You know...(I don't mean any offense), without giving examples of what you mean in regards to facts and fairy tales and providing any amount of informantion to substantiate them, it's hard to consider your contribution. In other words, what are you talking about?

I believe this to be true. I have not read "The Science of God", but I did read a book called "God and the New Physics". Physics has done quite a bit to establish a basis for spirituality.

Capernicus considered himself Christian, but when he discovered that Earth was not the center of the universe, he was persecuted by the "Chruch", which in those times held alot of political clout. To me, this is a prime example of how "religion/politics" does not match with "spirituality".

I do think "science" goes hand in hand with "religion/spirituality". Wilhelm Reich comes to mind as one who contributed to bridging the gap.

"Reich came to the United States in 1939 where he continued to study the manifestations and laws of orgone energy and to invent ways to make this energy usable. In 1954, the Federal Food and Drug Administration obtained an Injunction by default which ordered Reich's literature to be banned and destroyed. As a result, several tons of Reich's published books and journals were burned, constituting one of the most heinous acts of censorship in U.S. history. In his defense, Reich asserted to the Court that "Man's right to know, to learn, to inquire, to make bona fide errors, to investigate human emotions must, by all means, be safe, if the word FREEDOM should ever be more than an empty political slogan." The Court rejected this defense and Reich was convicted of contempt of court and imprisoned in Lewisburg Penitentiary where he died on November 3, 1957." http://www.wilhelmreichmuseum.org/

Same here.

Me too. Cosmic Dust, this book you are reading intrigues me.

Could you present a few of those promises that Buddhism asserts? I am baptized Catholic, but I've been reading up on Buddhism and I find it interesting because it tries

. That is the middle path. Perhaps some of the practices of some Buddhists stray from this middle path, but that doesn't mean that the whole philosophy is crap. I encourage everyone to read up on Buddhism and find any mistakes, contradictions, etc., for while I am interested in it, I am open to the fact that it could be wrong.

OK, looks like you made ANOTHER comment after this one. Ironically, having to do with keeping promises...

Huh, how 'bout we practice what we preach??? I jest.

You knew this day was coming, huh Division?

I guess Sunday night really brings out the religious posts. I hope I'll get to post this much on the Broncos when football season starts.

Addressing the first quote first, I have found my life becomes, well, I can't say my life becomes easier but I beome at ease when I surrender and accept God's will as opposed to my own. Over the years, I've gone from an an attitude of "why me" to "what am I supposed to learn from this?" Though, many a time do I shout this at God in anger and confusion.

Speaking in terms of Christianity, as that's all I know, questioning helps develop a personal relationship with God. That's generally all you'll find in the Bible, people questioning God, seeking wisdom and understanding, and receiving mercy. Under these terms, your point is correct that God's people are not to question is God soverign. After all the calamity that fell upon Job, God's response to him in his suffering is basically, 'Who are you to question Me?' Abraham, Moses, Peter, Jesus, just about everyone in the Bible had questions of God.

Quote #2 As much as I fit the 9 ennegram, it is remarkable the amount of anger and frustration I feel when I don't think God is working in my life. I feel like things should be better in my life because I'm acting in accordance to the Word. My deepest sorrows come when I feel like God has abandoned or deserted me, one promise He said He'd never do. As I am healed from some times the New Testament refers to as being pruned, I see that I wasn't deserted but things worked together for my ultimate betterment. It's really not much of a life of faith if everything comes out how we plan, when want it, as we expect it.

Now, to the original question of whether science & religion mix, I'll give the answer of yes and no. Looking at science through Christian lenses, I believe I have to guard against leaning on my own understanding, hubris, science or man's mind limits defining my existence. Of course, this is not to be mistaken with getting mauled by a bear and refusing to go to a hospital out of religous reasons.

The original book sounds more encompassing of the entire Bible, but there's a book called "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel that examines the evidence of the existence of Jesus. I do find it interesting to learn of how science "proves" things out of the Bible, but I don't believe things always can or should. I find it much more comfortable believing in a God who can accomplish the impossible.

Isn't that, after all, the definition of a miracle?

I have. The reductionistic approach makes a lot of sense to me. But I'm still in favor of making the most of this short existence which likely has no meaning except that assigned to it by human beings. If I'm gonna die and there's nothing in the way of conscious experience afterwards, I want to come to terms with that, and in the meantime reap some of the health benefits associated with the brain's spiritual function as mentioned in the book in order to make waiting for death less stressful.

I want there to be more to spirituality than a naive belief in ghosts and gods and afterlives that made life for my ancestors more bearable. That's what led to my reading "Spirituality for the Skeptic." The author of that book had the same stuff in mind, and I thought it would be interesting to read what another had to say on this particular matter, for affirmation, inspiration, and entertainment.