Well, I am christian but is creationism a symptom of our faith sinking back into the dark ages (more details)?

Question

This scientist had to retract his own paper because it was being used improperly:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/science/25jacobson.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Seriously, I learned a lot of science during my younger years in school. There are things that science can easily prove.

Do you really think there is some big conspiracy with scientists trying to dupe us into believing natural selection and all that instead of God?

Scientists who are also christian can see the two in harmony, that is science and faith.

Science tells us that the earth is really old and faith tells us what actually set events into motion.

I think biblical inerrancy and literalism is causing the institution of christianity to go backwards. Both have gone through a big surge in support in recent years.

What do you think?

Seriously - this wasn't an issue when I was in school.

A True Christian - well I'm still in between projects so I'll be sure to post plenty for you!

Answer 1

I am impressed with this man's integrity. His willingness to suffer some embarrassment for the cause of the truth is not a quality found in creationists who have no respect for genuine science or honesty. They mine for quotes to support what they want to "prove" and when they find something superficially believable, they don't hesitate to quote it, even if totally out of context. They are blinded to truth and integrity by their zeal for their goal. There's no conspiracy against them, but it's fun to claim so and easy to do because you can convince willing believers that it is Satan's work. Everyone everywhere loves to be the victim and when you've got a holy book to back you up, it's a free pass for crying "evil" or "conspiracy!"

Answer 2

Good question. I learned quite a lot of science myself and I saw it more as evidence that the Bible is true and God really did create this place. There are lots of things that science just can't prove either.

No, I don't think that there is a conspiracy with scientists to dupe people. I think that they genuinely believe in evolution just like I genuinely believe in creation, and they don't see why anyone wouldn't believe it.

I don't think that to have faith you have to set aside your rational thoughts or deny science. The Bible isn't a science textbook...it deals with matters of spirituality and morality. However, where there is science in the Bible it is accurate, far ahead of its time even. I don't see science and faith as mutually exclusive. God designed this place and set the scientific laws into place. IMO they harmonize beautifully.

As for biblical inerrancy setting us back....I disagree. I think that when people started to doubt the inerrancy of the Bible that made things go rapidly south. The fact that many Christians support the idea that the Bible has mistakes in it proves me right - that is a big problem. We do have the Bible in its inerrant form today, just like the early church did in the days just following the life of Christ. Most modern versions, however, are not that Bible. They are from corrupted texts and they have errors in them. The King James bible, however, does not. It comes from the Bible used by real Christians since the time of Christ. So we have the inerrant bible...but sadly most Christians don't know which one it is, and even when they find out they reject it as "too archaic to read". Which is ridiculous....it reads like a poem and actually reads at a lower grade level than modern versions. I think Christians are lazy today. They would rather use a Bible they can't trust than use the right one because it's "hard to read" (and because the doctrine has a bit more punch to it than the watered-down newer ones...).

That's just what I think, take it or leave it.

Hey, this is fun! I could talk about the Bible all day if I didn't have chores and kids who need my attention LOL!


Edit - babo1dm, MY pastor sure ain't getting rich preaching it! Not all pastors have such base motives for being pastors. Our church is very small and not wealthy at all. Open your mind a little.

Answer 3

As an Agnostic, I would say that it is possible that "God" put the big bang into action (nobody has a clue what caused it) and science is doing a good job of explaining the results. It is refreshing to see a Christian that is enlightened enough to realize that science is real and truthful. There is no reason why science and religion have to be mutually exclusive. They could both be right.

Answer 4

Frist of all you come out of religious beliefs!
To understand the science, you should not be religious oriented.
Religion can not understand science and science can not understand religion.
But religion is nothing but a set of guidlines and procedures to the indisciplined men to lead a disciplined life.
Don't be a radical!
Religion is for stone age and mideaval age people.
Whatever said in the past by many saints are not their own word! It was told by their forefathers, parents and others!!
You need not to believe it always.
There is power(God). That's it.
But, the creation is also helped by him.
For example, to creat a creature, you need acid, protein,water, minerals and electricity.
When the electricity(lightning) passes through the sea water,
there may be a chance for the new creature!
So, it is a combination of power and evolution.
Cheers
Raj R

Answer 5

it's what christianity does... wait till someone dies and rewrite the papers... in this instance the person was alive to correct the error... eventually people are going to have to make religions accountable for these dishonest practices.... Why is it that people blindly follow religion? There is never backing in science or physical evidence of their claims.. It is a power grab, a means of ruling and enslaving the human population of the earth... We have a responsibility to the future generations of the human population to investigate what we are told to blindly beleive... religions only serve a few... for there are enough examples out there outside religion of good action to prove that doing good does not depend on practicing religion... forcing ourselves to question their hidden motives and agenda is the only path we should take...

Answer 6

grandious conspiracy theories can be comforting and even strangley empowering; the believer feels they have 'outwitted' the powers that be, and allow themselves to feel smug that they are part of an elite group that has exclusive knowledge about the topic at hand. ready-made excuses to explain inconsistencies, or to make the 'conspiracy' that much more sinister by portraying some portions as 'coerced' add to the sense of 'moral' indignation as well.

science is not in conflict with religion, but the scientific process of inquiry and re-inquiry based on evidence is in conflict with those who are interested in imposing doctrines and dogmas.

If any divine entities exist and participated in the formation of the universe as we know it, then it/they deliberately did not sign their work, and left it as a puzzle, with clues for us to figure out.

Answer 7

I think you are correct. I am not a Christian, but most of my family are and they are able to accept scientific fact and still retain their faith. I honestly believe that it is a lack of science education that fuels these debates. If people really understood evolution (which they clearly do not as evidenced by the constant assertions that there would not be monkeys if we came from monkeys) they would not argue with it.

Answer 8

I think that when Christians insist on the literal Genesis creation story, even in the face of OVERWHELMING evidence that it couldn't have happened that way, they open the door for nonbelievers to doubt everything else that they say, as well.

Evolution has the most evidence going for it--and Genesis was not written by scientists, but to be a beautiful story of a Creator who cared for his creation.

Isn't all truth God's truth?

Answer 9

Creation in the Bible was written before Scientist interpetation. What is curious factor in my opinion is what the Bible says is the first animal created. Then look at what scientist says was created first in the since of animal life.

Who do you want to believe now. Science or God? God is my choice for He told us before science.

Answer 10

Amen! It is refreshing to see a believer who thinks for himself.