The debate continues, but the debaters have changed
5 Comments Posted
I follow the Halakha to some extent (put on tefillin, say the shma twice a day, etc) but am also convinced that prevailing modern views are substantially correct.
In some ways, the certitude of those who can accept the Torah as being literally true, is something to be envied. Certainly, I have no wish to convert those who believe it.
To me, the practice of Judaism is more akin to practicing the martial arts or Japanese tea ceremony than something where an actual intelligent case can be made.
Suggesting that there is a debate between Torah and Science seems silly. The literal Torah arguments I've read here are negative, convoluted and feeble. If there was any substance to them, these ideas should be able to be expressed clearly.
What is disturbing is that the anti "Science" arguments can approach bearing false witness. More disturbing is the apparent Chabad alliance with gentile creationists; these are not good people.
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I agree that there is really no such thing as the science/torah debate.
In a sense, this is because they speak different languages. Science speaks to the rational cold mind where the only thing which exists is that which I can sense in the here and now.
On the other hand, torah is about reaching out of our reality to that which is beyond; to the place which does not exist to science and where science does not exist.
Scientific proofs are here today, gone tomorrow. We cannot see G-d today but we know that He will exist forever.
In that way, torah is too huge for science to pick up on just like a simple camera cannot capture the earth on which the photographer is standing.
Obviously this is not because the earth does not exist, but becuase the camera has a limited scope.
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I appreciate the comment.
Sometimes I can be abrasive, often without actually intending it, and hope nobody was offended. I regret using the word feeble.
The Rebbe's writings on this subject are models of clarity and simplicity. They are not easy to refute.
Musicians say one can often judge the skill of a musician after hearing a single note.
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Joseph,
Now who's being judgmental and bearing false witness??
If you can state your views without emotionally charged, questionably true statements, perhaps someone will listen.
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I didn't accuse anyone of bearing false witness; my point was that some of the pro-Torah arguments presented here are so flimsy that it is hard to believe that their proponents can be convinced of their truth. Perhaps, I've misunderstood the commandment.
I understand Dr. Greene's argument that Halakha is more important than accepting the literal truth of the Torah and sort of agree. I also agree that "liberal" rabbis can be twitchy.
There is overwheklming evidence that the Torah was not given to Moses by G-d. There are numerous books that explain this better than me.
The atheism section is conventiently located next to Judaism at Borders. Some may be disappointed by the lack of attention to quantum mechanics.
My only original contribution to the discussion might be to point out the lack of comment here on the disciplines of Biblical Studies and Ancient History of Israel. The scholars in this field seem to be generally religious, knowledgeable, and easy to understand.
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