scholarly journals Religion versus Science II: Why Science Is Wrong about Life and Evolution, and Where Religious Beliefs Can Find Objective Traction

Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 495
Author(s):  
Ted Christopher
Keyword(s):  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Personal Genomics ◽  
Basic Point ◽  
Final Point ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Behavioral Tendencies ◽  
Genetic Origins ◽  
Religious Perspectives

Traditional religions posit a nonmaterial, spiritual aspect of life. Science rejects that possibility and given the contemporary intellectual hegemony enjoyed by science, that has greatly deflated support for religious perspectives. This paper introduces the countervailing position, that the extraordinary claims associated with the scientific vision have always been a stretch—beginning with a reliance on DNA for exceptional behaviors. That stretch is now unfolding in a broad failure as huge efforts to identify the DNA (or genetic) origins for disease and behavioral tendencies (in the realms of personal genomics and behavioral genetics, respectively) have been an “absolutely beyond belief” failure. This paper will discuss this unfolding heritability crisis, and then indirectly further it with consideration of challenges posed by some unusual behaviors including taboo and accepted paradoxes. A basic point herein is that objectively challenging science’s bedrock position of materialism—which has been an immense obstacle in the path of finding meaningful support for religious perspectives—is not difficult. A final point touched on here is that science’s physics-only based model of evolution never made sense as a possible vehicle for dualistic or transcendent phenomena, and thus the unfolding failure of genetics further deserves the attention of those investigating religious perspectives.

scholarly journals "Secondary" myth in the context of doctrinal foundations of non-traditional religions and occult-mystical groups: the evolution of relationships in postmodern culture

2006 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
A.T. Schedrin
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
The State ◽  
Modern Culture ◽  
The Real ◽  
Radical Reform ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Mind

Philosophical and anthropological explorations of the state of modern culture testify to its crisis nature, connected with the acceleration of the processes of radical change of civilizational type of development. The need for a radical reform of the foundations of the future existence of society becomes evident. Lack of understanding of the real means of such reformation leads to the total disregard for the possibilities of the mind. One of its manifestations is the rapid growth of new and unconventional religions and occult-mystical currents; significant revival of the "secondary" myth-making (in particular, naturalistic, socio-technical); the spread of quasi-religious beliefs and infidelities; overall growth of mystical moods. The study of this aspect of the crisis of modern civilization is an urgent philosophical, religious, cultural and cultural problem.

scholarly journals Portrayal of Religious Syncretism in Akiki Nyabongo’s Novel: Africa Answers Back

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mary Naula
Keyword(s):  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
African Religions ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Religious Syncretism ◽  
Religious Thoughts ◽  
African Traditional Religions

Akiki Nyabongo’s novel, “Africa answers back”, reveals that religious syncretism in Africa is a reality that has persistently painted Christianity as an offshoot of traditional African religions. Using qualitative content analysis that looks at the text for themes, meaning and underlying values, the study critically analyses the two major religious thoughts of African Traditional Religions and Christianity in the context of the rite of passage – pregnancy, naming, baptism, marriage, death and burial. The study found out that religious syncretism as portrayed in Africa Answers Back is evident in all the major rites of passage. The conflict portrayed between the two religious beliefs shows that syncretism is a major issue today among African Christians and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. I conclude that most African Christians will take long to detach themselves from traditional African religious beliefs, because their way of life and practices are rooted in African traditional religion. I recommend continuous negotiations between African traditional religions and Christianity as each has something to offer to enrich their respective faiths.

Believing in Bits

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Media Studies ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Mind Reading ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Digital Media Studies ◽  
Theoretical Standpoint

Situated at the theoretical interface between the fields of media studies and religious studies, Believing in Bits advances the idea that religious beliefs and practices are inextricably linked to the functioning of digital media. Digital media—conceived as technologies and artifacts, as well as the systems of knowledge and values shaping our interaction with them—cannot be analyzed outside the system of beliefs and performative rituals that inform and prepare their use. How did we come to associate things such as mind reading and spirit communications with the functioning of digital technologies? Does the dignity accorded to the human and natural worlds within traditional religions translate to gadgets, avatars, or robots? How does the internet’s capacity to facilitate the proliferation of beliefs help blur the boundaries between what is considered fictional and factual? The chapters in this volume address these and similar questions, challenging and redefining established understandings of digital media and culture by employing the notions of belief, religion, and the supernatural. From a theoretical standpoint, this book relies on two different approaches that complement each other: a media archaeological approach that looks at the continuities and at the subtle relationships between earlier media histories and the contemporary landscape, and a perspective informed by digital media studies that takes into account the technical and social specificities of digital technologies.

scholarly journals Science's Big Problem, Reincarnation's Big Potential, and Buddhists' Profound Embarrassment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Christopher
Keyword(s):  
Deoxyribonucleic Acid ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Missing Heritability ◽  
Religious Perspective ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Scientific Materialism ◽  
Religious Perspectives ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Missing Heritability Problem

Scientific materialism is the largely unquestioned basis for modern science's understanding of life. It also holds enormous sway beyond science and thus has increasingly marginalized religious perspectives. Yet it is easy to find behavioral phenomena from the accepted literature that seriously challenge materialism. A number of these phenomena are very suggestive of reincarnation. The larger test for science's paradigm, though, as well as for any potential general import from reincarnation - is the DNA (or genetics)-based model of heredity. If that conception-beget, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)-carried model can be confirmed at the individual level then in a very substantial way we would be confirmed as material-only creatures. In particular, can behavioral genetics and personal genomics confirm their DNA-based presumptions? During the last decade enormous efforts have been made to find the DNA origins for a number of health and behavioral tendencies. These efforts have been an "absolutely beyond belief" failure and it is here that the scientific vision faces its biggest challenge. The common premodern reincarnation understanding, on the other hand, fits well on a number of specific conundrums and offers a broad coherence across this unfolding missing heritability mystery. For people trying to make sense of a religious perspective or simply questioning materialism, you should be looking at the missing heritability problem.

Religious Beliefs and Public Support for Prisoner Reentry

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 879-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Garland ◽  
Eric Wodahl ◽  
Rebecca Gretchen Smith
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Prisoner Reentry ◽  
Transitional Housing ◽  
Housing Assistance ◽  
Religious Perspectives ◽  
Nationally Representative

The sustainability of the modern prisoner reentry movement may rest heavily upon public support. Although little is known about how public opinion toward reentry is shaped, religion is potentially a key contributor. Several studies indicate that religious perspectives affect public attitudes toward punishment and rehabilitation. The current study aims to determine whether religious beliefs contribute to support for or opposition against three distinct approaches to prisoner reentry. Using survey data obtained from a randomly selected sample of a nationally representative Midwestern state, multivariate regression models were used to examine whether feelings of religious forgiveness and belief in a punitive God affected attitudes toward transitional programming, transitional housing, and assisting post-release offenders through housing agencies. Respondents who felt greater religious forgiveness and had less belief in a punitive God more strongly supported transitional programming and transitional housing and expressed greater opposition to denying housing assistance for recently released offenders. Both advocates and opponents of reentry initiatives should consider religious beliefs when attempting to gain support for their respective positions.

scholarly journals African Beliefs in Buchi Emecheta’s Writings

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Dr. Epounda Mexan Serge ◽  
Dr. Bokotiabato Mokogna Zéphirin
Keyword(s):  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Woman Writer ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
African Woman ◽  
African Culture ◽  
Buchi Emecheta ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
African Religions ◽  
African People ◽  
Traditional Religions

The belief in Africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. Today, the continent's various populations and individuals are mostly adherents of Christianity, Islam, and to a lesser extent several traditional African religions. In Christian or Islamic communities, religious beliefs are also sometimes characterized with syncretism with the beliefs and practices of traditional religions. However, a close look at African people shows that they are largely rooted on other sort of beliefs that we intend to scrutinize throughout this study. Thus, this paper aims not only at identifying existing beliefs in African culture but also at showing their sacredness in the life of people based on the writings of the African woman writer, Buchi Emecheta.

scholarly journals PERBEDAAN RELIGIUSITAS DAN MOTIVASI BERPRESTASI PADA MAHASISWA UNIVERSITAS ISLAM NEGERI UIN MAULANA MALIK IBRAHIM MALANG

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Samsul Susilawati
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Religious Perspectives ◽  
The Face ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
Constant Practice

<p>Religiosity is a religious appreciation and depth of trust expressed by daily worship, prayer, and reading of scripture. Religiosity can give a positive role to achievement motivation for the student. Correct understanding of his religion and the constant practice of his religious beliefs that will distinguish someone from others. Without a true understanding and practice of his religious beliefs, a necessity will form skilled individuals, initiative, leadership, responsible, honest, disciplined, loyal, optimistic, passionate and tolerant. Religious perspectives can play a positive role in relation to the achievement that the student will achieve in completing his education through understanding and belief in his religion. The higher the person's religious level the easier it will be for them to better complete their duties and responsibilities and to strive for difficulties in the face of religious values.</p><p><em><strong>Keywords: religiosity; achievement motivation</strong></em></p>

The CM120 Biotwin: a high-contrast objective lens, optimum cryo-vacuum and improved EDX performance

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 584-585
Author(s):  
Uwe Lücken ◽  
Michael Felsmann ◽  
Wim M. Busing ◽  
Frank de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
Focal Length ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Forming Mechanism ◽  
Similar Image ◽  
High Contrast Imaging ◽  
Low Concentrations

A new microscope for the study of life science specimen has been developed. Special attention has been given to the problems of unstained samples, cryo-specimens and x-ray analysis at low concentrations.A new objective lens with a Cs of 6.2 mm and a focal length of 5.9 mm for high-contrast imaging has been developed. The contrast of a TWIN lens (f = 2.8 mm, Cs = 2 mm) and the BioTWTN are compared at the level of mean and SD of slow scan CCD images. Figure 1a shows 500 +/- 150 and Fig. 1b only 500 +/- 40 counts/pixel. The contrast-forming mechanism for amplitude contrast is dependent on the wavelength, the objective aperture and the focal length. For similar image conditions (same voltage, same objective aperture) the BioTWIN shows more than double the contrast of the TWIN lens. For phasecontrast specimens (like thin frozen-hydrated films) the contrast at Scherzer focus is approximately proportional to the √ Cs.

X-ray mapping without STEM

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 508-509
Author(s):  
Judith M. Brock ◽  
Max T. Otten
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Scanning System ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Distribution Of Elements ◽  
Made In

A knowledge of the distribution of chemical elements in a specimen is often highly useful. In materials science specimens features such as grain boundaries and precipitates generally force a certain order on mental distribution, so that a single profile away from the boundary or precipitate gives a full description of all relevant data. No such simplicity can be assumed in life science specimens, where elements can occur various combinations and in different concentrations in tissue. In the latter case a two-dimensional elemental-distribution image is required to describe the material adequately. X-ray mapping provides such of the distribution of elements.The big disadvantage of x-ray mapping hitherto has been one requirement: the transmission electron microscope must have the scanning function. In cases where the STEM functionality – to record scanning images using a variety of STEM detectors – is not used, but only x-ray mapping is intended, a significant investment must still be made in the scanning system: electronics that drive the beam, detectors for generating the scanning images, and monitors for displaying and recording the images.

Behavioral Genetics: Concepts for Research and Practice in Language Development and Disorders

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1126-1142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Gilger
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Behavioral Genetic ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Future Goals ◽  
Current State ◽  
Research Designs

This paper is an introduction to behavioral genetics for researchers and practioners in language development and disorders. The specific aims are to illustrate some essential concepts and to show how behavioral genetic research can be applied to the language sciences. Past genetic research on language-related traits has tended to focus on simple etiology (i.e., the heritability or familiality of language skills). The current state of the art, however, suggests that great promise lies in addressing more complex questions through behavioral genetic paradigms. In terms of future goals it is suggested that: (a) more behavioral genetic work of all types should be done—including replications and expansions of preliminary studies already in print; (b) work should focus on fine-grained, theory-based phenotypes with research designs that can address complex questions in language development; and (c) work in this area should utilize a variety of samples and methods (e.g., twin and family samples, heritability and segregation analyses, linkage and association tests, etc.).

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