Lessons from Climategate: When Science Becomes Religion

*Source: www.prophecynewswatch.com 12/10/09 e-newsletter. Please note that Prophecy News Watch sourced this article from http://news.yahoo.com. Used under the Fair Use Rules of the U.S. Copyright Law.


What can we learn from Climategate -- i.e., the scandal in which hacked e-mails revealed apparent attempts by official climate scientists to manufacture a consensus on global warming by fudging with the data and punishing dissidents?

Here's one big idea: Power corrupts.

The power to credential truth is a heady power indeed, especially. In our society, increasingly, that power lies in science alone. And so science is increasingly misused to attempt to create the kind of working public morality that every society needs.

In the process, modern liberalism risks turning science into a kind of religion, where disagreement is heresy. You can see the process at work in the hacked Climategate e-mails.

Clive Crook writes in The Atlantic Monthly blog: "The closed-mindedness of these supposed men of science, their willingness to go to any lengths to defend a preconceived message, is surprising even to me. The stink of intellectual corruption is overpowering."

John Tierney, the science columnist at The New York Times, nailed it: "Contempt for critics is evident over and over again in the hacked e-mail messages, as if the scientists were a priesthood protecting the temple from barbarians."

This is no random accident. Every society needs public moral truths to live by. A cognitive elite that loses faith in God or rational moral truth will increasingly attempt to ground public morality in science.

On what other grounds can we justify shutting down debates and taking action that requires sacrifice of a society's members -- and punishing defections from that sacrifice?

What, for example, could possibly justify a massive global governance machine that can tell people from the U.S. to Transylvania what kind of lightbulbs we may buy or what kind of cars to drive? Why should we create a machinery that puts politicians in charge of dispensing subsidies and exemptions that permit favored industries and businessmen to stay in business, that creates a new class of carbon billionaires? What is the rational basis for a public morality than tells Pennsylvanians that using coal is a crime, but applauds China for holding down its carbon-creating population by aborting baby girls?

For liberalism, the answer has become "science." The intellectual contempt liberals routinely express for conservatives as stupid or anti-scientific is at bottom merely a reflection of liberalism's increasingly desperate attempt to misuse science to transform itself into a new public morality -- that is, a morality legitimately entitled to discipline defectors and heretics.

Scientific knowledge is still held to be "true" in a way that other forms of knowledge are not. The world is not flat. The Earth does move. Blacks are not inferior to whites. Children do not need a mom and a dad. There is no possible argument against gay marriage. If we do not establish a system of global governance to contain production and reproduction within "sustainable" bounds, the world will come to an end. Therefore, liberals get to use government power to achieve their ends over those of others. (Hint: Which of these conclusions is not like the others?)

Yet science is a particularly fragile flower of civilization, dependent on processes that may not survive the attempt to transform it into the one true basis for public morality. History has shown us that scientists are no more exempt from the corruption of power than any other human being. Under the right political conditions scientists claimed the right to experiment on black men and to torture Jews. On a much smaller level, we've seen what happens to the reliability of academic testing when schools' income depends in part on how well students score.

It was always intellectually absurd to claim that the scientific standing of global warming was anything like that of Galileo -- a climate change model that did not predict global temperatures we have experienced over the last few years can hardly be counted on accurately to predict the weather 50 years from now.

But the problem of the corruption of science into religion remains true even if the global warmongers are right. Scientific theories are inherently falsifiable. That is what makes them scientific -- and not religious or moral propositions.

Science cannot become the basis for public morality without corrupting itself in the process.

Liberalism will have to find within itself some other capacity for moral truth, for connecting reason and virtue, or retreat ultimately from any claim in the public square larger than: because I want to, because we say so.

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Is the Islamic Messiah the Antichrist?

An interesting article on this topic entitled, "Iran Mahdi and Antichrist" addresses this topic. Go to the Babylon Forsaken Ministries web site at www.babylonforsaken.com/mahdi.html.

Spiritual Difficulties, Part I

This lesson will address a few of the apparent contradictions and seemingly difficult areas of the Bible. While these passages may appear conflicting, it is important to note that the Word of God is infallible and inerrant. Hebrews 4:12 declares the Bible to be "...living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword..."

The following are three diverse examples of apparently difficult biblical teachings:

I) LONG HAIR IN MEN:
I Corinthians 11:14 NIV declares, "Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him..." This implies even a worldly sense that long hair in men just isn't "too cool of a look".
On the other hand, II Samuel 14:25a NIV notes of Absalom (David's son), "In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom."
The next verse noted that Absalom cut his hair when it "became too heavy for him." The clear implication is that Absalom had long hair and yet he was praised for his handsome appearance.
Some may say that Absalom was a rebel so he isn't a good example but I would maintain that he received such praise from men before his rebellion against his father, King David. Also, even if a guy is rebellious against his father that doesn't take away from his appearance. Another thought offered by Pastor James Jones of Lighthouse Church (Laurel, MT) is that Absalom's hair did "dishonor" him because his mane got caught in in the thick branches of an oak tree (II Samuel 18:9).
I would maintain that in youth long hair in men can be seen as handsome but as men age it typically becomes a dishonor to them (doesn't look cool anymore), i.e. no contradiction exists. I'd maintain that if a man maintains a diligent attention to his appearance and hair then the effect of I Corinthians 11:14 can be minimized.


II) CONCERNING THE POOR -
Deuteronomy 15:4 addresses the place of the poor in society, saying, "However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today."
On the other hand, in Mark 14:7, Jesus responds to the self-righteousness rebuke of those criticizing a woman's extravagant use of very expensive perfume. Some said the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. This is a nauseating example of religious pomposity. Jesus replied, "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want (perhaps implying that they didn't help the poor at all or only when the visible praise of others could be garnered), but you will not always have me."
The point of raising these two verses is to note the apparent conflict between the two; one verse saying "there should be no poor among you" and the other saying "the poor you will always have with you."
So what gives? Perhaps, Deuteronomy 15:4 points out the ideal condition of society. U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson tried to have a "Great Society" program in the 1960s based in government assistance; God's ideal is to have his people's hearts open to helping each other out. Jesus pointed out the unfortunate reality that due to the hardness of people's hearts and because of sin, that the poor "...you will always have with you..." This condition is much like Jesus' teaching on divorce in which he says divorce was granted (Matthew 19:8) "...because your hearts were hard."
Again, no conflict remains but different intentions are meant in each passage.


III) SHOULD PEOPLE ALWAYS LIKE YOU?
The Bible promises favor with God and man according to verses like:
*Proverbs 3:3-4 which declares, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
*Psalm 5:12 notes, "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; your surround them with your favor as with a shield."
However, at the same time the Bible promises that his children would be hated by the world and persecuted:
*Jesus Christ himself was hated, despised and put to death. John 15:20 NIV notes, "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."
*As the 15th chapter of John proceeds, Jesus noted that even after the great miracles He performed, many would hate Him. Indeed, the religious leaders of the day hated Jesus Christ. John 15:25 NIV notes, "But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: "They hated me without reason." Having encountered similar hate from religious leaders and ordinary people of various stripes--Freemasons, Buddhists, Roman Catholics, Foursquare Gospelites, Assembly of God-ers, Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons, etc. and etc.- I can identify with Jesus' statement.
But how can both be true? How can a Christian receive persecution and favor from men, perhaps even from the same person at different times.
One answer is timing. At different times a person may be motivated by different things. The faithfulness and kindness of a Christian will result in favor from bosses, co-workers, etc. in typical situations because such character traits are valued in human endeavors. However, when society's values get perverted (like it appears they are now) then the evil in human hearts becomes more manifest; favor in more rational times can yield to persecution from people led by Satan.
Just as treatment can change for the worse, it can also change for the better. Proverbs 16:7 NIV notes, "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord He makes even His enemies live at peace with him."

It is my hope that this brief discussion will instill in those wisely interested in the things of God that the Word of God is a double-edged sword. II Timothy 2:15 NIV sums it up, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." It is important to study the Bible to be able to apply it correctly.

Blessings and Curses 101

Blessings and curses. A bit of a controversial topic, especially the "curses" part in today's secular, "human-centered" world.

The idea of saying "God Bless You" or "Have a Blessed Day" seems nice and innocuous enough. Many times it is meaningless, especially coming from politicians. However, the implication is clear--there is a Deity actively involved in human affairs, an uncomfortable thought for some. Furthermore, it implies that this Supreme Being is not only involved in human affairs but he rewards and punishes human beings for their behavior. That is even more uncomfortable. The "punishes" part is what tends to rattle, or dare I say, infuriate those in rebellion toward God. Some Christians may take offense if their idea of God is limited to a "touchy feely" concept of the Almighty.

In this posting I will address one of the first areas where the concept of blessing and cursing was addressed in the Bible. The Bible has a lot to say on the topic but I will address specifically God's promise that was given to Abraham, known as the "Father of Faith" to true believers in God. After God made a personal promise to Abraham, He then made a promise to those who dealt with Abraham. In Genesis 12:3 KJV, the Bible declared God's promise, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." I would maintain that is a very positive verse. Since then mankind has indeed been blessed. Instead of getting around on foot or on horseback, we are moving around in planes, cars, trains, and ships. We can talk by the internet, phone, fax or email instead of having to be in the same room, or send a smoke signal or a foot messenger. Many live in heated houses instead of having to make and keep a fire going. God has indeed blessed humanity.

You may ask, "OK, so that was Abraham, he's dead." True, but God is the God of the living, not the dead. Abraham's spirit is alive in heaven with God. Additionally, and more importantly, from a temporal perspective, is that God's promise given to Abraham also applies to Israel and Jews everywhere, as well as to Christians through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

Therefore, if a person treats a true believer poorly or excludes him or literally curses him then he himself will be cursed by God and if this same person treats a true believer well (blesses him) he will be blessed.

On a national level, Nazi Germany put the Jews in concentration camps and tried to annihilate them. In return, I believe God cursed Germany by having the nation divided for over 40 years after World War II. Furthermore, the German capital, Berlin, was divided by a wall for over 20 years, those in East Berlin lived in a concentration camp much in the same way the Jews were treated by the Germans.

On a personal level, I have had numerous people treat me quite poorly and with extreme hostility, from family members to a leader of a Christian denomination to a Roman Catholic nun, etc. I have given up trying to get even with people because God does a much better job of avenging me by cursing such people.

So how do blessings and curses manifest in people's lives. Deuteronomy chapter 28 outlines the blessings and curses that God delineated for His chosen people, the Jews, based on their behavior.

Based on personal experience I have the following observed manifestations of blessings and curses:

Blessings....Through simple but deep happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:26), through good health (III John 2), etc. I have seen businesses get blessed, I've seen things happen that took less effort than should have been required like losing weight or getting in better physical shape.

I have also had many people treat me well and I've seen them get blessed with happiness manifested in a variety of ways including material prosperity like a better house or intangibles like peace and joy. For example, even if a person is not the richest person in the world God can bless them through what Ecclesiastes 5:20 refers to as "gladness of heart" in the NIV version. They may have pleasure in hobbies or an uncanny sense of contentment while others with much more may be hounded by an inner emptiness or dread.

Recently, golf star Tiger Woods has been in the news for a car accident and marital distress. On the radio, a commentator noted that what shocked people about Tiger was that despite all his worldly success and wealth he appeared to be unhappy or miserable. Sometimes, God can work out an unbeliever's circumstances so that their misery can lead them to a saving personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

And now curses.....People may get in poor physical condition, lose desirable relationships, lose favor with people, financially have difficulty, have health problems, or lose their good looks. However, losing those things doesn't always mean a person is cursed. In some cases, lost favor may be a result of persecution. The bottom line is, we are talking the God of the universe here. The list makes you fear God. To those who think this is mean or Old Testament I would say kindly, "get over it" or "deal with it". It's in the Bible and a New Testament verse, II Timothy 3:16 NIV declares, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...."

Personally, I have noticed people who have cursed me or treated me poorly, often without cause, get very sick, get a broken bone, have to retire because of illness, have to move away from me or their favorite house, lose financial blessing (lost tips, loss of a desirable job, having to do something you hate for a living, etc.), lose youthful vigor, get the flu, get pregnant out of wedlock, get hooked on illegal drugs, get cancer, etc. Again, having these things happen may not necessarily reflect a curse (see the book of Job) but I would suggest that often it does.

Another way God can bring a curse on someone is by judging them with the same negative circumstances that the person they are cursing has had. Finally, the ultimate curse is being sent to hell (actually choosing to go there) because a person rejects God and the only path to salvation He has established (John 14:6) which is to repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

I would undoubtedly get an argument from some, and I have, but I have seen such manifestations of blessings and curses too many times to not be able to see the underlying and fundamental reason behind the reason.

I sometimes wonder in amazement when I quote Genesis 12:3 to an "attitudinally challenged" person. They often immediately and rightly conclude it as an insult (or a rebuke) because they may want to hate me without consequence. I once had a Roman Catholic woman who believed in "karma", by the way which is a non-Christian counterfeit of Genesis 12:3, get irritated upon hearing Genesis 12:3 but she didn't have a problem believing in karma, which maintains a similar idea except that some "impersonal force" is dispensing the judgment. It was sadly hypocritical.

The lesson...watch how you treat people you think might not be worth treating right. That person might be a believer and furthermore he might be a believer who claims Abraham's promise proactively on a daily basis. And again, see Deuteronomy 28 for a more complete list of the blessings and curses God promised.