How do you explain the theist's willingness to ascribe fewer & fewer things to god over the centuries?

Question

Aside from the extreme fundamentalists, the average theist has, over the centuries, willingly accepted more and more scientific explanations for things that were once ascribed to god.

For example, at one time theists had unwaivering faith...

That you had to be buried with gold, silver and precious gems to buy entry into the afterlife.

That god created the earth at the center of the universe.

That sickness was a form of punishment for lack of faith.

That god deliberately made some people inferior to others.

How do theists explain the loss of faith in these divine beliefs? Was it logic overcoming irrationality, or peer pressure, or exposure to knowledge? Isn't faith supposed to be absolute and unchanging?

If theists continue this pattern of abandoning divine explanations for things, won't they eventually think god right of a job?

Answer 1

"at one time theists had unwaivering faith."
I still do.

"That you had to be buried with gold, silver and precious gems to buy entry into the afterlife."
A large number did not.

"That god created the earth at the center of the universe."
An incorrect stereotype. Or at least it was not the center in terms of importance, but rather in terms of essence. The ancients viewed earth as an intermediate place of death and decay, somewhere between the celestial bodies (absolute good) and the underworld (absolute depravity). It was not this view, but that of the Renaissance in which earth was seen as another HEAVENLY body that elevated the status of man.

"That sickness was a form of punishment for lack of faith."
John 9:1-3

"That god deliberately made some people inferior to others."
If you mean "ontologically inferior", this idea is nowhere found in the bible. Furthermore, it was Darwinism, whether rightly or wrongly, that was given as a major rationalism for much of the racism that has occurred (lower "races" [when in truth we are all of one race, homo sapiens] were seen as less evolved).

"How do theists explain the loss of faith in these divine beliefs?"
I explain your "examples" of "divine belief" as caricatures of true biblical faith.

"Isn't faith supposed to be absolute and unchanging?"
Faith in God, yes. But not in our understanding of the world.

Answer 2

Much has changed in this world. Many of the things you site are things believed in the Dark and Middle ages. Yes Theists have unwaivering faith but they havent abandoned it, merely adapted it as Science has explained things that once upon a time could not be explained. They have accepted that you cannot take anything with you into the afterlife, you never could. The finding of the Egyptian tombs proved that but that was the belief at one time. Most theists today will tell you that only true faith will get you into heaven, and that lack of faith will get you into hell. The Earth isnt the center of our universe or even our solar system, Astronomy has proven that just like Columbus sailing around the world proved that it wasnt flat but that was a common belief until proven otherwise. There are still people today that believe that sickness is a punishment from God, they are nicknamed the Health-and-Wealth believers. They believe that unless you are healthy and wealthy you arent a true believer, however if you look at the lives of the saints throughout time they were neither wealthy nor healthy. Paul the apostile suffered from an illness much of his converted life and yet he is regarded as one of the greatest saints of all. And many of the saints who had wealth shared it with those who had nothing thus giving up their wealth rather than hording it. No one is inferior in Gods book. Man however has made social castes and put people in them by wealth, power, and status or blood lines thus creating this ideal of inferiority and superiority. The social systems change from era to era, the biggest superior/inferior set ups coming at various point in history from the Roman Era through the Victorian Era with ups and downs throughout. It was only the snobbish, well to do, "first class" theists that believed that bit of nastiness. As science and modern techonology have evolved and changed and grown theists the world over have begun to recognize the foolishness of some of their beliefs. They learned that sickness wasnt a curse from God for sin but rather caused by bacteria and viruses. They accepted that their wealth was destined to stay on earth so they began to pass it on to their children. They accepted that the universe is vast and that the Sun is the center of our solar system because there was ample proof provided by Science. The inferiority/superiority issue is still a problem but not because of the faith of theists but rather because of the current economical situation in the world today. Either you are rich or you arent there is no middle ground any more. Faith is unchangable when you believe in the right things. Faith in a God who is loving and forgiving yet firm and exacting is a Faith that is unwaivering. Faith in things that have been disproven well, thats just ignorance my friend. I dont believe theists have abandoned anything but rather adapted their faith to accept the things that are now explainable.

Answer 3

Your question makes no sense based on the examples you cite. Do you think that science has proved we do not need to be buried with silver or gold to buy entry into the afterlife? How did science do that?

Scientists were the ones that told everyone that the earth was at the center of the universe. Later scientists proved otherwise. Who is to say what future scientists will prove?

We know where sickness comes from but there are plenty of people from wiccans to Buddhists that believe in outside or mystical forces make one more susceptible.

I have never heard the last one as any religions belief.

Some things modern science discovers will cause people to rethink their beliefs other scientific discoveries will re-enforce some peoples beliefs.

We are all just trying to make sense of our world. You need not think yourself superior because you had a science class or two. All of man's scientific knowledge is like a shot glass compared to the ocean of what we don't know.

.

Answer 4

Yes, because their god is a god of the gaps, and the gaps are shrinking.

*edit*
TG:
The only reason any scientists said that the world was flat was because that's what the church forced them to say. Disagreeing with the church at that time was a very dangerous thing to do. If they say the sky is yellow, you better damn call the sky yellow. Galileo believed the Heliocentric theory, and look what happened to him.

PS "theist discoveries" is an oxymoron. Isn't all your "truth" supposed to be already written down? "Believe those who seek the truth; beware those who have found it." -Andre Gide
*/edit*

*edit*
The "scientists" that long ago said that the earth is flat and everything goes around it would in today's vocabulary more accurately be described as philosophers. They did not use any semblance of a scientific method in coming to these conclusions. Some of them said that the world is on the back of a giant TURTLE! They had no evidence for any such claims. Come on people, get your facts straight.
*/edit*

Answer 5

These people were atheist ...not theist. You came into the world with nothing and it is for sure we will go with nothing. Naked we come and naked we will go. Man proclaimed that some people were inferior to others God said have your own way...he does not always interfere with mans decisions man is self centered and selfish....remember free will?

Theist had unwavering faith? Since when has man had unwavering faith! Do you even no what you are saying. We are like sheep,we have to be guided to greener pastures. This is evidence that what God said is true. How does one explain the loss of faith...SIN. God often saves man from destruction and still he does not see him....the natural man does not retain the things of God nor is it in him to seek him and often he plays the fool.....that is a theist. People that have a form of Godliness and denying the power within...the holy spirit! Extreme fundamentalist....yea God laughs at them too. They base their life on ancient Biblical principles...Sadducee's and Pharisees ...placing hard burdens on men and women because of religion.

Some are ever learning and ever hearing and never coming to the truth and make up excuses to appear brilliant before men....God is not mocked but man is. He can see no further than his nose. If God does not call he will not answer and often if he does answer he still makes foolish decisions. God always have to leave the 90 and 9 and go look for his lost sheep. Wash them up and places them back into his pasture. Thank God it is his choice and not ours....the inferiority of men makes it so. Psalms 23....Sheep can not drink from troubled waters. So man can keep his scientific explanations...so can you.

Answer 6

None of those are divine beliefs. I find none of those concepts in the Bible, so there was no loss of faith in the theists that actually understood the Bible and were able to discern Bible (divine) truth from false (man-made) teachings.

Actually the opposite is true. Scientists over the centuries have had their theories disproved by theist discoveries.

Remember, the scientists were sure the world was flat.

Answer 7

What you are describing is the 'God of the gaps' idea. You can read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_the_gaps
I think the reason why people still do this kind of stuff is that they just don't have enough imagination to concieve of the possibility that there are things which science DOESN'T know but still CAN know. They can't understand how something works, so they claim that science and logic can never possibly understand how it works and that God must have done it. They think to themselves 'If science doesn't understand this, why DOESN'T it understand it? Why haven't we figured it out yet? It must be due to God!' A very irrational idea, but then people are good at entertaining irrational ideas.

Answer 8

a million. truly you're conscious that the Apostle Peter makes use of the "purely go searching you" argument in desire of God's presence. Are you implying that Peter did no longer make a valid argument? 2. no longer genuine. First, if unbelievers choose to comprehend precisely what we've self assurance, the Bible is the excellent source of information. additionally, we've manuscripts that are so previous that their age PROVES the prophetic passages are genuine. yet we will not prepare that till we quote Scripture. 3. i would be blunt here: in case you have self assurance this, then you somewhat are no longer a real theist. 4. lower back, i ask your self: do you have self assurance the Bible or no longer? in case you have self assurance it, then this could not be an argument for you. If human beings do no longer choose to hearken to you communicate concerning to the Gospel (as Jesus commanded anyone), then settle for his or her unbelief -- yet do no longer in basic terms walk away and depart them like that! PRAY for them; enable them to comprehend you care approximately them, that's the only reason you're "bugging" them; enable them to comprehend you're there for them, to respond to questions in the event that they have them. and finally, PRAY some greater. in case you may no longer try this, then you somewhat have no love for the unsaved in any respect -- you're no longer doing them a desire by accepting their rejection of the Gospel and then leaving them putting over the pit of Hell. 5. i've got been a ordinary on R&S in view that June 23, 2006; i'm a point 7 here, so i think of i've got seen all of it -- and that i've got by no potential seen a theist say "You greater helpful do what I say in the different case!" the closest i've got ever seen is "in case you do not have self assurance the Gospel, you will pass to Hell." those 2 statements are not everywhere close to one yet another. One is coercion; the different is the certainty. 6. Honey, you sound like this is happy with you that others are unsaved and going to Hell. heavily -- I recommend you sit down and have a protracted communicate with your Pastor approximately precisely what it somewhat is which you DO have self assurance -- in view which you do no longer look "on hearth" for Jesus in any respect. So no, we can not agree. EDIT: AMEN, MICHAEL!

Answer 9

That gold, silver and gems idea is abit far fetched... i dont' know what they were thinking... they shoulda also known that grave robbers woulda taken them shortly after (i read about that). What would God want with gems? He made them for us.

The center of the Earth was a theory, it doesn't say that in the bible. They just figured since we were God's creation that we were "special" so therefore had to be the center of everything.

Sickness is a natural thing... even people of faith get sick. Don't be ridiculous.

God didnt' deliberatly make anyone inferior to anyone else... even kids who aren't that big can still pick up some weights from time to time to make them "more superior" or learn new things if they want so that they get smarter... they have that freedom. Wheras some people are born into situations where they don't have any options, poverty, but that was the direct result of humanity's desire to have power by controlling those who are easily manipulated, you can see that in almost any social situation: those in power, or "impressive" types, will take advantage and harass those who are considered "less than impressive"... you cannot blame God for that. Ever. He knew it was gonna happen but He ALSO knew it was unavoidable because that's just what humans do when they are given the freedom to so.

There is nothing irrational about trying to follow a set of morals and values to live by, you'd be a horrible person to say otherwise. It is becoming increasingly popular to sin... and the younger generation thrive on being well-liked. It's pathetic. Faith is absolute and unchanging if you reach that point where your connection with God exceeds all else... most kids nowadays just don't have it or even consider it so they'll sustain that 'lack' of faith instead.

God is not a Job... i'm not sure what the book of Job is about haven't read it yett... i know it's along the lines of Job being a good man with faith in God and has his family killed, God gives him a new family and i think they are killed too then... i'm not sure, Job dies as well? Anyways, if i read it i'd be able to answer accordingly but it wouldn't be in the bible if there wasn't a reason for it.

Answer 10

I believe that God is simply God, he's there. All this crap about having to be buried with precious gems to get in the afterlife, and burning witches, and that some people are worse than others are just crazy rituals made by humans, not God.