Feedback Worth Posting #2

(Read Feedback Worth Posting, and the comments, first before reading this)

See the comments section on the first post for the full comment by Concerned Father. I will be posting pieces of his comments and commenting on those snippets. -------------------------------------------------

All religions believe in supernatural beings or causes, but atheists refuse supernatural explanations, mostly because “extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof…(Sagan)”. Thus atheism cannot be a religion. To use a cliché, if atheism is a religion, then “not collecting stamp” is a hobby.

One of the definitions of supernatural (though probably not the main definition you were going for) is "Something that cannot be given an ordinary explanation". To give you an idea of what I was saying let me quote from an AnswersInGenesis article:

Let me explain. When most people hear the word “science,” they think of computers, jet planes, modern medicine, cars, electricity, cell phones and so on—our modern technology. The technology we are blessed to use today is a result of man gaining knowledge about the physical world (e.g., the properties of metals, and how they can be used to develop machines, etc.). This is knowledge that is based on what we can observe and repeatedly test in the present—a process commonly referred to as “operational science” or “observational science.”

Now, when it comes to the issue of origins (the topic of the Evolving Planet exhibit), this is very different from the observational science that has helped produce our technology. “Origins science” involves beliefs about the past that cannot directly be tested—beliefs about how the universe and life arose when there were no human witnesses.

Most visitors who go through evolutionary exhibits like Evolving Planet don’t realize that they are being subject to “storytelling” about the past. It’s a story (evolution) that is based on the belief that everything can be explained on the basis of natural processes. It’s a religion of naturalism or atheism, even though a deity or “holy book” is not mentioned in this exhibit. A gullible public is being indoctrinated in an intense atheistic “storytelling” to lead them to think about life the way the scientists who constructed the exhibit want them to think.

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But there is nothing wrong with not knowing all of the answer. Sometimes, “I don’t know” is the only honest answer and all others

Christians do not have all the answers either. Only God does. The Bible, though, is God's Word which means that many of the answers the world is looking for can be found inside it's cover.

Job 38:1-7 (New International Version)
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:

2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-

7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Do you how the universe was created? I don't. I believe God did it in 7 days and can point you to evidence that the world is only around 6,000 years old but I can't slap down a thesis with the proof inside.

Most scientist talk of the big bang and macro evolution but neither one can be observed. It takes faith by those who claim these as truth to believe in them. *********

To quote Sagan again, “it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring”. Of course, this requires courage: the intellectual courage to admit one’s ignorance, and the courage to live without answers, and without certainties. But I would go as far as to say that this ability to answer the Sisyphean challenge of living in an absurd world is man’s most remarkable trait. And you know what? Since we as a species have started to refuse dogma - to refuse to believe that the earth is at the center of the universe, or that the sun was carried by Râ on his chariot - since then, we’ve also started to find SOME answers. Not all of course. But we know a lot more now than we did, and in my view our humble attempts at analyzing this universe with our simple tools constitute our noblest quest.

To this I would ask which part of the universe are you talking about when you say to grasp it as "it really is"? Are we talking physics, like gravity? I can most likely agree with you. Are we talking politics and how not one form of government is perfect? Most people could agree with you. Are we talking evolution? I can agree that micro evolution takes place but that there is no proof for macro evolution. Are we talking the big bang? There currently is no proof of that and most scientists are now veering away from that theory. Or are we just talking about the existence or non-existence of God? Once again, we may have to agree to disagree. *********The section on the verses I must say is not unexpected. As my brother was pointing out to me when he read these postings most verses like these are taken out of context. I would be fine teaching my children these things as long as the context behind them was clear.

The first verse (Deuteronomy 13:6) deals with historical laws that were put in place to be sure the people of God would not stray from the truth in a time before our Savior came. Once he came the heart of the verse (and verses like it) did not change but rather the way it was presented.

1 Timothy 5:20-21 (Amplified Bible) 20As for those who are guilty and persist in sin, rebuke and admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear.

21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels that you guard and keep [these rules] without personal prejudice or favor, doing nothing from partiality.

The second verse (Matthew 10:34) is also out of context. Jesus was not saying "Go and spread war! Make sure you leave no family whole!" But rather he was saying that even though he would want that all families stay together and that love would abound he knew that his message by its very nature would bring division. Just as the American Civil War brought division over the the idea of freedom for all people so too does the message of Christ (unfortunately) bring division over the idea of freedom from sin for all people.

The third verse is one of the most used verses out of context. As my brother put it "Spare the rod, spoil the child. It's not saying beat them so they understand but to discipline them. Discipline has a root word of disciple. Raise them to follow your beliefs and teachings."
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Again, I think that the world is in a pretty bad shape right now. We need actions (not prayers) tolerance (not clans), and people with the courage to see the world as it is (no more illusions). I encourage you to review you beliefs, and if not to abandon them at least to put them on the backburner, as a political gesture to make this world a better place for our children.

You are correct that the world is in pretty bad shape. I agree that we need action and you'll find that if you are looking to bring morallity back to our world the Bible holds the key. As I believe in a God who loves us and cares what happens to each and every one of us I also believe that you and I both need to be in conversation (prayer) with God on a regular basis. I, too, believe in tolerance but I feel it should swing both ways. Usually those who harp on tolerance are the same ones who are intolerant to those with different views than themselves. I also agree that we need to get rid of illusions but rather to see that there is design in this world; there was planning that went into it and a God who loves us enough to stay with us through the bad times. He's willing to help but he wants us to cry out to him. He wants us to come back to the one who created us. If we do this our nation will be healed and we will see change like never before. I speak out so that my children can have a better tomorrow.

Its been great having this discussion with you. I'm so glad that you are actually concerned by what your children learn and when. Many fathers these days are not caring for their children they way they should. I don't know how much of what I have said has made any impression but I pray that you will seek God and find him. That you and your family may be blessed beyond imagination!

Until then I bless you and hope you will read more of my blog and comment again sometime on a future post.

Chris