‘My kind of religion’
‘My kind of religion’
In her letter on Sept. 1, Moanike‘ala Akaka asks, “When is enough enough for Dey’s great god, Science?”
She used this characterization before, causing me to wonder why “great god?” Why not just, “Dey’s god, Science.”
Is it to belittle the notion that science can stand with religion as a legitimate basis for one’s beliefs? I suspect Ms. Akaka would be the first to protest loudly if anyone were to be so politically incorrect as to suggest her religious beliefs were somehow inferior to others. Yet, she hides her contempt for science very poorly.
For many of us in the modern world, science has replaced religion as the basis for our belief system for one simple reason. In the past, whenever religion disagreed with science about the nature of the world, science almost always is right.
Another, related reason is that science recognizes its own imperfection. It encourages doubt. Science urges anyone who has an idea that runs counter to accepted scientific opinion to challenge it and prove they’re right. If they do, then science changes gladly, abandoning the erroneous view in favor of the new. That’s my kind of religion.
When is enough enough? Perhaps the answer to that is when knowledge is perfected. I’m afraid we still have a long way to go, but scientists are learning new things every day.
Jesse Crawford
Hilo
Be kind to animals
Only an “old child” would harm an animal.
An adult does not have to prove their strength to anyone because strength comes from within.
But old children think they are tough if they hit their dogs or throw things at them.
The only reason your dog allows you to hurt them is because they love you. They trusted you.
And slowly, you break down their spirit and their trust with your puny fists, until that noble and trusting dog is afraid of his own shadow.
It’s sadistic and reveals your dark heart.
If you tried to slap or throw something at a stranger’s dog, he would go after you. And your heart would beat with fear, and you would run like the cowardly punk you are.
We reveal our character by what we say and what we do every day.
Dennis Chaquette
Keaau