Each year, my undergraduate students are tested on their knowledge of general culture and science. I ask them about the age of the Earth, the beginning of known-life, the age of the modern humans and our role as humans in the universe. Their answers are invariably linked to religion. They think that life began 2018 years ago and similar things. Some of these students are those who then have to be trained in a postgraduate course. They have a magical thought worthy of admiration, but little useful for creating empirical projects.
Is it the same all over the world? Someone has similar experiences?
Is it a minor matter or we need to do something (what and how)?
Thank you in advance.
The American constitution respects all religions but separates religion from governing. Look where the USA is today technologicall, economically an militarly.
God power works but not for lazy and idle people. Though one must be careful because individual take on religion for a purpose (for miracle job, finance or just find somewhere to beat time). People shift focus to religion centres for miracle when there is no job and sometimes people turn hungry to fast.
The American constitution respects all religions but separates religion from governing. Look where the USA is today technologicall, economically an militarly.
Overcoming religious conviction that determines an ancient book is the repository of knowledge is extremely difficult. Gradually I suspect. A bit of anthropology, a bit of other sciences. I suspect their ideas are occasioned by brainwashing (a lifetime) and they find it hard to break out or have ever been exposed to other viewpoints. Still, as on RG I have come across similar things (to my horror about a month ago someone with what seemed very high qualifications talking about Abraham putting the black stone in Mecca in place) and, Amir, I not that long ago read an article on the resistance to the teaching of evolution in many parts of the USA.
Religion is faith or belief and science is knowledge of a subject: freedom granted by religion may promote scientific temper and ease global development via participation in human development activities
True religions force people to develop, namely things via the sciences. Islam, for example, pushes Muslims to search for science even in China, that is to say, a remote location.
Religion should not be an obstacle for development of science. Religion is the belief in and worship of a God that teaches everyone to work hard and to innovate new things for the welfare of the society.
Dear Larry:
Thank you very much for sharing these data. Clearly, there are direct consequences on economy, social behaviour and so on when people in power and social leaders has a high grade of magical thinking. On the other hand, moral values must be an obligation of parents (in my opinion).
Bruno moral values are best obtained from outside religion unless you want intolerant, narrow-minded, humourless children.
I think no, rather severe ousting from region disciplines with dishonesty is the main cause of the less development in science and technology.
When I discover what those belonging to the Abrahamic religions believe I feel worried for everybody's future. Not just what they believe-
A proper analysis of this religions is necessary and that analysis taught children.
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