Daily Archives: March 5, 2021

Image Credit: Small Magellanic Cloud, by NASA/CXC/JPL-Caltech/STScI.

In 1973 physicist Brandon Carter noted that it is remarkable that many of the fundamental constants of physics are of just the right value to permit the emergence of man. Even slight differences in these constants would make intelligent life in the universe impossible. It is, he noted, as as if someone were expecting us. This observation came to be known as the anthropic principle, or the fine-tuning of the universe.

Its meaning and implications have been much debated, and of course it has caused considerable angst to atheists. If youre hard-set at denying the existence of God, fine-tuning of the cosmos to allow the existence of man is not an easy observation to elide.

Deniers of Gods existence have clung to one main gambit to avoid the design implications of the fine-tuning of the universe the multiverse. The multiverse is a theoretical inference drawn from the mathematical description of the early moments of the Big Bang. The equations of relativity imply the possible existence of many companion universes to ours. It seems that we cannot observe them, which makes their status as scientific observations dubious. But the multiverse has, for atheists, played a much more important role than that ordinarily played by untestable inferences from equations.

Atheists acknowledge the obvious: the likelihood that chance can account for the constellation of physical parameters that lead to the emergence man in our universe is vanishingly small. Instead, atheists argue that if the laws of physics differ slightly in each universe in the multiverse, then the probability across all of the universes the multiverse that the values of forces in one universe would permit life to arise becomes much higher.

There are innumerable variations to this argument, but all use a few quite clever yet misleading tactics.

The idea of a vast set of universes a multiverse is unintelligible. Universe means all that exists, for which multiplicity is senseless. Multiple everything is nonsense. Furthermore, even if desperate logic-parsing could impart meaning to multiverse (it cant), it is meaningless to apply probability arguments across disconnected universes you cannot meaningfully speak of the probability of something happening somewhere in Chicago, Endor, or Tatooine. Drawing statistical inferences from unobservable universes only makes sense in a script from Star Wars. It is no part of astrophysics.

Atheists extend the probability range of fine-tuning across countless universes in a way such that the probabilities in other universes cannot be observed. Because all universes except ours are unobservable, we cannot actually either measure the probability or confirm that or how the laws of physics vary in the other universes.

What atheists have done is invoke a concept of multiverse that is conceptually unintelligible and scientifically unobservable. This unintelligible unobservable probability landscape is convenient for atheists, who can merely assert that it accounts for fine-tuning without providing even a shred of evidence or logic. The multiverse theory frees atheists from real science, which is the only condition in which atheism can survive.

It tells us two things exemplified by fine and by tuning.

The universe is exquisitely fine-tuned for the existence of man, and the multiverse myth is a debating tactic, not science. But how are to understand the fine-tuning of the cosmos? What does it really tell us?

The fact that the universe is tuned that is, the fact there is any consistency at all in the laws of physics demonstrates Gods existence. This is Aquinas Fifth Way, which is the proof from design. St. Thomas used the example of arrows. If we were to see arrows flying through the air, one after another, and noted that they consistently tended to land at or near a specific spot, we would correctly infer that they were shot by an archer (rather than, say, blown by the wind). Any consistency in nature implies a Mind that draws consistency out of chaos. A targeted arrow implies an archer. Note that this is not an argument from complexity. The simplest consistency in nature a pencil falls down and not up, winter is colder than summer demonstrates Gods existence.

The second thing that fine-tuning tells us is exemplified by fine. Fine refers to the accuracy of the laws of nature, which reveals the Archers purposes. By observing the precision of targeting of the shot arrows, we can discern the Archers motives. If the arrows are merely flying into an open field, we may infer that the archer is just testing his bow. If the arrows are consistently hitting a bulls-eye target, we may infer that the archer is practicing his accuracy. If the arrows are hitting animals in the forest, we may infer that the archer is hunting. If the arrows are hitting soldiers encircling the area, we may infer that the archer is defending from an invasion.

The tuning of nature points to God, and the fineness of His tuning points to His purpose. The anthropic fine-tuning of our universe tells us that we are Gods purpose in creation.

This scientific reality has atheists in a panic, hence their need to fabricate countless fantasy universes and nonsensical probabilities. The fact that God created the universe and holds it in existence for us is a scientific fact unequivocally demonstrated by modern astrophysics.

Link:
Multiverse Myth Frees Atheists from Real Science - Discovery Institute

Vatican City (AFP)

Pope Francis, on a historic trip to Iraq, will on Saturday hold a hugely symbolic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, seeking to deepen his cautious dialogue with Muslim leaders.

The 84-year-old pope will visit the top Shiite cleric at his home in Najaf, the shrine city where Imam Ali, the fourth Islamic caliph and relative of the Prophet Mohammed, is buried.

Sistani, 90, is never seen in public and rarely accepts visitors, but the Argentine pontiff, always happiest among the faithful, favours direct encounters.

Francis has long hailed the power of inter-religious dialogue, symbols of peace and tolerance, without dwelling on the theological subtleties advanced by his predecessor.

Benedict XVI, who resigned as pope eight years ago, provoked years of cool relations with the Muslim world when in 2006 he quoted criticisms of the Prophet Mohammed by a 14th-century Byzantine Christian emperor.

Two years ago in Abu Dhabi, Francis and leading Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, signed a document on "human fraternity for world peace".

They made a joint call for freedom of belief, although what stands out from that trip -- the first by a pope to the Arabian Peninsula -- was the image of the leader of the world's 1.3 million Catholics embracing a Sunni imam.

Sunnis account for almost 90 percent of the world's Muslims, Shiites 10 percent -- the majority in Iran and Iraq. In Iraq, the population is 60 percent Shiite and 37 percent Sunni.

With the visit to Najaf and meeting with the Shiite cleric Sistani, the pope is extending his hand to the other main branch of Islam.

- Unprecedented event -

"It's certainly an unprecedented event and a big deal," said Marsin Alshamary, a researcher at the Brookings Institution.

She said the Najaf school of thinking on Islam became involved in inter-religious dialogue in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and the bloody civil war between Shiites and Sunnis.

Sistani has repeatedly stated that Muslims are forbidden from killing others. In 2014, however, as the Islamic State group approached Baghdad, he called on Iraqis to take up arms to drive the jihadists out.

"This visit by the pope sends a strong political message for a figure who is very much associated with the defence of Iraqis," added Myriam Benraad, a French political scientist who specialises in the Arab world.

Sistani embodies one of the two currents of modern Shiism, that of Najaf, which makes a distinction between politics and religion.

By contrast, the school based around the holy Iranian city of Qom believes that the top religious leader should also rule the state, following the example of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The Shiites in Iraq want the Vatican and the western world to support them against the hold that Iran has, which wants to swallow Najaf," said Iraqi Dominican friar Amir Jaje, a leading figure in inter-religious dialogue.

Since the pope's visit was announced, the Shiite clergy has worked hard to ensure it includes a trip to Najaf.

The historian Pierre-Jean Luizard, a specialist on Iraq, noted that Sistani is also aware of "a moment of despair and disaffection towards everything sacred", particularly among the young -- and cannot ignore the pope's global stature.

The pope never stops distributing the Abu Dhabi document and has also published an encyclical, "Fratelli tutti" (All Brothers), which includes numerous references to it.

No such text however is expected to be signed in Najaf.

- Atheism and conversion-

The Abu Dhabi document called for the freedom of belief and expression, advocating full citizenship for "minorities".

But it does not go so far to acknowledge the right to hold no belief at all, or to convert, even drawing a parallel between "atheistic, agnostic or religious extremism" and "fanatic extremism".

"The text, written in Arabic by two Egyptians, is symbolically very powerful but its contents push against open doors," said Jean Druel, of the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies in Cairo.

"It deals with common issues. When Al-Azhar supports religious freedom, he means that Christians can go to mass.

"But atheism remains incomprehensible in the Arab Muslim world."

The pope and his emissaries avoid flashpoint issues. In Abu Dhabi, Francis declared that religious freedom is "not limited only to freedom of worship".

"Perfect freedom of religion is also the freedom to convert and change religion, as many Catholics have converted to Islam or Buddhism," said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who heads the Congregation for the Oriental Churches at the Vatican, while suggesting the subject is taboo.

Nevertheless, he believes in the small steps of dialogue towards an "open Islam", he said.

"It takes time, but it's possible."

2021 AFP

See the article here:
In Iraq, Pope reaches out to top Shiite cleric - FRANCE 24

This is a guest post written by the researchers mentioned below.

Were excited to announce the launch of the Secular Communities Survey, the largest-ever study of the community life of secular and non-religious people in the United States. The survey opened yesterday, on March 1st, and will remain open until April 11th. If youre part of a secular community, wed love for you to participate. You can take the survey here.

Our research team has extensive experience studying secular and non-religious people. Joseph Blankholm, Ph.D., is a professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses mostly on secularism, atheism, and secular people. Juhem Navarro-Rivera, Ph.D., is a political scientist, writer, public speaker, and research consultant. He is the Political Research Director and Managing Partner at Socioanalitica Research, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Humanist Studies, and a board member of the American Humanist Association. Dusty Hoesly, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on minority religions and secularism in the United States.

Americans are less religious than ever before, so understanding secular communities has never been more important. This is especially true because most studies suggest that increasing secularization leads to weaker social bonds and less civic engagement. We believe that researchers need to look in new places to understand how society is evolving with religious decline. Though not many researchers have studied them, we know there are about 1,400 local communities for non-believers in the United States. Knowing more about these communities is imperative for understanding the future of American civic life.

The Secular Communities Survey is interested in secular, atheist, agnostic, humanist, freethinker, and non-religious Americans. We want to understand their worldviews, their politics, the communities they form, and how they view religion. We also want to understand secular peoples values and the ways they try to live them.

If youre a member of a secular community including any atheist, agnostic, humanist, freethinker, or other secular group we hope that youll take our survey and that youll encourage others in your community to participate, too. You could be a member of an established secular organization, belong to the Friendly Atheist reader community, or participate in a Facebook, Meetup, or local group for secular people or religious humanists.

The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. All survey responses are anonymous. No names or contact information will be recorded in research materials unless a respondent provides them. No survey respondent will be identified in any publications or other research material. More information can be found on our websites FAQ page.

In addition to contributing to the understanding of community life in the United States, we also hope that the Secular Communities Survey will help members of secular communities gain a broader and deeper understanding of themselves. Thats why were working with secular organizations throughout the country to distribute our results back to the communities we study. Well be presenting our findings at academic conferences and publishing them in academic journals, but well also publish summaries of our results on our website and in the newsletters, blogs, and other publications of secular organizations.

Were grateful for your participation and your help, and were happy to answer questions if you have them. Please contact us by emailing secular.survey@hfa.ucsb.edu. Were also on Twitter (@SecularSurvey) and Facebook.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Originally posted here:
Are You Non-Religious? Then Take the Secular Communities Survey - Friendly Atheist - Patheos

Subscribe: Read local news and views with a $1 subscription to the RGJ

Rajan Zed(Photo: RGJ archives)

Although lot of literature has been produced highlighting the strengths and benefits of religion, many have associated the following problems with religion: conflict with science, curtailing freedoms, delusion, claims of having the exclusive truth, fear of punishment, feeling guilt, immutability, instilling fear, internal conflicts, irrationality, justification of violence, limitation on the rights of women, outdatedness, perpetuation of division, persecution, prejudice, rebuffing of broader perspective, social constructs, strange customs, strainedrelationships for partners of different faiths, the structure, the suppression of curiosity, its use as a tool for control, unsophisticatedness, etc.

Some complain thatreligion is used as a reward for "us," and a punishment for "others." Somecritics sum up the problem by saying religion is a noun, not a verb adherents are more interested in the status of their faith, rather than acting on it.

The list of criticisms is long.

The ancient Mundaka Upanishad tells us:

"By truth, meditation, and self-control

One can enter into this state of joy

Truth is victorious, never untruth

Truth is the way; truth is the goal of life" (3.1.5-6).

We asked our panel: What is the problem with religion?

Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada

Kenneth Lucey(Photo: RGJ file)

I believe the major problem with religions generally is the manner in which most people acquire their religion, viz. acquiring beliefs from early childhood authority figures. Most religious group members hold beliefs because those views are what they were taught as children. If one is a Muslim it is because one was raised a Muslim. If one is a Mormon it is because ones parents were Mormon. If you were raised in a Catholic, Jewish or Hindu family, you most likely will remain a member of that religion.

This is not universally true, of course. People do sometimes acquire new religious beliefs as adults but when that occurs, it is often the result of the influence of some charismatic individual. It is not the inherent truth or falsity of doctrines that cause beliefs, but rather the personal authority of the influential individuals who raised or educated the child.

Sherif A. Elfass, president, Northern Nevada Muslim Community

Sherif Elfass(Photo: Theresa Danna-Douglas, provided to the RGJ)

From my perspective, the problem with religion lies within its followers and not with the religion itself. All religions call for compassion, respect, equity, generosityand peace. Nevertheless, over the years, the followers of many religions started to deviate from the actual teachings of these religions. Their spirituality, which is linking religious acts to their purpose and meaning in life, started to fade away. For example, nowadays many religiously identified people lie, despite the fact that all religions prohibit lying. Muslim daily prayers became a routine exercise rather than a deterrent from committing any evil.

A compounded problem with Islamis confusing culture with religion. For example, Islam condemns honor killings and banning women from obtaining education or drivers license. Nevertheless, this was the practice of an Islamic country until recent years. Religions problems stem from the behavior of its followers.

Charles T. Durante, vicar general, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno

Charles Durante(Photo: Provided by Charles Durante)

While we believe that the foundation of religion flows from God, the structure and practice of religion is made and carried out by human beings. The problem lies in the expectation that, because the religion is about God and holiness and doing the right, all those involved in the religion will always act accordingly.

Human beings are frail and subject to whim, emotion, ego, influence, judgmentalism and sin. We try our best to teach the ways of the Lord, both through words and actions. However, as imperfect beings, religious people can fail to live out those teachings in their lives or get confused in how those teachings are to be applied. The holier than thou syndrome all too often can rear its ugly head, bringing with it exclusivity or even condemnation of others. Religion becomes a problem when human beings forget their place and assume the role of God.

Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center

Matthew Fisher(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

Religions imperfectly transmit their message, even if they are supremely truth-filled. This is because of the human teachers who share the message. At each stage of student receiving instruction there is artifact and loss, as well as embellishment and personal bias. Traditions that stress the individual experience are less prone to these degradations, but certainly not immune.

In the case of Buddhism, the Buddha initially was not sure that teaching his Dharma was even possible. In the Ayacana Sutra he says this about teaching:Enough now with teaching; What only with difficulty I reached. This is Dharma not easily realized for those overcome with aversion and passion; What is unobvious, subtle, deep, hard to see, going against the flow those delighting in passion, cloaked in darkness will not see. But he was persuaded to teach anyway, despite the limitations of language and groups of followers.

Micheal L. Peterson, northwestNevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Micheal L. Peterson(Photo: Provided by Rajan Zed)

The problem with religion is the people who misinterpret the divine messages contained within the scriptures that they claim as a guide to the way they live their lives. There are those who use their religion as license to create civil unrest and even mayhem. How many innocent people have died in the name of God?This is something that God does not condone through His word to mankind. The fact that there are so many conflicting teachings regarding various tenants of religion is reflective of mankinds confusion in interpreting Gods word.

God is not the author of confusion. Paul taught, "... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, not several (Ephesians 4:5). True religion is love and service to all. Our task is to continue to work toward following the word of God Till we all come in the unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:13).

Anthony Shafton, author and atheist thinker

Anthony Shafton(Photo: MagicToush Photo Studio, provided to the RGJ)

Religions greatest problem is that it is religion, a form of knowledge based on faith rooted in a prescientific world view. No matter how sensible and sound many of its teachings, no matter how it tries to get with an up-to-date viewpoint, or to what extent it acknowledges uncertainty, religion unavoidably asserts nonsense from a scientific standpoint. As for science, while it has a reputation for hard facts, actually science requires the acceptance of uncertainty, that is of probability. Science never pretends to reach absolute truth.

But you know the maximour weaknesses are our strengths, and vice versa. The weakness of science is that it has nothing positive to say beyond the limits of the scientific method. The strength of religion is that it fills that void with faith.

Incidentally, the beauty of atheism is that it is a faith (yes it is) fully consistent with the scientific method.

Karen A. Foster, minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada

Karen A. Foster(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

The problem is not religion; the problem is how we treat each other in the name of religion. This dangerous phenomenon happens when religious beliefs or ideologies or political beliefs are taken to extreme. Ones political, ideologicaland religious beliefs are often intertwined. When the extremist becomes convinced, often at the hands of cultlike persuasion, that their beliefs are the only ones that are right and worthwhile, and that everyone and everything else is wrong and must be overpowered, this is extremism at its most insidious. The perpetrators of extremism lose sight of the importance of coexistence, pluralism, tolerance and acceptance, sometimes even within their own families.

Much can be gained by the sharing of differing beliefs, perspectivesand experiences within and between religions. This optimal approach and what religion calls us to do leads to interfaith cooperation, multiculturalismand understanding, which Faith Forum is proud to encourage and promote.

ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish Rabbi

ElizaBeth W. Beyer(Photo: RGJ file)

In America, religions lack an emphasis teaching humility. Moses was the most capable prophet and leader, who spoke to G-d face-to-face, because of his humble nature. As it says, Now the man Moses was very humble, above all those upon the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3).

Although religions provide a path to G-d, which includes the ethical treatment of self and others, there is a failure to prioritize humility. If we were more humble, we would surely be less judgmental. Our attitude would be one of caring and compassion for others. Neighbor would be a moral construct, not a geographical concept(R Joachim Prinz). We would work on being our best, not micromanaging our neighbors. We would have less inflated egos. We would stop telling other people why they are wrong or how to live their lives but rather, we would lead by example.

Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church

Stephen Karcher(Photo: RGJ file)

Theology aside, we can generally assume, whether were speaking of religion or any other institution, that when problems arise, their origin is usually a person. Author Melissa Martindescribes how we come with flaws, faults, and problems. People make blunders, mistakes, and errors. We are heroes and villains on a continuum scale. Pastors, police, and politicians fall out of favor. Housewives, helpers, and healers fall out of favor. It is our fallen, broken, perverse, rebellious, sinful, and self-willed tendencies that often get the best of us and impact our families, workplaces, and societies.

Psychology Today once asked Is man good or bad? The answer, both. Our species is wonderfully good, caring and creative beyond words, yet simultaneously man is one rotten manipulator, exploiter, abuser, and killer. However, lets be careful and remember that, just as Albert Einstein once said, we cannot despair of humanity, since we ourselves are human beings.

Nancy Lee Cecil, Bahai teacher

Nancy Lee Cecil Nancy Cecil(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

In a recent conversation with an older gentleman about religion, he volunteered that, as an orphan during the war in Germany, he had been sent to parochial schools. He had become disillusioned with religion, observing much ritual and prayer but little concern to help those struggling.

His comments resonated with a problem I have about anyreligion where proponents are busy praying in their churches while folks are dying on their lawns! While this is sometimes (figuratively) the case, I assured my friend that the issue is with adherents misconstruing religions purpose; indeed, the founders of every religion stress deeds over words.

Consider the following quotes:

Bahai Writings: Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.

The New Testament: do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16).

The Quran: if there is a good deed, Allah multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward (4:40).

Bryan J. Smith, co-lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks

Bryan J. Smith(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

Religion is a man-made construct attempting to create connection between humanity and some deity. Rules, structures and hierarchy are established in an effort to give purpose and meaning to life as we search for a higher power. This is a broken system where the creation is creating the Creator andthe rules of engagement with that deity.

However, when we move from religion to relationship as prescribed by God in his word things change for the positive. Rather than creating rules, relationship is found. We discover who God is as hes revealed himself to us. We also discover who we are in him. Rules, checklists, even worry over how were "doing religion"fall by the wayside. Greater freedom is found in connecting with God in spirit and truth in ways that are life-giving. Anything short of that, i.e. religion, will leave us wanting in the end.

Pamela A. Pech, creator of Discovery of SelfPrograms

Pamela Pech(Photo: Provided by Rajan Zed)

I believe some of the greatest intangible gifts God has given humanity are free will, the ability to be curious, to discover, make mistakes, to learn and grow. Other beautiful gifts are the ability to discern and choose our truth based on our unique personal experiences.

Unfortunately religions, per se, take those gifts away. Most religions dictate what to believe, how our actions must look to correspond with what we have been taught as the only true way to God, and threaten punishment to the extent of eternal damnationif we do not follow specific rules. My studies of religions felt that they not only dictate what I must believe and how I must live, but literally take away my gift of experiencing and discovering God for myself that loving Conscious Dynamic Energy that appears in my life and teaches me firsthand what God is.

Next weeks topic: What is the biggest reason for excommunication from your religion?

Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to rajanzed@gmail.com or on Twitter at @rajanzed.

Read or Share this story: https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2021/03/04/what-problem-religion-faith-forum/6914070002/

More here:
What is the problem with religion? | Faith Forum - Reno Gazette Journal