Subject:
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Re: Science and beliefs (was Re: Alien races)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Thu, 5 Apr 2001 17:24:26 GMT
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Viewed:
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523 times
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Dave Low:
> Hi Ryan,
> This isn't exactly what Selçuk asked, but it's a similar sort of question.
> Most scientists think about the world in terms of falsifiable theories,
> rather than beliefs as such. So here's my question: Under what
> circumstances would you no longer accept the literal truth of the Bible?
> Supplementary questions, if you want to give them a go: Why do you choose
> a Christian faith, rather than another religion? Do you believe other
> religions are false, for reasons other than your Christian faith?
The thing is, I believe the Bible to be literal truth about the universe!
So in that case, I never will stop believing the Bible. I believe the Bible
is the word of God, written by the hands of men, under the inspiration and
direction of the Holy Spirit (who is God). God, as Creator of
everything--matter, energy, time, and space--has complete authority to make
known His ways to mankind in whatever form He chooses, and He chose this
method of inspiring men to write the Bible over a few thousand years. So
because the Creator wrote an authoritative book, I see no reason not to
believe it, especially in light of the fact that since God created
everything, the Bible perfectly fits The Way Things Are. It gives an
accurate picture of mankind and the universe, as well as an explanation as
to why they are so decrepit now; it gives a reason for the existence of
ethics and morality and why we all feel like there ought to be some thing
called "good" and "bad." It provides an excellent explanation for all the
wickedness and suffering in this world, and it also says how the world
started and how it will end. It even provides indirect explanations for
things that have been observed in science, that are interpreted to support
evolution and an old earth. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that the
Bible is God's Truth revealed to mankind.
I do believe that other religions are false, because they go against the
truth found in the Bible. Now, granted, there are sects of "Christianity"
that say they believe the Bible, but they usually have little additions to
the truth that are not true. These additions quite often change fundamental
doctrines to make them mean something different. One example of this is
adding the idea that man has to do something (e.g. good deeds) to be saved
and gain favor in the sight of God. And if, as I believe, the Bible does
contain the truth of The Way Things Are, then all the other religions whose
teachings contain false elements are in actuality, false religions.
There is an external reason I believe that other religions are false. I
have found nothing better than the biblical answers for all the
often-unanswered questions that come from our observations of and life in
the universe. It fits the facts the best, and other religions fall short.
For this reason also I believe that other religions are false.
Now the aspect of Theistic Evolution (the idea that God used evolution to
create) does not make that "variation" of the Bible's teaching a new
religion, but it has the potential to undermine principal doctrines,
specifically that of salvation. Other questions also arise, casting doubt
on all of the Bible, such as how literal are the rest of God's words, and if
God did create using evolution, why did he tell us something different (i.e.
creation)?
--Ryan
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Science and beliefs (was Re: Alien races)
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| In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Ryan Farrington writes: Other questions also arise, casting doubt (...) Which neatly sums up the corner fundamentalists paint themselves into. The Bible is the literal word of God, no interpreting (which variation of (...) (23 years ago, 5-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
| | | Re: Science and beliefs (was Re: Alien races)
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| (...) Ryan, I don't presume to question your Faith, but for a number of reasons your position on the nature of text isn't entirely supportable. If, for instance, even a single snippet of The Bible is found to be not literally true, then the literal (...) (23 years ago, 5-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
| | | Re: Science and beliefs (was Re: Alien races)
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| (...) Why? (...) The Bible also says in Proverbs that "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of man to seek it out." God gave us the faculties of reasoning, inquisitiveness, and creativity, but our arts, science, and industry has (...) (23 years ago, 5-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Science and beliefs (was Re: Alien races)
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| (...) Hi Ryan, This isn't exactly what Selçuk asked, but it's a similar sort of question. Most scientists think about the world in terms of falsifiable theories, rather than beliefs as such. So here's my question: Under what circumstances would you (...) (23 years ago, 5-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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