YOUR THOUGHTS: Science and Faith in the Black Community

Howard University sponsored this event and the panel consists of some of the most remarkable people on the panels, including Dr. Richard Dawkins. The purpose of the forum is to understand the relationship between science and faith within the black community.

Shown below is the video itself. It lasts for 1:08:39 and it's a good bit of entertainment. It's a very considerable discussion and I would like to know your take on the following:

1. What's your overall opinion of the video?

2. Do you think religion (general or otherwise) is keeping the black community from truly progressive as a community?

And feel free to add any additional comments. Thank you and enjoy.

[YOUTUBE]7diwQ5dHZ0U[/YOUTUBE]​

 

Religion is the main reason why blacks have progressed. It's our only source of unity in the US

 

If you watched the video, Theologian Anthony Pinn can speak on the contrary and it's relatively true on the assertion that the Civil Rights Movement for example were more atheistic or secular humanists and that contributed more to the foundation of releasing blacks from slavery.

After all, slavery is allowed in the Bible and there are texts to prove that. Not just in the Old Testament, but even The New Testament.

In other words, religion in the black community hasn't really contributed much. Rather, it pretty much pushed us from being able to fully educate or progress our means of understanding of the world. The majority of the black community still carry a great deal of homophobia and would reference religious texts.

If anything, what we can comprehend and understand stems mainly from what we've gathered through scientific understanding.

 

I have my own opinions on religion but in the end, what use is it for me to concern myself with a stranger's choice to commit some of most of their identity to an organized religion they were born into? My nor the panel's opinion will change any adult's stance on their religious beliefs or lifestyle.

All I can do is raise my kids to be informed, enlightened, critical and later make choices for themselves.

 

A newish friend of mine recently asked me if it made a difference to me if he's Muslim. What possible concern is it of mine which imaginary friend someone has?? ;-)

 

How do you KNOW Allah is imaginary?

 

The same way we know Pink Unicorns and Flying Toasters are imaginary: We construct ideas and thoughts.

 

Wasn't talking to you. I already know your pov fam.
Btw the concept of immortality was a myth up until last year when they found that jellyfish. I also don't get why unicorns seem so far fetched. A horse with a horn seems pretty plausible just another genetic mutation.

 

Andrae, you're either deliberately misconstruing information or misreading. Yes, a jellyfish is capable of acquiring immortality through the process of "aging backwards", or biological immortality. However it's still capable of dying through conventional means. It's been observed in labs, but never in nature. So the theory is only relative to the existence of the creature in the labs.

The concept of a unicorn isn't quite far fetched, you're correct. However, that's only true not with genetic mutation, but with physical manipulation of the horn buds on baby goats. And as they mature, they'll slowly develop into something which can be considered as horns.

 

All I'm saying a lot of what was myth on point has seemed to manifest itself into reality. Maybe not exactly the way it was decribed but in one way or another. Dude we are two different ends of this topic. You are a hardcore athiest which is fine but it doesn't make you right it just gives you an idea just like I have about how things work.

 

All I'm saying a lot of what was myth on point has seemed to manifest itself into reality. Maybe not exactly the way it was decribed but in one way or another. Dude we are two different ends of this topic. You are a hardcore athiest which is fine but it doesn't make you right it just gives you an idea just like I have about how things work.

 

I think you're missing the point, Andrae: I'm giving you factual evidence and that's the whole point in the debate relating to anything pertaining to God or any phantasmal concoction of the human mind. I'm asking you this simple question:

"What empirical evidence can be found to prove the existence of the supernatural?"

The unicorn story, I've provided an answer that's based on something that's tangible and not something of the imagination. The way how I see things are universally understood and observed, and you're basically ignoring that reality altogether. I'm not talking speculation unlike you, Andrae. I think at this point, it's pretty much common sense there.

 

I'm borderline atheist. I believe all gods are basically as humans have drawn them.

 

[YOUTUBE]h4bc9UwZsYs[/YOUTUBE]

 

Lots of things are plausible. But whats plausible isnt the issue. Taking flesh & blood human's word for it merely because of the time period & region from which they proclaimed it is.

 

A lot of made up minds so why even have a discussion.

 

Exactly.

If one feels so married to an idea or existence that they would devote decades of their life to it starting from birth and into adulthood...Theres a good chance none of us is going to change their mind. :smt081 Be that because of pride, stubbornness or genuine belief.

 

That on top of many other things.

 

have to come back later and watch this. to give a good statement but I will say this balance in religion and what you are looking for in it is key. science and religion could possibly exist. the problem is there is too much money to be made in religion

 

Hahaha, time to tax that business, right?