Originally posted by Cantuar
No. However, I have no reason to believe that the Anglican Bishop of Oxford isn't a Christian, and this is what he has to say about biblical literalism...
Cantuar, it doesn't work to judge a group of people by a quote from one person. The pope doesn't believe in a literal hell, but almost all Christians do. I'll take your word on this, that these are the man's words, but for future reference, it helps to have a source.
The second reason I feel sad about this attempt to see the Book of Genesis as a rival to scientific truth is that stops people taking the bible seriously._ The bible is a collection of books made up of very different kinds of literature, poetry, history, ethics, law, myth, theology, wise sayings and so on._ Through this variety of different kinds of writing God's loving purpose can come through to us._ The bible brings us precious, essential truths about who we are and what we might become._ But biblical literalism hinders people from seeing and responding to these truths.
I don't see Genesis as a rival to truth -- many scientists have supported Genesis with solid proof. What does he mean by "myth?" Which part of the Bible is that?
Sadly, biblical literalism brings not only the Bible but Christianity itself into disrepute.
Cantuar, how can this statement be supported?
Animals are killing and competing and suffering through global warming right now. There's nothing sadistic about it; it's the way life works.
That's true. There is a lot of suffering, but it wasn't in God's plan. How many times have you heard this: "we live in a fallen world." According to Genesis, man sinned
after the world was created. Before, there was no death. To me, this sets Creation and evolution on completely different sides. Evolution supposedly works on "natural selection," so only the best-fitted animals will continue to survive. This kind of "cleansing" is sort of a nazi-esque idea.
I didn't say it was. I said creationists say it is. I said that it's exactly like any other branch of science - the scientific method is a naturalistic method in everything it does. Evolution is no different. The fact that biblical literalists say it contradicts the Bible is the biblical literalists' business, it isn't part of the basis for the theory.
I think you just confirmed that evolution
is atheistic. That God isn't involved. Just a few paragraphs back, we argued whether or not evolution could fit the Bible. See, we keep switching sides when it's beneficial to our argument. It doesn't matter. It seems we agree on this point anyway, right?
You're rather quick to jump to conclusions. I was summarising the results of surveys done on the religious makeup of scientists. It showed a larger proportion of members of the National Academy of Scientists (which would be among the country's senior scientists) were atheists than scientists in general. Here:
http://www.freethought-web.org/ctrl/news/file002.html
That's good that you cited the source. But, ma'am, do you believe this is a good thing, that only about 7.5% of scientists believe there is right and wrong, for example? I think this is a pity.
No, by "study" I was referring to people doing research in various fields of evolutionary biology. They're the ones doing the experiments and getting the results.
I can understand doing experiments to test laws in physics and chemistry, but can't imagine an experiment with evolution. I know there have been things involving bacteria mutating, but not one of those ever resulted in making a more complex creature in the laboratory. Cantuar, please help me understand how you do an experiment in evolution.
You have said that you used to accept evolution. Were you a Christian at the time? What sort of science education do you have?
I was born an atheist, and became a Christian around seven years ago. For the next five or so years, i have continued to believe in evolution. As for my education, i'm no expert in science. All i know about Creation i learned from different books and films.
Well, if you're going to define "weak in their faith" as accepting evolution, then you're arguing in circles. I've seen people define "weak in their faith" as referring to people who cling to biblical literacy because it saves having to think and ask questions.
No, ma'am. By "weak," i mean spiritually. My uncle is an atheist, and believes in many things, including aliens and flying saucers, but doesn't believe in God. He's an exceptionally smart man, but his mind is filled with so many useless things. When God comes into a person's heart, He gradually changes the person's habits, language, etc. The Bible opens up and becomes understandable to the person, and his faith grows. When you read the Bible, your faith in God grows. On the other hand, when you're a Christian and you don't feed your spirit, you become weak spiritually. I also need to make it a priority to read the Bible more. OK, sorry for the long paragraph. I need to learn to talk less.
One Lutheran minister on another board says fairly often that there is no conflict between good science and genuine faith.
I know that. It's true. Don't think i'm against science. But some of the things that have recently snuk into the category of science are
not science. Some colleges offer courses on rap "music." But it isn't a science or a knowledge of any kind. Yet some people will say that it's a complex branch of sociology or phsychology.