Watch from roughly the 1:00 minute mark until about 2:15. Tell me that doesn’t describe the America we live in today.
Carl Sagan was a prophet
- Thread starter RagnarLothbrok
- Start date
"If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to interrogate those who tell us something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we're up for grabs for the next charlatan - political or religious - who comes ambling along..."
Damn! The dude described the political climate around the covid scam to a tee. 🤣
He’s describing how the lack of education, lack of sophistication, and lack of critical thinking by large numbers of Americans pave the way for charlatans like Donald Trump to take power.
Carl Sagan died as an agnostic. He demanded proof that God
existed. He was fascinated by the phenomenon that educated
adults could cling to beliefs in Christ. He had contempt for the
Christian belief in prayer. Yet when Carl Sagan was dying of
cancer some of his Christian friends prayed for his recovery.
According to his wife Ann there was no deathbed conversion
to Christ. As a man of science he did not want prayers, he wanted
proof there was a God. He died at the age of 62. Sagan never
understood that Christianity is based on faith not proof from science.
existed. He was fascinated by the phenomenon that educated
adults could cling to beliefs in Christ. He had contempt for the
Christian belief in prayer. Yet when Carl Sagan was dying of
cancer some of his Christian friends prayed for his recovery.
According to his wife Ann there was no deathbed conversion
to Christ. As a man of science he did not want prayers, he wanted
proof there was a God. He died at the age of 62. Sagan never
understood that Christianity is based on faith not proof from science.
Sagan most certainly understood this. In fact, I would argue he understood this quite well.
And is the whole problem with religion in the first place. Facts be damned for what I believe!! Which really molds into today's political arena. It's always been a cancer
Yes.
In the world of religious fundamentalism, facts are irrelevant and reality is constructed off creation myths and other fairytales from antiquity.
When those beliefs stay out of the secular world and political arena, they are fairly innocuous to mainstream society. They become problematic, however, when religious fundamentalists are placed into positions of power within government and have strong influence over public policies. That’s where the issue comes into play—which is precisely what Sagan was talking about.
I, long ago went away from religion exactly because if there is a god, and if he is supposed to be a good, omnipotent god, then why is there always such bad stuff happening to people. The logic is not there.
But to me also raised Catholic I think the 10 commandments are a good way to live your life and the golden rule is very good also. So I try to be nice, sometimes I am not as you can see with my name calling on this forum which I should tone down.
I would hope our leaders would be nice and fair for almost all of their actions but that is not what they are like. Trump is mean, nasty, hateful,
Dealing with maga has really put me to a test as far as trying to be nice. And it's the one test I am failing.
Russian/Chinese Strategic PsyOps Task Force: "Our job has never been easier, thanks to the unparalleled levels of American self-inflicted intellectual decay. With critical thinking now considered 'elitist' and education seen as a liberal conspiracy, we find the US population more receptive than ever to our carefully crafted misinformation. Why waste resources on complex cyber warfare when a few memes and conspiracy theories can send millions into a frenzy? Our latest initiative—Project Gullible Eagle—aims to further weaponize American anti-intellectualism, ensuring that charlatans like Donald Trump remain the perfect Trojan horses for internal division."
Yes, religion is not bad when the focus is on promoting peace and goodwill. It becomes problematic when it attempts to become scientific or political.
Something Christ himself never once displayed. Like I told you, I'm finally watching Vikings, and it's fascinating how 'religion'--in the ritualistic, political sense--resurfaced after Christ's death and the veil was torn (essentially alleviating the old ways). All the Old Testament pageantry crept back in, and throughout history, too many, like Carnegie in The Book of Eli, have weaponized faith for political gain.
Science is about trial and error in a vigorous attempt to learn the truth. Science admits errors when proven wrong—something religion does not. In fact, science works tirelessly to disprove hypotheses until they can be proven as law or theory.
Very interesting. I hadnt seen that interview. T Jefferson, even though he founded the Univ of VA, was of the thinking I read in a history book that yes we need to be educated to have this govt but he also thought the British system of leaving school at 14 if higher education was not for you and going into an apprenticeship or starting work was the way for many young men.
And of course back then they didnt think at all of women going to school through 18 years old and beyond.
The idea of being skeptical and looking for evidence and showing evidence is so important. Trump is the antithesis of that as he makes big proclamations about plans and ideas with no substance and he always uses "this guy said" or "they say" without telling people who said what as he makes shit up.
The press never pushes him on it except a few and as we see millions just lap it up like gruel in their bowls.
And Abe Lincoln said the US wouldnt be overturned by foreign enemies but by enemies from within. He saw the bad spirit in people
Wow, critical thinking. It’s nice to see it mentioned. It would also be nice to see it used on this forum occasionally. But, it’s a whole lot easier to maintain biases, skim or ignore source material, cast insults and act like children. Who wants to ask and answer real questions and then work hard to find truth? There’s no time for that!
