Reply #16: Your last paragraph was beautiful

[Bouncy Ball]

and dead on.

"Science and religion are not mutually exclusive to a sophisticated thinker, as they address different human needs. But now we are faced with a dangerous combination. The ignorant see the intelligentsia as an elite, out to rob them of their simple beliefs. And the Republicans, having no scruples, have co-opted their votes."

I grew up believing in God (of my own accord, we weren't ever taken to church and my parents rarely mentioned religion) and I also grew up fascinated with science. Those two things did indeed address different needs.

I once made a high school friend (an early fundie) VERY mad when we were discussing evolution and creationism. I said "Now how do you know God didn't create Adam but he was a MONKEY? Then the monkeys evolved into us!" Oh my, I was half-kidding, but he turned about 12 shades of purple and red, backed up half a step, SPAT on the ground in front of me, turned around and walked away. That was the last I heard of him. Good for me, anyone who would be moved to spit upon hearing a tongue-in-cheek theory was better off away from me! LOL!