Theists and atheists, is there a point in furthering the development of science?

Question

To theists (not all), what is the point in helping us live longer lives, when our worldly lives are just a spec compared to eternity.

To atheists (not all), I asked what the point of humanity is, and some said that it was survival. Don't you think we have this down pat? It may actually be worse for humanity if the average life expectancy keeps getting higher and higher.

This may be stupid, but I think it is a good point. Stop wasting time on things we don't need. If we have made it this far without it, why do we need to discover it or create it?

Trolling, good point.

That is true, Harry, I should have been more specific and said medical sciences.

Deep_blue, why should we help the dieing, we are becoming over-populated already, so why keep people around longer?

Answer 1

The point of humanity is to pass along one's DNA.

But to your last paragraph, many humans are innately curious.

Further edited: In addition to curiously, some of us feel extremely lucky to be here to start with, and want to learn as much about the world as possible. Perhaps there's no difference from that and curiosity.

Answer 2

Your first point would be valid were we to live eternity as we are in this life but that not being the case and none of us knowing exactly what the eternal life will be and questions like how will we be,what will we do and so on it makes sense that we want to hold on to here,what we know for as long as we can. If you really think about it not everyone lives longer lives for very few get to be very old like 80plus and plenty still die young for disease has not yet been eradicated. Because of advances in science and medicine the average age is 65 to 70. which isn't really all that long. Were we to have survival down pat the same mistakes wouldn't be made,we'd have learned from the previous one and the ones being made now. We know that burning the rainforests makes the land barren after approx 2-3years if not sooner but we keep right on burning. For years the wars ,the infighting has made homeless thousands of people and raped the land and starvation of millions is the end result. Remember Somalia-didn't America put a lot of effort,losing American lives even to stop the starvation,the causes of it even some years ago.In the Newspaper the fighing,war between Somalia and neightbor Ethiopia creating the Same situation today..Perhaps that why we need to live longer to find out why we do not learn, not enough of us anyway. To say we should stop discovering,creating is to say we should stop having a mind, to stop wanting knowledge, to stop improving the quality of our lives. Will not happen for the need to know,to see whats there further up around the corner is life to us for our Creator placed in our Spirit the search for truth found in the greatest adventure of all- Our Lives !And how we love them no matter how long or short they are.

Answer 3

Why? Because, most humans have compassion for their fellow human beings. Whether we believe that we are going to a better place later is besides the point. This is what we have here and now. If we can do something so that people can live better lives, then as a compassionate people we should. Besides not all of us theists have closed minds, some of us actually enjoy increasing our knowledge.

Answer 4

There is more to science than increasing human longevity. Science can also increase the quality of life. My life was a ruin for 20 years....everyday, I felt like commiting suicide. Then, I was told that my thyroid was a shriveled raisin. Now, I take synthroid daily and feel born again (PBUS).

Answer 5

Science is the art and discipline of gaining and categorizing knowledge of the natural world. If used properly it is not a hindrance to theology. As a matter of fact, the more man learns about God's creation the more marvel we can have.

Answer 6

I think science is great. It helps us with medical discoveries and better ways of living. I'm all for it, if it helps improve our life. I don't think science will ever replace religion because I believe the two are separate things. Science for the physical and religion for the spiritual.

Answer 7

Well, we could have stopped in the middle ages because we were surviving just fine back then, too.

People who don't want to keep evolving and learning should be put on their own continent and have all technology taken from them. If you want to live in the dark ages, it can be arranged.

Answer 8

So you would rather be living in a mud hut, with a dozen kids you couldn't feed, sleeping on flea-infested straw?

You probably can't even fathom the great and wonderful inventions yet to come. Give me science over ignorance any day.

Answer 9

We progressed from having nothing to what we have today, if people back then thought like you "we're fine, why create stuff" , we'd be still living in caves.

There is no such thing as eternity!!

We need science to help the dying - help earth etc. Who else will do it "God"? doubt it!

Answer 10

If our current technology glitches we are all doomed. Without the petroleum based fertilizers half of the worlds population faces starvation. OK. Lets just give up and die because Jesus loves us.