Give us your thoughts about evolution; and how science and scripture need not be

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   HubCrafterposted 14 years ago

   Give us your thoughts about evolution; and how science and scripture need not be at odds.
   
   As the sciences of genetics, geology, physics, astronomy, biology, oceanography, etc. have all found similar data for an old earth and universe...have you come to terms with the gulf between modern scientific views and many who oppose these ideas from the pulpit?
   Personally, I have. But I'm interested in hearing how you have or have not reconciled these differing points of view.

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   Daniel J. Neumannposted 14 years ago

   Well, I think South Park said it best, "Couldn't evolution be the means, and not the ends, to creation?" After all, God made the laws of physics. God is outside of time. God is all-knowing. I think God is consistent, patient, and smart enough to figure out Evolution.

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   eilander1542011posted 14 years ago

   I agree with Daniel J. Neumann, South Park did say it very well. In addition, we are constantly observing new discoveries that do not always lend their Truths willingly to the Big Bang as we think we know it. So again it is quite possible that we are wrong, or perhaps only understand part of the Truth. Remember at one point the Earth was believed to be the center of the universe. Things change, especially a society's knowledge of the ways of existence.
   I feel that yes the scriptures explain more of the why rather than the how of life, which makes sense, because which is more important to a culture? Personally I would rather understand why I am as I am than how I got to be there. Basic historical and scientific studies will in time answer the latter for me, but the former may not ever be fully answered to us via physical means. Hence the reasoning behind the why of the scriptures. But the key point to remember is that God is evolution, God is science, God is each of us, God is the Earth, the Universe and so on. God is everything, so to believe that evolution is lacking in God is to not believe in God at all.

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   vrbmftposted 13 years ago

   By creating this conflict between Scripture and Science, and yes, we create the conflict, we only reveal how narcissistic we are, whether we are addicted to religiosity or to science.
   
   We put God in a box by insisting on this conflict and cannot therefore appreciate how much God continues to expand and grow.  Perhaps that is our ultimate destiny, to grow and expand, and perhaps God does it best of all and that is why everything God creates also expands and grows, changes, evolves.
   
   Redemption and salvation, for crying out loud, for Christ's sake, is a story of change and evolution.
   
   We, as so called believers, do ourselves and our Creator a huge disservice by getting embroiled in this nutty conflict.
   
   As scientists, we only reveal our own narrow mindedness by insisting that there is no concrete evidence of the existence of God, like there is no touchable evidence of a great deal in science, like electricity or air or gravity.  Yes, you can experience these phenomenon, but can't see them.  That is why so many "dogmas" of science are called theories and require faith or belief.  Most of the scientific world is quite mysterious.
   
   I think anyone who engages in this conflict as if there view is right, misses the point of being alive.  I just assume there is a reality to all of this that is even bigger than the theory of evolution or the book of Genesis.
   
   By the way, the Book of Genesis consists of three traditions, one of which believed that the God who created this world was one of the lesser Gods, so for heaven's sake, don't get too caught up in believing every word of Scripture.  Have enough God given sense to grasp the full meaning of divine inspiration.

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   AKA Winstonposted 13 years ago

   I found the ultimate simple solution - I gave up believing in any god or gods.  What a relief.  Suddenly, there was no more confusion, no more contradiction to explain, and no ill contentment.
   
   I could suddenly understand why there is conflict between the bible and evolution - the bible is legend.
   
   I could suddenly understand why bad things happen to good people - because bad things happen to everyone in the same proportion, regardless.  Good and bad get cancer at the same rates, have spontaneous remission occur at the same rate, and die at the same rate.  There is no supernatural scorekeeper, and that's why eveyone is treated equally.
   
   Theism is the cause of malcontent, strange as that may seem

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