Unknown (or unknowable) and uncertain aren't exactly the same thing, and I don't think Heisenberg's principle applies to the discussion. There's still plenty we don't understand about QM, but we will figure it out, given enough time. If the Universe is essentially "digital" as Planck would lead us to believe, that may just be an effect of the holographic principle. Once we start considering higher order dimensionality, damn near anything is possible.

I like that. :)

You're right, it's not an attack against God, it's simply the effort to make him unnecessary. Belief in the supernatural came about from primitive people trying to understand natural phenomena and lacking the tools to do so. As knowledge has grown, the importance of the supernatural has proportionally decreased. You yourself say that "Religion is about the mystery and that which can not be known." Science rejects the notion that there is anything which can't be known, there is only that which we do not understand yet. Unfortunately, the supernatural became institutionalized very early on when ambitious people realized they could use it to control others. "Do this because [deity] commands it! Else his wrath you shall suffer!" And they succeeded and grew powerful, so powerful that now there is a very large vested interest in maintaining that power, by whatever means. I admire that you see science for what it is, at the same time I am dismayed that you cling to the supernatural as well. The Universe loses none of its wonder when you understand how it works, and I for one don't feel any desire to believe in something "greater" than myself. I don't have to. I can observe greatness all around me at all times. Reality is much more impressive than magic.

One is part of a system of thought that espouses that everything can be understood and explained. The other specifically states that there are things which are unknowable. Sounds pretty separate to me.

They prefer the euphemism "faithful."

It's not just depressing, it's downright disturbing. People that hold irrational views in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary are dangerous, pure and simple.

Or try to blow us up and send us there personally. Barbarism.

Humans were also meant to live in utter ignorance without any thought or contemplation, never questioning anything. To live forever like that? No thanks. I'll take knowledge and death. Thank you, Mr. Snake.

This, to me, shows that "God" is not all-good, he wanted a subjugated race of dull-witted worshipers. Speaks volumes about his mental state. And beyond that, it demonstrates to me why the entire concept of religion is a bunch of bullshit. From its very core it is simply about controlling people.

Why not come up with designs for a 3D printed bike? Or an ultralight airplane? Or agricultural tools? Or furniture? Or a cotton gin? Or houses? Or any of a million other things which have functions other than killing?

Fucking Texas... full of barbarians in stupid hats. You have in your hands the greatest revolution in fabrication since the assembly line and all you can think of to do with it is make guns. Just fuck off. Civilization doesn't need you.

Spot on, but you're pretty wordy for a Vorlon. Can't you be more enigmatic?

How many ways are there to answer the same question? Sooner or later a couple of people are going to have the same thought about something, it's not plagiarism, it is nature. There are finite ways of expressing the same concept. That's where I see the big failing of these services like TurnItIn happening; sooner or later their databases will be so huge there's no way to NOT plagiarize something. You can't account for it and you can't prevent it. I think the larger issue is being completely ignored: does the student actually understand what he/she is talking about? Or are they just trying to pass the course with minimal effort?

We should make it so Congress only gets paid when they actually accomplish something, make them work on commission. /pipedream

And yet they are anyway. It's government, they're all accountable to someone. They shouldn't be acting like they're in competition with each other.

Did you miss the part where it said "civilian agency?"

Your statement is not congruent with reality.

lol, I ask myself that question every day...