Spiritual benefits of a belief in evolution/rebirth?

monkeyman-evolving · Not So Newbie Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: uk

* Rebirth implies that we all stay on this planet, and therefore must learn to get along with each other, and RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT!

* Evolution is OPTIMISTIC, because (genetic) mistakes are part of the mechanism for progress toward harmony with the environment. The faults are RANDOMLY generated. No guilt, no blame!

*Although the history of evolution can teach us lessons, evolution suggests that there is no single 'right answer' to how to live ones life, in our dynamic world. The basic rules of most religions increase fitness in populations by allow us to get along together, (usually, except when they clash with one another over details it seems!)

politas · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 23

Well, there is absolutely no evidence for rebirth. This makes it a difficult thing to accept for the sort of rational people who accept evolution.

Secondly, I see little moral basis for such a faith. How does a belief in rebirth lead to a desire to behave well to other people in one's current life?

Arthwollipot · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject:

Well, there's the whole karma-reincarnation idea which means that if you behave well in this life you'll be reborn into a better life.

Personally I just don't get this whole evolutionary-rebirth thing. How does rebirth (reincarnation, presumably) fit in with evolution? Sorry, but this seems pretty nonsensical to me.

monkeyman-evolving · Not So Newbie Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: uk

Hmm, nonsensical & incompatible with scientifically minded people, an irrational idea. Not an encouraging start for my New Faith!

I accept that ideas like these are in a different category from evidential scientific understanding of our universe, our reality, but I think that science has broadened our potential for understanding 'spiritual', or 'metaphysical' matters. For me, the established scientific ideas of evolution hint at deeper truths about our existence. The way dead physical matter is recycled into new living matter for example. I dont pretend to know anything, I admit, these ideas are just 'faith' for me, but an extension of scientific knowledge that gives me hope and optimism for the future.

As for the moral repurcussions of this idea of 'not going anywhere' when you die, but staying in some way, being reborn onto the surface of this wondrous living planet, well surely the great dictum of Jesus, 'do as you would be done by' would make far more sense, if we all remained in the same location, rather than being transported to some heavenly realm.

Please cast a vote, I am really very curious about how people feel about these ideas. Smile

Arthwollipot · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject:

Hmm. Sorry, but I still don't get it. Evolution simply describes how one species gradually sprouts subspecies, it doesn't say anything about the recycling of organic matter or anything like that. Perhaps you are looking for the "evolutionary cosmology" forum?

The problem with your idea of "being reborn onto the surface of this ... planet" is that it is simply the elements of which one's body is comprised that are recycled. For a real religious idea, there must be some form of "soul" or consciousness which survives death.

Sure, my body will eventually come to make up other living beings - the carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen will be put to other uses. But I don't see anything particularly "spiritual" about it.

If you want to move in that direction, think about the way the atoms which make up our bodies were manufactured billions of years ago in the fiery hearts of supernovas, to be scattered throughout the universe by cataclysmic explosions which make the atomic bomb look like a damp squib. There's a truth to boggle the mind...

politas · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 23

skiddum · Pit Bull Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 374 Location: FL

politas · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 23

skiddum · Pit Bull Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 374 Location: FL

admin · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:07 am Post subject:

Religion once again sprouts it's ugly head into science........

Arthwollipot · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:40 am Post subject:

I don't actually see this particularly as religion - it is a spiritual view of science, and I'd really like monkeyman to come back so that I can actually try and work out what he's trying to get at.

The Paladin · House Cat Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 174

Scientism sprouts its ugly head into religion.

Arthwollipot · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

There's no reason why science cannot be spiritual. So long as the "spiritual" side focuses on the beholder's sense of awe and wonder, and doesn't bring in any messy non-testable hypotheses like, er... spirits or anything.