How do you think scientists came to their 'agreed upon dogma'? I'm not sure exactly how you are using that phrase.
They simply "agreed" to it. When did "inflation" ever show up in a lab?
What do you mean? They are still trying to figure out what is going on up there.
They technically only have about 4% of it "figured out" by the way.
I don't have 'faith' in dark matter any substantial way. If I believed in God the same way I do in dark matter I would still pretty much be an agnostic. The way I think about dark matter is just that it is probably the most likely theory we have so far.
That was helpful. Thanks. Would you say the same thing about the topic of God? In other words are you "more or less agnostic", yet "lean towards" God as the 'most likely theory' we have so far to explain how we got here? If not, why not.
"Strictly speaking, the results do not say that dark matter does not exist they only say it is not here," Moni Bidin told SPACE.com. "We have not proven that dark matter does not exist, and even if we do, at this point we cannot explain many other phenomena that today are explained only by dark matter."
I'm not sure what you think it failed at. Wasn't the point to find out if there was dark matter around the sun, and the result was negative. All results are useful.
FYI, from my 'skeptical' perspective, the negative results is just another example of the uselessness of mainstream theory at actually 'predicting' future results. We "should have" found a lot of "dark matter". We didn't. Our models are "messed up". We need to fix them.
IMO the term "dark matter' is simply "gap filler" to save an otherwise falsified theory related to galaxy mass estimation techniques.
Never?
They're as stubborn as any theist on the planet when it comes to clinging to their metaphysical dogma in the face of falsifying evidence to the contrary.
But not finding dark matter around a tiny section of the universe doesn't disprove dark matter.
What could disprove "dark matter" or God for that matter?
No theories in astronomy have ever been accepted as wrong? Like Steady State theory?
Some theories like tired light theories have been ASSUMED to be wrong without any evidence to support that claim.
Well its all very easy to say that but I have no reason to believe you. The evidence for the Big Bang looks alright.
It's simply one human "interpretation" of the redshift and galaxy rotation observations. There are other theories like tired light theories that require no faith in UNSEEN (in the lab) sky entities of any sort.
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From the standpoint of empirical physics, what exactly "looks better' about BB Theory?
It could be wrong, but there seems to be no reason to think it is.
I just showed you one valid scientific falsification of the PREDICTIONS made by standard theory. If that doesn't give you reason to think it's "wrong", what might?
Galaxies Demand a Stellar Recount - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Astronomers find that Universe shines twice as bright | STFC
There are two more recent falsifications of mainstream theory when it comes them "accurately" predicting the amount of ordinary mass in a galaxy. The notion that the mainstream simply UNDERESTIMATED the amount of ordinary mass in a galaxy is consistent with those last findings too.
How much evidence to the contrary will it take for you to give up your faith in BB theory as the 'best' alternative?
Not at all. I accept that healings could be evidence for God and I haven't made up my mind on evidences from the resurrection and surrounding events. There are also personal experiences I have had that could be from God. I am just unconvinced and that is why I am agnostic.
FYI, I spent almost 9 years of my youth as a self professed atheist. I understand the "unconvinced' aspect of your dilemma quite well.
The reason I treat priests and scientists differently is because I think the latter have a better method for attaining truth.
In SOME instances, I would agree with you, particularly TANGIBLE PRODUCT producing branches of science. Big pictures sciences, particularly astronomy however are still groping around in the 'dark' ages at the moment IMO.
Theologians have long debated the same issues and there's no way of knowing who is right and no method accepted as the best.
In terms of pure science, God either exists or not. There is a "correct" scientific answer. Theology is ultimately "irrelevant" in terms of addressing that answer "scientifically".
Also it's not only with science, but also with history. I've never seen evidence for many historical claims.
Really?
Hezekiah's Tunnel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I've seen people say a vaccine causes autism when it doesn't. Science can get it wrong, but how do you expect us to know when they get it wrong without harming our child in panic?
My attitude as a parent was typically if they don't NEED it, they don't take it. They've both survived into adulthood just fine, but school required some vaccines.

One acne drug that I would NOT let my kids take was later pulled from the market due to damage it caused in the digestive system. It's been a good rule.
If you met Jesus in person and He healed someone in front of you then yes. Otherwise you are believing a book and a fallible interpretation. I have little problem with that, I just don't consider them the same though.
Every book has that potential. Is a book on astronomy today any more 'trustworthy" somehow in your mind?
But my method never was never human consensus. Most people who believe in God are ignorant.
One doesn't need to be a "genius", nor be particularly well educated to have a relationship with God and experience of God. Most people who believe in BB theory are totally ignorant of the basics too frankly.
It is the scientific method that I have faith in as it has been proven to work wonderfully.
I just demonstrated to you that it doesn't always work out so "wonderfully".
Scientists follow the scientific method in pursuit of truth.
What is the "scientific method" in your opinion, and how does that lead us to "inflation"?
They do get it wrong all the time.
but I think it is reasonable to accept a theory they have confirmed because they will be right the majority of the time.
Really? They didn't even know of 'dark energy" until 20 years or so ago when they "made it up".
I was a creationist for a few weeks until I found it hypocritical.
I believe God 'created' this universe, but I've never been a fan of young earth creationism.
I found it more reasonable to trust science a random minorities opinion that appears to be biased. I'm not accusing you of anything, just explaining my thinking.
I appreciate your explanation of your opinions. They've helped me to better understand your position, not that I agree with it mind you.
I've always been a big fan of "science". In fact I would say that it was "science" that finally eliminated any sense of "strong" atheism and brought me back to theism eventually. Science however is filled with "flawed humans" that suffer from some of the same "group think" pitfalls of any group. It's no more "accurate" in terms of explaining how we got her than any religious text you might pick up. Most religious (including most Christian) followers believe in an ANCIENT earth.
In terms of how our physical universe came to exist however, there is no "science vs. religion" process in play. Science cannot and never will be able to tell us where the universe came from, whether it was "intelligently created", or anything of the sort. The best "science" can do is STUDY GOD'S CREATION from my perspective and give us some insights into how it works.
Which comes back to my original question: who do you trust and why? If only yourself, then why do you think you know better?
I trust a LOT of people, starting with Jesus based on the effect his teachings have had on my life over the past 50+ years. I trust the folks that designed and built my computer and my car. I trust my wife. I trust people who've earned my respect and my trust. I don't trust ALL areas of science or all religious dogma to provide me with "truth", but for the most part I trust scientists just like you. I don't have a one size fit's all approach to whom I trust, but the common denominator seems to be that my trust is typically EARNED.