What's my problem with Christian fundamentalists?

Question

If one takes Genesis and Revelations literally, humans were once near perfect beings who have become ever more corrupt over time and are headed toward an inevitable apocolypse. The best one could hope for in this life would be a state of grace amidst the ever worsening madness and chaos with little incentive to seek enlightenment and a fair argument for self-degradation. If one subscribes to the theory of evolution, that theory would indicate that we are all evolving, growing, becoming more enlightened over time. I know there's some compelling evidence to the contrary, but I don't think I'm the only one who's willing to believe something because it makes me feel better and the media hardly ever mentions how many people were nice to each other today.

Answer 1

Even though I dont subscribe to the whole theory of evolution, I do believe that we do evolve and grow and learn as the human race and become more enlightened over time also. However, we are not very enlightened right now, but might be in a 100 years or 1000 but I'll never see it. For me to toss out my faith and hope for peace in eternity is for me to have to accept that this life, for me, is as good as it gets. My life doesnt truely suck but it's not great.. and I know there are people far more worse off. How could they even survive if they believed "this is all there is... it will get better but you wont ever see it"

Thats not "feel good" its downright sad.

Answer 2

You have to remember that the media is a corporation. The corporation gets its revenue from advertizing. Those seeking exposure choose to advertize in media that people read.

The media is not looking for good things. That does not sell newsprint. They are looking to tittilate and entertain, often with real stories, and the reporters are often paid by the story, (only if the story is accepted by the editorial staff).

Evolution says we are competing for the survival of the fittest! That does not necessarily lead to being nice to each other. It leads to who can pass their genetics along in the most successful way, whatever that takes.

Sure, the world seems to be getting more chaotic. With modern technology giving us the means to communicate world-wide almost instantly, and travel globally in hours, of course the pace is faster. Human nature has not changed. People just have new means to do the things they always did ... faster.

People need hope. People need to hear good news! People need encouragement when they are doing something right. Sorry, that just doesn't sell newspapers!

Sounds more like you are looking for Romans 13:9 and 10 than the origin of species.

Answer 3

First of all, we were not almost Gods, we visited with God, walked with God and he provided everything in the Garden. He had one rule, and when Adam and Eve broke it, they were kicked out.

God is not forcing himself on anyone. It is your choice to believe in him and serve, or not. The end result for not serving is Hell. You talk about no incentive to seek enlightenment, what do you call knowledge??? Look at history. We have gone from disease, low tech cars, and antique air craft of the 20's, to walking on the moon, curing most diseases, to include many types of cancer. Mans knowledge has quadrupled in the last 5 years and mankind is so high tech, he wants to think he is like God.

The fact that all the Believers will be called up to join Jesus, and not go thru the last half of the BoOK of Revelations, tells me we serve a Loving Caring God. Yes, there is more of a reward to serving God than turning your back on him. The two books you read are ok, but read what is in the middle and do it with an open mind.

Maybe, just maybe you will become enlightened and educated.

Answer 4

To lovehound, yes, in many parts, the Bible is meant to be taken literally. To do otherwise is to create problems, like death and cancer as part of the "very good" creation (If fossils were before Adam and Eve, then cancer was before sin, bc there's evidence of it in fossils) Adam and Eve were historical figures, otherwise Jesus couldn't be the last Adam. Also, it gives genealogies back to Adam, if he wasn't real, when did the real genealogy begin?

Most of the prophecy in the Bible, like that in Revelation, is written allegorically, and so isn't meant to be taken literally, but Genesis is written as historical narrative, which is literal.

As a result of sin, the world does keep getting worse bc the world continually denies God's Word and commands. There are illnesses, birth and genetic defects, and a variety of other problems, all bc of sin, which separates us from God and His protection.

Answer 5

You are on two paths Socrates.... and truth can only have one.

Jesus said you can't have two masters - you see the reality of the human condition and the need for salvation - but seem to ebb toward secularism??

Your balance lies in faith... faith is what opens the doors to God's love and truth. Without faith, there is struggle and longing to understand and fill what is deep inside our hearts - and that is the need for reconciliation and fellowship with God.
But the Lord gives us so much more - peace that is unknowable without him, direction, meaning and purpose at the deepest levels.

The Media doesn't know it, Powerful people don't know it, no one knows it apart from faith in God.

Answer 6

If you had a disease would you want a Doctor to tell you what you need to do to combat the disease or just tell you something that made you feel better?

Answer 7

Well, that's why one doesn't have to take the Bible literally.

By its own words and nature, the Bible does not encourage literal interpretation.

Answer 8

If evolution is true, how do you explain how WAR evolved.

NO other animal does it.

WAR=Higher evolution!

Answer 9

Ignorance breeds ignorance,

Answer 10

too rigid ideas and doctrines