9/11, Religion, and Assumptions

I saw a little poster online this morning. It read something like this: 'science helped people fly to the moon; religion made people fly into buildings.'

That statement reflects a belief that I've run into before. I don't think it's true. The '...fly into buildings' poster included a clever little image that recalled what happened in New York City 11 years ago today.

Several thousand people were killed that day, by folks who apparently had deeply held religious convictions - and a sincere belief that killing those who didn't agree was a good idea. I disagree with that view: very much.

More about my take on 9/11/2001, in another blog:

• "Remembering September 11, 2001; and Looking Ahead"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (September 11, 2012 Remembering September 11, 2001; and Looking Ahead)

Religion, Killing, and Assumptions

Like I said earlier, on Google+: Some dangerous lunatics are 'religious lunatics.' Some folks are religiously dedicated to killing those who wear the wrong clothes, or don't say the 'right' things.

But - and this is what is so confusing - some dangerous lunatics aren't particularly religious. And some folks who kill those who don't agree have nice, non-religious motives.

I think the problem is with the assumption that not agreeing should be a punishable offense: but what do I know? I'm one of those religious people. ;)

Science, Religion, and More Assumptions

One of the more common assumptions in American culture is that science and religion are absolutely, completely, irrevocably hostile toward each other.

I can sort of understand why those who hate religion want science to be 'against religion.' It may make their belief feel 'scientific,' by which they mean 'real.'

Even knowing about the Victorian gentlemen's snit that's behind the belief that religion and science are feuding, I find it difficult to sympathize with 'religious' folks who insist that faith requires a dedicated refusal to learn about God's creation - particularly anything that's been learned since about 1850.

And that's another topic.

Related posts:

• Science
  • "Sikhs, Catholics, and Prayer; Evangelization; and Exploring Mars"
    (August 10, 2012)
    Particularly
    • "We are Not Afraid of the Truth"
      • Phlogiston?!
      • Back to Mars
      • Fragile Faith?
      • Humanity and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
  • "The World isn't Flat"
    (June 9, 2012)
  • " 'In a State of Journeying' "
    (January 18, 2012)
  • "When to Call Tech Support, When to Read the Bible"
    (January 14, 2011)
  • "Astrobiology, the Vatican, and the Meaning of Our Existence"
    (November 12, 2009)
• Religion
  • " '...A Time to Stand Up' "
    (June 27, 2012)
  • "Love, Hate, and Lady Gaga"
    (May 27, 2012)
  • "Catholics aren't Calvinists"
    (May 7, 2012)
  • "Open Eyes and Assumptions"
    (March 25, 2012)
  • "The War on Terror: 10 Years Ago Today"
    (September 11, 2011)
• Getting a Grip
  • " 'Religious People aren't Reasonable?' "
    (December 18, 2011)
  • "Separation of Church and State, Assumptions, and Fear"
    (September 2, 2011)
  • "Religious Freedom, Niemöller, and Muslims in America"
    (April 7, 2011)
  • " 'Just War:' Unpleasant, but Not a Contradiction in Terms"
    (March 22, 2011)
  • "School District Celebrates Religious Freedom Day: By Banning Bibles"
    (July 1, 2010)