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Stephen Hawking Talks Smack In The Battle Between Science And Religion
Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 5:00 pm
Stephen Hawking gave an amazing (albeit very short) interview to ABC’s “World News Tonight” last week. The high points included a cool dismissal of religion’s potential to provide more truthful answers than science. Hawking had this to say: “There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, [and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win because it works.” He also provided some insight on how geniuses parent their kids. Now, we both know both sides of this argument can be dismissed as biased, so below, a gauge of the intelligence of Hawking, representing science, and Jerry Falwell, representing religion, on how they raise their children.
ROUND ONE: OBSERVATION
Hawking’s advice:
“Remember to look at the stars and not down at your feet.”
Falwell’s advice:
“Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions.”
I have to hand this one to Hawking on the grounds that I’d rather be an amateur astronomer than a slave. This round goes to: SCIENCE!
ROUND TWO: WORK
Hawking’s advice:
“Never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it.”
Falwell’s advice:
“I work 6:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.”
I think the two are basically trying to get the same message across, the essence of which is this: Get a job already, you deadbeat! TIE!
ROUND THREE: RELATIONSHIPS
Hawking’s advice:
“If you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is rare, and don’t throw it away.”
Falwell’s advice:
“AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”
Oh. Uh, Hawking wins this one. SCIENCE!
And there you have it. If the questions of the universe could be answered by how well a person rears their child, then God doesn’t have much to do with our existence. Boy, am I glad that’s finally all cleared up!
