directly effected the average person, specially through technology and medicine.

[shunyadragon]

Quote by: Chris religion and science are not the same

They are, of course, not the same, but through the teachings of the Baha'i Faith we can find a harmony between science and religion.

[loser]

Well then loser ol' pal, how would you explain the prevalence of religious fanaticism in those parts (since you accept none of Gawd's explanantion)?

loser ol' pal: A disparaging remark, a back-handed insult. Acceptable?

I explain it by your lack of perception and/or understanding. There is no prevalence of religious fanaticism in the South. Most of it is found in the eastern states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Massachusetts) and western states (California, Nevada, Utah) with the majority of the rest found in northern states (actually in the Northeast).

And I'm not bashing Backwaters,...

Of course not. You probably realize that the people of the South are more industrious and intelligent than their northern counterparts, right? I'm quite confident that in your inner circle you have never ridiculed or said disparaging remarks against southerners, have you?

You know I have always found that honesty is one of the better indicators of intelligence. Dumb people rarely tell the truth. Of course, to be PERFECTLY honest, they don't KNOW the truth, so how can they?

just saying that they avoided the effects of the IR and the enlightenment,..

I suppose by IR you mean the Industrial Revolution. What? Do you think there is a lack of refineries or factories in the South? I guess you don't realize where all the domestic oil and gas comes from in America. Do you think that the people down here have never heard of John Deere (my brother owns 2 dealerships)?

"...the enlightenment"? Do tell...enlighten me. Tell me what book or ideology that the north has embraced that makes them so superior to the residents of the south. Is it because they have supplanted the time-honored book of the Bible with the new-age religion proffered by Darwin in his book, "Origin of the Species"? Enlightenment? Good grief...give me a break, already.

I'm not making judge ments

Sure sounded like a judgment to me. If nothing else, it was a backhanded slur.

How do you explain why we in the U.S. tend to be more likely to be say, evangelical christians who reject evolution than europeans?

Our country was founded on (mostly Protestant) Christianity and being isolated from the rest of the world (geographically), it has remained stedfast (to an extent). Europe has been dominated by Nazi Germany (facism) and the USSR (communism) in recent years. Prior to this, the RCC oppressively dominated Europe and, even after the Reformation, the Church of England was not much better (if any). It's remarkable that ANY Christianity exists at all under such deplorable conditions.

religion and science are not the same

neither are mathematics and physics. Does one void the other?

From here: Shattering the Southern Stereotype | The Cornell Daily Sun

"Welcome to South Carolina. As you cross the border, pull off I-95 to pick up your Bible, Budweiser and Confederate flag. Shed your Lacoste, educated vocabulary and BMW for a wife beater, southern drawl and pick-up truck. And forget about tinted windows and nice rims because all your new truck needs are over-sized tires and a shotgun rack.

After all, these are your specious stereotypes for the southern United States. While Yankees are the first to chide and ridicule southern gentlemen, they are simultaneously the frontrunners to sell their homes in the Hamptons for trendier, more climatically benevolent locations in Florida.

Though it is true that the North and South have storied and drastically different histories, to claim that the South is echelons below is not only erroneous but ignorant as well.
,,,Whether you northern elitists want to believe it or not, the South’s importance and influence on national and global events has never been larger. Since being the deciding factor in the past two presidential elections, politicians have molded their platforms to placate and include southern views. Many policies derived from these agendas highlight the dichotomous relationship between the North and South. A closer examination of these relationships reveals an accurate analysis of southern life.

...One of the most insulting and infuriating misconceptions is that Southerners are inherently racist. Since the Civil Rights Movement, the South has advanced to become one of the most tolerant and integrated sectors of America. Contrarily, I have met many elitist Ivy Leaguers who not only discriminate on color of skin but also color and style of clothes, cars, wealth, etc. Cornell is the most polarized and segregated place I have ever inhabited.
...Down South, the competitive, dog-eat-dog demeanor is replaced with a benevolent, familial and more helpful cooperation of southern citizens. This is not to be mistaken for a lack of productivity by Southerners. The more placid atmosphere is achievable through utilizing archaic concepts such as teamwork and cooperation as opposed to the single-minded, individualistic culture the north has adopted.

The above is solely a cursory assessment in attempt to inform you of the real southern ideals. Many sectarians, however, resolve Southerners to be as, Jeff Foxworthy describes, a race of Redneck, trailer trash and inferior people. This conception is an egregious error.

Read the rest, if you want. I'm done.

[Pockets]

Quote by: Nono Well, Pockets, how do you explain the absence of such zany zealotry in other countries where the younger generation takes the same ease for granted?

The youth of the US are not aware of the lifestyle or traditions of other cultures. It is what breeds apathy to world issues

[Chris]

Quote by: loser Read the rest, if you want. I'm done.

You better be, no more dreailing of this topic. All further discussions of the South and whether or not the region is better than the North can be discussed in numerous threads of that subject

The South will rise again? -rant... Language warning...

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[Gods_Mercenary]

I explain it by your lack of perception and/or understanding. There is no prevalence of religious fanaticism in the South. Most of it is found in the eastern states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Massachusetts) and western states (California, Nevada, Utah) with the majority of the rest found in northern states (actually in the Northeast).

California and MA? I can't say on California, although that wasn't the impression, but the majority of people in MA seem to be apathetic Catholics, we have Gay marriage, not exactly an indicator of religious fanaticism. And we tend to vote democrat no matter who's on the ballot. I suppose you could say fanatical liberals, but certainly we're not a cnservative religious state.