Posted on 06/27/2006 3:41:53 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
When the New York State Assembly's legislative session ended on June 23, 2006, Assembly Bill 8036 died in committee. If enacted, the bill would have required that "all pupils in grades kindergarten through twelve in all public schools in the state ... receive instruction in all aspects of the controversy surrounding evolution and the origins of man." A later provision specified that such instruction would include information about "intelligent design and information effectively challenging the theory of evolution."
The bill was never expected to succeed; its sponsor, Assemblyman Daniel L. Hooker (R-District 127), was reported as explaining that his intention was more to spark discussion than to pass the bill, and as acknowledging that the bill was "religion-based." Moreover, Hooker is not planning on seeking a third term in the Assembly due to his military commitments: he is expected to be on active duty with the Marine Corps until at least early 2007.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'll consider them and give them what I believe is an appropriate response.
see post 253.
Think about this while you are thinking about that. Which God is more amazing and powerful, and awesome and all that. Option 1:
A God that was explained by early man (who by the way had no clue how to explain this message) who just zapped everything into present state and sat back and answered prayers for his favorites.
Option 2: A God that was so incredibly advanced that he created basically a "perpetual life engine" that heals itself, replicates itself, adapts itself, learns, advances, develops carnal knowledge, becomes a Democrat (hey, no body said it was a perfect system), recovers and advances to a higher form of life by becoming a Republican, etc. Basically "God" had created an evolutionary machine that takes care of its own needs.
The thing is, I don't really believe evolutionary scientists CARE that God "Poofed" it. Fine. The details of the whole thing are just absolutely amazing. Proof after proof after proof comes up in the physical and the fossil record that says the evolutionists are dang close to dead on the money with this. And the only thing the Literal Genesists can say is, "No, I'll go to Hell if i don't believe my bible word for word." That is fine, it is a free country, BUT IMO the evolutionists make an argument for a God that is WAY more awesome, WAY more Intelligent, WAY more advanced than our feeble brains can even begin to explain. They just aren't interested in the actual creation part because at this point it is impossible to get to time 0 of the Big Bang.
And I'll tell you, it is my opinion that God isn't answering prayers directly. God created an evolutionary machine that advances, through intelligence and advancement of intelligence and is capable of answering its own prayers. There is no other way to explain why God supposedly answers piddly prayers of one self-righteous person, and lets the preacher's baby next door die slowly of some hideous disease. And the only people I have seen who are trying to "bring me to God" are worse "sinners" than any scientist I have ever known, and are in it either for the amount they get in the offering plate, or for their own judgmental egos.
In the end, I end up going with the evidence that convinces me, and I won't lean toward or against an idea merely because of its age or because most so-called authorities believe the idea.
Proof after proof after proof comes up in the physical and the fossil record that says the evolutionists are dang close to dead on the money with this.
I don't necessarily see it that way. And I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with people who are trying to "bring you to God". Thanks for weighing in!
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!
Um, yeah, I've seen post 253 -- I wrote it, so I'm wondering why you're advising me to see it...
sorry! I meant "see post 261".
"And I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with people who are trying to "bring you to God". Thanks for weighing in!"
There is nothing to be sorry for. I find much more value in life by listening to the teachings of a scientist than the teachings of a church. I do not know one scientist, one engineer, geologist, or any other person educated in science that has ever done anything that would qualify to make my skin crawl. At the same time, I have never known many religious people that didn't have some hideous skeleton hanging in their closet. If we had a professional in my company that we had any clue they were doing something immoral, we'd can their butt on the spot. But when a priest molests hundreds of children, he gets moved to another church. That is SICK.
I know the person whom I married felt much the same way: distrustful and suspicious of "religious" people. I reminded my spouse-to-be: people are imperfect, and judging God solely by his imperfect children would be a mistake. If we use man as our measure of what is right or wrong we are guaranteed to be disappointed. Of course it doesn't excuse bad behaviour on our part!
"If we use man as our measure of what is right or wrong we are guaranteed to be disappointed."
I have never seen it that way. I am careful of the company I keep, and am rarely disapointed in their actions. But they have nothing to hide and nothing to feel guilty about either.
I do find it curious when you say: "they have nothing to hide and nothing to feel guilty about..." That sounds omniscient, as if you know their every thought and/or action. An interesting statement, considering what you've expressed earlier.
Anyway, we've strayed from the topic, and I think we've come to a close of constructive communication. Feel free to respond, or not. But I think I'm done here! :)
I have enjoyed talking with you!
RD
""they have nothing to hide and nothing to feel guilty about..." That sounds omniscient, as if you know their every thought and/or action. An interesting statement, considering what you've expressed earlier."
I didn't mean to give you the idea that I would know every thought that the people I associate with would have, but I do know that the people I hang with are exceptional people to the extent that anything thought of as "hideous" just doesn't happen in their lives or their families. All families endure the so called everyday "sins". But when these people start telling these genetic nightmares that one sin is the same as the next, and that science is a pack of lies, I'm not allowing my family to go there. My teachings to my kids is, "God or no God, you will pay for the things you do to others. If you EVER do anything hideous or reprehensible to another human you will not get support from me, and you will not get support from God. Keep your butt straight." And so far, I have raised 4 kids that have a healthy respect for a God figure, and a healthy respect for others. But self-righteousness is nothing to respect in anyone. Science is science, and faith is faith. You can't mix them. Good talking to you too.
Thanks for clearing that up! :)
I am still waiting to hear from you how ID is not religiously motivated. I got the popcorn ready....
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