"To reiterate : his error is in forgetting that the universe operates according to its own axioms , whatever they may be , and we can judge whether or not our axioms are congruent ."
"Except that in some things , Ham and others can not so judge . Their axioms are , by their lights , not congruent with reality but an accurate description of it . Note two standard responses where there is an apparent incongruity : we 've misinterpreted what the bible says * ; or , this will all be explained at the end of days . In all other contexts , we 'd describe such people as insane , of course . Here we merely deem them pious . * Note that , for the literalists , `` firmament `` became `` expanse `` once we knew that the heavens were not a solid object into which stars could be affixed ."
"his error is in forgetting that the universe operates according to its own axioms ,"
"Their axioms are , by their lights , not congruent with reality but an accurate description of it"