Universal Religious Freedom

[USAlex]

I don't think science minus religion would be without morals. Religion helps some people follow their morals, it doesn't create them.

[Indonesia]

no i meant... they might be like.. a bit foolish and all that... believing in only the scientific theories and that kind of stuff. they forget about their moral ethics.

[USAlex]

.......one doesn't believe in scientific theories. One believes in the process of science to find those theories, and then in whichever reality has the most evidence and peer reviewed papers. ;D

...really, I hadn't thought of it before this way, but it makes sense: science is a very democratic form of belief. Because, yes, you do believe in something with science. You believe in the process. And the reason you do is because it has proven itself again and again. And that process is sort of like democracy because it rests on "scientific consensus" in the community.

But ethics can be a science too. A social science, sure, but it is a field in which an evaluation of reality must occur.

What you are thinking of is the classic sci-fi story: scientists take things one step to far. The Icarus effect. Which....is more a problem of human nature than a problem with science. However, I suppose we must keep that in mind. And, yeah, any society with just science and no religion would need an equally as constant contemplation of ethics to occur.

ANYWAY.

On the point of religious freedom, it's very important and both an induvidual's right to practice, support and to not practice and criticize a religion must be upheld. Of only that were as obvious to everyone...

[Indonesia]

So does religion count as a branch of social science then?

ok yeah fine upperclassmen beats the younger kids ._.

[USAlex]

......that...is an interesting question. Does religion count as a branch of a social science?

Well.....to some extent. Many religions do attempt to explain the world, but most do not use the scientific method to any large extent. However, if a religion created part of its doctrine based on the observations of the world around it, then that part would be based in something akin to the scientific method, and therefore would be sort of like a social science.

It's a fuzzy line.

Anyway....what do you mean by the "upperclassmen" thing? *clueless*

[Indonesia]

yeah... i thought your answer would be something like that... though I do find a connection through it. :/
lol you're 17 -_- you're in college and helloo i just started freshmen year. exactly why i'm on this site.

[USAlex]

lol...well...I don't mean to be rude...sorry... Just tend to get a bit soap-box rant-ish about anything involving science I guess. ;D

[Indonesia]

lol that ain't rude anyways, I believe that the philosophy and moral ethics taught in religions do branch out from social science... but that's just what I think.

[USAlex]

You are likely right. Ethics is certainly a social science, and philosophy is based on logic most of the time. And theology is oftentimes both affected by and affects those fields.

I have never taken a theology class, but I get to this year! "Intoduction to World Religions" and then "Theological Themes in Society". College. When class titles actually become interesting.

[Indonesia]

hey once you have free time be sure to email me stuff about the studies you take in. I'm starting my papers next week, I need all the info I can get. help me please