Posted on 04/05/2009 8:10:35 PM PDT by betty boop
I am glad to hear that you aren't a creationist : )
Since you agree that the Bible isn't to be taken literally, we probably agree on many of its teachings.
(forgive me for citing Yuckipedia):
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Instinct is the inherent disposition of a living organism toward a particular behavior. The fixed action patterns are unlearned and inherited. The stimuli can be variable due to imprinting in a sensitive period or also genetically fixed.
“Where does the instinct come from?”
In any case, there's nothing science can do to falsify the Genesis account in the first place.
Is that the best you’ve got?
The eyewitness evidence of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is there. We accept eyewitness testimony as historical fact when it comes to other figures (e.g. Socrates) — why not Jesus? Yes, it takes a leap of faith to believe in the Resurrection — but circumstantial evidence goes a long way towards boosting one into that leap. After all, if the Resurrection was pure BS, why would so many people have allowed themselves to be tortured to death rather than save themselves by admitting to the scam?
In the end, however, this is academic. You will never come to accept the Resurrection as fact based upon evidence of any sort. Even I if had a time machine, went back, and captured the Resurrection on 3-D digital HD video, you’d just accuse me of using special effects. So instead of arguing with you, I’m going to put my cards on the table. I dare you —DARE YOU — to say the following prayer:
“God: I sincerely want to know if You exist. If you do, please make Your existence plain to me in a manner I cannot deny.”
If you truly do want to know if God exists, and you say that prayer with 100% sincerity, God will make His existence known to you in His own time in a manner that you cannot deny. And if He doesn’t, He has no one to blame but Himself for your nonbelief, right?
So go ahead. I dare you.
Well, that settles it! If Wikipedia said it, then it must be so. :^)
My general sense, FWIW, is that you have not looked very deeply into such matters.
For instance, have you ever considered whether there is such a thing as "human nature?" I mean, in the sense of an essential property of a human being, not an accidental one — i.e., one that is acquired?
What would you say to such an idea?
LeGrande is ex-mormon. He once prayed that he would be shown the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I dare say, he might be very hesitant to use prayer to discern truth.
I’m not directing it towards you. Never mind forget about it.
Ooh, really? I have been physically hurt many times in my dreams. Each time was real as far as I could tell at that moment. Was I really hurt?
If you were to smash my finger with a hammer, it would hurt, and the pain would be objectively "real"...
...just as the pain I felt in all those dreams was objectively "real".
Are you awake right now and reading this on the Web, or is this a dream? Either way, please objectively demonstrate how you know this.
There's no questioning your assumptions then.
That is the problem with logic. Everything is based on assumptions, not reality.
Sorry but I don't confuse dreams with reality : ) You can believe you are a character in one of Vishnu's dreams, but I don't swing that way.
I dare say you might be correct colorcountry : )
Me too. I would never pray to find the truthfulness of something.
Really? How can you tell?
You're avoiding the question, LeGrande... you can run, but you can't hide!
It is the best that Christianity has. I agree that it is not a lot.
The eyewitness evidence of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is there. We accept eyewitness testimony as historical fact when it comes to other figures (e.g. Socrates) — why not Jesus?
I will accept anything that Josephus says about Christ as historical fact.
After all, if the Resurrection was pure BS, why would so many people have allowed themselves to be tortured to death rather than save themselves by admitting to the scam?
I have an extremely hard time trying to think of any religion that didn't have martyrs. Do you consider martyrs to be a valid indicator of a religions truthfulness? Moslems have lots and lots of martyrs.
“God: I sincerely want to know if You exist. If you do, please make Your existence plain to me in a manner I cannot deny.”
I said your little prayer. Guess what? No answer. Another falsification of Christianity.
I was trained by a Navajo Medicine Man to walk in my dreams.
Self delusion is powerful.
In any case, there's nothing science can do to falsify the Genesis account in the first place.
Then how come the Apollo astronauts didn't swim to the Moon? Where is all the water?
How do you know that? And how do you know you know that? I mean, where's your evidence? How is your statement to be tested? Where is your proof?
And BTW, how would you define "objective reality?"
That "the real world IS objective reality" looks to me like a statement of faith. But then, human thought ultimately always boils down to a faith statement of some kind. As you demonstrate.
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Are you out of your mind?
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