When some amazing new thing is discovered, what do you do?

[MineralMan]

Do you go look for information and try to understand it better?
-or-
Do you say, Wow! Isn't God amazing?

That is the difference between faith and the search for knowledge. If you depend on faith, you don't need to have a drive to understand new things. You can just look at them in awe and give God the credit. If you are not a person of faith, you will be motivated to see what you can learn about that new thing.

It is also the difference between eager curiosity and blind acceptance and between inquiry and ignorance.

Thank goodness I'm not a person of faith.

[Soxfan58]

1. And when things go bad

There is always the devil to blame!

[MineralMan]

2. Well, of course.

[True Dough]

3. But what about when the discovery is something tragic?

Like terminal cancer? Then it's not, "Wow, look at the gift God gave me!"

No, it's something like, "Pray to God for healing, for a miracle. We don't know why this obstacle was put in your way, but He works in mysterious ways."

[MineralMan]

5. It's either God's will or a disease.

If it's God's will, there's nothing to be done. If it's a disease, a person can investigate what new research and clinical trials are available that might provide an effective treatment. If the person dies, it's tragic, either way, for those who care about that person. But, one way, you give yourself up to God's will. The other way, you try to be of help, in hopes of finding something that can extend life or lead to a remission.

And the, there is the question of what happens when you die. In one way, you have a "sure and certain HOPE of an everlasting life after death." In the other way, you know that death is final and do your very best to make the best of life, or even what's left of it.

[Kajun Gal]

4. We can do both, ya know...

[MineralMan]

6. Who are "We?"

I know an awful lot of people of faith who are incurious. It's easier, I guess.

[Kajun Gal]

10. "We" could be curious AND religious people. Have faith in miracles and research as well.

Have faith in God, but stay educated in the sciences. People can do both.

[MineralMan]

12. Yes. Some people are like that, but far from a majority or even a

sizable minority.

[Kajun Gal]

13. Well now, that is truly sad.

[MineralMan]

14. All you need do is look around to know that I am correct.

We have an entire political party full of people who are incurious and too lazy to learn. Right now, that party is in power. It does not bode well for the future, which I won't see, since I'm already 73 years old.

[guillaumeb]

16. There IS that option.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I appreciate it, delight in it, seek knowledge about it, and share it as widely as possible

Example - I was sent seeds of an unnamed 100 plus year old purple tomato back in 1990. I asked the sender about it (got as much info as possible), grew it, saved seeds - then shared it through the Seed Savers Exchange, and also with a trusted friend at a seed company. I got to share it with hundreds of gardeners, and he listed it in his catalog so that it was widely distributed. It led eventually to me writing a book about heirloom tomatoes, which now takes me all over the country talking to gardening groups.

I am one lucky son of a gun to have been sent that seed!

[MineralMan]

8. There you go. That seed was the beginning of a wonderful journey

for you. Others might have just stuck the seeds in the ground, watered them and eaten the tomatoes. Your curiosity and drive for knowledge made that seed much more valuable to you.

Excellent example!

Perhaps the somewhat misshapen, deeply grooved purple tomato I served in a simple salad at a dinner for friends originated from your work. It was delicious, by the way.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. I tell people that I didn't choose tomatoes to become obsessed with...they chose me!

still working to get out in your neck of the woods, but getting closer - going to be another busy year on the road

https://www.craiglehoullier.com/upcoming-events/

[MineralMan]

11. Fortunately, heirloom tomatoes are more available than ever.

They make for far more interesting salads when guests dine with us. What I often do is pick out a few different ones, slice them into wedges, and then arrange them in a colorful display on a large leaf of lettuce. Dressed with a simple vinaigrette, they are often the highlight of the meal. The various colors and robust flavors are a surprise every time.

[guillaumeb]

15. Or, can one do both?

Sorry to introduce another level of complexity to a very simple either/or post.

[Kajun Gal]

17. One can do both.