Hey all you scientists, what do you make of this website?

Question

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot about science (I prefer to study words) so I usually stay out of the evolution debate when it gets technical. However, the TCPC (the Center for Progressive Christianity) website that I frequent recently linked to this other website that they say is a bridge for science and faith and I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm always wary of things that claim to reconcile Christianity and science because they're usually full of some really awful science, although the TCPC is usually good about these things.

So, all you people out there who are more educated than I am on the technical aspects of evolution, what do you think of this website?

Here's the URL:
www.epicofevolution.com

Thanks!

Sigh, I feel I shouldn't need a disclaimer, but just in case:
-I'm not trying to save or win anyone over
-I don't want to change your mind
-I believe in evolution myself

So please don't feel that this is a trap.

Yeah I know it can sound like a misnomer, but we're really cool.

http://www.tcpc.org/about/8points.cfm

Answer 1

I had a quick look and it is a weird mix of evolution and theology, for instance this bit:

What is the Epic of Evolution?

* A Map
* A Direction
* A New Understanding
* Definiton of our Place
* Confirmation of Prophets

Science, which reveals the Epic of Evolution, confirms what prophets throughout the ages and from all major traditions have been saying: our salvation lies in awareness and compassion. Science shows that humans are related to all beings. We are all one. Furthermore, we are interdependent with other beings and with our environment. Our survival now depends on “loving our neighbors as ourselves.”

In former times, a successful survival strategy, sometimes considered moral, was to kill other humans that were not part of your tribe. This is no longer true. In an age of nuclear weapons, the strategy of war threatens mutually assured destruction (MAD). What was once adaptive is no longer adaptive. Our world has grown smaller as our technologies have grown larger and more complex. This now becomes the environmental reality to adapt to.

Answer 2

"Progressive Christianity." It DOES sound like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it.

I only skimmed the site. It seems more or less harmless. It's certainly not the standard, rabidly insane "Christian" website claiming to "prove" that the earth is 6,000 years old and ancient man rode dinosaurs outfitted with saddles...lol. It's more of a religious construct on the findings of science as these people understand them.

As for whether it's actually possible to reconcile science with religion, especially dogmatic religion, I doubt it.

Religion is usually based on "revealed" authority. People believe the Bible is "true" because it is supposed to have been given to certain men in history by God, as a means of establishing communication with the rest of humanity. But for that reason, the religious person begins his investigation of nature by saying "I already know how this came to be." He only looks for evidence that supports this preconception.

This is, theoretically, the diametric opposite of the scientific method. Science begins by saying "I don't know, but I want to find out." Conclusions are drawn based on the evidence obtained through research; if the evidence happens not to jibe with a given theory, then that theory is invalidated. This is not to say that certain scientists have not likewise fallen into the trap of dogmatism, and have tried, consciously or unconsciously, to force the evidence to fit a pet theory. But science as an institution and a discipline is steadfastly opposed to this type of thing. As such, science is able to adapt itself to new information about the universe; in fact, science IS that adaptation.

Answer 3

I just want to let you know that I am going to check the site out in a few minutes and will get back to you. I'm at work and I have a couple of things to do first. Thanks for the link though, I love reading about this topic, especially when the Christian perspective isn't full of inaccuricies.

And to all of you who are afraid to click on links - I just went there and its fine. You wont get a virus there.

Answer 4

It begins with number 1, an assumption of the existence of a non-verifiable entity.

Read A. J. Ayer's "Language, Truth and Logic," if you enjoy studying words.

Answer 5

I don't generally trust websites, I won't even use/point people to talkorigins, even though some say it's a very good site.

I'll check it out later though, when I'm not on the clock at work :P

Answer 6

I gave it a quick scan. It appears to be trying to build a philosophy or *shudder* a religion out of a scientific model. Personally, I don't think we really need that.

Answer 7

Seems like a bit of a mis-interpretation to me.