Creationism Vs Abiogenesis

Abiogenesis: the natural process by which life has arisen from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds. The prevailing scientific hypothesis is that the transition from non-living to living entities was not a single event, but an evolutionary process of increasing complexity that involved the formation of a habitable planet, the prebiotic synthesis of organic molecules, molecular self-replication, self-assembly, autocatalysis, and the emergence of cell membranes. Many proposals have been made for different stages of the process. (link)

This blog has posted several times on the subject (link). There is little doubt that, eventually, science will confirm it as a fact, as confirmatory evidence continues to mount. However, conservative Christians continue to hold unsupported dogma in defense of their anti-evolution beliefs. Click on the link below for a video exposing the bad arguments against abiogenesis:

Creationist Misrepresents Abiogenesis

Science Enlightens The Darkness

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries with global influences and effects. It included a range of ideas centered on the value of human happiness, the pursuit of knowledge obtained by means of reason and the evidence of the senses, and ideals such as liberty, progress, toleration, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state (Wikipedia.com). It helped combat the excesses of the church, establish science as a source of knowledge, and defend human rights against tyranny. It also gave us modern schooling, medicine, republics, representative democracy, and much more (Historyhit.com).
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The fruits of the Enlightenment are the main cultural forces in the USA against the Republican Party and conservative Christianity today. THEY HAVE TO WIN!!!

Challenging Anti-abortion Dogma

"Life begins at conception" is the major reason given by the anti-abortion folks to make it illegal. The following links are to sources challenging this unsupported dogma: (1)(2)

If you agree with these challenges but argue for the personhood of the fetus, this link, and this link, challenges that view.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

• Virtually all opposition to Roe v. Wade is religiously motivated.
• Morality based on religious dogma is unconstitutional under the secular law of the USA.
• Rose v. Wade has strong precedence in US law.
• Morality clearly comes from biology and social interactions, not from religious dogma. It is complex with multiple effects from actions. Objective analysis clearly shows that less harm is done to society under Roe v. Wade.

UPDATES: 

• More on precedent
• No, the Supreme Court is not "neutral" on abortion (or any other human right)

Magical Vs Scientific Thinking (Summary)

Magical Thinking

• Resistant to objective evidence
• Primarily uses amygdala (first part of brain to develop) for basic survival/instinct/intuitive thinking
• Easy
• Accepting claims without adequate evidence (gullible)
• Difficulty changing opinions; closed-minded
• Not verifiable
• Sees meaning and connection in coincidences
• Sees patterns when the phenomena are random
• Uses logic to support claims when at least one premise is false
• Emphasizes personal experience and common sense
• Used by: the religious; alternatives to medicine promoters and users; conspiracy theorists; any other pseudoscience (false science) acceptor
• Usually conservative politically (nostalgic for the past; tribal; focused on individual rights; cynical of "the other"; cynical of government; comfortable with authoritarian rule) 

Scientific Thinking

• Accepts objective evidence
• Primarily uses the frontal cortex (last part of brain to develop) for critical thinking
• Hard
• Accepting claims only with adequate objective evidence (skeptical)
• Able to change opinions when warranted; open-minded
• Verifiable through observation and experimentation
• Accepts coincidences as part of the randomness of life only
• Recognizes the difference between true patterns and randomness
• Recognizes invalid and/or unsound arguments 
• Recognizes that our brains have flaws and can fool us with biases
• Usually progressive politically (looking forward; focused on human rights for all; global/big picture view; regulated capitalism/representative democracy; rejects authoritarian rule)

MORE: (link)(link)

Making Stuff Up For 2,000 Years

Anyone who has studied religions knows that one of the most dogmatic religions is the Catholic Church, with its volumes of promulgations concerning do's and don't's, as well as claims on reality.  Following are several examples from YouTube videos produced by a major Catholic apologetic source called "Catholic Answers." As you view this representative collection, please keep one question in mind, "How do they know that is true, where is the evidence?"

False Equivalency In Politics

Yes, this period of political campaigning has been extraordinary in its polarity and vitriol.  To accept what the activist partisans from the right and left are saying, one may think both sides are equally to blame.  If you are one of these folks, please consider that there clearly is a "false equivalency" here: 

• There is a clear attempt by Republicans to prevent legitimate judicial appointments.  
• There is a clear attempt by Republicans to prevent voting by minorities.
• Republicans do not accept science on many topics, including religion, evolution, climate change, and sex and gender.
• There is clearly a hijacking of the Republican party by the ignorant, bigoted and dogmatic, with Donald Trump being the most visible sign of such.
• There is a significant movement within this Republican Party for "Total War" against the Democrats should Hillary Clinton be elected President of the USA

The Subtle Assumption Of Unsupported Dogma By The Media

"What newswriter (anchors don’t write their own copy) would say such a thing—and get away with it? The sooner that newspapers and television stop tacitly assuming that we live on after death, the better."

NBC News tacitly accepts Heaven

The Certainty Of Faith: Its Worst Feature

Why do I say this?  How can one have an important conversation with someone who, when challenged on matters that challenge their beliefs, states that nothing could change their mind?

Catholic Hospitals

In recent decades, there has been the phenomenon of Catholic health corporations purchasing secular hospitals.  This has caused the serious issue of opposing standards of care:  secular hospitals provide care approved by medical organizations, whereas, Catholic hospitals provide care approved by Catholic authorities.

Intelligence And Education Is Not Enough To Protect Against Dogma

One of my favorite podcasts is the John Batchelor Show.  It is out of NYC on WABC and is syndicated across the USA.  Mr. Batchelor is one of the most well-read individuals with whom I have come in contact.  His show contains interviews with those from many interesting fields, but especially non-fiction authors. However, there is one area in which he exposes himself as an ideologue.

Morality Within Embryology

No scientific field has elicited more emotion than embryology.  This is because it is the study of cells prior to birth.  This article highlights the moral issues in light of advancing science.  Humanity continues to be put in situations where there are conflicts between reason, science and dogma.  Here's hoping dogma is dropped from consideration.

Embryology policy: Revisit the 14-day rule

What Is Dogma?

Wikipedia does as good of a job in defining dogma as any source.  As one can see, it is totally resistant to evidence and is ubiquitous.  In my opinion, it is the worst brain disease affecting humanity and must be defeated.

Dogma

Is YOUR view of reality blurred by indoctrination and dogma?