“Only an idiot believes this nonsense”
Well that is pretty insulting. Considering that I have clearly stated that I would fall into that category.
I do understand the evidence supporting the theory of evolution, and it is overwhelming. This is why I believe in evolution, because the evidence supports it.
I also believe in God, and Jesus, and sin and everything you see as idiotic. I don’t believe in a literal translation of the Bible. When I read the Bible, I understand the message to be true, and Bible stories to be a way of explaining a complicated thing, so that even the most uneducated can understand it. Simple stories to illustrate simple truths (ie. the existence and power of God) If this isn’t for you, I won’t try to convince you otherwise.
Personally, I know that God exists, because he is always present in my life. I have been in some pretty bad places and had some tough times. God has never let me down. I have always gotten what I truly needed, although I didn’t always recognize it at the time.
Although, I am deeply religious, I have always seen the value in science and am amazed by the progress science creates in our lives. IMO science can only contradict religion, never God. (Religion is man’s very flawed attempt to understand God.)
(By the way, your understanding of original sin isn’t entirely correct. Original sin is washed away during baptism. Original sin is the root of all evil and sin in the world. Christians as well as others sin constantly, in almost everything they do. It is part of free will. This is why we need redemption.)
I have attempted to explain my beliefs as clearly as possible. You are entitled to your beliefs, and I hope that you will understand that I am entitled to mine. But, it never hurts to learn what others believe.
The fact that you did and she did not says what exactly about your God? If God helped me with some measly desire and then abandons this nine year-old, I'd refuse to accept anything from him-- like I wouldn't take gifts from the mob.