Why can't we do things the right way?

[OldWiseGuy]

I've read literature that corroborates this view; e.g. that spiritual views / religious beliefs can help people cope with certain things than those without.

On the flipside, there tend to be greater correlation between social ills and hardship and those with said spiritual views / religious beliefs, than those without.

Which makes me wonder if part of the driver of religious beliefs are those hardships in the first place. Especially since almost every conversion story I've ever read usually starts out with a tragedy.

I'm sure that just as many abandon religion for the same reason.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yes, we already know what you think of the spirituality of Christians who don't agree with you about creationism.

I have no opinion about that.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Ignorance -- the lack of knowledge of a topic -- is a reason that a creature might not be able to recognize things. Going back to the thing I was quoting, the reason a member of an evolved species (that is a species that arose through evolution) might not realize its species had evolved because it was ignorant (unaware) of evolution.

Interesting.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You still think America are the good guys.

smh

That ship might have sailed.

 

[Shemjaza]

Without reading the link our weapons programs are run by evolutionist scientists.

I seem to remember a number of wars that Christian Americans enthusiastically participated in.

Any number of acts of brutality and utilisation of advanced weaponry that Christians and non Christians alike are willing to use.

 

[Speedwell]

I have no opinion about that.

You expressed one (post #56). I was just reminding you that we already knew what it was.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You expressed one (post #56). I was just reminding you that we already knew what it was.

?

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

We have the knowledge of how to do most things properly. What in our evolutionary past (or present) causes us to be so destructive in many things that we attempt to do?

Both our knowledge and our destructive and tribalism short-termism can be seen as evolutionary developments.

We are 'hard-wired' to be loss-averse and are inclined only to defer gratification when there is a clear personal advantage and control ('a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'). Our tribalism and territoriality tend to hinder large-scale cooperation and foster inequalities. The drive to status and wealth can be controlled in small groups, but not so easily in larger societies, etc. The result is a tendency to short-term thinking, profiteering, and reluctance to invest in long-term projects will uncertain personal return. Where cultures organise to avoid tyranny, e.g. democracies, the tribalism and short-term political cycle do little to foster long-term projects.

Ironically, the emergent nature of the development of human culture really shows the lack of an overarching teleology - it 'growed like Topsy' (Uncle Tom's Cabin, "I spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me.").

But such explanations are easy to construct, but not so easy to verify or validate.

 

[SLP]

We have the knowledge of how to do most things properly. What in our evolutionary past (or present) causes us to be so destructive in many things that we attempt to do?

I guess we were just created poorly.

 

[SLP]

I would think the sin nature that is embedded in our DNA since Adam disobeyed God.

How did that work, exactly? Explain how sin alters one's DNA please.

 

[SLP]

But we have the knowledge. Why doesn't action follow, especially if problems can be solved in the short term?

Greed. Hatred. Politics.

 

[Kylie]

We have the knowledge of how to do most things properly. What in our evolutionary past (or present) causes us to be so destructive in many things that we attempt to do?

Greed.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Greed.

I like your new avatar.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Both our knowledge and our destructive and tribalism short-termism can be seen as evolutionary developments.

We are 'hard-wired' to be loss-averse and are inclined only to defer gratification when there is a clear personal advantage and control ('a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'). Our tribalism and territoriality tend to hinder large-scale cooperation and foster inequalities. The drive to status and wealth can be controlled in small groups, but not so easily in larger societies, etc. The result is a tendency to short-term thinking, profiteering, and reluctance to invest in long-term projects will uncertain personal return. Where cultures organise to avoid tyranny, e.g. democracies, the tribalism and short-term political cycle do little to foster long-term projects.

Ironically, the emergent nature of the development of human culture really shows the lack of an overarching teleology - it 'growed like Topsy' (Uncle Tom's Cabin, "I spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me.").

But such explanations are easy to construct, but not so easy to verify or validate.

But can't all this occur without the destructiveness? With our ingenuity can't we solve problems instead of making a business of them?

 

[Speedwell]

But can't all this occur without the destructiveness? With our ingenuity can't we solve problems instead of making a business of them?

As a Christian you should have a ready answer for that: Romans 3:23.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

But can't all this occur without the destructiveness? With our ingenuity can't we solve problems instead of making a business of them?

Clearly not; yes, in some circumstances we can, and do, do it, but - in general - our 'instincts' prevail.

We are not rational creatures, overall.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

As a Christian you should have a ready answer for that: Romans 3:23.

Many sinners are also problem solvers.

 

[Speedwell]

Many sinners are also problem solvers.

The point being that human beings are not perfect. Even problem solvers get the wrong answer sometimes.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The point being that human beings are not perfect.

We could do better.

 

[Speedwell]

We could do better.

And we wouldn't need redemption, and Jesus would be out of a job.