IB Theory of Knowledge - an ongoing list of interesting finds

"Scientists in India have hit out at speakers at a major conference for making irrational claims, including that ancient Hindus invented stem cell research. Some academics at the annual Indian Science Congress dismissed the findings of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Hindu mythology and religion-based theories have increasingly become part of the Indian Science Congress agenda. But experts said remarks at this year's summit were especially ludicrous...." An Indian scientist said that Albert Einstein (pictured) was wrong and that gravitational waves should be renamed "Narendra Modi Waves"

"To speak our language is to preserve who we are. It is the most profound expression of our Rapa Nui and Polynesian spirit.”  - Rapa Nui linguist Viki Haoa Cardinali Easter Island remains a remote island quite isolated from the world around it and as it was formed less than a million years ago, it remains one of the youngest inhabited areas of the world.  "Over centuries, Polynesian explorers braved the Pacific Ocean in search of new worlds. By 1200 AD, settlers had reached Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, bringing crops, customs and language with them.... Clues to the complex society that emerged on Rapa Nui can be found everywhere; the island’s volcanic landscape boasts one of the richest collections of rock art in Polynesia. But barely a trace remains of what is Rapa Nui’s most tantalising cultural legacy: a mysterious form of writing called Rongorongo." Efforts to decode the language have been met with frustration and failure.  Since the ...

Thanks to Liora for this suggestion - Dan Brown's thriller Angels and Demons  combines history, science (although both are somewhat distorted at times) and religion in this exploration of the apparent and ongoing controversy between religion and science. The text is an entertaining read - it takes place around a "24-hour" style action-packed life-and-death scenario.  Science threatens religion, which threatens science.  With a few ironic turns of events, the main characters, educated and well-respected members of the historical and scientific communities, find themselves working with the Catholic Church and the Vatican to solve the mystery and save key religious figures from the figure who has decided to use science as a weapon against faith. A controversy surrounding the novel is that, while Brown is creating a work of fiction and thus to a degree is awarded "artistic licence," the liberties he has taken with presenting historical or scientific information ...

In this piece, philosopher Bertrand Russell tackles a very personal question about whether he considers himself to be an atheist or an agnostic.  He addresses practicalities such as that of evidence  of a God as well as the ideal that one should be able to believe in whatever they believe in. An interesting and reflective personal debate on a highly controversial topic. Atheist or Agnostic? 

Mayim Bialik (PH.D in neuroscience and star of comedy series "Big Bang Theory") explains how she is able to reconcile her devotion to scientist with her religious beliefs.

A post from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History that outlines "issues that arise at the crossroads of science and religion, particularly in relation to the scientific accounts of evolution and human origins..."  As the Smithsonian's Committee points out, "Cultural divides in the United States over the acceptance of evolution and scientific understandings of human origins make this interchange relevant. They also offer an opportunity to inspire a positive relationship between science and religion. "  (February 8, 2016) For a biting scientific retort to Creationism, check out: Scientific American's relatively scathing "15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense"  (July 1, 2002). Dr. Dave Hone's " Why creationists are out of time with history and science " (April 27, 2016). Alternately, Answers in Genesis' website offers counter arguments and further explanation to central Creationist theories and the potential overl...

A few articles to get you started on looking at this Real Life Situation.  Proponents for intelligent design (Creationist theory) battle for space in the science curriculum and in educational textbooks. The scientific community is adamant that intelligent design is not a scientific branch as it lacks falsification . In fact, this is not simply a current event - these battles have been ongoing since Darwin published his Evolutionary theory.  In 1925, teacher John Scopes was convicted and fined $100 for teaching evolution in his Dayton, Tenn., classroom (PBS' "Scopes Trial"). Today, the metaphorical war is "fought" in small battles, and continuous debates arise in terms of who should have the decision-making power as to what is included or excluded from curriculum. Below are links to articles addressing this ongoing controversy, with specific focus on recent battles in Texas, USA. “ Creationism and intelligent design .” BBC: Religions. Online. 2009-06-02. ...

Christopher Kavanagh (an anthropology student at the University of Oxford) explores conflicting views on religion.  He focuses his studies on  East Asian religions, ritual behaviour, in this piece , he  poses the following question:  So is Japan just a non-religious society, like many surveys and some scholars claim? Or do we instead need to broaden our assumptions about what, in fact, constitutes religion?

Yes, another NG post. They really do have some great material on a wide range of interesting topics! This one is a fun/creepy look at a dark period in history.  It is an interactive that allows you to get a feel for the extent to which human beings can go.  Can you survive Salem's witchcraft hysteria?

The National Geographic Channel ran a special with Morgan Freeman that focused on a broad look at the "story" of God.  On THIS site , you can find a wide variety of interesting tidbits exploring the nature of religion, religious beliefs, rituals and values. Some interesting ones include: How different religions see God Ancient Egyptian tombs and death rituals What philosophers say about miracles What do the world religions say about miracles? 

Why do people see the Virgin Mary on a cheese sandwich or hear demonic lyrics in "Stairway to Heaven"? Using video and music, skeptic Michael Shermer shows how we convince ourselves to believe — and overlook the facts.

An interview with author Tom Bissell about his book Apostle: Travels Among the Tombs of the Twelve  and his attempt to discover whether Jesus' 12 apostles were actual historical figures or merely characters in a fictional story. These 12 Men Shaped Christianity—But Were They Real?