Heathens and science?

vogelbeere · Junior Participant Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

Hi all

I need more Heathens to take my questionnaire on Pagans and science. At the moment you're outnumbered! And I would like to know about Heathens' views of and relationship with science.

Pagans and science questionnaire

Thanks!

If anyone wants to discuss this here on the forum, here's a few ideas:

Is Heathenry compatible with science, or do they address different realms or concepts of the universe?

Are Heathen myths metaphors for scientific processes? (e.g. Ragnarok = heat death of the universe?)

Must a religion be compatible with science to survive in the modern age?
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Yvonne

my website | my blog | my LJ

FLechdrop · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

Took it.

vogelbeere · Junior Participant Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

Thanks! Comments welcome - were any bits difficult to do?
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Yvonne

my website | my blog | my LJ

Reinelm · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject:

I took it as well. I had a few minor points to make about how particular questions were asked, but nothing special. One suggestion I would like to make is to add the option "No opinion" or "No comment". Either because sometimes I just have not any particular thoughts about a subject (in which case I have chosen "neutral") or because the subject is too broad to answer with a simple (dis)agreement. There were a few questions were I got the idea that you were so specific that it seems as if you are leading in a way.

Besides that I feel I have been able too communicate my worldview quite clearly. Good job!
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-Reinelm

"Seeking the Unavoidable"

FLechdrop · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

I too had the impression that with some questions "the subject is too broad to answer with a simple (dis)agreement", but given the nature of the questionnaire I suppose this would be hard to avoid, and adding a "don't know" option would probably do little to improve the quality of your results. Laughing

vogelbeere · Junior Participant Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

Thanks!

Yes, with the questions about the relationship of religion and science, I wish I had done one for religion and science in general, and one for Paganism and science - though hopefully the other questions will balance that out.

The statements were meant to be strong so people would react to them either for or against.

If you would like to do the email interview, do drop me a line at yaburrow [at] gmail.com
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Yvonne

my website | my blog | my LJ

Downpraise · Sophomore Participant Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 8

Took it.

It's always hard to answer multiple choice questions like these, because on the subject I have some seemingly selfcontradictory views which are better explained in lengthy answers. But that would made the test way too long, probably.

However I did have some problems with some questions, though. I don't really understand how String Theory or Quantum Physics can be an explaination for anything, especially outside of the strict mathematical context. It seems it's being mis-used in all sorts of fields concerning the paranormal. I can see how people might want to establish this connection, for it is a great excuse for anything not bound to the realm of causal physics, but it tends towards a pseudoscience pretty quickly. It lacks proper scientific arguments to make this connection.
I must admit I'm not a physicist, but I do have enough knowledge about the field to recognise the fallacies in movies like "What the bleep do we know" and other related readings.
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The fates I fathom, yet farther I see

vogelbeere · Junior Participant Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

It's OK, self-contradictory answers are allowed Smile

I am interested in the prevalence of people using things like string theory as an explanation for stuff, regardless of whether it is a "correct" application of the theory. Using the Gaia hypothesis to justify a belief in the Earth Mother is an erroneous use of the theory, but it doesn't stop people doing it.
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Yvonne

my website | my blog | my LJ

Dewfooter · Collaborator Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 52 Strength: +1

I'm always having difficulties with questionnaires and this one is no exception. Smile

Science is a religion and therefore I cannot answer the questions.
Its mythology*, however functional, is devoid of meaning and I reject it.

*well...it does not even deserve to be called that.
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Hige sceal þe heardra, heorte þe cenre, mod sceal þe mare, þe ure mægen lytlað