Posted on 11/07/2005 12:05:04 PM PST by Mikey_1962
Well, I tend to disagree with you on that one.
In a picky point; the story lives on through Christianity (which preaches a transition) and in a manner through Islam (which just flat says the Old and New Testaments are hosed).
Christianity has 2.1bil adherents. Of that, 1.1 are Catholic Christians, a majority. Catholicism is the world's largest denomination, not just the largest Christian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_world_religions
"People were created in God's image, not the other way around.
How'd you become an Atheist after being a Christian, by the way?
"
Well, I see it the other way around, but there it is. As for your question, it's a long, involved story. It's not one that really fits here, but it involves much study, questioning of religious teachers, and reading of literally a few thousand books. It's an ongoing process.
At some point, it became clear to me that mankind needs religion to verify its various cultures. Each culture comes up with one, to answer the really hard questions, like:
1. What the heck is this place and how did it get here?
2. How did I get here, and what's the point?
3. What about all these other people, never mind the animals and plants?
4. I keep seeing people getting old and dying. That's scary. What happens when I die?
That sort of thing. Each religion answers those, and other, questions. Each religion's answers suit the culture of the religion.
So...which one's right? Is any one right?
That last question is the one that brought me to atheism.
Thanks for asking.
Don't have time to read it all, but interesting thread and beginning posts.
I wonder how many posts it will before someone starts commenting on the matter of Catholicism and Bible reading being mutually exclusive.
In Genesis, the Sun does not appear until Day Four, solar days are measured relative to the Sun. Genesis is 31 sentences, it not meant to be a detailed history or a scientific exposition on how God's plan works. Maimonides, I think, once said that if our interpretation of the Bible conflicts with good science then we need to take another look at our interpretation. I think he was a pretty smart guy.
Firstly, there appear to be quite a few catholics that don't take all of the vatican's teachings as authoritative (the use of birth control being one example) Secondly, the statistics that were posted reflected that the catholic church represented less than half of professing Christians. So, wrong on both accounts.
"At least you are consistent in your atheism. What I don't get are those who try to reconcile two obviously contrary things. You disbelieve all the miracles of the Bible. So you're consistent."
He's out of his mind, frankly. He's trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. There is no way that you can equate Genesis with the utterly ridiculous idea of evolution. Anyone who tries to is merely inserting their fingers in their ears and pretending that they can't hear.
Whatever - but don't mistake the attempt to grasp an existential impossibility for a discovery that there isn't a God of the bible.
"Simplicity (borrowing from the Old Testament) plus a lot of explicit hate hate hate. The Mooses seem unable to grok the Christian idea of agape, it's like been short circuited."
That's true. However anger and violence are also part of human culture. Islam works for those who believe it. Judaism also works, as does Christianity. All are capable of almost anything, from altruism to violent conflict. History records it all.
Do those that believe in a literal six days of creation believe that God needed to rest every evening from his labor of creation or did he have better things to do? If he's God why did he create the heavens and earth over a period of time. Why not just speak the word and poof there are Adam and Eve enjoying their apple. To me its easier to believe that God created the universe through an evolutionary process than it is to believe that God toiled for six literal days when if He is God, all he had to do speak it and it was so. Those that trash evolution seem to be putting restrictions on God. It's like they are saying if God has to use or chooses to use a process like Evolution to create the universe and Man, then why is He so special? Isnt that kind of thinking why Man fell in the first place?
What a crock. Were there multiple creations? (Google: "From the goo to the zoo to you")
Maybe. It appears the Word could support that.
However, only one creatio was MADE IN HIS IMAGE.
Not 'evolved' in His image.
I keep seeing people getting old and dying. That's scary. What happens when I die?
So death for you is a scary unknown? How does one arrive at Athiesm from this question? (Just curious)
Oh, we will probably never agree so there is no point in arguing. I just wonder how you deal with all the other miracles in the Bible. Square science with the parting of the Red Sea, the virgin birth, the resurrection, etc. Why is creation the place you draw the line on believing in God's power to work miracles. Being miracle number one, on what basis can we rely on ANY of the rest of it?
"Whatever - but don't mistake the attempt to grasp an existential impossibility for a discovery that there isn't a God of the bible."
Well, certainly not. Those are mere discussions within the confines of a particular religion. You should try a discussion with a Hindu teacher about the intricacies of reincarnation. Now that one gets complex, to say the least.
Predestination is a breeze. Transubstantiation is a mere amusement. Reincarnation is way complex.
It's been posited that Day 1 begins on a cloud shaded earth, from which light and darkness could be seen, but the view of heavenly bodies had to wait.
???? I'm not sure what you are talking about specifically. But I'll just take your word for it.
Are you serious?
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