Science Forum - Posting guidelines for this section of the forum

mitchellmckain

The "scientific study of religion" section like all the science forum exists for the purpose of discussion not preaching, and so there are certain types of discussion stopping arguments that are not acceptable. Coming here with the approach that you are divinely appointed to tell us the truth and that we must therefore accept the truth of what you say is prohibited.

If you make a claim and cannot provide logical arguments and objective evidence to prove your claim to the satisfaction of other members of the forum then you must accept that on this forum your claim must be considered a matter of opinion and not fact. Disregarding this and insisting that your point of view is fact rather than opinion may be construed as preaching rather than being open to discussion, which is prohibited.

If you have a discussion with someone who accepts similar premises contrary to the norm for scientific inquiry, like for example those of a supernatural nature, then you must expect challenges and meet them with courtesy for you cannot expect a private conversation unless you are using personal messages.

So if we are not interested in preaching in this section, what are we interested in?

The scientific examination and study of religion and religious thought from perspectives such as anthropology, archaeology, psychology, sociology, neurology, etc.
Discussion of the intersection of science and religion, specifically the affect one might have on the other, but not from the point of view that includes an a priori assumption of the supernatural or the paranormal.
Discussion on the benefits of spirituality on society or the individual from a social or health benefit angle, provided that the discussion is scientific, reasoned, and does not include an a priori assumption of the supernatural and paranormal.
Comparative studies of different religions.
Current events involving religion.

What is considered off-topic in this forum are threads and posts of the following nature:

Those declaring the truth of your religion.
Those that proselytize, evangelize, or otherwise pronounce the benefits of religious belief over science.
Those that are anti-science with the intent to troll/bait members of a science board.
Proclamations that the Bible, Quran, [insert religious doctrine] already reveals modern scientific achievements, etc.
Those posts/threads that seek only to ridicule or belittle other points of view including other cultures, philosophies and religions. It is the evidence we are interested in, not your contempt.

Like anywhere else in this forum, the scientific consensus should be afforded this minimal type of respect, that effort be shown to examine and understand that consensus and the reasons for it. If you think the scienfic consensus is wrong, it is hard to see how that can be construed as anything but your opinion.
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