Science, with its limitations of assumption and knowledge try to explain things which are eternally unexplained. Anyday human imagination and power of thought is greater than "proved" facts. But that's not an excuse for NOT trying to prove facts or trying to explain things that we don't have any hard proof ...

So, while science ideally should never have any comments on existance of GOD ... by its fundamental nature, would try to explain things which we usually describe (or accept or submit) as work of GOD (of various form). ANy prudent and mature mind would treat that as a proper way of approaching unknowns.

Rational thinking is NOT same as defying something ... in my mind it is rather keeping an open mind for new and eternal journey of human innovations. Understanding Big Bang or Quantam theory needs years of study, which is true for any philosophic theory too. The difference between rationality and "faith based" lifestyle is ... the first one expects one to understand (at least from the 20K ft level) the theories while the second one doesn't have even that requirement.

So faith (in my mind) is an easier path which became (and remains) very popular as it needs very little understanding and knowledge. However I must admit that that's very practical and useful for social structure and people.

Saying that, we always have people who hate to follow the status quo ... and they come from various disciplines of life. The major portion of vocal rationalists from the "arts" departments of the universities probably just shows that they think more in this area than others. A science worker or student doesn't really qualify to be a "rational" thinker by the fact that he/she is knowledgable in science. Rationality is something MORE than just knowing the theories of science ... its based on their capabilities connecting the dots ... which needs "rational thinking" and that's different than scientific knowledge. That's why we see the scientists turning to philosophers at the fag end of their life ... when through their life they connect the dots.

The example of Plato is an interesting one as this surely shows that he was a "rational thinker" ... and yes he was way off from reality. But the process he started was known as rationalism (or atheism as mentioned by some folks here), and its still up and running. He was man enough (for the lack of better _expression) to question the unexplained ... and he was not well recieved by the majority.

Its funny how people still love bashing the rational thought process while they even know the history of mankind. If few bizzarre folks didn't pursue the conquest of physics and metaphysics we wouldn't be posting these messages and would live in wilderness with our faith.

I presume that questioning GOD is within my rights, and that's how I may enrich myself to understand this unexplained force (what may be called as GOD). Rational thinking teaches me just that ... and I am sure any GOD (with his/her abstract existance) likes that.

We can be asking questions and labelled as "rational" or we can stop asking questions (sue to any reason beyond my knowledge and understanding) and be labelled as ... well I won't go there :)

- posted by Unknown @ 2:04 PM