That carton will make you chuckle, no matter how you view Earth's natural history!
Not a good thing when Genesis is thought as a solution or used to define natural history. Thank goodness, for those who choose to do so, the author made no mention of medicine!
Such thoughts have often made me wonder (;especially with gas prices making the proposition so unappealing anyway,) if there are "young earth Christians" who refuse to use fossil fuels, for fear it is some sort of trickery, scam or "bad science"? I guess not, after all the only folks you typically see pedaling or walking down the roads in the U.S., in the name of their faith, are pairs of Mormans on a mission.
If there is one thing history has shamefully taught us time and time again; you should never use religion, nor the interpretation or exegesis of scripture, to define the limits, progression or opportunities of science; nor as a basis for understanding the wonders, nature or relative position of our world and the universe it occupies.
It should not remain a position of convenience for one's faith, that they have no paleontologist, anthropologist, geologist, physicist, astronomers or other scientist within their family. It is simply not fair to their children's education; nor is it a practical or survivable theology within a world which has entered the information age; where, appropriate, proven, knowledge and science is at our fingertips and within any portable piece of mobile computing we own.
It should not remain a position of convenience for one's faith, that they have no paleontologist, anthropologist, geologist, physicist, astronomers or other scientist within their family. It is simply not fair to their children's education; nor is it a practical or survivable theology within a world which has entered the information age; where, appropriate, proven, knowledge and science is at our fingertips and within any portable piece of mobile computing we own.
Scripture should never be used to explain "how" it happened; rather it should offer a guide and inspiration to those whom's faith can grow through additional examples of "why". The bible is a love story, with an explanation as to the desired relationship between you and your Creator as well as the lessons and love He parentally and spiritually wishes for you to know, share and feel.
When the Bible is interpreted directly or literally as a basis for "how", you create a limited, dated, inaccurate understanding of this planet, it's science and it's opportunities. One, which is no more imaginative than a Steven Spielberg film, or that of ancient science and maritime knowledge. (A flat Earth, convieniently centered at the middle of it all.)
Such strong holds on inaccurate assessments, beliefs and judgments, inspired by one's faith, are often fostered through the desire to feel one is surviving the persecution of others in the name of the love they have for their creator. Furthermore, many of these desires to feel one has survived persecution are exasperated within a free society and culture such as our's here in the U.S.; where no such persecution's against one's (Christian) faith exist.
It is as if these same "young earth", U.S. based Christians, read the scriptures, and hear on the News, of distant cultures who were subjected to extreme cases of persecution, and almost feel guilty they to are not subject to such challenges or demonstrations of faith. In turn they feel as if persecution is the "works" by which God will better understand their love and faithfulness.
Whatever the motivation or rational is, or who convinced them that modern science and understanding, is evil and must be thwarted off; unfortunately, such views only serve to create small, limited examples of their Lord, having the opposite result desired where related to inspiring any new believers, by only serving to send knowledgeable folks; unaware the purpose, actions or attitudes attributed to false persecutions; running away from any related faith or testimonies witnessed.
Keeping in mind, an attraction to persecution, may also be founded in the knowledge that one is all alone in their faith or their beliefs. So in many cases there is simply no desire to attract others towards their faith or explain themselves. Since such isolation also serves towards a perceived piety, which further limits any need to explain to anyone how or why they feel or think the way they do. Such rationals can be a very contrived version or aspect of one's faith and subsequent behavior.
Whatever the motivation or rational is, or who convinced them that modern science and understanding, is evil and must be thwarted off; unfortunately, such views only serve to create small, limited examples of their Lord, having the opposite result desired where related to inspiring any new believers, by only serving to send knowledgeable folks; unaware the purpose, actions or attitudes attributed to false persecutions; running away from any related faith or testimonies witnessed.
Keeping in mind, an attraction to persecution, may also be founded in the knowledge that one is all alone in their faith or their beliefs. So in many cases there is simply no desire to attract others towards their faith or explain themselves. Since such isolation also serves towards a perceived piety, which further limits any need to explain to anyone how or why they feel or think the way they do. Such rationals can be a very contrived version or aspect of one's faith and subsequent behavior.
Given such limited social results, the only assurance those apposing such stubborn, false beliefs may take away from any resulting confrontation is the fact that any number of such beliefs (or believers) will continue to dwindle and have less and less negative impacts on the faith. Given the fact such naively stubborn positions are so unattractive and intentionally offer no valid rationale; since in their own mind and given the inspiration, there is no, or limited need to do so.
The results of such believers strongholds will end up as fruitful as those whom historically, in the name of faith, denounced sex. You simply don't hear of those believers any more, since they had no way to procreate the growth of their congregations. In the same way, a faith denouncing knowledge, reason, explanation, modern science and the dissemination of factual information will continually attract and find less and less followers. They are simply denying something fundamental to their growth in the face of now readily available facts and necessities.
Such issues were rarely challenged 80 years ago, when 80% of the world's population were illiterate, and virtually NONE of the population was capable of easily sharing information. In a world such as that, the pulpit or, a top a soap box, served as some of the most effective, and in many cases the only way, people shared much of anything.
The results of such believers strongholds will end up as fruitful as those whom historically, in the name of faith, denounced sex. You simply don't hear of those believers any more, since they had no way to procreate the growth of their congregations. In the same way, a faith denouncing knowledge, reason, explanation, modern science and the dissemination of factual information will continually attract and find less and less followers. They are simply denying something fundamental to their growth in the face of now readily available facts and necessities.
Such issues were rarely challenged 80 years ago, when 80% of the world's population were illiterate, and virtually NONE of the population was capable of easily sharing information. In a world such as that, the pulpit or, a top a soap box, served as some of the most effective, and in many cases the only way, people shared much of anything.
But again, such shrinking numbers of fellow believers whom share such narrow views in denial of modern science, are often merely dismissed by such congregations as a sign of the growing sin in this world, and the likelihood of the end times nearing; or God's return and rapture where he will deal with the wicked ways of those who do not also follow such thinking.
Persecution and piety can be very powerful motivation for remaining ignorant and fervent. Hence the numerous moments in history when such progressions in teaching and science were time and time again considered blasphemous and heresy.
Many folks were even killed for their progressive views. Talk about a reversal of faith! Who really suffered at the hands of persecution in those societies? But make no mistake about it, society still suffered at the hands of such cultural and religious limitations! As I often say, "pride is a very sneaky sin."
Persecution and piety can be very powerful motivation for remaining ignorant and fervent. Hence the numerous moments in history when such progressions in teaching and science were time and time again considered blasphemous and heresy.
Many folks were even killed for their progressive views. Talk about a reversal of faith! Who really suffered at the hands of persecution in those societies? But make no mistake about it, society still suffered at the hands of such cultural and religious limitations! As I often say, "pride is a very sneaky sin."
While such limits and concise definitions as to what is the "truth" or is false (or "bad science"), may be comforting for some; I personally find it much more assuring that our history, opportunities and purpose; not to mention our relationship with our creator and our obligations of love and respect for others; are all far more imaginative than the limits I have seen far to many Christians and/or biblical scholars attempt to place on us or Him.
Dream big, study hard, learn much, never stop... You weren't given that big brain to simply find small minded limitations or comforts where related to your heart, your goals, our God, your life or your learning.
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