What do YOU think about Christianity?

[Areida]

Christianity is the moral standard by which I conduct my life. It is the thing that I can use to put myself back on track when I feel like I'm wandering or lost or directionless or listless. God gives me my strength when I'm tired, patience when I'm angry, and those little things I need to see or hear to set me straight when I'm having a bad attitude or fed up with the world.

I've had my doubts before, and still doubt from time to time. I think everyone does. But the beautiful thing about it is I don't have to wonder if there's anyone looking out for me, because I know.

There are moments in life when I just know that God exists, that there's a big plan, that there's something bigger than me or you and it loves me unconditionally. It's the moments when I watch my sisters succeed in something that I didn't think they could do, that instant in church when the music swells, the solution to a difficult math problem, that split second on Christmas morning when I swear I can feel love in a tangible form. I see the order in Creation, the love, the hope that never dies, the promise of fulfillment, and in those moments, I don't wonder - I know.

That answer your question, Brad?

[Crysi]

Amen to that, sister.

[Sureal]

admin said:

Surreal - Just by telling me that I cannot force my beliefs on others, you are forcing your beliefs on me.

So, by stopping you from forcing your beliefs onto people you don't know, I am some-how forcing my beliefs onto you? I don't really see how that works - by stopping people from forcing their beliefs onto anyone else, everyone (that includes Christians and you) can believe what they like and worship how they like.

And Evolution is a theory. Nothing more.

Actually that's a common misconception . 'Evolution theory' is the name for the theory that we use to explain why evolution is happening (ie. so 'evolution theory' tells us about natural selection, sexual selection, mutations, speciation etc). Evolution itself - that biological life has and is changing - is not a theory and largely considered to be a scientific fact by a number of scientists (it should be noted here that scientists will only consider something a fact if it has a phenominal amount of evidence in its favour).

Evolution is 'just a theory' in the same way that gravity is 'just a theory' .

Just as there are Christians who believe in evolution, there are non-religous scientists who believe in creationism.

You can't believe that God made the world when you don't believe in God .

I believe (if I remember correctly) that around 5% of scientists deny evolution - however, not only are these scientists not actually biologists (usually they're mathmeticians, chemists, technicians etc) and so don't really understand evolution, but deny it on a purely religious ground (as oposed to on the grounds of evidence).

[KayJuran]

I'm a christian, but I still believe in evolution. Just based on the pure evidence. I don't think that evolution being true would take anything away from God and the creation story. I think that the seven days could easily be equal to millions of years, and in these millions of years, animals and humans can evolve.

[Snoink]

kayjuran said:

I'm a christian, but I still believe in evolution. Just based on the pure evidence. I don't think that evolution being true would take anything away from God and the creation story. I think that the seven days could easily be equal to millions of years, and in these millions of years, animals and humans can evolve.

It's like this: with God, anything is possible. So how can evolution discredit God?

[Stevie]

When you say Evolution, are you connecting it to Darwin's Theory? If so then I have several questions.

sureal said:

admin said:

Surreal - Just by telling me that I cannot force my beliefs on others, you are forcing your beliefs on me.

So, by stopping you from forcing your beliefs onto people you don't know, I am some-how forcing my beliefs onto you? I don't really see how that works - by stopping people from forcing their beliefs onto anyone else, everyone (that includes Christians and you) can believe what they like and worship how they like.

Actually both of you are enforcing each other's beliefs on each other. The rest of what you said just doesn't make since to me, so I guess it's a lot harder for you to impose your beliefs on me.

sureal said:

And Evolution is a theory. Nothing more.

Actually that's a common misconception . 'Evolution theory' is the name for the theory that we use to explain why evolution is happening (ie. so 'evolution theory' tells us about natural selection, sexual selection, mutations, speciation etc). Evolution itself - that biological life has and is changing - is not a theory and largely considered to be a scientific fact by a number of scientists (it should be noted here that scientists will only consider something a fact if it has a phenominal amount of evidence in its favour).

Evolution is 'just a theory' in the same way that gravity is 'just a theory' .

Gravity isn't 'just a theory', there is some pretty good proof for it, I mean, I don't think pudding is keeping us on the earth.
Evolution is just a theory, because all the evidence can't be proven, there are too many gaps in between each type of "Cave-man". Then all of the "cave-men" are fake, or old men with arthritis, or -my personal favorite- made from a signal tooth! And it wasn't even human, but a tooth from a pig! I know some people are pigs, but come on, they aren't related to them!


So in all truth, truth is truth whether you like it or not. I can't help you if you believe gravity is pudding! And evolution is fact; when it's not. And I'm saying that it's fake based off of the facts, not my personal beliefs. But to be perfectly honest, I believe TV does brainwash people, I mean if you watch certain kid’s shows they actually suggest that we evolved from monkeys!
Which brings me to the ultimate question -- if we evolved from monkeys why in the world are their still monkeys?

[Fand]

Actually, Stevie, "cavemen" (as you insist on calling them) are not the principle example used in proving Darwinist evolution...

And just to bring this to attention (and again, having devoted seven months of my life to this topic, I like to think I'm reasonably educated in this sense): Darwin's theory was one of EVOLUTION, not CREATION. In layman's terms, he didn't even touch on how life began; his research dealt wholly with how life, once given its start, evolved on its own. And quite frankly, the evidence supporting that view is incontrovertible. One need only look at the Galapagos finches, Biston betularia (that's the peppered moth), Acanthostega gunnari, and the Predicta moth to see that Darwin must have been doing something right.

And if you'll humor me, Stevie, exactly which "facts" lead you to believe that evolution does not exist (and again, I ask you to remember that evolution by definition does not exclude the possibility of some sort of original divine creation, though it does cast some doubt)?

[backgroundbob]

There's no proof for gravity, only inconclusive evidence. More than that, there's plenty of evidence to support the fact that gravity works nothing like we believe. Ever heard of String Theory? Check it out. Ever heard of Kuhn? Read his books; you'll find that your view of 'science' is just one more belief and metanarrative system, just like religion.

Back to the original topic, however: I got what you were saying, Brad, and I applaud it. The whole crucifixion and death of Jesus is that sets Christianity apart; that a God should take human form and allow himself to be killed to serve his creations out of love is one of the most radical and earthshattering notions religion has ever devised. Have you ever read Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche? If not, get ahold of a copy; he says, I must admit, almost exactly what you've said, only with a negative view of it.

Well, I can't speak for the rest of the world, but I loved it as an introductory set of notes.

[Sureal]

Stevie: I'll PM you my reply as I don't wish for this to clog up this thread .

[Stevie]

Sure Sureal.
----
Here's a show that show's what I believe about evolution: www.wayofthemaster.com/evolution.shtml Click on Evolution. Please watch and tell me what you think. (Be sure you have 30 minutes to watch it)

After that I'm done talking evolution; And I want to know what you think..

[Sureal]

Oh jeez, you've been listening to Kirk Cameron? I posted his Athiest video on YWS as well as gave arguments against it (as did a couple of others). I've also read through his site (I wasn't kidding when I said I've read many Creationist websites ). I'll watch the evolution one (I haven't seen it before) and PM my reply again.

[Stevie]

Of coarse, Kirk Cameron is awesome! I'll be waiting

[KayJuran]

This Kirk Cameron guy seems a bit odd to me.. comparing The Big Bang to just everything appearing on a filming set. Not that I necessarily believe in the Big Bang, but still.. why even comment on it in a film to do with evolution?

[Sureal]

He thinks the Big Bang made the Earth and started off evolution... not to mention he doesn't understand the more basic principles of the Big Bang either... or evolution for that matter. I wonder why he's making a t.v. episode trying to disprove something he doesn't understand?

Have you watched the one on Athiesm? 'The banana is proof of God!' is now one of my catchphrases .

[writingluver5]

Ari, you are simply amazing. Just simply amazing. You get exalted for that wonderful post. Wow. Wow. Wow. You hit the nail right on the head.