Religion vs. science

On this day in 1859, the age of modern science began.

One hundred and fifty years ago today, Charles Darwin’s "On the Origin of Species" was published.

Even though there are still some Americans arguing about its contents, there is little debate that Darwin’s book helped launch a revolution of scientific inquiry that continues to this day.

Darwin’s theory of the evolution of organisms was not entirely new. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle offered glimpses of it and more modern philosophers, from Bacon on, added to the understanding that plants and animals did not just magically appear fully formed on the Earth, but changed and developed over eons.

However, it was Darwin who seized upon the idea, inspired by Thomas Robert Malthus’ theories on overpopulation, that "favorable variations would tend to be preserved, and unfavorable ones would be destroyed. The result of this would be the formation of a new species."

According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, those organisms that were better able to adapt to their environments were more likely to survive and reproduce than those that had trouble or could not adapt. These favorable variations are then transmitted to successive generations. Variables such as food, predators, disease and climate change makes the numbers of a species go up or down. And, ultimately, every species’ fate is interconnected with that of every other species.

Darwin’s>>>

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This picture is AWESOME!!!

Look closely at this picture

The President of Argentina received this picture and called it 'junk mail', 8 days later his son died. A man received this picture and immediately sent out copies. His surprise was winning the lottery. Alberto Martinez received this picture, gave it to his secretary to make copies but, they forgot to distribute it. She lost her job and he lost his family.

This picture is miraculous and sacred.
Forward to 1O people.

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)

Small church falls victim to economy

The congregation sadly decides it can no longer afford to maintain its historic building.

By MECHELE COOPER, Kennebec Journal October 26, 2009

GARDINER — For more than 40 years, Mary and Percy Tibbetts have worshipped at Gardiner Congregational Church.

Now, since members of the 200-year-old church decided to close its doors, the Tibbettses – Mary, 92, and Percy, 97 – are looking for fellowship and prayer in another place.

The tiny congregation – 35 strong – can no longer afford the cost of maintaining the building at 46 Church St.

Mary Tibbetts said she and her husband have always been active in the church.

"Things are very different now and we have to accept that," she said last week. "It's going to be quite a blow when the doors close."

The Rev. Peggy Dunn said it is uncertain if the congregation will continue to meet, possibly in another location.

"It's sad to have come to this point and it's a walk we're trying to do with integrity for the congregation, the building and all the history of the church," Dunn said. "It's a really sad and serious time, and it largely has to do with the economy.

"We are a small body and can no longer>>>

R. Crumb Gets Religion

• SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

The influential comics artist Robert Crumb, best known for such outré works as "Keep On Truckin' " and "Fritz the Cat," is exploring a surprising new topic in his latest work: the Bible. For "The Book of Genesis Illustrated," Mr. Crumb incorporated a variety of sources, including the King James Version, to re-create the Bible's first book.

and more here>>>

A Religious Element In The Health Reform Debate?

By RAGHAVAN MAYUR

Posted 08/21/2009 07:21 PM ET

Americans are churchgoers, and religion has always played a large role in U.S. politics. Health reform is no different. A new IBD/TIPP Poll shows that, depending on their faith, Americans have differing opinions and differing intensity of opinion when it comes to including a public option in any overhaul plan.

Protestants, for example, oppose a public option by a 43% to 33% margin, but Catholics favor it 42% to 35%. The biggest support for a public option comes from those who identify themselves as "another type of Christian," with 49% in support and 30% opposed. A majority (54%) of non-Christians support the public option and 29% oppose.

It's also important to note that, generally speaking, one in five of those surveyed are undecided.

Overall, 26% of survey respondents identified themselves as Protestants, 23% as Catholics, 26% as another type of Christian and 22% as non-Christians or nonreligious.

The intensity of support for the public option also varies. Sixteen percent of Protestants "strongly support" the concept, while 35% "strongly oppose" it. Twenty-one percent of Catholics "strongly support" and 26% "strongly oppose."

Among those identifying themselves as "another type of Christian," the intensity tilts toward a public option: 36% "strongly support" and 25% "strongly oppose." Forty percent of non-Christians "strongly support" while only 20% "strongly oppose."

Departing from the traditional Democratic position>>>

Report: Nearly 1 in 4 People Worldwide Is Muslim

Thursday, October 08, 2009

The global Muslim population stands at 1.57 billion, meaning that nearly 1 in 4 people in the world practice Islam, according to a report Wednesday billed as the most comprehensive of its kind.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life report provides a precise number for a population whose size has long has been subject to guesswork, with estimates ranging anywhere from 1 billion to 1.8 billion.

Click here for more information on the study.

The project, three years in the making, also presents a portrait of the Muslim world that might surprise some. For instance, Germany has more Muslims than Lebanon, China has more Muslims than Syria, Russia has more Muslims than Jordan and Libya combined, and Ethiopia has nearly as many Muslims as Afghanistan.

"This whole idea that Muslims are Arabs and Arabs are Muslims is really just obliterated by this report," said Amaney Jamal, an assistant professor of politics at Princeton University who reviewed an advance copy.

Pew officials call the report the most thorough on the size and distribution of adherents of the world's second largest religion behind Christianity, which has an estimated 2.1 billion to 2.2 billion followers.

and much more here>>>