Dr. David Eagleman, a neuroscientist at Baylor Med, best-selling author, and thought-provoking speaker, gave several lectures during the neuro course spanning blocks 5 and 6. During his lectures, he provided several anecdotes which forced us to expand our minds to comprehend the mystery behind things like synesthesia. However, it wasn’t until a few months later that I came across his philosophy of “Possibilianism.” Read more
Most of us have heard of Daniel Hauser, the thirteen-year-old boy who (with the support of his parents) has refused conventional chemotherapy to treat his Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. The justification for their decision is rooted in their American Indian religion’s belief of natural remedies over the voluntary injection of “poison” (ie, chemo-drugs) into the body. We’re also familiar with the classic example of religion interfering with medical treatment – Jehovah’s witnesses refusing blood transfusions.
As humans, why do we have an inherent need to explain the unexplainable? I think all of us can attest to having a compulsive desire to uncover truth, even when it’s a.) not possible to attain or b.) completely irrelevant. So the question is why. Why do we have to always know everything? Why can’t we be satisfied with a silhouette of truth as we accept ignorance as a valid course of knowledge?
Many of my friends are partaking in this season of “fasting” where Christians give up facets up their life which they’ve deemed addictive. As a non-Christian, I can only wonder how many revert back to their old lifestyle as soon as the forty day Lent period is over, but for those who manage to continue on without the need of those materialistic attachments, the highest of praise should go out to you.
There’s a Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints church opening up right outside of Waterside Estates, and two relatively young missionaries visited my house today on behalf of the church. As the doorbell rang, I noted two men dressed formally with a portfolio and briefcase at their disposal. Okay, don’t get me wrong, but I was disappointed when they weren’t from the Publisher’s Clearing House Prize Patrol saying I had won a million dollars and didn’t have to work for the rest of my life. 
As soon as I opened the front door, their facial expressions quickly shifted to a nervous “please-don’t-hurt-me” look. What I previously thought was a portfolio was actually a collection of notes on the Book of Mormon. At that point, I knew exactly who they were and what their purpose was.
Rizwana brought up an interesting topic to write about – to what extent, if any, do science and religion mix with each other? Hardcore scientists tend to frown upon the ambiguities inherent to religion. They prefer more concrete evidence to support the existence of a higher being; however, being a science major myself, I find there to be an interesting harmony between the two.
Since the events of September 11th, the media has grown fond of associating any unorthodox activities in the world with “religious extremists.” However, how does one define the line beyond which actions may be deemed “extreme?” This topic is extremely broad, so I’ll just share my own views on my faith and what I consider to be extreme.
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