My question is to those of faith (be it Christian, Muslim, any...). If science could prove without a shadow of a doubt (through transitional fossils, evolution, abiogenesis, etc.) That there was NO WAY that the book of Genesis, etc. could possibly have happened, would you still believe in this creation of life? Would you question your faith? If you say that this section was merely up for "interpretation", would that not start a snowball effect of your faith, because the Bible, Quran, Veda's, etc. is "infallible"? if this section is wrong, what other sections could be wrong? views on homosexuality? Differing faith? Heaven and Hell? I have a feeling that you would continue in your faith, because it is a construct that helps one deal with the horror's of our world. I am not condemning anyone's faith, contrary to most who write these things I have the utmost respect. I merely wish to understand (being a skeptic married to a fundamental Christian, whom I love dearly). Help me understand.
2007-05-11 05:22:08 · 16 answers · asked by Worzel Gummidge 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thankyou to those who answered, however many of you didn't answer the question like I had hoped. Many simply fell back on the idea that the ideas presented were unfounded when the question states that there was no doubt that genesis had been disproved. Instead of answering the question thoughtfully, you fell back on the rhetoric of "I'm right, your wrong" instead of putting thought into what you are writing. I merely asked a question, and was attacked as a result. It's a shame we can't have a simple discourse without sinking to the lowest common denominator.
2007-05-11 09:43:11 · update #1
Even though I'm Atheist, I'd still like to offer my take. People need something to beleive in; need to feel like their lives have some deeper meaning. They need to feel a sense of belonging... a sense that they matter to someone. They need answers to why certain events happen. So they created God, who looks over them with a watchful and loving eye. God, who created a plan to which we're all a part of--and all things happen for a reason, and are a part of this plan as well.
Now, I realise many readers are already clicking the "thumbs down" icon without reading further, and that's fine. Those unwilling to hear me out are not my target audience. I fully entertain that I could be wrong in my views--and have studied many religions searching for what felt true to me. None did.
I was raised with Christian views. While neither parent was strict about it, I'm one of the few people I know who can actually quote all ten Commandments. But my studies of religion almost always became a study of warfare and judgement--a lot of blood has been spilled for the sake of a Being Who's job description bears more than a striking similiarity to Santa Claus'. (Sees you when you're sleeping, knows when you're awake, knows when you've been bad or good--so be good or burn in hell.) Being good aparently sometimes means violating both the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The sheer hypocrisy was and is sickening.
Science has already knocked several holes in Christian teachings. Few have listened--and those who did insist that the Bible is open to interpretation. I feel that this is so their comfort blanket (God, for reasons described above) can't be yanked away. Anyone who regularly changes the rules is bound to win at most games.
I'm sure your wife is a wonderful person. She's meerly obeying her need, as a human being, to find her sense of belonging and importance, not to mention seeking an explaination for why life is the way it is. So long as you can agree to disagree, your differences in faith should not cause a burdeon to your marriage. But you've got to let her walk her own path!
The best of luck to both of you!
2007-05-11 05:55:11 · answer #1 · answered by writersblock73 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My faith is not necessarily dependent upon the premise of every Biblical story being historically true. Like many people in my church, I'm not a Biblical literalist. Nor is my church a "Sola Scriptura" church that uses only Scripture (and nothing else) as a yardstick for belief. If Genesis is not true, I still retain my faith. As for gay unions and so on, I don't have a problem with that, and you'll find that most progressive Christians don't.
However, you're married to a Fundamentalist, and if she's true to type, she probably does come from a Sola Scriptura background. For me, to find out that there wasn't a literal Garden of Eden wouldn't be any sort of shock, surprise, or blow to my faith. It could be to hers. For Fundamentalists, all questions can, and must, be answered by Scripture. The deeper question would be how she came to Fundamentalism. If she was raised in it as a child, then early childhood teachings are extremely powerful, and not easily questioned. If she came into it in adulthood, then it would be worth your time to ask her what made her adopt these views.
I realize that I could be wrong on many different points, and that's why research is critical. However, I haven't found anything yet that has made me toss my faith out the window. People can say all day that there is no God, but I know what I personally experience in my daily life in terms of religious faith. No dry, academic textbook can remove the depth of these experiences. However, I'm certainly willing to listen to any and all viewpoints, and to keep studying.
2007-05-11 05:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For the past year or so i have been questioning my faith(Christianity) and wondering if it is really true or not. I do not believe that there is overwhelming evidence that the biblical stories are not true. However, i do think that even if there was a large amount of evidence, that i would still have some trouble giving up my faith. Because, i have believed since childhood and have been brought up in a Christian household, it would be difficult to lose faith due to scientific studies and research. Also, i think it is comforting to know that there is truth and good still out there in the world. I think religion does provide comfort within the screwed up society that we live in
2007-05-11 05:32:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bless you for taking such an honest & open-minded approach. I am not much into science. Nothing could convince me that God does not exist. My personal journey with Him is the only proof I need.
I am surrounded by scientists and engineers because I live a few minutes from NASA. In my experience, scientists have seen proof of God on so many levels that I doubt many of them would respond to just scientific fact. I don't know if that makes sense?
I think it is encouraging that you are a skeptic. It means you are still seeking answers and wisdom. Because I have a rock-solid faith in God, I believe that He created our inquisitive and intelligent minds to bring us closer to Him.
Best wishes to you both. Keep seeking!
2007-05-11 05:32:38 · answer #4 · answered by Valerie P 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If my faith was only in a book or doctrine that I had assimilated
intellectually and nothing more I would drop it in a heartbeat if the proof came.
Reality is that I have met God personally through Jesus Christ in a way so totally transforming that to deny it would be the height of ignorance! Beyond just meeting God I have walked
with Him for over 33 years, and He has done incredible great things in and through my life (based on the Bible and what it promises) so that to deny Him would make me a fool!
The first thing that conforms to scripture that He did was to deliver me from spiritual ignorance through an incredible transformation that transcends human logic and rationale.
In one moment of time I was totally delivered from alcohol and drugs with no withdrawals, and I was a drunken speed freak. He also delivered me from 17 years of cigarette use sometimes up to four packs a day in that same moment and with no withdrawals. I was a cursing fool using the name of God and Christ daily, and that left me immediately and has never returned. I had an extreme lust for women, and that is no longer part of my life, and has not been since salvation.
Consider what it takes some people to overcome just one addiction, lust, and cursing and you will begin to understand the miracle of salvation that came to me. I also at one time attempted suicide because I believed that I had nothing left
to live for. I am so very glad that I did not succeed.
Since then, I have gone on to graduate Bible college, met and
married a wonderful Christian woman, successfully raised seven children who know and love the Lord, put ten years of my life into drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministry, have done
street evangelism, street preaching, directed a ministry, did coffee house ministry, ministered in prisons, ministered in churches, and more. I am also in the process of publishing my first book and have a second on on the back burner.
I have seen many miracles in my life and the lives of others first hand including healings, casting out demons, restructured
families that were torn apart, restored lives from addictive habits, powerful anointing in preaching and counseling and other ministries, and much more.
Why would I ever want to go back to the paltry life I came from and allow the ideologies and religions of the world to rob me of my greatest joy - which is serving and honoring Christ? The world and religion without life has nothing to offer me. I am strong "in the Lord" and in the "power of His
might." I am Heaven bound and gloriously happy. I live to
glorify Him and share this wonderful experience with others
so that they might also live and glorify Him.
2007-05-11 05:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholic here.
The stories in Genesis are just that - stories. It is meant to teach us of our origin with God, of creation, and original sin. The Catholic Church does acknowledge the possibility of evolution being used by God for creation, and that faith and science are not opposed.
Faith and science: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth."37 "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are."38
God bless.
2007-05-11 05:30:50 · answer #6 · answered by Danny H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if science could prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Bible was false, then of course I would question my faith.
But I'm not too worried about that happening.
2007-05-11 05:42:26 · answer #7 · answered by Andrew G 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
With all the MILLIONS of fossils out in the world show me ONE that demonstrated gills to lungs or feathers to arms, or fins to feet. Even the slightest transition will do. Can't? They don't exist. Why?
There should be at least thousands! Or hundreds. I'd take 1!
†
2007-05-11 05:30:06 · answer #8 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would still beleive coz God isnt an abstract person in the bible its an encounter i have everyday its a God ive ive gone through drama with a God whose taken me out of situations where i shouldnt have survived has protected me and pulled major favours for me he is real to me i talk to him whine to him and avan if i feel like hes left me i tell him and he makes sure i know he is always there with me its my past with him that makes me beleive in a future with him
2007-05-11 05:29:07 · answer #9 · answered by ladyluck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF, and that's a big if, there was evidence to support evolution, then I wouldn't say that the Bible is incorect, but our interpretation is in correct. God still created everything.
But, I'm not worried.
2007-05-11 05:29:07 · answer #10 · answered by LENZ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋