Comments on: A final post about Jeff Medkeff

By: Gnat

Gnat — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:26:08 +0000

@ Greg, suicide is not a sin, at least not for Catholics, Lutherins, etc. as the Vatican etc. have recognized the inherant mental illnesses associated with suicides.

As for mashing religion and science together, being “benignly” religious can be seen as a slippery slope into the very dangerous religiousity that turns people into extremists. I can see Phil’s point of “no tolerance” for religious thoughts because he too often sees the bottom of the slope. And I’m saying this as a spiritual person myself.

By: Rhett Allain

Rhett Allain — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:17:45 +0000

Ok, here is my take on this issue. Science is models based on evidence. Religion is belief based on faith in spite of the lack of evidence. Science is not religion and religion is not science. The problem is when either religion or science claims to be the other.

For me, I am ok with anyone who has no dealings with religion. I understand why someone would do that – because there is no evidence. I, for one, am not pleased with the idea that you die and then that is it. I choose to believe that there is more. Even if I am wrong, it makes me feel better.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:05:52 +0000

Damon B, in the Christian mindset, being in Heaven is better than being on Earth. If suicide weren’t a sin, “true believer” Christians (rather than belief-in-belief Christians, to borrow Dennett terminology) would not exist.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:35:12 +0000

Ty Said:
I really hope that I don’t offend any of you here but I’m going to include Jeff in my prayers tonight (just something I do every night before I go to sleep with my wife). I read this blog because I love science, but I realize that science and religion are sometimes mashed together in bad ways.

Well written. As a person of faith and a lover of science, I too will pray. It’s too bad so many here have “mashed science and religion together” by basically making science their religion, and then are unwilling to be tolerant of those with different world views. Then again, this kind of intolerance is a known feature of postmodern philosophy. You can read up on it in any good, college level philosophy course textbook.

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:16:48 +0000

A small amount of matter in the solar system came together.
It was called “Jeff”. He made a difference and influenced others,
Then returned to the basic matter that will again help form new worlds.

By: Ty

Ty — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:47:22 +0000

I really hope that I don’t offend any of you here but I’m going to include Jeff in my prayers tonight (just something I do every night before I go to sleep with my wife). I read this blog because I love science, but I realize that science and religion are sometimes mashed together in bad ways.

By: Joe Anderson

Joe Anderson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:09:46 +0000

Jeff Wrote:

“I’m a fairly staunch atheist, but I still have trouble understanding why someone would glorify or celebrate the utter meaningless and indifference of the universe. Seems like nihlism.”

With all due respect Jeff, I don’t think anyone, including Jeff Medkeff, is or was celebrating what you called “the utter meaningless and indifference of the universe”. True, nihilists do say “there is no intrinsic meaning to life”.

I think it is incorrect to interpret his remarks as such.

I read “His last Request” in its entirety the day it was posted. Though I DO NOT speak for him, based on what I have read, including his last published comments, I believe he chose to make his life have meaning.

I am not ranting against your remarks, there is no malice. I’m just pointing out that I think Jeff probably would have disagreed with you. My guess is that he would have said that it is up to us to find meaning, if we choose. Sounds like he found great comfort in choosing that over belief in some fairy tale.

I, like Phil, hope that I can face my death with the same conviction and strength of character that Jeff did – knowing that what causes our ultimate end is not personal, but is just the way it is.