Sure, I understand Biblical literalism. But, I don't think that represents the "traditional conservative conception of God." You are confusing two different groups of very different sizes. Also, many who claim they believe the Bible literally still accept some leeway in its interpretation.
Despite bible thumpers whining we keep finding transitional fossils
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Sure, I understand Biblical literalism. But, I don't think that represents the "traditional conservative conception of God." You are confusing two different groups of very different sizes. Also, many who claim they believe the Bible literally still accept some leeway in its interpretation.
Matt Dillon
Semolina comes from wheat
If the earth was billiions of years old and populated all that time, the surface would be miles high with bones.
Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
What is the "traditional conservative conception of God”?
As for literalism, I’ve met many who took the Bible literally even to the 6000 year mark. OTOH, there are up to 2000 different Christian denominations. Some are considered blasphemy such as “Prosperity Christianity” by a majority of Christians.
Mostly, however, Americans consider religious beliefs to be private and don't’ discuss it at work or with friends….even though they might to choose friends of similar beliefs where they would discuss it.
BattleofHodow
New member
Lol, Protestants usually don't get the bible correct, either.
BidenPresident
Verified User
lol lol lol lol
Probably all knowing, all powerful, (but who could experiment if he wanted to).
I know some of those people. Some believe those 6,000 years could have included evolution as part of the creation process (although most don't).
ThatOwlWoman
Leftist Vermin
Awesome! There are some of us modern humans today carrying DNA from an as-yet-undiscovered ancient ancestor. Maybe this is it?!
Eagle_Eye
Well-known member
My outlook is very simple. By my beliving in God I lose nothing. If I am right I go to heaven. If I am wrong then I die and that is the end.
Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
It’s a common tendency to anthropomorphize God/gods. IMO that’s illogical and limits an all powerful entity to human failings.
Sure, an all powerful being can “experiment”, trick or otherwise do all sorts of illogical things but why would it? It’d be illogical to do so.
Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
Agreed with the logic of Pascal’s Wager, but does that mean I should believe in executing gays like the Bible says? No, it does not.
IMO, God gave us brains and the expectation is that we should be using them, not acting like a bunch of sheep waiting to be sheered.
Human sacrifice does not seem logical (or necessary) either, but it is the basis for Christianity.
The point of the thread is that over the years on this message board and others like it, religious conservatives have routinely expressed skepticism, incredulity, even outright disbelief in the evidence for biological evolution.
Anyone who has posted on this board for more than three years knows exactly what I am talking about.
A prehistoric whale with legs is exactly the kind of transitional fossil that provides direct evidence of evolution.
According to Christian doctrine, Adam and Eve are our ancestors and we are stained with their original sin. I have never in over half a century of life heard a conservative Protestant minister say that Adam was a different species of hominid
Dutch Uncle
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What the Romans were doing was punishment, not sacrifice.
Besides, compared to even 19th Century mankind, the ancient world was full of fucking savages.
Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
Me neither. Genesis says Adam was made in God’s image and that we are all identical to that image.
Since evolution is based in large part on random genetic mutation, I have always had a hard time reconciling that with intelligent, purposeful design. Randomess and purposeful design are hard to rationalize together.
On the flip side, I am perfectly comfortable with a metaphorical reading of Genesis, and with the understanding that there is mystery in the creation of the universe which may forever remain beyond our limited comprehension
Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
IF the Universe was random, I’d agree, but it isn’t. Given the laws of this universe were set at the moment of the Big Bang, then all matter would have to abide by those laws which means the actions of all matter would be predictable.
Not a problem for an all powerful, all knowing entity. A little harder puzzle for us naked apes to figure out.
pretty much traditional Christian doctrine
I think it was crystal clear by both thread title and context that my post was speaking to conservative biblical literalists.
Not to Quakers, Unitarians, transcendentalists, Christian humanists, or anyone who thinks Genesis is either allegorical, or that Genesis is referring to the evolution of Homo Erectus on the African plain.
The Romans were punishing but according to Christian doctrine God sacrificed his son to save humans. Why couldn't an all-powerful being just declare humans free of sin?
Nice work.
The fundamental questions are: why is there order rather than chaos? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is consciousness? These are questions which science, philosophy, religion can all legitimately participate in.