4/20/09 DISMAL WEATHER LEADS TO DANGEROUS THOUGHTS

Monday, 8:00 AM. 33 degrees, wind W, moderate. The sky is overcast and it is raining lightly. The barometer predicts precipitation. Both rain barrels, set out yesterday, are full, even though it has rained but little.
It is a rather somber morning, appropriate to introspection and deep thought (both of which are usually dangerous things). As the result of a rather heated discussion yesterday, I have formulated a few comments on religion and science.
Religion and science are opposite belief systems, and should never be confused. They are like the yin and the yang, both existing in equality, and with some degree of practice can both be part of our thought process.
Religion is based on faith, which requires the suspension of disbelief, and is necessary to explain and accept things which cannot be, or are not yet explained by science.
Science is based on the observation and exact measurement of facts, and accepts the concept that there can be no complete truth, as knowledge is always incomplete (every question answered leads to more questions). Science is not democratic, it is based on provable theory, not on majority opinion.
If religion attempts to prove its tenets through science, it destroys its own faith.
If science attempts to prove its theories through faith, it destroys its objectivity and becomes a religion.
We are at an unfortunate juncture in history in which many are abandoning their faith, and therefore their moral compass, because faith cannot be scientifically proven. At the same time many see science and nature as new faiths, which, by the very nature of each, are amoral (not based on morality) and their adoption as faiths will ultimately lead to the destruction of human society, which needs morality to function.
There are scientists and philosophers who have explained these things far better than I ever can, but it behooves each of us to think these things through for ourselves, and I encourage everyone to do so.
It is snowing but it is too warm for there to be any accumulation.