Notre Dame priest: Creationism debate unique to U.S.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle ^ | 2003-05-11 | Walt Williams

[Junior]

Despite movements across the nation to teach creationism in public schools, a science historian said Monday that Christians haven't always used a literal interpretation of the Bible to explain the world's origins.

"For them, the Bible is mostly to teach a religious lesson," said Ernan McMullin of the earliest Christian scholars.

McMullin spoke to a crowd of about 60 people at Montana State University on "Evolution as a Christian theme."

McMullin, a professor at the University of Notre Dame and a Catholic priest, is recognized one of the world's leading science historians and philosophers, according to MSU.

He has written about Galileo, Issac Newton, the concept of matter and, of course, evolution.

It's a subject has been hotly debated ever since Charles Darwin first published "On the Origins of Species" in 1859.

Christian fundamentalists have long pushed the nation's public schools to teach creationism as an alternative, which in its strictest form claims that the world was created in six days, as stated in the Bible's Old Testament Book of Genesis.

But McMullin said creationism largely is an American phenomenon. Other countries simply don't have major creationist movements, leading him to ask: "What makes it in the U.S. ... such an issue (over) evolution and Christian belief?"

The answer probably lies in the nation's history, with the settlement by religious groups, he said. Also, public education and religion are more intertwined here than other countries.

McMullin discussed how Christians have tried to explain their origins over the past 2,000 years, using several examples to show that many viewed Genesis as more of a religious lesson than an exact record of what happened.

It wasn't until the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century that Genesis started to be taken literally. Then theologians started using nature - and its many complexities - as proof of creation.

Charles Darwin spoiled that through his theory of natural selection, and the battle lines have been drawn ever since.

"It replaced an older view that had sounded like a strong argument for the existence of God," McMullin said.

[Aric2000]

Well, considering that I am not an atheist, why should I care how I make them look?

[Stultis]

What about the Hindu beliefs regarding the cyclic nature of the universe?

Or you have Aristotle who (I am given to understand) held the living things had always existed (non-creationistic) and had always belonged to the same species (non-evolutionary).

[Aric2000]

You need to play with FC too.

It's kind of like that old magic 8 ball, you never know what answer is gonna pop up!!

[f.Christian]

Self diety // worship ... brainwashing --- is a form of atheism !

[whattajoke]

Jack Chick is the best. I very much enjoyed that... and lo! there are many others to enjoy.

Who, really, does this crap appeal to (other than me to get a good laugh?)

[Aric2000]

OH, I see, now you think that I think that I am god, and that I worship myself.

How fascinating, like I said, magic 8 ball, you never know what answer is going to pop up.

[whattajoke]

Will it rain at my outdoor wedding coming up soon?

[Ten Megaton Solution]

So, then, it can be construed that you CAN question the veracity of the bible and still be a Christian.

Hmm...so Jesus really didn't rise from the dead. Okay, then. How can you be a Christian if you don't take the alleged Resurrection as a literal fact?

If there is one single word of falsity in the Bible, every single word in that book is suddenly subject to question and suspicion.

What you don't believe Lazarus was risen? You don't believe that a herd of pigs was run off a cliff by Jesus? That Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season? That Jesus didn't create enough bread from one loaf to feed "the multitude"?

Which myths are you going to admit are myths, and once you pick one, answer these:

Why are you dissing that one?
What makes it special?
What makes those you accept different?

And finally, you will arrive at the heart of the matter: If Mary wasn't a virgin, what are the alternatives, and what does it say about Jesus?

If Jesus didn't come back from the dead, was he dead, or is the whole Resurrection tale a lie?

This is the door that is opened when one single word of the Bible is doubted. Have fun.

As a matter of Record: The Bible asserts that a global miles deep flood occured within the last 10,000 years or so. No evidence that such a flood ever occurred during the entire history of the planet exists. The Flood tale, one of the very first and most memorable stories in the entire Bible, is false. So much for Biblical Inerrancy.

[f.Christian]

Your giving the game away with so much vanity ... narcissism --- self love (( God hating )) !

[Aric2000]

LOL, that was too good.

Congratulations by the way, and did you get my mail?

And I have no clue if it's gonna rain or not, but I'm sure FC can come up with a witty response.

[Junior]

Placemarker.

[whattajoke]

will my soon-to-be wife accept my "self love?"

[f.Christian]

If you are under 20 yrs old I could easily forgive -- understand you (( lotza no rain forecasted for you )) !

[f.Christian]

Generally sociopaths are stupid -- inconsiderate --- good luck !

[whattajoke]

yes, I did thanks. Sorry I didn't respond... We've visited out there 3 times now and like what we found. We won't be moving for a year or so, but I like to have all bases covered early. (derned conservative trait).

And since future sister in law lives near you, perhaps I'll take you up on teh "grand freeper tour" offer some day.

thanks.

[whattajoke]

I am 30. Please clarify "lotza no rain forecast for [me]"

darn Magic f.ball seems to be a bit contradictory.

[MEGoody]

"a science historian said Monday that Christians haven't always used a literal interpretation of the Bible to explain the world's origins."

Baloney. Christians, until fairly recently, pretty much took the creation account literally.

[jwalsh07]

I like you, you got attitude, in spades!!

Satlin and Mao had attitude as well. In fact, very similiar to your idol.

[f.Christian]

Marriage (( sailing )) is selfless (( cooperation )) ... w/o God no blessings (( wind // calm waters )) --- lotza storms -- tantrums !

[Aric2000]

Here we go, because I think he has attitude and is not afraid to offend people, that he must be my idol, and of course he must be compared to others that were murdering fools and atheists.

Just because he does not believe in the bible or a church, does not mean that he is an atheist, maybe he is, maybe he isn't.

I dislike churches and organized religions for the very same reasons, I just don't state it as well as he does.