Religious fundamentalists and those who simply accept what is told to them, are unable to find truth or enlightenment. All they find is what they wanted: To feel sure that they're right, after all. To be safe in their knowledge. To be blissfully ignorant of doubt is an easy way out, a self failure. Satan and the curiosity and doubt he instils upon us is certainly the enemy of fundamentalism.
The role of Satan is very much relevant to our lives and our search for knowledge.
Of those that are sure they are right, the scientists and the religionists, the scientists at least, as part of their rules of behavior, continuously test and refine their knowledge: Nothing is assumed to be true. Everything is tested, old theories are constantly re-tested whenever new knowledge comes to light.
Question .. Is finding what you wanted, feeling sure that you're right, and safe in your knowledge an easy way out?
2006-09-03 16:56:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Given that I am a scientist, ... if I thought that I was always right and had no need to question it... I'd be out of a job.
2006-09-03 16:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I actually found what I initially didn't want. When I found that it was true that Christ was the Son of God, this was way down on my list of things that I wanted to be true.
No, feeling sure that I'm right isn't the easy way out. People sometimes erroneously believe that the yoke of faith is simplistic and a copout. It can actually at times feel like a burden, because Christ disciplines, corrects, guides, and asks things that seem hard and/or impossible. It takes strength to seek and do God's will.
As for safety: If you think it's blase-skippy to be a Christian when so many people prejudge us as stupid, self-righteous, and in search of a cozy Care Bear existence, you're wrong. If you believe that working out your salvation is not rife with stumbling blocks, temptations, difficulties, and sideroads, you're wrong.
Also, I am not blissfully ignorant of doubt. There are times when I doubt--infrequent, but still. Christ doubted too--and he was God.
Christianity covers everything, from doubt to cowardice to betrayal (not just Judas, but Peter as well, remember).... It accounts for every human failing, because it is a religion for failures. This is why God saved us; because we couldn't do it ourselves.
2006-09-04 00:06:23 · answer #2 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Science and Theology are very compatible only through the correct mediums, understandings, or means. Most people, esp. scientists and those who profess religion, come to the same conclusions of opposition in their views and opinions. I put stress on the word opinion in that both ends of this spectrum have nothing but opinion on their side. Scientists, as you correctly stated, are constantly changing their theories as they gain understanding according to the five senses. Those who profess religion base their beliefs on faith or emotional logic, which is never enough.
It is not easy to find and to accept the answers an honest and intentful seeker of the truth would find.
God offers a similar method to what we call the scientific method in seeking after and obtaining the truth.
It requires an open mind and heart and a sure willingness to follow that truth that is sought after.
If you believe that God is the source of all knowledge, wisdom and intelligence then you must understand that humans have only rediscovered hidden knowledge or intelligence given directly from God when they paid the price to discover this hidden knowledge.
Some of these people were religious and others weren't yet they sought dilligently through testing and trying, sweat and labor and God gave according to his infinite wisdom and workings and irregardless of their religious inclinations.
I know this is applicable to those things we call "supernatural" or that which requires faith to be truly understood. These things have operations of a more refined nature that we cannot yet understand because they are only understood by principles that God operates on and that he has told us about through His prophets.
Satan certainly is an essential part of our search for knowledge and understanding. He provides the opposition, the discouragement. He is the father of lies and therefore is the great suppressor of knowledge. This is evident throughout history most especially in the operations of so called religious institutions in the eastern hemisphere. He is the founder of the rift that persists between science and theology in general.
There are religious institutions that have supported the persuit of knowledge and wisdom. Most of the colleges that were founded in the early days and years of the United States of America were founded with the support of different Christian churches and have lead to the discovery of many great and wonderful things that have made life better for the whole world.
Did you know the inventor of the Cathode Ray Tube( aka television, which is the foundation of any kind of video device we use), Philo T. Farsworth, was a man of religion, more specifically a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka the Mormons) who lived out west in the State of Utah? He was just a 14 year old farm boy when the concept came to him while plowing in the field of how to invent this thing we call the Television. Did his church persecute him and tell him he was going to hell for this? No. Did they tell him to renounce it because it would be considered heresy to broadcast images through the air? No.
He didn't go to his church for this information either. He was just a farmboy with a knack and understanding for electronics, as it was understood in the 1920's, and a lot of curiosity and persued this idea he got while plowing a field to fruition which has given the world television.
I know God is the giver of all knowledge only as people are willing to seek it out. And the knowledge of salvation and how to persue it is of a higher nature which requires a higher understanding and a willingness to follow the answer you will get. This knowledge is never easy to have.
Gods truths are very hard to live for those who are unwilling to live it.
I have more answers if you want them. I hope this has spurred more questions for you to ask.
Thank you for the question.
2006-09-04 00:43:03 · answer #3 · answered by duhanlorian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your description of scientists sounds very much like Christians. They continually test their beliefs and behavior and refine their knowledge, and as they learn more, they change to adjust to the new light. That doesn't really sound like an easier way than any other.
2006-09-04 00:00:55 · answer #4 · answered by jewel_flower 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
BOOOOOM!!!... Truly out of the park, homerun!... Kahlil Gibran wrote a dynamic shortstory called 'Satan' ...
Inquiring minds might like to know!..:D .. Wouldn't that be an evolutionary leap ... Humanity is the only species experiencing the predicament .. The head vs. the tail(reason shaming instincts) ... Yet medicinemen thought the tail held value for educating intuition ...
2006-09-04 00:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by gmonkai 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"The role of Satan is very much relevant to our lives and our search for knowledge."
Yes, you are right. "To whom you forgave anything, I forgave also. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices." "Be steadfast, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour."
If you read these Bible verses in context, Sara, you'll see that they aren't talking about running away from knowledge of Satan. These verses are exhorting Christians to look into their own souls to see how Satan might be influencing them. Like the character in the Joseph Conrad novel, what we find, if we are honest enough is "the horror, the horror." It's not an easy exercise at all. Just try it.
But at the end of that difficult search inward, there is the forgiveness and encouragement of Christ, whose life is an example. Turning our focus from ourselves to him again DOES make it easy. "Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
2006-09-04 00:32:41 · answer #6 · answered by miraclewhip 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is. I think you just did a fantastic job describing the scientific and religious method of interpreting the knowledge. Congratulations. But this is sure to stir up the religious masses.
2006-09-04 00:02:48 · answer #7 · answered by Filipe F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I feel safe in my faith, but easy has never entered into the picture. When Satan knows we have found the truth he works harder to sway us his way. Easy, now that is funny
2006-09-04 00:01:59 · answer #8 · answered by LatterDaySaint and loving it 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing EASY about being a Christian! But it's worth the effort.
2006-09-04 00:03:44 · answer #9 · answered by p2of9 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
any easy way out of what? college? prison? be specific?
2006-09-04 00:06:31 · answer #10 · answered by Nikki 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋