So in the beginning was...H? (last part of my question, I promise)?

Question

Seems to be the best answer coming back from my original question. Thanks to the scientists who patiently took the time to explain.

Tried to trace back evolution all the way, because the foundation has to be solid. The reason this question's in the religion section is that if evolution's true, then death predated sin. Death isn't caused by sin. So the premise for a need of salvation goes in the toilet: death ísn't the result of our own doing and we aren't responsible for it. So, if there's a God who created us, then he's unfair and we shouldn't waste our lives serving him.

If there is no such God who is love, then logic says we should all be self-centered and self-seeking as far as we can get away with it.

This not only offends my belief that people should conduct life with honor, but also my necessary definition of God who must be fair, just and loving. So I must believe that evolution is wrong and God exists, or that God does not exist and in the beginning there was…H?

Answer 1

Don't start running around like the main character in GTA just yet!

That is a very deep question. Yes, life is ultimately futile. But what's wrong with enjoying it while it lasts?

The next question is what will bring you enjoyment. Drugs will, but you can't be high all the time (ok, you can be until you run out of money or die from it..). Just acting on all your impulses will send you towards self-destruction of one sort or another and away from true happiness. The only way to be truly happy is through doing good works and loving and being loved (but not only in the sexual sense. True love is important). Money and power are nice, but they aren't the same happiness as inner peace and contentment.

After all this, we find that the Church was right about not killing your neighbor and not stealing even if the authors of the Bible didn't know (or simply chose to omit for simplicity?) the basic truth that it lead to societal instability and personal lack of true happiness.

And now you know just about as much about finding happiness and the origins of the universe as I do. There are not many people who can stay rational and continue to learn when some of the conclusions don't jibe with previous beliefs. You have earned my respect for your intellectual ability.

Answer 2

The logical conclusion is NOT selfishness, the logical conclusion is mutual aid and assistance, because you would not wish to be treated poorly, and the best way to ensure that is to build societies and cultures that encourage mutual aid and assistance and good treatment of each other.

Evolution itself has instilled in us the concepts of empathy and altruism. Cetaceans (whales & dolphins), primates, lions, wolves, and many other mammals show these two concepts, which when analyzed logical become, "Do unto others as you'd have them to do unto you." Recognize that? It's the fundamental rule of ethics -- the Golden Rule. Found in raw evolution, because altruism and empathy may cause the death of an individual, but if that sacrifice saves the lives of multiple closely related individuals, the genes still win (I carry many of the same genes my sister does, for example, because we are closely related -- if she has children, those children will have many genes in common with me).

In the beginning was a quantum vacuum. A fluctuation in that vacuum caused an inflationary era that can be detected even today (see COBE, google it, it's the first time science made a prediction pre experiment and the results were 100% in agreement with the prediction ... not 99.9%, 100% straight up and down).

Answer 3

'If there is no such God who is love, then logic says we should all be self-centered and self-seeking as far as we can get away with it.'

No, that doesn't follow logically. If being self-centered and self-seeking contributes to a society that is less productive, healthy
and gratifying to live in than one in which generosity, empathy and doing good works is valued, then logic dictates that being self-centered and self-seeking is counter to our interests as a people and as a society.

'God's love' is great and makes you feel really good, in a 'gee whiz' sort of way, but it's not required in order to be a good person. Self interest alone is motivation enough to be a good person since being a good person makes you feel good and improves the lives of people around you, which in turn helps to make YOUR life better. There you have reason enough to conduct your life with honor WITHOUT the neccessity of inventing a God to oversee the whole thing.

Answer 4

Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)

Answer 5

Yeah I understand what you're getting at, reality is more important than propaganda, but my question is, what's your question? You seem of two minds, and what does H mean?