Top 10 Reasons to Accept Evolution and other Godless Scientific Findings

[Old Mike]

I found this on the Internet. seems sensible to me.



Top 10 Reasons to Accept Evolution and other Godless Scientific Findings           
 
1.        It allows for a more powerful and smarter God.  On the one hand you have a God who individually and lovingly crafts every portion of the creation, including each plant and animal species and man.  This is indeed impressive and it does appeal to me because it makes me a special creation of God.  But how much more impressive is the God who could automate the whole process, creating a self-sustaining universe, a universe that developed over a period of nearly 14 billion years, a universe that is filled with an unimaginable diversity of life.  Inanimate life that includes galaxies and stars as well the plant and animal life on this planet.  How much more worthy of honour is that God?

2.        God is not deceitful.  If the universe was created in a complete state 6-10 thousand years ago, how can the appearance of age be accounted for?  Did God plant it to make the earth and universe look old?  To me, this smacks of deceit.  Especially evidence that would seem to be designed to throw people off the trail.  If God is planting evidence, how could we ever really know and understand his creation?

3.        Allows the Bible to be what it is intended to be.  In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul said that the purpose of the scriptures is to train me in righteousness, helping me to grow in maturity as a believer.  Nowhere does the Bible imply that it is a book of science.  It does indeed tell us that God created the universe and does give a brief outline.  But it does not tell us how it happened.  The purpose of the Bible is to help me to know God better and to better serve him, not to give me details on how the earth functions (see #4 below).

4.        Allows science to do what it does best.  Science is about discovering and understanding the natural world.  Science is not anti-God nor is it pro-God.  It should not be expected to confirm or deny anything that is supernatural.  Science helps me to understand this universe that God has created.

5.        The scientific evidence demands it.  The overwhelming evidence across physics, cosmology, chemistry and biology is that the universe is very old, that the earth is very old and that life on the earth is highly related.  The only science that supports a young earth or a special creation of man is done by people who are operating from a need to use science to prove a specific theological point.   

6.        Allows me to avoid convoluted explanations about the physical evidence.  I don’t have to distort the findings of geology to support a young earth.  I don’t have to hold to untenable positions while explaining the similarities in different species today.  I don’t have to avoid mainstream scientific explanations for how things work.  I do not have to reject the finding of science because I find them disagreeable.

7.        It provides a rationale explanation for earthquakes and cancer.  If God has created a self sustaining universe, proving all of the necessary raw materials and tools (natural laws and process) to allow it to develop and function.  And if this planet then developed enough for life to form and evolve on it.  And if God allowed that to occur in a hands off fashion.  Then how can we blame him for earthquakes and hurricanes and other natural disasters.  They are just a part of the way the world had developed.  The same is true for all of the diseases and other physical ailments that afflict us.  We have evolved into a highly developed although not necessarily optimized form.  And at the same time we have been involved in an arms race with a bunch of other little critters that prey on us.  Some folks might be upset that God does not stop some of these things from occurring.  But that is different than blaming him for them.

8.        Allows Christians to engage their society without getting hung up on unimportant and irrelevant things.  As a Christian I am called to make a difference in people’s lives.  But that is very hard to do if I am instead fighting over stupid things that don’t really matter.  I end up being irrelevant.


9.        I find it amusing to periodically be called an atheist.   

10.        I don’t have to argue with our resident scientists about DNA.   

[krazy]

it still works from the premise that there is a God - a view for which there is no evidence and as such requires faith.

So who is this guy to say his faith is any better than anyone else's?

Once you cross the line into faith - every view is equally valid (or invalid in my view because I don't think people should be crossing that line) whether it is "the earth was created in 7 days 6000 odd years ago" or "there is a God" or "Homosexuals will go to hell unless they repent"

[Old Mike]

The mere fact that we are here is compelling evidence that there is a Creator.

If you, Krazy, or anyone else, can show me a working perpetual motion machine, generating power from nothing, I will then become an atheist.

[krazy]

I am assuming you mean the univese?

I don't think that is compelling evidence at all.

This to me is one of the major problems with faith - when we don't yet (may never) have the answer - we attribute it to God.

[according2me]

Why would evolution be Godless? I believe in both without the benefit of schizophrenia.

[JRG]

Show me God exist and I will become a believer.

[according2me]

Show me God exist and I will become a believer.

Gee, never heard that one.  Show me God doesn't exist and then I become a disbeliever.

[krazy]

show me there aren't multiple universes and I will become a unbeliever. your arguement can be used for anything and has no validity.

show me that there are not multpile God's please.

[according2me]

I doesn't matter.  Multiple Gods, one God, whatever.  It's personal belief, it doesn't have to be explained.  I just don't understand why people feel they must choose between God and Evolution.  I certainly don't.

[Old Mike]

If you read the first post,you will see that the majority of Christians accept that the theory of evolution is as "true" as just about any scientific theory can be, and adequately explains the life on earth and our existence as humans.
There is no conflict between Christianity and evolution.

The only definition of God that has any meaning is that He is the Prime Cause of all things.
He may have created other gods. If one rejects God as the creator one must logically find an alternative reason why the universe exists.
Simply saying we do not like the idea of a God solves nothing. That is all Dawkins says in his book. He presents no logical alternative.

[krazy]

personal beliefs don't need to be explained!!!!

that is the entire problem.

- so osama bin laden is entitled to his personal beliefs?
- bombers of abortion clinics are entitled to theirs?
- do the polygymists and their pregant 13 year old wifes in the US at the moment need to explain?

There are a million examples.

Personal beliefs do need to be explained, analysed, critcised the works - it is the biggest cop out of all time. "...its my personal belief..." so don't question it.

[Old Mike]

Personal beliefs do not have to be explained.
Pray to the spagetti monster if you like. BUT as soon as you try to spread your belief if has to have a rational basis, or people will think you are nuts.

[Addadude]

If you can find a copy of the excellent "The Science of God" by Gerald Schroeder, it is well worth a read in regards to this. Working with the Talmud, this orthodox Jew and physicist ably demonstrates that there is no real conflict between the Bible's outline of creation and our modern scientific understanding. He even explains the whole business about God creating the heavens and the earth in 6 days (while resting on the 7th) in terms of Einstein's Theory of Realitivity  - in terms which i almost understood...

While most western Christians have no problems accepting evolution as God's mechanism of creation, I think where the real conflict arises between those who believe He got the whole thing started and then left it to its own devices and those who believe that He intervenes regularly according to His whims and, if it suits His purpose, the prayers of His people.

To ask to be "shown a working perpetual motion machine, generating power from nothing, I will then become an atheist," is an unfair challenge because surely the concept of "a perpetual motion machine, generating power from nothing" is also an accurate description of God Himself, no?

[Kaypo]

I believe in God because I can't explain why I am here unless I'm created by Him. 

[krazy]

I'll try to find the book, it sounds interesting.

OM - As soon as you write it down and distribute it your are spreading your personal beliefs. Therefore all religion needs to have a rational basis - and it doesn't.

OM - do you believe in alien life forms?