[orionblamblam]

>It comes down to whether or not one believes there really is a God who created everything.

Not really. One can believe in God and understand that God used natural, material forces (including evolution) to create the universe.

>"Shem, who saw Lamech, who saw Adam, saw also Jacob, who saw those who saw Moses; therefore the deluge and the creation are true. This is conclusive among certain people who understand it rightly."

"I heard from my cousin who heard from his neighbor who heard from his girlfriend who heard from her mom..."

> I think Pascal answers it wisely...

Bah. Pascal showed himself to be over-simplistic on the topic with his laughable Wager.

[newguy357]

Not really. One can believe in God and understand that God used natural, material forces (including evolution) to create the universe.

If you belive God created the universe, was that event a natural, material force?

>"Shem, who saw Lamech, who saw Adam, saw also Jacob, who saw those who saw Moses; therefore the deluge and the creation are true. This is conclusive among certain people who understand it rightly."

"I heard from my cousin who heard from his neighbor who heard from his girlfriend who heard from her mom..."

If that's what you take the quote to mean you are completely misunderstanding it.

Bah. Pascal showed himself to be over-simplistic on the topic with his laughable Wager.

Have you ever actually read his Pensees or have you only heard "the wager" (a passing thought, mentioned in a much larger body) regurgitated from high school teachers? If the latter, I recommend you take a look.