christianity

[Falconer02]

You are funny... agnostics are great!  Hey read apologetics logical falacies will give you a headache dude

Share a link!

[jmccaskill]

I'm not going to get deeply involved in this thread, it has all been said and done before, no one changes their views on trivial meanderings and opinions. However, I do wish to point out that no matter ones views on religion, it is very important to recognize the fact that Christianity is NOT a religion, not by any stretch of the definition of 'religion'.

Christianity stands alone, unique and without comparison to other 'faiths'. The differences are obvious and glaring, maybe so obvious that they are not noticed by most people. If one does not know the difference of 'religion' and Christianity, they need too.
 

[batmobile]

You are funny... agnostics are great!  Hey read apologetics logical falacies will give you a headache dude

Share a link!

i'm not that computer savy but i can give u a book title i study other religions as well and know of other great books and stuff

[Cuppycake]

Any and all form religion is and should be stopped.

[Cuppycake]

a lot of folks see this as a cruel God

genocide of other nations was a command only to keep the bloodline purely of the twelve tribes so that no influence of idol worshipping would infiltrate the nation of Isreal

You really don't see the contradiction here? The fact that this is easily comparable to any genocidal maniacal leader through history is proof enough that this god of yours is evil. I'm not sure how you can justify genocide for the preservation of bloodlines (murder is murder), but I'm eager to hear it.

We can not know the wisdom and mind of God and to equate it with human minds is only going to block your understanding of how Grace is the ultimate gift.

Blindly following an authority figure with the promise of an irrational goal has lead to the worst atrocities in mankind's history.

  We cannot understand the will and actions of God, that is what I was stating, that is where Faith comes in. Perhaps if ya`ll would just find a salvation teaching church and let`s vsay just go in order to cover all your bases, just in case all this about God is true. Then you can ask questions, learn, investigate if need be, then you`ll have a better understanding of what you`re commenting on. In the meantime I`ll be praying for you, that won`t interrupt any aspect of your lives negatively

Mumble mumble nonsense bible babble  ...

[batmobile]

Any and all form religion is and should be stopped.

why? i have alota friends now because i go to church

[Falconer02]

i'm not that computer savy but i can give u a book title i study other religions as well and know of other great books and stuff

Sure! I can't guarantee I'll read it (my job takes up a lot of my time), but if you give me the title I'll see if I can check it out. 

[lvstephanie]

As usual I see a lot of broad brushing of the Bible.Context is key,people.

Actually I see more broad brushing of "Christianity" itself. Not all Christian denominations are the same or believe the same things. Not all Christians believe the Bible verbatim, that you need to believe that Jesus is God to receive salvation, or even that religion and science need to be mutually exclusive.

For example, being a Catholic we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. This means that the Bible should be used as a guide for God's intent with us, but is not necessarily completely accurate or that we need to follow it word for word. After all, humans put the pen to the paper, and humans are fallible. Moreover many of the stories (esp. in the Old Testament) were originally passed thru oral tradition so, just as in a game of telephone where the original message gets distorted by the end of the chain, many of these stories were bound to have changed and evolved as it was passed from generation to generation. And who's to say that some human somewhere along the way came up with the story themselves and eventually got incorporated into a book of the Bible (esp. if the only argument is the circular argument that God dictated the Bible so it must be true).

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

I think both religion and science both try to discover the Truth. They attempt to answer all of those age-old questions: how the world formed, what our purpose in life is for, etc. And as logic and reasoning evolve, so to will these two disciplines evolve (albeit rather slowly sometimes).

[Falconer02]

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

That is an interesting way of putting it, though I must say that science has turned many people away from religious beliefs since it's obvious to see that things can occur naturally. This isn't necessarily saying people don't believe in a god/gods/metaphysical entities, but people are starting to see that beliefs in defined gods (such as the ones in greek, roman, or even the current popular ones) are bogus claims. Just because we understand the universe a lot more now isn't a reason to pin a defined deity onto the facts. Evidence is key, and there is none nor has there ever been any to support such claims.

[lvstephanie]

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

That is an interesting way of putting it, though I must say that science has turned many people away from religious beliefs since it's obvious to see that things can occur naturally. This isn't necessarily saying people don't believe in a god/gods/metaphysical entities, but people are starting to see that beliefs in defined gods (such as the ones in greek, roman, or even the current popular ones) are bogus claims. Just because we understand the universe a lot more now isn't a reason to pin a defined deity onto the facts. Evidence is key, and there is none nor has there ever been any to support such claims.

There does come a point, however, that even science fails to show absolute proof... For example, although there is a lot of evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory, since no one was there to witness the event nor is it possible to recreate it (to its full extent), it will always remain a theory. I do agree that often we humans try to anthropomorize our gods and empower the relation between humans and our deities, and in doing so limit our understanding of how a god would fit into a non-geocentric universe. And it's those assumptions and limitations that causes the religious to start becoming defensive when science starts to show evidence to the contrary of those beliefs.

I should mention that I picked up these ideas after reading a book for a college ethical science course. I couldn't quite remember the name of the book nor the author, but I think I've found him now after Googling more about what I remember of his life history: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Polkinghorne. Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne was actually a professor of theoretical physics at Cambridge that later became an Anglican priest.

[batmobile]

ok... so our world today has a twisted view of christianity...

Slave ownership, commanded genocide, the stoning of children, etc.

Surely, you speak of islam here?  Not only this, but, rape, terrorism, the slow death of animals to appease their false God, their total disregard for human life (whether you "believe" or not), their "marriage" to BABIES, *bleep*, cannibalism, inbreeding.  You're entitled to "believe" what you want to believe but these people are just plain SICK.

Have you read the Old Testament??

i know right? some people are blinded by false perceptions

[batmobile]

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

That is an interesting way of putting it, though I must say that science has turned many people away from religious beliefs since it's obvious to see that things can occur naturally. This isn't necessarily saying people don't believe in a god/gods/metaphysical entities, but people are starting to see that beliefs in defined gods (such as the ones in greek, roman, or even the current popular ones) are bogus claims. Just because we understand the universe a lot more now isn't a reason to pin a defined deity onto the facts. Evidence is key, and there is none nor has there ever been any to support such claims.

There does come a point, however, that even science fails to show absolute proof... For example, although there is a lot of evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory, since no one was there to witness the event nor is it possible to recreate it (to its full extent), it will always remain a theory. I do agree that often we humans try to anthropomorize our gods and empower the relation between humans and our deities, and in doing so limit our understanding of how a god would fit into a non-geocentric universe. And it's those assumptions and limitations that causes the religious to start becoming defensive when science starts to show evidence to the contrary of those beliefs.

I should mention that I picked up these ideas after reading a book for a college ethical science course. I couldn't quite remember the name of the book nor the author, but I think I've found him now after Googling more about what I remember of his life history: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Polkinghorne. Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne was actually a professor of theoretical physics at Cambridge that later became an Anglican priest.

look at micro and marco evolution makes more sense than something out of nothing God started it...duh

[batmobile]

As usual I see a lot of broad brushing of the Bible.Context is key,people.

Actually I see more broad brushing of "Christianity" itself. Not all Christian denominations are the same or believe the same things. Not all Christians believe the Bible verbatim, that you need to believe that Jesus is God to receive salvation, or even that religion and science need to be mutually exclusive.

For example, being a Catholic we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. This means that the Bible should be used as a guide for God's intent with us, but is not necessarily completely accurate or that we need to follow it word for word. After all, humans put the pen to the paper, and humans are fallible. Moreover many of the stories (esp. in the Old Testament) were originally passed thru oral tradition so, just as in a game of telephone where the original message gets distorted by the end of the chain, many of these stories were bound to have changed and evolved as it was passed from generation to generation. And who's to say that some human somewhere along the way came up with the story themselves and eventually got incorporated into a book of the Bible (esp. if the only argument is the circular argument that God dictated the Bible so it must be true).

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

I think both religion and science both try to discover the Truth. They attempt to answer all of those age-old questions: how the world formed, what our purpose in life is for, etc. And as logic and reasoning evolve, so to will these two disciplines evolve (albeit rather slowly sometimes).

Rare for catholics to understand the bible tho... too many boring traditions and they forget the importance of salvation and pray to other saints a contradiction of ten commandments

[batmobile]

As usual I see a lot of broad brushing of the Bible.Context is key,people.

Actually I see more broad brushing of "Christianity" itself. Not all Christian denominations are the same or believe the same things. Not all Christians believe the Bible verbatim, that you need to believe that Jesus is God to receive salvation, or even that religion and science need to be mutually exclusive.

For example, being a Catholic we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. This means that the Bible should be used as a guide for God's intent with us, but is not necessarily completely accurate or that we need to follow it word for word. After all, humans put the pen to the paper, and humans are fallible. Moreover many of the stories (esp. in the Old Testament) were originally passed thru oral tradition so, just as in a game of telephone where the original message gets distorted by the end of the chain, many of these stories were bound to have changed and evolved as it was passed from generation to generation. And who's to say that some human somewhere along the way came up with the story themselves and eventually got incorporated into a book of the Bible (esp. if the only argument is the circular argument that God dictated the Bible so it must be true).

Thus ideas like evolution, the big bang theory, etc. are perfectly acceptable for Catholics to believe in. The main idea behind the Book of Genesis is how the world was formed and what role humans play in this world. It is trying to describe why we exist. Those scientific theories describe how, but not the why. For example, science tells us that the speed of light is a constant, but not why it is so nor why the speed of light has the value that it actually has. Perhaps when God was designing the universe (even before the big bang) God set the speed of light knowing that that particular speed was necessary for the big bang to expand fast enough for galaxies to cool down enough to have planets to support life yet still not so fast that the gravitational pull of the objects in space could form galaxies and star systems to begin with. If anything, I think that many of the theories of science have strengthened some people's appreciation for God's creation. It is much more impressive to believe that God's omniscience allowed for the big bang and evolution to create humans rather than some "sky being" saying a magic word and POOF! humans come into existence.

I think both religion and science both try to discover the Truth. They attempt to answer all of those age-old questions: how the world formed, what our purpose in life is for, etc. And as logic and reasoning evolve, so to will these two disciplines evolve (albeit rather slowly sometimes).

Rare for catholics to understand the bible tho... too many boring traditions and they forget the importance of salvation and pray to other saints a contradiction of ten commandments

Buddism is interesting too...things may be connected but all the universe and forget God and reincarnation...i don't think so...and the torah is just an incomplete Holy bible for the jewish kinda cute... you are half way there buddy

[Falconer02]

There does come a point, however, that even science fails to show absolute proof... For example, although there is a lot of evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory, since no one was there to witness the event nor is it possible to recreate it (to its full extent), it will always remain a theory.

Actually there is enough evidence that the BB did happen via background microwave radiation expanding from a center point. Just because humans didn't exist when it happened does not necessarily mean we can't know it to be fact. We don't know precisely how it happened (as in we don't know what every little particle did), but we do know it happened due to the evidences that are readily available. The same could be said for dinosaur extinction, climate change, etc. etc. There is a difference from a theory and a scientific/practiced theory.

I do agree that often we humans try to anthropomorize our gods and empower the relation between humans and our deities, and in doing so limit our understanding of how a god would fit into a non-geocentric universe. And it's those assumptions and limitations that causes the religious to start becoming defensive when science starts to show evidence to the contrary of those beliefs.

Correct! When evidences show the contrary to what a religion says, their foundation can easily crumble unless they do their age-old art of reinterpreting their holy texts and attempt to make sense of the glaring flaws. This is a major reason why I scratch my head on why there are still so many creationist-like people out there.

I should mention that I picked up these ideas after reading a book for a college ethical science course. I couldn't quite remember the name of the book nor the author, but I think I've found him now after Googling more about what I remember of his life history: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Polkinghorne. Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne was actually a professor of theoretical physics at Cambridge that later became an Anglican priest.

Looks interesting! Yeah I don't want to come off as some nihilist-atheist type of person. I classify myself as an agnostic-atheist or a "Sure there could be a god or gods out there, but w/o basic proofs, you cannot state anything as truth" type of person. What type of position do you hold? You're catholic yet you speak like an agnostic-theist. I'm just curious to know.

look at micro and marco evolution makes more sense than something out of nothing God started it...duh