----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
[This message was edited by eagleandchild on 09-30-08 at 07:22 PM.]
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
That education article just proves why you cannot privatise education. You have to ensure that everyone has access to the best universities. Here comes that dirty word: socialise education. America will never do that anytime soon, because apparently such things are evil for some damn-fangled reason.
But yes, I think a better a title would have been 'The problems of the Elite Universities/Ivy League', because education, ultimately, is a good thing to have. There are disadvantages, as pointed out. Especially when you're studying law. Lawyers (ie, scumbags) are pretty much told from the beginning of study: get to know your classmates; you will not find many friends outside of here from now on.
"To run away from danger, instead of facing it, is to deny one's faith in man and God, even one's own self. It were better for one to drown oneself than live to declare such bankruptcy of faith." - Mahatma Gandhi, 1946
Posts: 3774 | Location: Disputed Zone | Registered: 01-10-05
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
For some reason you have to copy and past the link for it to work. Sorry.
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
[This message was edited by eagleandchild on 02-01-09 at 12:52 AM.]
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
Maybe someone should have ask what role poverty played on the statistics.
The states with the most divorce and teen pregnancy are the poorest, and least educated, while the ones with the lowest divorce and teen pregnancy rates are the richest and most educated.
What does religion have to do with the statistics if the biggest cause of divorce and teen pregnancy is poverty and lack of education?
As Asa said, and this article proves, we have to be careful what conclusion we draw from loosely associated data.
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
[This message was edited by eagleandchild on 02-05-09 at 10:28 PM.]
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
You're absolutely right, eagleandchild. There is a strongly evidenced correlation between poverty and religion. There is a lot to suggest that economic desperation and a poor education increase religiousness in a population.
It's not true that 'anyone can make a conclusion out of any data', though. One can only make conclusions carefully, tentatively, and with a willingness to revise them as more data comes in.
(I like Ed Brayton's blog, Fair. He's crazy and utopian (i.e. he's a libertarian ), but in an admirable way).
[This message was edited by Fuzzies on 02-05-09 at 10:31 PM.]
Posts: 5614 | Location: Aotearoa (New Zealand) | Registered: 09-22-02
It's worth noting that a lot of the states with highest teen pregnancy rates also have the most Christian-faith-based regulations surrounding reproductive rights. It's not exactly easy for girls to get safe, quick, affordable, non-traumatic abortions in Mississippi or South Carolina. In fact, it looks as if authorities ensure it's one of the most difficult things a girl can do. And, of course, a high teen pregnancy rate results in a higher teen poverty rate, and that in turn leads an increased crime rate and lower rates of education. Combined with other legislation it creates a vicious, state and church-enforced cycle of hardship and disadvantage.
Posts: 5614 | Location: Aotearoa (New Zealand) | Registered: 09-22-02
The point of article is: “a pretty strong case against the constant claims of the religious right that religion is the answer to these problems.”
If poverty, and poor education, has such a powerful influence on the level of divorce and teen pregnancy, then you could also say, “if NOT for religious belief the levels could be much higher.”
The article makes no sense from a statistical point of view. He is playing fast and loose with facts and, surprise, surprise, it reeks of bias.
He does not "make conclusions carefully, tentatively, and with a willingness to revise them as more data comes in."
Out of respect for the science of statistics the article holds as much academic weight as a Bill Oreilly or Keith Olbermann commentary.
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
[This message was edited by eagleandchild on 02-05-09 at 11:17 PM.]
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
quote: If poverty, and poor education, has such a powerful influence on the level of divorce and teen pregnancy, then you could also say, “if NOT for religious belief the levels could be much higher.”
Well, you could, if not for the fact that the correlations point in the opposite direction to that claim, making that proposition less likely.
Also, merely saying 'a pretty strong case' sounds like a tentative conclusion to me, it certainly doesn't sound like point-blank certainty.
Posts: 5614 | Location: Aotearoa (New Zealand) | Registered: 09-22-02
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
----------------------------- "In all of our hearts lies a longing for a Sacred Romance. It will not go away in spite of our efforts over the years to anesthetize or ignore its song, or attach it to a single person or endeavor." Brent Curtis
Posts: 584 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: 11-12-07
), but in an admirable way).