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I'm a zoologist by training, though I have studied other branches of science in less depth.That's interesting, Criada.
What's your field?
Are there no areas at all in which biblical teachings come into conflict with what you've learned in your study of science?
John
Secundulus said:You can have both faith and reason but you cannot reason your way into faith. You either will believe or you will not. After you believe, reason and proof will be evident. Before you believe, it will appear foolish.
Criada said:I'm a zoologist by training, though I have studied other branches of science in less depth.
Which I suppose begs the evolution question. But no - this really doesn't cause a conflict for me .
I would be happy to explain why, but I don't want to sidetrack your thread into yet another creation debate!!
But I see science as a way of understanding what God has made - and the more I learn about the details of this world, the more I am drawn to worship the One who made it in all its incredible intricacy!
That must mean that post-faith 'reason' is different from pre-faith 'reason'.
Can you explain how they differ, Secundulus?
John
name said:Reason is reason. There is only one kind. What is different is the evidence you can detect. Here we will begin to run into difficulty because you will now say that what I call evidence is nothing more than emotion. But I really can't help you more than that.
I know the creation/evolution debate can snowball rapidly, but I have just three questions.
1. Do you accept the theory that the Earth is billions of years old?
2. Do you accept that Darwinian evolution takes place?
3. Do you accept that the bible denies both of the above?
John
Fair enough, Secundulus.
It is confusing, though, because it sounds like what you'd consider 'evidence' when wearing your God hat is not the same kind of 'evidence' you'd consider when wearing the Hat of Statistical Analysis.
Do you think it's possible that you believe because you want to believe so badly?
John
What sorts of things have you been reading?Desmalia, I've read and read and read...
I'm 53 years old and have spent far too many hours reading, thinking, trying to puzzle it out.
Religion fascinates me, as do the people who say they have faith. So I keep on asking the questions and wondering if I'll ever meet anyone who can demolish my reluctantly-arrived-at atheism.
John
Desmalia said:What sorts of things have you been reading?
Criada said:I'm not sure whether that helps - will be glad to discuss it further if you so desire.
Secundulus said:The reason is that stuff I ask for in prayer is answered more often than than I think can be accounted for by coincidence.
How many Christian books have you read about Christianity? For instance, CS Lewis' Mere Christianity is a pretty standard one to look to for basic answers about the faith, and actually I'm surprised you haven't read it yet in your journey. If you want to know about a particular faith, look to authors (especially renowned ones) of that faith. You won't learn much about Christianity from the Watchtower, just as you won't learn about Islam by reading a Christian author, or a Hindu author, etc. And even more so, you won't learn about Christian faith from an Atheist author. Aside from Lewis, I would also like to recommend to you the writings of Ravi Zacharias. You sound like someone who seeks to understand logically what our faith is about, and I think you'll find his work to be very useful. He deals extensively with science, philosophy, and religions of the world.Over the years, far more books than I can remember.
During the past year or so I've read Ninian Smart's 'The Religious Experience of Mankind' - Paul Johnson's 'A History of Christianity' - Richard Dawkins' 'A Devil's Chaplain' - and I've just ordered Daniel Dennett's 'Breaking the Spell'.
I also flipped through an old copy of Watchtower I found when I was clearing out some junk a few weeks back. That was... interesting!
OK, I've managed to get hold of a copy of Mere Christianity and have started reading it.
Interesting so far.
John
Enjoy!OK, I've managed to get hold of a copy of Mere Christianity and have started reading it.
Interesting so far.
John
Praying that it helps you with you questions!
I'd better re-read it!There are a few assumptions that concern me. When I've read a little more, I'll probably post a question or two.
John
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