Holy Manners Book Studies

The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins

Session 6

The Continuing Place in Modern Society of Supernaturalist Religion.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Modern Science began with Newton Science and Religion are brother and sister

Both stand in awe and wonder at existence. Both expect that the chaos we observe about us

can be brought to order by our intentions. Religion by inspiration, faith and prayer. Science by methodology, challenge and technology.

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” … Einstein

On the Shoulders of Giants

Science and Religion

On the Shoulders of Giants

Religion considers that it does not create but has had “revealed” to it the principles of life. Religion has considered itself above politics. Religion is reforming – a new ethic is evolving.

Science considers that it does not create but has “discovered” the principles of nature. Science considers itself outside of politics. Science is reforming – a new ethic is evolving.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Science searches for new knowledge. Religion treasures old traditions.

Science is largely open to all ideas. Religion is largely closed to new ideas.

Science is recent and modern. Religion is old and often still tribal.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Stages of Knowing

On the Shoulders of Giants

Rumi’s Elephant.

The truth will appear to us like a

strange elephant appearing in a dark

room as we each hold our candles and see together

what we did not see alone.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Learning From Parents, Teachers, Mentors We learn because we must. We learn what was learned before.

Curiosity & Dissonance & Discovery We learn next because we notice the need. We learn by asking. We learn by discovery.

On the Shoulders of Giants

The Hiebert Helix A continuous cycle of

learning ascending to higher levels from fundamental layers.

Higher levels of understanding depend upon earlier knowledge.

Levels appear sufficient. We tend to discount

earlier levels of understanding. Tielhard de Chardin’s Spiral

On the Shoulders of Giants

The Layer Cake Each layer is built upon

those before. Our understanding

changes. We share the paths of

learning and experience. When we blow out the

candles we should remember the years that have gone before.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Religion and the Supernatural Joseph Campbell informs us that mythology is

similar in all society and over all time. The inner world and the outer world meet in myth. The traditions of religion are thoroughly imbedded

with stories and images of the Supernatural. The Supernatural is for some literal, and for others

a metaphor. The lessons come out pretty much the same.

On the Shoulders of Giants

Science and Spirituality The atheist authors of the current study recognize

and appreciate the marvel and numinous experiences in life.

The modern person in rejecting the superstition and the exclusive aspects of religion says “I’m spiritual but not religious”.

But religion is spirituality in community. Progressive Religious Voices acknowledge these

errors and find new theological language.

On the Shoulders of Giants

There are authentic religious domains that will survive the present assault of atheism. They are those that bring love and avoid hurt.. They are those that create new community. They are those that celebrate the holy moments -

life and growing and changing and death. And whether our metaphysics includes the

Supernatural or not, our ethics, our behaviour, our belief is virtually equivalent.

On the Shoulders of Giants

The Sermon on the Mount has its influence in either case.

The Lessons of the Prophets are the same in either case.

The Samaritan is the good example in either case.

Working together for justice should be common ground for all faith communities.

On the Shoulders of Giants

RickWarren

- What is

in your hand

?