Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [RELIGION] Evolution and religion

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Sun, 5 Nov 2006, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:

> Mike Miller wrote:
> > I've already read more about Collins' ideas than he deserves.
> >
> > I think that what I wrote was excellent -- it is a consistent position. 
> > People play self-prormoting manipulative games with religion.  It's 
> > disgusting.
>
> Are you saying that Collins is engaging in playing self promoting games 
> with religion?  In your previous post you say that Collins claims to be 
> a born again christian.  While this statement is completely true, it has 
> the added implication that you do not believe his claim.
>
> My strong sense from reading Collins' book is that he is the real deal.


All we ever know is what a person does and says.  Collins said that he 
became a Christian after he didn't know what to say to a dying patient who 
asked him if he believed in Jesus -- he was an atheist at the time.  I 
think a good answer would be "no," or "I think religion is a private 
matter" or "I can tell that your religion gives you a lot of hope and 
strength," or whatever, but you don't have to change your religion to fit 
in with the people around you (unless you are Francis Collins).

He likes to talk a lot about how he is a religious guy and supposedly the 
people around him aren't religious.  How does he know that?  I don't know 
the religions of the people I work with except in the rare cases where 
they talk about it.  Of course, like most religious people who talk about 
their religion, he tells us that his views are superior.  He also gets a 
lot out of blabbing about how great his religion is -- he holds a 
political appointment in a country where Christianity is highly regarded, 
so much so that to become President of the US seems to require regular 
church attendance and frequent "God bless" closings to speeches.  When I 
hear someone end a speech with a "God bless," he could as easily have said 
"I know how to manipulate your feelings" instead -- it would have the same 
effect on me.

My point is this:  I don't care if someone appears to be a "true believer" 
because I have no way of testing and verifying someone's inner life.  If I 
see someone using his religion to get ahead, it bugs me a lot.

Mike

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