Carl Sagan was good at explaining scientific subjects in a way that evoked that feeling of awe that i get when i look at the stars. The same feeling, i'm sure, that a religious person gets when they think about the afterlife. This ability to appeal to a feeling of spirituality seems inclusive, somehow. It seems to show a path to togetherness and belonging that atheism is criticized for lacking.
We need more Carl Sagans.
If you enjoy the videos below, i also recommend "The Cosmos", from which some of this content has originated.
Consider again, the pale blue dot. A followup.
http://www.wimp.com/consideragain/
Nova, on PBS is somewhat of a modern descendant, featuring Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Michio Kaku.
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A voice for reason
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- johnson1010
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A voice for reason
Last edited by johnson1010 on Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
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Re: A voice for reason
I wholeheartedly agree. I have read every mainstream book that Sagan wrote and have watched the Cosmos several times. His ideas and presentation did very much lead one to a sense of awe at the wonders of nature and the universe.
I would also add that many of his writings contained insightful philosophies regarding that nature of science, reason, faith , etc. Fans of Richard Dawkins's 'The God Delusion" might want to give Sagan's "The Demon - Haunted World" a try. He explores similar issues and reaches similar conclusions, but what in my opinion is a more eloquent argument.
I would also add that many of his writings contained insightful philosophies regarding that nature of science, reason, faith , etc. Fans of Richard Dawkins's 'The God Delusion" might want to give Sagan's "The Demon - Haunted World" a try. He explores similar issues and reaches similar conclusions, but what in my opinion is a more eloquent argument.
- GaryG48
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Re: A voice for reason
I second that opinion. Sagan gets to the same place without all the gnashing of teeth.Emperorbjt wrote: I would also add that many of his writings contained insightful philosophies regarding that nature of science, reason, faith , etc. Fans of Richard Dawkins's 'The God Delusion" might want to give Sagan's "The Demon - Haunted World" a try. He explores similar issues and reaches similar conclusions, but what in my opinion is a more eloquent argument.
--Gary
"Freedom is feeling easy in your harness" --Robert Frost
"Freedom is feeling easy in your harness" --Robert Frost
- Robert Tulip
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Re: A voice for reason
I have in the past as well Robert. I used to sit around with a notepad when I was high. Most ideas are wacky, but some are gems. They have to be edited when sober though. I haven't done that in over a decade, as a disclaimer.
- johnson1010
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Re: A voice for reason
Never done any drugs at all, personally, but i don't demonize weed the way we are told we should.
Marijuana is a lot less dangerous than alcohol.
Marijuana is a lot less dangerous than alcohol.
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
- johnson1010
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Tenured Professor
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Re: A voice for reason
Neil DeGrasse Tyson speaks on this issue i addressed earlier in the thread. That feeling of wonder i get thinking about the universe may just share gray matter with the believer who feels exalted when contemplating god.
There is a feeling of awe that is usually called spirituality that a good understanding of our place in the universe can illicit. A feeling that has bound people together under many banners throughout history.
Science can do that too, if we can reach people.
http://www.wimp.com/bestsermon/
There is a feeling of awe that is usually called spirituality that a good understanding of our place in the universe can illicit. A feeling that has bound people together under many banners throughout history.
Science can do that too, if we can reach people.
http://www.wimp.com/bestsermon/
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
- johnson1010
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Tenured Professor
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Re: A voice for reason
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
- johnson1010
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Tenured Professor
- Posts: 3564
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:35 pm
- 14
- Location: Michigan
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- Been thanked: 1128 times
Re: A voice for reason
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
- johnson1010
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Tenured Professor
- Posts: 3564
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:35 pm
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- Location: Michigan
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- Been thanked: 1128 times
Re: A voice for reason
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
-Guillermo Del Torro
Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?
Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?
Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?