And one more idea...... I sure would like to know how amino acids were found on meteorites...... not from this planet......
That is so true Jenny - we have the Destiny Church here which is similar. However, having said that, I know many many church going people in all sorts of Christian churches who are out there giving their time for others and really doing what they believe is right - just for the sake of doing right.
Quote from: tyefly on January 12, 2010, 01:58:05 PM And one more idea...... I sure would like to know how amino acids were found on meteorites...... not from this planet......Dear Kathy,What a great topic to look at. I believe that the jury is still out on this one, but even if we start with some simple amino acids here on earth or outer space from some fairly simple chemical reactions, when do we go from some of the building blocks of organic life, to life itself. The most impressive evidence for God written in the chemicals of life is actually DNA since DNA is not just a complex organic molecule, it is actually a language defining all aspects of life. It is impossible to assemble information from random events. But that is what DNA represents. Mutations only scramble the message, they don't make the message. Here is a review of a book for a well renowned scientist on the issue of DNA.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Language_of_God:_A_Scientist_Presents_Evidence_for_BeliefSo, I believe that there is a God first from the testimony of the Bible of His Son, and second from examples such as DNA which is an actual language conveying information from an intelligent being that I believe to be the God of the Bible. That is why I believe that there is a God.
Hemo you have insulted me many times and I've tried my best to be civil to you. Of course since you hold your self in such high regard you probably feel it is yours to be rude to me, to catholics, to Jews, etc.
Dan, I have not once insulted you in any manner, nor anyone else on this thread while you and several others have enjoyed mocking, and ridiculing my faith and that of others with high fives so to speak with each insult placed.
I have since August simply spoken about the faith of God that I have through the Bible and refuted the many false assertions against the Bible and Christians that many have placed on this thread.
I have countered false assertions of the Bible with direct quotes from the Bible simply to let it speak for itself.
I have enjoyed far ranging debates on other websites on the issues of the Bible and the issues of evolution without the low demeanor that many have fallen to on this thread. That is a shame since it is a debate that many would enjoy discussing in an orderly manner, looking at the substance of the arguments instead of becoming embroiled in petty personality contests peppered with insults and false innuendos that you yourself have delighted in over and over again the last couple of weeks. Perhaps there are some that actually wish to look at the evidence of is there a God and can agree to disagree intelligently and congenially. I have participated on other websites on these very issues for months at a time without losing sight of the topic at hand. That is what I believe Epoman would have had for this thread as well.
Dear Hemodoc, you berate me for quoting the Pope. Then you do the same thing yourself by quoting Fred Hoyle. In the 1950’s there was great controversy concerning the universe. On the one hand Fred Hoyle maintained that the universe had always existed, whereas on the other ideas were developing on what is now known as the “big bang” origin. A decade later the consensus was that Hoyle was wrong. You have to be careful with scientists; some get it wrong. I particularly remember Harold S Jones, the Astronomer Royal, in 1955, declaring that man could not possibly put anything into orbit. The Russians did it one year later. So, as you said in your 11 Jan post, “I thought that we were talking about the issues based on facts and evidence, not on authorities, could we not quote authorities the other doesn’t accept?
I'm still enjoying my popcorn, so keep up the dialog.I would like to comment on something. One of the beauties of science is that, as Stoday commented, the knowledge changes. Science is forever going through peer review as scientists try to poke holes in the ideas of other scientists. It is always being tested. Some people say you have to have faith in science. But it is the process of finding out that the scientists didn't have it quite right, but continue to get it better that makes is so exciting and NOT an object of faith (unless ones professes to have confidence or faith in the process - but that is not the same kind of faith that one is talking about when professing religious faith). I am comfortable with folks who have faith especially if it gives them inner peace. But Peter, I will never be persuaded to believe in God by arguments quoting the Bible. To me it is not a source of authority any more than Nostradamus. That the universe works is also not a proof to me of a god. If the universe did NOT follow the laws of nature, that might be a more compelling argument for god! One of my friends, when asked what might convince her that there were a god, answered that a good miracle such as seeing a person spontaneously regenerate a severed arm might suffice. Yeah, that would pretty much do it for me, too. I'm open to the idea that there is a god. Just haven't been convinced by any evidence, and the Bible isn't evidence for me. And for every Frank Collins there are 100 scientists who believe differently. Collins is not representative of the scientific community. Peter, I don't want to de-convert you. But, I do hope you realize that your zeal in quoting the Bible or holding up A scientist isn't doing much to convince me. I could site many former evangelicals who lost faith as well (Dan Barker is one who I know personally and have met a half a dozen others). It just doesn't prove a thing. I'm done. It's been a long day.
Dear Hemodoc, time and time again you misquote evolution. For example, you say that DNA can’t come about by random chance reactions. Of course not. Evolution cannot happen like that. In particular, I never said that “natural selection” was at the heart of evolution. There’s no one to do the selecting. The evolutionary driver is the survival of the fittest.
Yes, DNA can be changed at random but the vast majority of changes are bad and get rejected. They are bad and don’t survive because they don’t provide an advantage to the organism; they die out. Perhaps only one change in a million is good, but that’s the one that might get reproduced. To be adopted by the species population, each change is minor and must be an advantage to the species in its environment. With time, and environmental separation from the parent species, a new species may develop as a result of cumulative beneficial changes.
Dear Peter and Born Agains,If I had the belief in your god as some in here say they have, this morning I'd be down on my knees praying for the people of Haiti rather than continuing to spend so much time trying to prove myself right. As it is, I'll have to wait for instructions or suggestions from the Red Cross or some other organization to offer minimal financil contributions. Hell, I'd even contribute to some right winged church supported organization if I felt they'd get there faster and as efficiently.Hey, it would be a better use of your time (prayers I mean) than continuing this repetitve rhetoric (yes, I know). And a lot less annoying.Love, Dan
Quote from: dwcrawford on January 13, 2010, 05:20:50 AMDear Peter and Born Agains,If I had the belief in your god as some in here say they have, this morning I'd be down on my knees praying for the people of Haiti rather than continuing to spend so much time trying to prove myself right. As it is, I'll have to wait for instructions or suggestions from the Red Cross or some other organization to offer minimal financil contributions. Hell, I'd even contribute to some right winged church supported organization if I felt they'd get there faster and as efficiently.Hey, it would be a better use of your time (prayers I mean) than continuing this repetitve rhetoric (yes, I know). And a lot less annoying.Love, DanSo true Dan. Actions always speak louder than words. I am home sick today but I will be talking to my Grade 2 students tomorrow about the situation in Haiti and how we can help. I did the same thing with the tsmani (spelling) a few years ago. As a school we raised well over a thousand dollars to sent . (we only have about 150 students in our school). Last year at Christmas time we asked parents to donate money in our name to a charity instead of buying a gift for the teacher. We also have 3 children in our school who are adopted from Ethiopia. Last year the oldest was going back with his mom when she got the third child. We raised over $2000 for him to take back to help the people. I think it is more important to teach children ethics and morals than anything else. We have such a diverse group of children in our schools that it is hard to teach one religious belief so I think it is much more important to try to teach them respect for all people. Plus like most people I do not want to be pressing my own beliefs on another person.
The Bible contains hundreds of specific prophecies telling from the ancient of times what shall come to pass at the end of times.
DNA is a language which must have come from an intelligent designer.
There are many other issues of difficulty with abiogenesis and the theory of evolution,
yet it is the predominant subject taught in our schools.
The so called science of evolution is fraught with conjecture and speculation.
I hope that I have been able to present some food for thought for folks to look at these issues for themselves. In my early 20's, I looked at religion, philosophy and science for the answers to life. I didn't find them there. I looked in many other areas and likewise didn't find the answers there. It was not until I looked at the God of the Bible that not only did I find many of the answers, but God also found me and brought me back home.