General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I hate when people pray over their food aloud in public [View all]Decoy of Fenris
(1,954 posts)Given that history is an abstract concept given the lack of unbiased and untainted sources including but not limited to destruction of information or "blank pages" in which little is recorded (The Saxon period, or the Dark Ages), everything we "Know" is a theory. That is the context which I meant.
Aye, I'll grant that in certain cases, religious zealotry has stymied technological advancement, but we differ on the matter of degree. Even in the most harshly, cruelly enforced theological societies, scientific discoveries have continued largely without retardation in almost every case, keeping in mind geographic isolationism or lack of certain natural resources or a clearly-defined infrastructure and trade system. You can't simply say "What If" with history; we, like scientists, work within given data variables which we presume are correct, even though there's as good a chance as any that they are not. When we say "Rome fell", we mean just that; we know that Rome fell. The "Why" and the "How" is in debate, but the overarching theme of "Rome Fell" is correct. "But what if..." is as ignorant a statement in History as "Because it is" might be in the scientific realm. Playing the "What-If" game will only lead to false understanding based on a flawed premise. "What if" is a nice mental exercise, but without corresponding evidence, it is just that; an exercise.
In regards to your religion debate, I won't be taking part. No one's minds will be changed, and as with -any- belief, not just religions, contradicting points of immovability will do nothing but breed animosity.
Good day to you, and my pardon for the delayed response.