God versus Science

[Hermitage]

Hmmm..... never liked religion to be discussed in forums. BTW I'm a Christian, but I am sure there are non-Christians who will agree with me as well... If forumers can curse father curse mother over which CAR brand is better, what more when it comes to religion.

 

The Apologetic Press has a more "scientific" approach in its reading material, so it may interest some of you who have posted here earlier. In fact, some of the discussion here (eg. Creation vs Evolution, if there are dinosaurs in the Bible, etc.) can be found in their Home Study Courses ( http://www.apologeticspress.org/homestudycourses/ ). Feel free to check it out, if nothing else, perhaps to widen your horizon a little bit.

 

Bro, in here, cars ARE a Religion!!

 

Thanks for declaring your faith! I'm really wayward, but a Christian nonetheless. It is the bane of Christiandom to be criticised and persecuted for our beliefs. Once we say "God is Good", others say "What god?!" This has gone on through the ages, and is happening right here in this very thread!! But in this day & age, as modern Christians, we cannot just ignore the arguments of science, we cannot simply languish upon the bliss of our ignorance. We must instead address these contradictions, and accept that our scriptures cannot, and MUST not be taken as the absolute truth. Whatever the religion! This is IMO, the only way to stop terrorism and the path to World Peace

 

It is pointless, all these wars against terror, this rage we have against each another. U2 summed it up nicely in the lyrics of "Like a Song". Bono: "Angry words won't stop the fight, two Wrongs won't make it Right!" Brilliant!!

 

Personally, I believe that Science & Religion can work hand in hand. For the benefit of our dear readers out there in cyberspace, here's a little something on which to ponder...

 

WHY is Earth is positioned just right so that life as we know it is possible?

 

WHY does it have an extended atmosphere which protects us from the myriad threats of deep space?

 

During it's formation, WHY did the proto-Earth experience a colossal impact from an asteriod that caused the iron in it's mantle to collaspe into a good, strong iron core, which to this day, generates our life-preserving magnetic field?

 

Without the moon in it's exact position, life on Earth cannot exist as we know it. So WHY did a planet about the size of Mars hit proto-Earth in a cataclysmic collision (most widely accepted theory) 4 billion years ago?

 

WHY did this collision occur at the exact angle & speed, to cause tons of debris to be thrown out into space at just the right angle & altitude so they remained trapped in Earth's orbit, eventually coalescing to form our moon? Incidently, this collision also served to enlarge our planet to the size it is today, thus giving Earth enough gravity to keep our atmosphere from dissipating into space, and allowing life to develop as it has.

 

WHY did a killer asteriod hit Earth 65 million years ago, eradicating the mighty dinosaurs and thereby allowing mammals to survive, thrive and eventually evolve into the genus homosapien?

 

WHY? Coincidence? Maybe...Maybe Not. Perhaps we will one day find the answers but for now, even the greatest scientist of our time, Prof Stephen Hawking, has invoked the name of God in response to these questions! So don't worry if you can't answer them!! Here's what he said (I think it's beautiful!):

 

"Understanding HOW the Universe works does not imply that we understand WHY it works that way...Knowing the answer to that question, is to know the mind of God."

 

Peace Folks, and Keep It Real!!

[Somebody]

for the sake or argument.

 

even if stephen hawking understood how the universe works, that doesn't mean that God doesn't exist, neither does it mean that God does exist.

 

even if stephen hawking doesn't understand how the universe works, that doesn't mean that God doesn't exist, neither does it mean that God does exist.

 

even if stephen hawking invoked the name of God, doesn't mean that God exists, and neither does it mean that God doesn't.

 

even if stephen hawking didn't invoke the name of God, it doesn't mean that God exists, and neither does it mean that God doesn't.

[Wind30]

for the sake or argument.

 

even if stephen hawking understood how the universe works, that doesn't mean that God doesn't exist, neither does it mean that God does exist.

 

even if stephen hawking doesn't understand how the universe works, that doesn't mean that God doesn't exist, neither does it mean that God does exist.

 

even if stephen hawking invoked the name of God, doesn't mean that God exists, and neither does it mean that God doesn't.

 

even if stephen hawking didn't invoke the name of God, it doesn't mean that God exists, and neither does it mean that God doesn't.

 

then can anyone answer this?

 

God is omni potent, ie god can do anything.

 

Can god create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift? Does this disproves the existence of god? This is a question I have asked many christians. Sad to say not many of them have a good answer. I did hear one very good answer from a christian from the faculty of philosophy in NUS 10 years back when I was in school.

[Carer]

it is exactly these series of events that led to life which eventually leads to evolution.

 

life is not just created out of no where.

 

btw, why do christians take watever that is mentioned in the bible as truth?

[Jrage]

hi :) God is the one that set the rules of the universe, including gravity. :)

God is omnipotent .. i.e. He is beyond rules. :) All the basis of the universe and beyond are created by God. :)

 

God is beyond light , matters and time.. thus, no heavy rock as you mentioned.

Science proofs God exists.. God does not need science to exist..

 

Just like gravity, like it or not.. it is there.

Edited August 15, 2009 by Jrage

[Silver_blade]

...btw, why do christians take watever that is mentioned in the bible as truth?

This is what faith is all about. Either you believe or don't. If any Christians only believe in 70% of what is the 'Truth'...and disagree with the other 30% (assuming he/she will never ever going to agree)...then better to move on to another religion.

 

In fact, most religion work on faith...be it taoist (lost of faith), islam, hinduism, etc....

 

I am not saying shouldn't raise any doubt they have about their religion. In fact people should explore more into it....but it remain a fact that no one will be able to 100% understand the whole truth...cos different people interpret or see thing in a slightly different way. If any one is only going to believe in a particular faith only after they have understood that faith 100%...then I thing no one will have a religion at all.

 

It is a bit like driving a car or riding in one as a passenger...there is a certain faith needed eg. the car is being assembled as it should be, bolt and nut used really meet the quality standard that it said it should, the driver is competent and don't fall asleep, no big truck is going to ramp into your car at high speed, etc.....

 

If one will only drive the car on the road after they have investigated and satisfied that every single parts of the car meet the said standard, assembled strictly to manufacturer requirement, all drivers and cars on the road are 100% competent/meet standard, etc....One will never ever going to get onto the road...ever.

Edited August 15, 2009 by Silver_blade

[83henry]

I hope this question does not offend, i always wondered but never dared to ask anyone face to face just in case i get a smack!

 

Can someone of the Christian faith please advise this burning question of mine?

Are you allowed to eat food that has been blessed by another god first (HALAL)? Is it considered tainted?

 

No. you may not.

1Corinthians 10:27-28 "If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone syas to you "This has been offered in sacrifices," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience.

[Jrage]

As a Christian, I cannt help but to defend my faith when there is a discussion. But over the years, God has taught me that He does not need me to "defend" Him.

 

For all that disbelieve, ask God to show you who He is.. and He will cos' He is God and His Love for you. :)

 

God's words are meant to protect His ppl. And not as a basis of punishment i.e. if you do then God will punish you for not following.

 

[83henry]

Hi bro, would like to check with you. Does Christianity states specifically that here is no other god/deities/higher form from other religion other than from within Christianity?

 

I have people knocking on my door, see my altar table, my family is Buddhist, and says that we are praying to nothing but porcelain and wood and is detrimental to the soul. Got me confused there.

 

So was wondering is it the believer's interpretation or does Christianity really teaches one to believe that there is no other god other than God?

 

No offense to any religion. Just curious.

 

I started from a taoist family (grandparents), eventually moved on to be buddhist (parents) and finally I ended up becoming christian. I took every one of them seriously, including memorising sutras and studying the meanings behind it. So regards to your question based on Christianity, Yes. If answering based on my life experience. Yes Yes.

[83henry]

The Bible also says:

Exodus 21:7 It is ok to sell your daughter to slavery.

Exodus 22:2 You must kill those who worship another God.

Exodus 35:2 Prohibits working on Sabbath and offenders should be put to death

Mark 10:9 Marriage is forever, divorce is forbidden.

Mark 9:43-49 Jesus tells us to cut off our hands and feet, and pluck out our eyes to avoid going to hell.

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus will reward men who abandon their wives and families.

 

But hey, we will shall skip all these parts and choose other parts instead. Bet you did not know these versa existed in the first place. No misinterpretation I assure u.

 

It is funny that you pluck only this verses out. Why don't you read it as a whole and understand why this statement was made? I'm sure you buy big sweep/4D/Toto, you don't just match it with the results and try to claim money at singapore pools. Surely you should look at the dates right?

 

Trying to argue about the existence of God without even reading the Bible, is like driving without even learning it. Bound to crash. Science is the same. We do not know exactly how numbers come by. There's still alot of man made assumption in science. I don't think there is a need to make science and God opposition parties. I like science. They affirm God and glorify God. As for dinosaur, do you know an animal of such size is actually mentioned in the Bible? Look for Behemoth and Leviathan. Oh, as for why believe the bible; The days where God leads the Jews out of Egypt, existed in pillar of clouds or pillar of fire to guide them, part the red sea, water flowing out of rock, manna and quails for food, etc etc.... these are part of jewish history and jews are still around to speak of it. The only thing is they don't believe Jesus is Christ. Jesus is only a prophet to them. But their ancestory of Abraham, Moses, etc etc, is still more than just beliefs.

[Schneider79]

It is funny that you pluck only this verses out. Why don't you read it as a whole and understand why this statement was made? I'm sure you buy big sweep/4D/Toto, you don't just match it with the results and try to claim money at singapore pools. Surely you should look at the dates right?

 

Trying to argue about the existence of God without even reading the Bible, is like driving without even learning it. Bound to crash. Science is the same. We do not know exactly how numbers come by. There's still alot of man made assumption in science. I don't think there is a need to make science and God opposition parties. I like science. They affirm God and glorify God. As for dinosaur, do you know an animal of such size is actually mentioned in the Bible? Look for Behemoth and Leviathan. Oh, as for why believe the bible; The days where God leads the Jews out of Egypt, existed in pillar of clouds or pillar of fire to guide them, part the red sea, water flowing out of rock, manna and quails for food, etc etc.... these are part of jewish history and jews are still around to speak of it. The only thing is they don't believe Jesus is Christ. Jesus is only a prophet to them. But their ancestory of Abraham, Moses, etc etc, is still more than just beliefs.

 

Don't flame me but whether did God lead the Jews out of Egypt and the rest of the things that happened of not we're not sure. Unless someone can come out with a time machine or a crystal ball to look back to the past then we'll know the truth.

Be it if you're Christian, Buddhism, Taoism, Evangelist, Islamic and so on... faith is what you need. The religion is for humans to find peace and solace when his/her mind is troubled.

[Niteblu]

Will you actually believe it, and the best of all he's not even a chinese crying out loud. ?

 

 

One of the common misconceptions about Christianity.

Is that it's a WESTERN RELIGION.

 

Farther from the Truth. It's actually EASTERN in origin.

Historically, it arose from the CENTRAL ASIAN/MIDDLE EAST region.

 

And Jesus, as he's popularly depicted on the cross, in paintings.

Was probably not the European/Anglo-Saxon/Ang Moh you often see in many churches.

 

Neither was Mary likely a blue-eyed brunette.

 

 

 

 

:) Food for thought.

 

 

[Icejelly76]

I thought this is suppose to be the Lite & EZ section.

 

But, the topic discuss is not Lite and also not EZ leh..

[Fkadir]

As a Christian, I cannt help but to defend my faith when there is a discussion. But over the years, God has taught me that He does not need me to "defend" Him.

 

For all that disbelieve, ask God to show you who He is.. and He will cos' He is God and His Love for you. :)

 

God's words are meant to protect His ppl. And not as a basis of punishment i.e. if you do then God will punish you for not following.

 

So there is no such thing as hell and heaven in your religion? Ppl who goes againsts the teachings of the religion goes to hell as a punishment?

[Fkadir]

Don't flame me but whether did God lead the Jews out of Egypt and the rest of the things that happened of not we're not sure. Unless someone can come out with a time machine or a crystal ball to look back to the past then we'll know the truth.

Be it if you're Christian, Buddhism, Taoism, Evangelist, Islamic and so on... faith is what you need. The religion is for humans to find peace and solace when his/her mind is troubled.

 

No need for a time machine or crystal ball, all we need as proof that such an event occured is if its mentioned in any other historian's account of the event (besides the bible of course). Mind you, parting the sea is no easy feat, its a miracle! IF indeed it happened, Im sure that it will be mentioned in the historical archives everywhere. :)

[Nolicense]

No need for a time machine or crystal ball, all we need as proof that such an event occured is if its mentioned in any other historian's account of the event (besides the bible of course). Mind you, parting the sea is no easy feat, its a miracle! IF indeed it happened, Im sure that it will be mentioned in the historical archives everywhere. :)

 

 

there is a part where the red sea is mistranslated from reed sea. so funny

[2bfree]

Religions are teachings of the wise intellects of whom hav gained insights of looking at the world & life from a different perspective. Then they were able to spread the teachings to those arnd them. For the past recorded written historic books, we hav the Bible, Sanskript, Al-Quran etc. that are widely accepted by the world. Indeed there might be a spiritual higher beeing somewhere. Bt wat makes it interesting are the human behaviour/reaction towards the religions. Are there nt Christians whom hav sinned against the Bible teachings? Are there nt Muslims whom hav done evil with the Islamic faith? Are there not Buddhist that hav hanker after the temptations in life? For many centuries intellects like Plato, Freud, Marx & many more has successfully influence the human behaviour/reactions /thinkings, the latter Karl Marx nearly took over half of Asia n Europe with his intellectual teachings. Its called Communism. If the earliest sign of human civilisation is recorded thru writings, it wld be B.C. 3000. Judaism began after 1000 years in B.C. 2000. Christ was born in B.C. 5, nearly 2000 years later. The birth of the most widely accepted religions were all from these period. Modern science has a veri short history compared to religions, there are things dat science cant explain, not yet. The new modern world intellects hav started to use some religions as weapons, its call Terrorism. Imagine in this era of information overload, thru intellectual teachings from the wrong people, humans can be convinced to do such extreme things to the extent of killing themselves for it. I really wonder during the B.C. years when information and modern science dun exist, hw nt to be convinced by intellects otherwise? God versus Science, the answer will not be revealed thru at least a couple of Generations later. Even when its proven so, there will be a new born of sceptics abt Science. It is in us humans to hav a faith in something & question everything else. Look at history, the intellects debates and arnd u. It is us. Nothing else........

 

PS: I am nt discriminating religions or Science. I hav a Bible, read the Quran, been a Buddhist, pray to a four-faced Buddha(FYI, four-faced Buddha is a Hindu God call Brahmin), yet I read books on the human minds, Law of Attractions etc. I am writing my 2 cents worth becos I feel dat tis is a sensitive yet veri subjective topic. Everybody is entitle to wat they beieve in. Do not be defensive against each other. We are not here to prove anything. Its a discussion forum. We discuss with an open mind.

[Fkadir]

George Carlin: Religion is b-------t

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o