Must we choose between civilisation & barbarism,& between enlightened rationalism & theocratic fundamentalism?

Question

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article1480090.ece

Answer 1

"enlightened rationalism" LOLOLOLOLOL That's funny! Oh my goodness, I bet whoever thought that up that catchphrase thought they were super intelligent lol. I'd even venture to guess they used it a lot of times so everyone else would realize how intelligent they were ... probably got them all excited just thinking about it, how it would be the new phrase of the millennium.

Oh wait, excitement doesn't equate with rationalism, nor would it be rational to assume you were intelligent for having thought up two words together ... oh well, so much for that.

Answer 2

There's more options:

1) civilization

2) Barbarism

3) various mixtures of the two along a continuim

4) enlighted rationalism

5) un-enlightened rationalism

6) evil rationalism

7) theocratic fundementalism

8) enlightened theocracy

9) corrupt theocracy

10) democracy where some people support theocracy others rationalism, others something in between which through compromise ends up being a hodge modge of all the options

There are many many more.

Answer 3

Can I answer with a question? Why does it have to a choice between extremes? An enlightened mind can believe in God without being an extreme fundamentalist. A rational mind is capable of deciding there is evidence for a God without becoming theocratic. Why do those who are so against religion so very extreme they refuse to see there is moderation all around them? Or is that just because it appears that way here?

As for civilization vs barbarism, I think civilization is better only because the education is better.

Answer 4

you are trying to say any belief in god is destructive.....i say only if it is a negative belief system that demands destruction....there are many god fearing people and religions that do not cause problems, but have suffered from atheistic regimes...look at hitler, calling for the destruction of the jews. The same is happening now with Iran. Decent people have to have the right to fight back against this.

enlightened rationalism has its good points...but in negative use, has left alot of people dead.....that is why we have millions of aborted babies ( because it is "reasonable" and denies the sanctity of human life) ...it is secular and defies a holy and loving God.

a true theocracy is when God is in control, not man. In biblical times, when man submittted to God and allowed him to be "king," there was peace, prosperity and protection from enemies.

when man submits again to the real God, not crazy people that threaten, blow up and destroy others, we will have peace again. But that will not happen until the messiah jesus comes again. I pray that this comes soon.

Answer 5

I cannot understand why we have to take sides as either right/wrong on all issues. There are good and bad points to almost anything, even when you cannot see the good on the other side. So, I think when we realize that we need to be receptive to the other side's needs, then we will have made a step forward in civilization.

Answer 6

How would we know the difference, without these things to choose from? How would we see how far we have come, without being able to look back at where we have been? The choices are part of the journey.

Answer 7

We live in a world hostile to Christianity. Secularism, false religions, and self deification are some of the tools the enemy is using to spread the lies that lead to eternal damnation. Unbelievers are its preachers and teachers. They do not know they are professing the false message of the evil one. They resist the truth of God's word and unwittingly help the enemy who is prowling back and forth looking for multitudes to devour. The Devil is using the world, secularism, and relativism to spread false beliefs and rebellion against the true God. To see this, all we need is to turn on the TV and we can see the sins of abortion, homosexuality, paganism, and the occult are promoted. Add to this the fact that our Christian freedoms are being slowly reduced by a government more concerned with itself than its people and you can begin to see how actively hostile the world is to Christianity. We can see it and we watch it.....from the comfort of our easy chairs.
While we sit comfortably by while the enemy is working hard. Too many Christians want to do "the Sunday thing," only on Sundays instead of every day. Because of the complacency of the Christian church, the enemy is slowly inching us towards the edge of oblivion. We cannot sit around and hope that those few Christians who actually fight for the faith will somehow do what they themselves are not motivated to do. If the enemy can get the Christians' eyes off of the commission to "make disciples of every nation" (Matt. 28:18) by distracting us with creature comforts, economic security, our desire not to make waves, or the expectation that someone else will make a difference in the world, that is when we will put down our armor so we can rest in the comforts of our easy lives. In such a state the enemy is more effective than we are. Too many Christians are calloused to the subtle movement of the enemy all around them and they cannot see the eminent danger approaching. They cannot see how secularism is inching them (and all of Christianity) towards destruction.
Which do you think will happen in the future? Will our nation encourage the development of Christian freedom or work to hinder it? Will any of the nations of the world humble themselves to serve the true God or will they promote one a world government, moral relativism, and/or false religions like Islam, Mormonism, Buddhism, etc.? Do any of you think that merely hoping someone else will make a difference will actually make a difference? If you do, you are self deceived. While the homosexuals have a united front, we Christians are fragmented into countless denominational groups. The woman's rights movement has done so much to damage the family and even to help Christian families disintegrate. The liberals in the media have contributed more than their share to social decay by promoting violent and immoral movies, TV, radio, etc., of which too many Christians partake. But here is a warning. This very comfort and security that we cherish in America is blinding us to the dangers ahead. What dangers? The dangers of bondage and oppression. We think that as long as things are okay now, that things will be okay in the future. Well, they won't be. History tells us that the enemy doesn't sleep and he always works to destroy God's people. Let's not sleep. Let's not awaken one day to find ourselves in bondage to the political correctness of anyone who would define our right to speak of Christ right out of existence. Let's not forsake the cross of Christ and let's not ignore the Great Commission. We Christians need to pray, fast, and sacrifice in order to spread the gospel. We Christians need to study God's word and support those who further the kingdom of God.
Don't get too comfortable. Support missionaries. Pray for evangelists and pastors. Pray for God's will to be done on heart. Pray even to be prepared and used by God. Get out there and fight for righteousness with whatever gifts God has given you whether it be finances, money, words, love, helps, prayer, motherhood, fatherhood, etc. Do whatever you do for God's glory and live your lives so that the word of God would be exalted and other would see the light of Christ in you -- even if it costs you something.

Answer 8

This is karma. Whatever you choose whatever the fruital result should be.

Answer 9

Choose Life through Jesus or death through unbelief and sin.

Answer 10

I don't want anything to do with either of those . Romanticism is where it's at!