While reading some articles dealing with Evolution / Creationism in schools, I ran across a question that read a little differently than I was accustomed to: "Ask yourself – why is it so important for you to believe in evolution?" I happen to be of the ilk who feels creationism can be addressed in school, but must absolutely be kept out of the science class. The question posed, however, lead me to express my thoughts on another matter in the controversy that I think is important. Bias. (Word links / definitions from Wikipedia)
Reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. A broader definition includes everything that has existed, exists, or will exist.
Science (from Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge" is a system that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Emperical evidence is a fundamental part of the scientific method. All hypotheses and theories must be tested against observations of the natural world rather than resting on intuition, or revelation.
Religion is an organized collection of beliefs and world views that are intended to explain the meaning of life and/or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith and belief system .
Believe in evolution? It isn't important to "believe" in evolution: What's important is to determine how best to establish truthful answers to the questions regarding our existence. To determine the efficacy of approaches that provide consistent results. The theory of Evolution more than qualifies along those lines. By now, it shouldn't be difficult for anyone to see that even present day scientific approximations come closer to certainty, than do ancient suspicions, speculation and interpretations. The Scientific Method is responsible for honing that ability and by now, we should be a far distance from occluding Science with Mysticism. . one would hope.
Debates: Debates between science and religion about topics such as creationism and evolution are inevitably based on different interpretations of the term, "Fact". For the religious: a personal God along with the sanctity of Biblical content are considered, facts. Whereas, neither are considered facts by Science. For the religious, doctrine and dogma are obviously considered factual, though not always expressed aloud as such. For the scientist, facts are empirically determined and evidence-based.
Rewards: Religious disciples aspire to believe their doctrine and dogma in a fashion that God approves. In other words, they desire to believe correctly. In Christianity, for example, it is promised that the rewards for believing correctly are God's Love, Personal blessings, Forgiveness of all sins and Eternal Life. In fact, correct belief ultimately becomes the disciple's purpose on earth, to be spiritually prepared for a promised afterlife.
Incorrect Belief and Fear: Different religions promise different rewards, but I'm sure that the Faithful from any religion would agree that, devotees are often afraid of being inefficient or incorrect believers. For example: Excluding God from any formula of the Universe's creation, would no doubt be considered . . incorrect belief. In the devotee's mind, it could spell a spiritual deficiency which might very well preclude his receiving some, or all, of the promised spiritual gifts. Not to mention a fear of disappointing God; and so being less than what God expects. (I suspect a number fundamental creationists may function from exactly this type of fear. And from their perspective, their Fear is just an aspect of their Faith.
Adherence and Bias: Religious rewards are promised in return for Allegiance and Adherence to the Religion's preordained conclusions and directions. Which are outlined in that religion's sacred text(s) (of correct belief). And when a Person is moved to adopt and believe in any religion or belief system, recognizing it or not they automatically assume that specific system's position of Bias. (Please consider that an alternate definition for personal religious bias is, personal faith)
Truth: Philosophies and belief systems, including religion, have been important to millions for centuries. My comments are not to imply that participation is right or wrong, good or bad. They're only meant to profile the indisputable bias that’s implicit in the decision to participate.
Some Christian adherents extol Creationism or Intelligent Design as Truth; but by both definition and reason: Truth must be Coherent, Consistent, Gleaned and Defined. . Without Bias. Out of necessity, The Scientific Method was designed specifically to eradicate such prejudice and it does a good job.
Belief is only Knowledge if the belief is True, and the believer is justified through plausible evidence. I think what may be most important to note is that: A civilization can't possibly expect to succeed in acquiring and disseminating Knowledge, if it’s subdivisions abide by different definitions of such important terms as, "Fact" and "Truth". (Joseph Holbrook ©2014)
"Truth is something so noble that if God could turn aside from it, I could keep the truth and let God go." Meister Eckhart (c. 1260 – 1328) German philosopher, mystic, and theologian of the Catholic Church.
TRUTH / BIAS