Atheists: how mathematically articulate are you?

Question

Can you work your way through all the equations that quantum mechanics and cosmologists need in order to explain their theories? Or do you just have faith in what scientists tell you?

(Just an attempt at a less stupid question than all my other ones).

Answer 1

I find it interesting that a lot of people think you're criticising science rather than just pointing out that some atheists (so called) seem to have very "religious" personalities. Even our beloved Duckphup comes across as a religious bigot except he is quoting the terminology of science rather than of some religion.
I myself am an atheist in that I do not like religion, and it disturbs me that a lot of (so called) atheists express themselves religiously. The anger and insults some of them express tell a story of insecure personality that is frightening, every bit as frightenening as when insecure followers of religion do it.
The problems we face are of people trying to force-feed their opinions down other people's throats. Whether they are christians, muslims, hindus, jews, or atheists, it's all very frightening and I wish they would learn to be more self-assured so they don't feel they have to convert anyone.

Answer 2

I am not an atheist and I do not understand the mathematics behind quantum mechanics. However, just because I do not understand it does not mean it isn't true. It is just at a higher level of knowlege than I have acheived. The same as with GOD. My level of knowlege is so far below his existence that I can not comprehend how he exists or how awesomely complex He must be but that doesn't mean He isn't there. As for science in general. Man has a god complex and it is hard for our species to admit that we are not all knowing and that there are things we can not explain. So scientests try to take information and make a theory to offer an explanation. (IE the theory of evolution and the missing link which doesn't exist that's why it's missing.) The truth is there are some things that are above the knowlege of even the most educated scientests and are on GOD's level (our existence). True knowlege comes from admitting we know nothing. For the non-believers who have faith in science check out Answers in Genesis and see where science proves Christianity right.

Answer 3

Neither. Cant work my way through quantum mechanics equations nor do I have faith in what scientists tell me. I simply listen to theories and read as much as I can and decide what sounds plausible to me and what does not. I don't have to be an expert in quantum mechanics or an astro physicist to see those concepts as much more likely explanations of the universe than some religious text.

Answer 4

I happen to be a student of cosmology and quantum mechanics, with a keen interest in just about everything else.
The equations are gorgeous things, but they don't tell you anything at all about the existence or non-existence of god. They do, however show that if He exists, he is doing so in an unfalsifiable manner. That is, there is no way using science to disprove God's existence. Obviously if there was to be a well documented and completely studied impossible thing (miracle), then that would prove His existence pretty well.

The rational position for man to take is that of the strong agnostic: Atheist until proven otherwise.

Answer 5

Sorry, jesussalvation. I don't base my disbelief in quantum mathematics. And I don't believe just ANY scientific claim (it's all just theory until it's "proven" or until it gains enough confidence to be scientific "fact," and I use that term loosely). Although, when there is a new study or report out, I'm very interested, but then, I'm interested in theological matters too despite or maybe even due to my atheism. I don't disagree that there are some ignorant atheists, but we're not ALL hypocrites.

Answer 6

I am a bit rusty with Algebra.. Calculus, I never took a course on. Quantum mechanics I am interested in, and have watched various documentations on but honestly, I don't have the time to devote towards learning it when I would never use it for day to day activities. I consider myself an Agnostic, but do not believe in any gods therefore you could also call me an Atheist. Science is not necessarily a faith with me, I know it works as the results of Science are used everyday.

Answer 7

It is clear that you do not understand science.

In science, theories occupy a higher level of importance than mere 'facts'... theories EXPLAIN facts. No scientist will tell you that a theory is 'true' or 'proven'... the best that anyone can say is that it has not been 'falsified'. The value of a theory is not determined by its 'truth'... it is determined by its 'usefulness'... i.e., its 'predictive power' and its 'explanatory power'. The success of a theory 'proves' nothing... it merely builds confidence that one is on the right track.

Quantum theory, which you mentioned, does NOT describe 'reality'... it predicts (with unprecedented accuracy) how reality will respond when we poke it.

What quantum theory provides is the best explanation we have been able to contrive that is consistent with the 'facts'. 'Faith' has absolutely nothing t do with this. We have 'trust' in the meta-procedures (scientific method) that lead to 'theories'... and that the 'theories' represent the best available explanatory ideas, consistent with the 'facts' that they are trying to explain.

It is not necessary for one to be able to do the math in order to have a basic understanding of the theory... and to have 'confidence' in it... until it is improved or replaced.

Science is much more vital, vibrant and intellectually honest than the delusional, closed-minded, willfully ignorant mantra "god did it."

Answer 8

One thing that science does it attempt to disprove its own theories, and if enough scientists try to disprove something and fail, then something becomes scientific fact. So basically, we are not taking the word of one person or one scientist, we are taking the accepted truth of an entire scientific community who have tested, re-tested, and tested again in every way shape and form conceivable. This is not a shot in the dark, nor is it generally accepting one guy's theory.

Not a bad question actually, compared to a lot of the flame-bait I see on this forum :P

Answer 9

I can do some of it, I do have a math minor.

But peer review insures that they are accurate. Scientists are constantly going after each other's work. They absolutely delight it proving another's work wrong. It takes no faith to believe in something that you know has been throughly checked and that if it interests you you CAN check it.

Now my major is Chemistry, so if you want to talk about radiological decay and why the dating methods are accurate I can do that.

Added: And multiple peer reviewed sources is a hell of a lot better than a single one written by Bronze Age goat herders.

Answer 10

No, I understand energy balances and continuity, but the specific equations, no. If I did, I'd be a quantum mechanic instead of a mechanical engineer.