Science operates in the natural, not the supernatural. In fact, I go so far as to state that there is no such thing as the supernatural or the paranormal.
Michael ShermerRead
You have to know evolution to understand the natural world. And that cannot be a threat to people of faith. There's a serious problem if you are forced by your faith to reject the most well-supported theory in all of science.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding evolution is crucial for comprehending the natural world and should not conflict with faith.
This quote emphasizes that a proper understanding of evolution is fundamental for grasping the complexities of the natural world. It suggests that faith should not compel individuals to deny well-established scientific theories, like evolution, as this creates a conflict between scientific understanding and personal beliefs.
Themes
EvolutionFaithScienceUnderstandingNatural World
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about science education in schools, this quote emphasizes the importance of teaching evolution without undermining faith.
More from Michael Shermer
All quotes →Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.
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But because we live in an age of science, we have a preoccupation with corroborating our myths.
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I’m a skeptic not because I do not want to believe, but because I want to know.
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