Let's say you go to church. Your pastor or whoever delivers a sermon saying God created man and that evolution is some crackpot "theory" that modern man descended from chimps, and anthropologists haven't even found the missing link yet. "Jesus was not a monkey!" he says (based on an actual sermon I saw on TV)
-You're like, "Yeah, that's right! Jesus didn't climb trees!"
But then you look online and see that evolution ACTUALLY says that chimpanzees and humans descended from a common ancestor, not from one another. ...you also see that chimpanzees are not actually monkies and that there is no "missing" link at all.
Also you find out scientific theories are different from the definition we use in common speak, and require substantial evidence to become accepted.
-So you're like, "Wait a minute... am I being lied to?"
The next Sunday your sermon teaches you that God hates the gays and that homosexuality is a disease to be cured of.
How can you keep believing under these conditions?
2007-02-22 12:25:12 · 11 answers · asked by dmlk2 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You know... it doesn't have to be Wikipedia... Use a scientific journal if you want to be more precise. It's just that people generally go to Wikipedia to get a quick overview on a topic.
2007-02-22 12:36:14 · update #1
First, your "pastor or whoever" isn't God, nor are they the only believers in your church. Your "p or w" may be preaching about a certain subject or issue precisely because most of the members of your church DON"T believe that (and the "p or w" wants to change their minds).
And on the other hand, science as a human endeavor and community of scientists and the rest of us, is never absolutely certain. Scientific hypotheses are strengthened by experimental results, but always stand in the possibility of being disproven by future experimental results and analyses. (And Wikipedia is sometimes almost as prejudiced and inaccurate as is the Science Channel!)
If you want to believe, or to keep on believing, it is sometimes necessary to alter your beliefs as you become more mature, experienced, and knowlegible about life and even more knowlegible about you own religion.
My method is talk to some other people who aren't going to yell at you
---and to pray, "God, if you are real, plese guide my mind. Amen"
2007-02-22 12:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by mongoemperor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I compromise. The Bible is religious truth while stuff like evolution is scientific truth. So.. I find this "Big Bang" thing pretty unbelievable, so I believe a God created it. But, I do see the proof in the evolution and believe that Adam and Eve were very ape-like. The Bible has some truth to it, but there are some things that science just can't explain.
Plus, I'd trust my priest against Wikipedia any day. Sure is more entertaining.
2007-02-22 12:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by herbritannicmajesty68 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm a Christian but my church doesn't use Wikipedia (we know that's not always factual).
I'd rather believe I'm made from the dust in God's image and breathed into with His breath than I came from an ape.
My church doesn't teach that God hates gays. He loves everyone
The Bible says that homosexuality is a sin not a disease.
2007-02-22 12:34:28 · answer #3 · answered by Jan P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe what the Bible teaches, not what some human being says to me whether that person is preaching a sermon or writing an article for Wikipedia. Why do you put so much faith in what others say? I encourage you to read the Bible and gain Truth for yourself. There is no proof that one species has evolved into a completely different species. You've been lied to. But don't take my word for it... check out the facts for yourself.
2007-02-22 12:31:09 · answer #4 · answered by Blessed 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Are you saying that Christians must believe what Wikipedia tells them to?
Okay,the pastor may be wrong about evolution.But evolution doesn't really have any bearing on Christianity,and perhaps the pastor doesn't really know much about evolution.
God doesn't hate gays,but I still believe that homosexuality is wrong.Do you want to silence all dissenting views?
2007-02-22 12:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by Serena 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Christians" who have faith that the Roman Catholic Church is the antichrist are no longer in all hazard Christians. The Roman Catholic Church is one hundred% actual Christianity. definite, Catholics have persecuted Protestants, & likewise, the place Protestants had the majority, the Protestants persecuted Catholics!!! "the two way, the Bible famous the place he would be got here across. he would be latest in a church." The Bible famous no such concern!!! The Bible makes it abundantly sparkling that the antichrist would be in simple terms that: **against CHRIST** subsequently, it's going to be a non-Christian guy or woman who's the anti-Christ. occasion: The Emperor Nero. No Lisa. in the recent testomony, the word 'Church' refers back to the assembly of Christ. certainly, maximum non-Christian places of worship are no longer observed as 'church homes,' yet some thing else.
2016-10-16 07:04:09 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of what Evolutionosts ACTUALLY say, they are minus all factual evidence. Since there is no proof, I can't believe. Since I've met God, spiritually, I know He exists and therefore I believe Him.
Have you ACTUALLY read the Bible? Have you ACTUALLY listened to the words? I am not talking about someones interpretation, but the ACTUAL words (in the original languages). So far, no one has been able to disprove the facts contained in the Bible.
When God says He hates homosexuality, He means it. Notice that He didn't say He hates homosexuals. Just as He hates murder, but not the murderer. He doesn't hate His creation, but He can and does hate some of the things we do.
2007-02-22 12:38:46 · answer #7 · answered by Daniel 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ah, yes...the great spiritual resource...Wikipedia...
I doubt seriously that scientists trust Wikipedia any more than Christians do.
Forgive my rolled eyes.
RESPONSE to your additional details: The issue here is one of Truth. The Christian's source for truth is Jesus Christ. Jesus is known as the Word of God, and He created the earth. (John 1:1) He also said that He is the truth. (John 14:6)
You don't recognize that truth. You have a "truth" that is irreconcilable with the Truth. We cannot see eye to eye. You can show me innumerable science texts and papers, and I will remain unconvinced. The public schools and the secular colleges I attended had the bite at the apple as far as I am concerned. I was an atheist during all my K-12, and two of my years at college. I came to a real knowledge of the Risen Christ, and I can no longer follow the "wisdom" of men. Sorry.
2007-02-22 12:30:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Just wanted to answer to answer you gave me on "more on religion"
I am sorry I came across as believing in only one God, etc, etc.
Although, yes, I do think (just my opinion) there is only one God, I also very much believe in reincarnation ( go to my blog) and don't go to any church. I believe what I believe because it rings true in my heart and soul, and wish to share my believe(opinion) to maybe open peoples mind to love and Peace. If I were to go to a church it would claim nothing, ask for nothing (no money) but just be there for the cause of Love.
2007-02-23 06:55:11 · answer #9 · answered by Cherie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
seriously, if I believed half the stuff from the internet, I'ld be pretty messed up.
2007-02-22 12:32:48 · answer #10 · answered by Jason M 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋