General Public vs. Some Scientists

Are you uneducated? According to a recent study by Pew Research Center  the difference between what scientists believe concerning scientific issues and what the general public believes, is  vastly separated(to see a shorter version of the study click here).   These scientists contribute the gap to our lack of understanding of what is being discussed.   Some scientist are faulting the education system for not teaching more science and math.   As the public, should we believe what these scientist are saying?           

              

Butter is Better  

     

 Let's look at history.  At one point scientists believed that the world was flat. Along came Galileo and he challenged that thought.  Was he uneducated?  Did he lack understanding?  Not at all.  He studied himself to have a better understanding and in the end had a better understanding than the majority that believed he was wrong.  Doctors used to think that bleeding people was the best way to "get the sickness out" of a person.  Now, we know that this is not helpful.   In recent years more scientists are realizing that margarine is not as good for you as they initially thought.  

  My point is this.  Scientists are learning too.  Do not let them tell you that all of their thoughts and theories are better than what you believe.  Just because one thing they say is true, does not imply that it is all true.  As Christians we need be responsible and test what we are hearing against Scripture and physical evidence.  

  Here's a thought.  How would these scientist respond to this hypothetical scenario. ... 

A recent poll showed that 95% of Christian theologians believe the Bible is true and historically accurate.  But only 56% percent of the general public agree with them.  Therefore, theologians have come to the conclusion that people are uneducated in the Bible and the education system needs to spend more time teaching the Bible alongside the historical facts that point to its accuracy

..... I have a feeling that this wouldn't go over very well. In reality how much hard, factual evidence( not based on their own theories) do these scientist have?  You have the right to know what else is being discovered.  To start your education excursion click here.

              

Are You Trusting a Chip?

             New Year's resolutions.  They seem to haunt you don't they?  What are your goals for the New Year?  How will this year be different from the last?  When it comes to New Year's resolutions, weight loss and physical fitness are within the top 10 New Year's resolutions made.  But did it ever occur to you that you would not have to exercise, diet,  or have bow/stomach reduction surgery in order to lose weight?

  

       This year the U.S. Food and Drug administration recently approved the Maestro Rechargeable System  for use in America.  Once in your body, this remote controlled  electronic implant blocks the communication line between your brain and stomach.  Voilà, you no longer feel hungry!  At first this might sound like a good idea, but what are the implications? 

            1.  You lose personal motivation to do something about the condition of your life.

            2.  You are allowing technological advancements to control a part of your life

            3.   You are putting your trust and faith in a computer chip, instead of God 

       After accepting this kind of computer chip in your body, where does it stop?  Why not have a chip that reminds you of all you appointments?  What about one that tells you what decisions you should make?  If it is technologically possible to block signals in your body with a remote controlled chip, why not send message to your body the same way.  

    In 2002 Focus on the Family released an Adventures in Odyssey series called "Battle Lines" .   

You could say they were ahead of their time.  In this series you hear of how a broadcasting company uses radio signals to control what people are thinking and buying.  The product they create in order to achieve this is marketed as something good that will help people with their memory and schooling. "Battle Lines" is entertaining yet thought provoking. 

      In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths"(ESV).  Putting our trust in anything but God and trusting in our own judgments, only leads to disappointment and destruction. Not all technological advancements are bad, but how are you using them?  When life struggles come, are you trusting God or a computer chip?   

Artificial Intelligence Takeover?

         This week it was reported that top scientists signed a letter warning us of the dangers of artificial intelligence. According to LiveScience staff writer Tanya Lewis, one such scientist was Stephen Hawking. Hawking and the other scientists are concerned that artificial intelligence could be detrimental to the existence of the human race.

         My question is why do these people care about the future existence of humans? Why should secular societies care? By signing the letter of warning these scientists are voicing that they care about what happens to the next generation. They do not want us to move from using human intelligence to artificial intelligence. But does this concern coincide with their worldview?

        If these scientist believe that we evolved from less intelligent beings into the beings we are today, why should they be against progress that could evolve into something better. Why do they want to stop the evolutionary process that they may believe in. In evolutionary logic, why should one care if humans die out and something “better” shows up.  In secular societies that legalize abortion, death with dignity, and euthanasia, why would it matter that human existence could be threatened by artificial intelligence when it is already being threatened by human actions itself.

         A positive aspect of artificial intelligence is that it points to the realization that intelligence can only come from intelligence. Artificial intelligence can not exist on its own; humans need to create it. This is a completely logically and reasonable conclusion, yet there are many who reject the idea that an intelligent creator, God, created intelligent human beings. Unlike God, who is perfect, humans need to approach creating artificial intelligence with caution. I am reminded of the Pixar film The Incredibles. Syndrome created his own villainous robot that learns from the people it interacts with. This eventually leads to the robot defeating Syndrome, his creator. If we are not using the gifts God has given us in a way that is responsible and honoring to Him, it can lead to our own demise.