Posted on 08/31/2006 7:42:01 PM PDT by PatrickHenry
More adults in the United States believe the theory of evolution is correct, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 51 per cent of respondents think that humans and other living things evolved over time, while 42 per cent say they existed in their present form since the beginning of time.
Charles Darwin’s "The Origin of Species" was first published in 1859. The book details the British naturalist’s theory that all organisms gradually evolve through the process of natural selection. Darwin’s views were antagonistic to creationism, the belief that a more powerful being or a deity created life.
In the United States, the debate on the topic accelerated after the 1925 Scopes trial, which tested a law that banned the teaching of evolution in Tennessee public schools. In 2004, Georgia’s Cobb County was at the centre of a controversy on whether science textbooks that explain evolutionary theory should include disclaimer stickers.
The theory of intelligent design suggests certain biological mechanisms are too complex to have developed without the involvement of a powerful force or intelligent being.
Last month, Austrian cardinal Christoph Schoenborn said the two views are not necessarily incompatible, declaring, "There is no conflict between science and religion, but a debate between a materialist interpretation of the results of science and a metaphysical philosophical interpretation. (...) The possibility that the Creator used evolution as a tool is completely acceptable for the Catholic faith."
Polling Data
Some people think that humans and other living things evolved over time. Others think that humans and other living things existed in their present form since the beginning of time. Which of these comes closest to your view?
|
|
||
|
Jul. 2006 |
Jul. 2005 |
|
|
Evolved over time |
51% |
48% |
|
Existed in their present form |
42% |
42% |
|
Don’t know / Refused |
7% |
10% |
Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,003 American adults, conducted from Jul. 6 to Jul. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
"While Newton may have been agnostic on the Trinity he was not agnostic as to the Word. He was a fervent believer in the God of Abraham."
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jwalsh07, I meant to ping you to this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1693540/posts?page=440#440
I have no doubt that Newton fervently believed in the God of Abraham, "defining" Him as "the Lord of Life with His creatures." No matter how one slices it, that is a Judeo-Christian, not a (say) Buddhist or pantheist or deist notion....
Thank you so much for your kind reply.
Wonderful post, MHGinTN! (I was just thinking how very far from the main topic this sidebar has gotten. I hope PH doesn't mind too much.)
Clearly the "despising" of God and His Grace seems to be achieving a critical mass in "fashionable" (e.g., "politically correct") modern society. Pretty soon, maybe we'll be able to ask Dr. Phil's question of the despisers: "So, how's that working out for you?"
LOLOL! Thank you ever so much for writing, MHGinTN!
I was once given the analopgy of water for the trinity; God in three persons just as water may take any of three states: water vapor, liquid, or ice. The theme of threes appears to be a deeply rooted one with this universe and from that I conclude the analogy is apropos. That's one reason why I use the notion of dimensions having three variable expressions (as in space expresses linear, planar, volumetric; time expresses past, present, future; life force expresses will, emotion, and mind; haven't the depth of seeing to discern the three expressions of spirit dimension, though)
I've seen it too, once that I recall, but please see post 427.
No problem.
S'okay, MHGinTN! Just assume an analogical relationship exists between the examples you cite and the nature of the divine trinity.... Analogy is the best you can hope for anyway, since we do not "see" things (i.e., via sense perception) that are not "in" linear time.... The soul, however, can do a lot of seeing for you, by the light of the holy spirit, if you let it. But that sort of seeing is not "in" linear time, but already "in" timelessness, or eternity.... Or so I gather.
It has been said that man lives at the "intersection of time and timelessness." Truly I believe that: the very figure (or symbol) of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified strongly suggests that notion to my mind.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Funny you should mention that analogy, MHGinTN, I was given the same explanation by a Presbyterian pastor when I was a youngster. Maybe it's my lack of sophistication, but I fail to grasp the great difficulty of the concept of the three-in-one trinity. Keeping in mind boop's suggestion to KISS, and applying modern terminology to the concept, just look upon the trinity as a divine instance of multi-tasking.
If that is so, then I wouldn't be one of them. :^)
YHAOS' point about "God resting" on the seventh day is perhaps what is needed in order for evolution to take place in the first place, not to mention to leave a role for his creature, man, made in his image, who God endued with reason and free will....
IMHO, free will is not an illusion. But for human will to be truly free, God must "step aside" in some fashion. Otherwise, we are left with a strict determinism that leaves no place for free will nor, for that matter, for human creativity....
May God bless you both, MHGinTN and YHAOS, for your marvelous insights.
Amazing. The Bible predicts this is the exact attitude unbelievers would have in the end times.
That they would mock what God and His prophets say about the end times with statements like " everything has remained the same since our fathers...where is the promise of His coming"
And then it says that day will come as a theif in the night, and these people would be totally unprepared.
You can gamble your eternal destiny on such doubts, but the fact is if you're wrong, and Bible is telling the truth, you are in for the shock of your life.
Dear Patrick, your seemingly unfailing graciousness and courtesy is deeply appreciated, as ever.
"Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day.
TEACH a man to fish, and he spends each weekend lying around on a boat drinking beer."
Well, it does me too, but then again, it doesn't. I don't know of anywhere that a serious attempt has been made to actually teach ID. But, it takes much less that that to stir the fires of controversy. There are many jealous gods out there. Only one is worthy.
"free will is not an illusion"
Unless we were all invaded by the 'body snatchers,' without a will to do it, there is no choosing the Lord, there is no sin, there is nothing more meaningful than being . . . body snatched.
Let's make a deal. I don't speculate about the nature of the Hell to which you will be consigned; you don't worry about my awful fate because I chose the wrong holy book; and we leave the other to deal with his own personal flame-outs, each the best way we can, and knowing we both face the same peril. { 8^)
As Geoff Moore wrote:
I believe in evolution
The changing of the heart
Renewing of the mind
It's the only real solution
God's always workin'
Changin' lives
PlatoDidit placemark
I always delight in reading your comments, dear betty boop, and thank you for drawing my attention to such subjects and discussions.
I believe free will is clearly demonstrated everywhere we look. I agree that free will exists underneath the everlasting arms, the overarching and supreme purposes of the One Who Created those who have it. He has a Way of working all things together for good (Rom. 8:28).
PS - how refreshing to be able to say such things outside of the smokey back room (:
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