Tag Archives: Mythology

Science Versus Stupidity

31 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in Ethics, Generational, Government, Government Regulation, Green, Health, Honor, Internet, Politics, Religion, Science, Social Interactive Media (SIM), solar, Technology

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climatecartoon2

Earth: Victim of Stupidity

“Science doesn’t have all the answers.”

It’s hard to know where to start when someone makes a statement like the one above. ‘Science’ isn’t an entity, so it can’t possess anything, but beyond the poor grammar is the issue of motivation and failed logic.

When a person makes this statement their motivation is often in defense of religion. The idea seems to be that if science doesn’t have all the answers, then religious and mythological beliefs are valid. Using this logic one could say that because nitrogen doesn’t make up all of the Earth’s atmosphere, (air is 78% nitrogen,) then the air we breathe is all fairy dust.

No intelligent person would say that science has all the answers. We are just scratching the surface of understanding the mechanisms by which our universe operates. Even after science has shown us how one system works, scientists may discover that there are other factors that affect that system. We are on a path of discovery and we have a long way to travel.

However, there are no shortcuts. Just because science hasn’t fully explained everything doesn’t give anyone license to invent an explanation that is based on opinion or agenda. This includes explanations that were created over a thousand years ago by people who didn’t even understand that urination and defecation are the end process of digestion.

All science begins with asking a question. Why? How? What? In the process of answering those questions, the scientific process rules some things out. By narrowing down what isn’t a cause or a factor the scientist begins to clarify the important causes or factors. Religion ignores this process and immediately jumps to an answer that lacks any support other than, “Because I say so!”

I have no problem with anyone’s mythological beliefs…until the believer wants the rest of society to abide by those beliefs. Public policies, laws, education and regulations that exist or are governed by someone’s mythological beliefs is pure stupidity, even if a majority believe in the mythology.

Those that don’t ‘believe’ in evolution, global warming, vaccinations, or any other scientifically based fact are stupid. I’m not calling anyone names, I’m saying they lack intelligence and logical thinking. They are incapable of making good decisions. They are, by definition, stupid.

Believe in God? Fine. But, giving credibility to religious beliefs over scientific fact defines one as being stupid. Making religious beliefs part of societal laws is mass stupidity.

The Problem with Mythology and Politics

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Aging, Ethics, Government, Honor, Politics, Religion

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Religion and Politics make all of us fools

Religion and Politics make all of us fools

A 2012 Gallup poll reveals the absurd nature of politics in America and it’s passion for attaching significance to mythology.

Only fifty-four percent of the people asked said they would vote for an atheist as President. Considering the deep-seated fear by conservatives of Muslims, it’s not surprising that only fifty-eight percent of Americans would be willing to vote for a Muslim President, but that’s four points better than someone who doesn’t believe in a god.

Less than half (48%) of Republicans, those champions of the Old Testament, were willing to vote for a President who doesn’t believe in a mythological god, but they prefer an atheist over a Muslim by one point.

Support for a non-religious President by Age Group

Support for a non-religious President by Age Group

Age is a factor. Younger adults are willing to vote for a President without a mythological attachment, but the older the person, the more important mythology becomes in political leadership. Those in the 50 and 64 age group matched the Republican willingness to support a non-religious President (48%,) but only forty percent of the people in the 65+ age group are willing to consider an atheist President.

I know some people believe that a person who believes in a god is more moral, but the facts don’t support this concept. As of 2011, less than ten percent of Americans believed in a god. It’s not plausible that such a small percentage of Americans are responsible for all the immoral behavior in the United States. In addition, the number of immoral incidents by people who closely associate themselves with a religion occur constantly, and politicians of religious convictions are hardly poster children for moral behavior.

The problem with favoring politicians who claim a link to a god is that religious beliefs have no standards. The Bible or any other authoritative text is used to justify any point of view. People of religion have abused the ‘written’ word of their beliefs to the point that there is no credibility to believe they are guided by any better principles than those who do not use mythology as a basis for moral behavior.

To Believe in the Better Me

22 Tuesday Jun 2010

Posted by in Branding, Ethics, Lessons of Life, Management Practices, Passionate People, Random, Relationships, Social Media Relations, Tom Peters

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by Paul Kiser [Twitter: ] [Facebook] [LinkedIn] [Skype: kiserrotary or 775.624.5679]

Paul Kiser and Family

I have a friend who was recently dealt with one of those unfair blows that we get in life. My friend is handling it well; however, even though the act was unfair, most people would still ask, “Did I fail?”

What you need to know is that this friend reminds me of a younger version of me. This person is crazy enough to view the world with a vision that sees through the masks of false conventions and questions behaviors, rules, and ideas that are silly, immoral, ignorant, or are just plain wrong. We are the type of person to tell the King that he’s wearing no clothes and then continue by telling him what he should be wearing. “Just because.” or “Because I say so!” are not good enough reasons for people like us, and that makes us a target to those who think that unquestioned obedience is a sign of strength.

(See Article on Becoming the Target)

PR Pro and fellow blogger, Jules Zunich, recently mentioned that she was a Purple Cow, which was a reference I didn’t get until she explained that author Seth Godin has written several books that promote the idea of being remarkable and indispensable; however, by standing out like a Purple Cow among the black and white cows, as Jules puts it “…certainly makes them a target for not fitting in.” Standing out doesn’t sit well with some people, especially with people who thrive on hierarchy.

(Catch Jules Zunich’s Blog by clicking on this link)

My guess is that my friend has been questioning what could have been done differently because in any negative situation there is option of not participating, thus avoiding any conflict. Drawing on my own experiences I can imagine there is a mix of anger, frustration, and self-doubt, all emotions that wear us down and can be more destructive than motivating.

The difference between my friend and myself is that over the years I have tried to stay embedded in the journey of life. Focus on what I do today and know that conflict will occur. When conflict does occur I will fight the battles I need to and walk away from the battles that have no value to me. My attitude towards life involves a mythology where I hold the hope that at the end of life there is a Better Me.

Signs of life

I don’t believe in mythological deities, but I do subscribe to the idea that in the end of life (or time) everything I’ve done (both good and bad) will be apparent to all, and likewise I will know all that was said and done (both good and bad) by others. In this mythology I hope that the Better Me can help guide me through the conflicts of life, but it will be my choices that will determine how proud or ashamed I will be in the end.

It is a mythology that has given me comfort and motivation to try to do the right thing, while not getting too hung up on those who misuse their power or authority, because I believe their actions will only reflect on them, not me….or the Better Me.

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