Question for those saying science must always triumph over religious "superstition"?

Question

What scientific proof is there for the proposition that "all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights"?

I certainly believe that, but I would assume those who say that we must be led by science and reason, not religion, would demand more proof than I would.

So, where is YOUR proof?

A belief in evolution may strengthen an argument for inequality, not weakien it. If discrete populations migrated to different parts of the world approximately 1000,000 or more years ago, as is currently though, that would be thousands of generations for these populations to "evolve' differently.

PS My "proof" is that "superstition" that I and many others subscribe to.

The scientists are the ones always demanding empirical evidence.

PS I firmly believe this proposition - I am asking others why they do.

But some will make any stretch to bash religion, it seems.

Answer 1

I have been reading the other answers and a thought just came into my mind.

If evolution has to do with the survival of the fittest, wouldn't the present society be the fittest of all societies.

I am not sure that history would support that, it seems like we have been in decay for hundreds of years.

grace2u

Answer 2

There is none and it is a claim to be investigated. A more sensible rendition would be "Although men are not created equally in all respects, in the very important aspect of human rights they must be treated as such", doesn't quite roll off the tounge though.

And if you ask where I get that imperative from it is not solely a 2,000 year old book, though that may well be a part of the source.

Edit:

A 'belief' in evolution does not change the facts on the ground, I am clearly not the equal of Carl Lewis when it comes to running fast. Having recognised this does not affect the human rights of either of us. I will put the record of atheists up against that of the church regarding equal rights any day of the week.

Is your sole reason for treating the two of us equally that 2,000 year old book?

Answer 3

Well, I for one, do not believe that "all men were created equal". Look at genetics and what benefits certain humans have over others. The fact that we all come from a common ancestor is somewhat relevant to your question, but when you really open it up, we a far from equal. Intellegence, appearance, abilities, health...all of these factor in when anyone tries to tell me that "all men were created equal". As a society, we try (well, some of us) to treat each other as equal only to create common ground, respect, and relationships. We were all given the ability to rationalize, with the exception of the mentally ill, and that is the "equality" in us. The only equality.

Answer 4

There is no scientific proof in such a statement "all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" If anything that is an outright false statement.

We don't have equal rights in the US, which is clearly evident if you want to hold office in many of our states but do not believe in a supreme creator. There are many examples where we are not equal.

The statement does not have any scientific proofs because it is clearly false.

Answer 5

"all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" is just flowery language to make people feel more important and reflect the remnants/superstitions of primitive cultures.
Why do people like you forget some of the human race has advanced far beyond the thinking of the county's early days? Why do you people insist on remaining stuck in the 18th Century?

Answer 6

I don't think all men are created equal. Some are better than others, that's why life has evolved. I also don't think they meant "every man is scientifically created as equals in talent, ability, intellect, etc." I think they meant all European males should be treated equally under the law. They didn't even mean mankind, since neither women nor Native Americans or Africans were treated equally.

This has nothing to do with science or religion. This question shows your understanding of the former as well as the latter. If you can't rationally think why people should be treated equally, then your religion must be more damaging than it seems.

Answer 7

Do you know that they used to flower documents and speeches with Gods, the Creator and lines from Homer?

The "creator" in this sense is the rational Deist creator of Jefferson, BTW..

Aside from that it is common sense that all men are equal and that we should all have certain rights in society. Mankind is still working towards these ideals, though.

Answer 8

Science without ethics is dangerously vulnerable to self-seeking opportunists, just as religion is vulnerable. The self-evident truth of which you speak is imposed by civilized man in order to stave off the effects of the imperatives of the animal kingdom we are heir to. It is our attempt to rise above our instincts. This "war" between science and religion is a misdirection, a step back in terms of civilization.

Answer 9

You demand proof but offer none of your own position. I hope I'm not the only one who sees the irony in this.

As for proof of it, let me reword it slightly: "It is the Truth that all of mankind is equal in rights, for to enslave one is to irrevocably damage all."

It's self-proving, when you put it that way.

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Ah, your supernatural idea is your proof? Then you have no proof at all for the supernatural cannot be proven.

An unproven theorum or untested hypothesis cannot be used to support another theorum or hypothesis until it is proven or tested.

For you to use the Creator 'proof', you must first prove the existence of a Creator. Otherwise your choice is as arbitrary as you imply non-theists choice is.

Answer 10

Whether we are created by a Creator or not, in what way can we NOT be born equal? We come from nothing, we have nothing, and we will eventually return to nothing. Doesn't that make us equal? And that's a biological fact. I can't see where scientific evidence comes into it. You are sounding rather sensitive.