That one never bothered me. The way I figure it, something always had to exist, and that would mean either the creator of all stuff, or the stuff itself. To me it makes more sense that there is an eternal, personal creator who would make a purposeful decision at a finite time in the past to create us and all we see. This would bring meaning to why we and the universe exist rather than nothing at all. Your other option is to believe a bunch eternal stuff has always existed (for what reason, I don't know) and at the moment, some of it just happened to get smart enough to ponder why it exists.

I know he exists because he slaughtered all those Canaanite children and took the virgins as slaves.
How else did they get slaughtered if not on God's orders?

I guess since your world view is based on survival of the fittest, Erik, there's no reason for you to get too upset about it. After all, we're just animals, right?

"Survival of the fittest" describes a brutal natural phenomenon (I guess you have your god to thank for that). No one would propose the brutality of nature as a moral system.

Your magical wizard in the sky orders the deaths of innocent babies. That is something I would never do.

Of course you would Erik. You said you are a Muslim. If you read your book, you would know the death of innocents is very much present. As to the virgins, I think they went to the homicide pilots of 911, 'member dat?

Erik,

Those Canaanite children were a future threat to HIS people so God had to eliminate them.

If someone threatens the life of your family, wouldn't you want to eliminate them?

That's true. Without God, there's nothing more than brutal nature. A pretty sad thought.

No thanks. I'll take my God. A God that's the perfect judge, who will see that perfect justice is served in the end. A God that, unlike you, created everything... that weaved the tapestry of our existence and is the only One who sees the big picture. A God whose thoughts are far above your thoughts... infinitely more than the difference between you and a slug. I'm sure you can imagine that God exists. Imagine how silly your mocking and outrage would look to Him.

He's given us all free will and eternal life. He gives us all equal opportunity to find Him and prompts us all to seek Him. Those who seek will find. Those who reject Him will stand before Him one day without excuse.

Paula, if you don't understand sarcasm then you aren't worth talking to.

Ricky- imagine your child being ripped from your arms. Imagine a soldier throwing him against a rock as the other soldiers hold you back, waiting for your turn to be slaughtered. Imagine how the grief and devastation. As you cry out 'Why???' they tell you, "God told us to."
As you die you see them take your daughter away to be their 'slave'.

That's your loving God. That's the God who couldn't figure out some other way to do it. You proud of him? Want to sing a little hymn of praise for that?

I have faith in God's omniscience and His perfect justice. He's the author of life. He can carry out whatever sentence He wants in whatever way He wants to. As someone who does not know God's love, you just see His judgement. I don't know what would have happened to those children if they had grown up in that culture. I don't know what effect that culture would have had on God's chosen people or the coming Messiah. Do you? Maybe you would understand if you could see the future... if you could see the big picture. You can't. He is God and you are not.

God couldn't just miracle them into another country? Imagine the mothers crying for their babies. Just imagine. And then the young girls being led away to be sex slaves. That was your God that did that.
His 'plan' is just what ancient tribes used to do to each other all the time. I hope you are proud of this wonderful God you serve.

Erik, if you stop being so self absorbed and self righteous all the time, you might realize that to me and maybe others, I don't know, might find it mildly interesting to take 5 seconds and make fun of your childish and moronic attempt at being "sarcastic".

Ho Hum. No argument so just roll out the usual insults.
Thanks for that agape love.

You know something, preachers won't tell you the truth. They need you to keep believing. I don't have a motive, other than to educate people and help those who are suffering from the same mental bondage as I was during my time as an evangelical, bible-believing, on-fire-for-the-Lord Christian.

Erik,
One man's bondage is another man's blessing. I have had just about every human "tragedy" occur in my life. I could be bitter and rail at God. I could deny God and rebel as you have, or I can do what I do; which is to say, "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord".

I truly feel sorry for you, and I'm sure you would say that you truly feel sorry for me. Selah.

Live by the sword, die by the sword, Erik. Learn to take some of your own medicine, and say "fair enough"!

Let’s take a moment to reflect on your presence on this website. It seems to me you have to be a psychotic fool in order to continue to expend so much time and energy on this quest.

After all these years you have no quantitative data to justify your continued efforts. You have made no progress. Nothing, nada, zilch!

The only thing you gained is a self- massaging of the ego through a delusional perception that you just beat up on some Christians. But let’s face it, your arguments are repetitive…”your God kills children and your God kills children and and and girls were raped and girls were raped”, And, have been thoughtfully discussed and dismissed not just here on this website. In the great scope of Christianity you are entirely insignificant, and in any scale you bring nothing new to the table.

Logic and reason would deny one to argue incessantly over a fairy tale in which one so vehemently doesn’t believe.

That's why at the end of the day you are a puppet put to good use by the Great Master, so that people like me can get inspiration and growth from the answers given to you by Ricky, Grant and others.

All the best to you and yours.

Again Paula attacks me, my motives, my reasons for being here. An extended "go away if you don't like it."

My objections have never been dealt with. You have no answers, only insults.

Oh yeah so my God kills infants and takes little girls for sex slaves, who cares right? The answer is 'I guess he has his reasons.' That's pretty sad.

And you believe, like primitive people, that a human sacrifice will appease your angry god. Congratulations. Quite a religion you have there.

What Sunday can I attend services and here Bryant talk about how the time God slaughtered the little babies and had the girls taken away as sex slaves. I'd really like to hear that sermon.

You know, Eric, I can do this till it bleeds exhaustion.

You invaded the house of my Father to insult Him and my brothers and sisters. So man up, and realize that some of us might choose to point out the obvious. You ought to be thankful because if your beef was with Islam you might be out of a head at this point.

Once more, your state of delusion separates you from reality. Your “objections” have been contested over and over again here specifically and elsewhere for what now, 20 centuries? To no avail…it’s simply out of the kindness of their hearts, or commanded by a will greater than theirs that some opt for responding to your comments.

Sometime you will have to come to grips with the fact that you have wasted all these years of your “one and only chance as a human being” trying to dismantle that which is permanent. It’s got to hurt.

Here’s the kicker - Bryant’s church continues to grow in scope and size, they bring hope and tangible help to the poor and afflicted. They change lives for the better everyday driven by the teachings of their faith.

How about you? What do you do with what you believe in?

Why do my comments keep getting deleted?

I agree with Eric 100% of course.


Paula, how is the house of your father? I thought it was a web site.

Islam's violence (by some) of its memembers has never been doubted or questioned by us. I don't believe in Christianity OR Islam.

The longevity of Christianity (20 centuries as you state) is not an argument. Hinduism has been around longer, as has Judaism. Maybe you should convert.

You think Christianity is permanent? Maybe people thought the same of Zeus long ago.

Bryant's church grows in members? So what. So does country music.

Whether his church grows is irrelevant. Southern Baptists own internal research shows that they are dying out.

And Paula- remember it was your 'Father' who invaded a land called Canaan, killed all the people there, specifically massacred little tiny innocent babies and then took the young girls as sex slaves.

And your only answer is, 'they had it comin'." Nice. Really nice.

And you're mad because I post on this devotion.

lol @ JCO "country music".

Isn't it interesting how xians have held the power for 2000 years. They've jailed us, burned us to death, tortured us, censored our books, murdered anyone who opposed them. Now we have the gall to make a few comments on the internet and suddenly they are the persecuted ones.

JCO,

Seems to me you entirely missed several of the points.

It is the house of my Father, if you don’t understand it go read the Bible.

Never discussed the questioning or lack thereof in regards to Muslim violence. I guess given that you informed me you’re not Muslim I should say “good for you”? But which of their websites can we find you on attempting to belittle their faith? Let’s us know, just for the purpose of consistency…

Longevity and sustained success of Christianity are indeed part of the argument, and furthermore Christianity is the fulfillment of Judaism. Hinduism is, in every sense of the word, irrelevant.

Your other remarks are immature.

Paula- when the Muslims have mosques on ever corner in America, when they control American politics, when every candidate for President has to talk about how much he appreciates Sharia law, when my co-workers talk about me behind my back for not believing in Muhammed, THEN YES I will engage Islam and try to force them to debate and defend their ludicrous beliefs.

I am sorry your leaders are too cowardly to debate people like us.

Erik,

It’s illogical for you to legitimize your “dying” argument while dismissing the “growth” one.

Again, same fallacious, repetitive arguments. Frankly, you’re boring.

The fact is many intellectuals on both sides have had, and continue to have high level debates that dive deeply into the matters of religion and science. The likelihood of any stones left unturned is very small. Yet, they have not come to an agreement.

So, what makes you think that you could convince anyone? You haven’t, in all these years in all your different efforts not just on this website.

You truly ought to consider putting your energy into a better place, just like Christians do!

It doesn't matter if a particular church is growing- churches in general are dying. The former SBC president made this clear when he referred to them as a "denomination in decline". Look up the numbers for yourself. Its all online.

How do you know I've convinced no one? I've certainly proved Bryant wrong on multiple occasions, while he hasn't the wherewithal to confront me directly. So if you remain unconvinced then that's your fault not mine. I will continue to fight the good fight.

A mind that's not open to facts and reality is not a healthy one.

Paula, you can think what you think, and I can think what I tihnk. And there is nothing wrong with thinking that we don't know everything, we don't have all the answers, and there may be something else out there. But when you sit back and say your particular brand of unreality is reality, (and everyone else's unreality is unreality), that's a problem.

Bottom line is there is only one truth to anything, and only one way to really find those truths out. Cling to ancient fiction is not the way to go about it.

Erik,

You make a lot of drive-by assertions.

Contrary to your illusion you don’t know much about the SBC, their plans, and how they are evolving. But I understand your desperation. After all, it’s a lifetime of failure for you, and a lifetime of achievement for Bryant.

JCO,

Et voilà! We have an agreement -- “there is only one truth to everything”. You sound like a Theist.

Perhaps you accept the current theory, since there have been others, that you arrived here by a remote “accident”. An unrepeatable (statistically zero chance), fluke. Talk about faith! I happen to not.

But again, here’s the problem. You and I could be in the same physical space on the same exact point in time, watch the exact same presidential speech but come to completely different conclusions. On any given topic, I can accuse you of delusion, or beholden to unreality, in as much as you can accuse me. The point is, non-believers submit to a different set of rules by which their reality changes with latest scientific theories or simple claims, until another one arrives, and seeks to establish new parameters or answer that which science cannot.

Finally, yet another agreement, which is you believe in freedom of thought. However, if you are true to your philosophy, your presence on this website is nonsensical.

I make drive-by assertions! Oh that's funny. You guys are the best at that. I've provided facts and figures until I'm sick of it. You guys dont care anyway.

So what do you want to talk about? You want to talk facts? Ok, let's do it. What would you like to discuss?

Here's just one article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-06-12-baptisms_11_ST_N.htm

Even RFTH is declining and probably will go away soon. They don't have the money to stay afloat. I've seen their tax returns.

And as for Bryant? I've offered to debate him any time anywhere as long as it's recorded for broadcast. That offer stands.

Good day.

Paula, actually I sound like a scientist. Fundamental truths about the universe can be known in time, as evidenced by the progress science has already made, and there is more to come. But ONLY if we stop filling up the holes or gaps in our knowledge with things like theism. Why answer what you do not know with an irrational guess?

The current theory, as you put it, that I arrived here by "accident" is something the theists keep bouncing back and forth with one another, because you only talk amongst yourselves. (Like when you people state that "evolution is only a theory"). I accept that there was a big bang (so to speak) some 14 billion years ago, which placed the laws of physics into the universe. Beyond that, I do not know. No one knows - not you, not I, not Bryant.

Your statement about "zero chance" is false in an infinite universe. In such a universe, there is a 100% chance life could evolve here. It's not "faith", it's just basic math.

Your statements around science changing is what makes science what it is, it's not a problem with it. (this is also another false concept the faithful pass back and forth). The problem is actually with religion (not just Christianity), which NEVER changes regardless of the evidence to the contrary.

Yes I believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe in the freedom to criticize ideas and concepts that are obviously false - hence my presence here is sensical.

I listened to a recent "debate" about the origins of life between Richard Dawkins and the Archbishop of Canterbury held at Oxford Universtiy. The Archbishop is not a strong proponent of what I believe as a Christian, but I found Dawkins fascinating.

I can see more of what Erik would like to convey when I listen to Dawkins. In short, it "Science", "Evolution" "Math and Physics". They explain it all. What they don't explain is either yet to be "discovered" or is actually attributed to a fantastic fluke of luck. As Dawkins says, "A fluke of luck only has to happen once".

He finds our need for a God or more specifically a creator of intelligent design messy and unnessessary. His explaination of the "uncaused cause" behind it all was no more succinct or believable than the theological explanation.

It's a choice to believe in science. It's a calling to believe in God. I am perfectly happy to accept your choice for science. However, to use Dawkins' words, "the elegance of the universe" is so much more elegant with God than without him.

Thanks Grant, I agree with what you said. But "It's a choice to believe in science." is not really accurate. Science is not a belief. No more than math is a belief. Or that Dickens wrote Great Expectations is a belief. Some things in science are facts (e.g. the human body is made out of cells), and some things are theories (i.e. best scientific explanations based on those facts), like Atomic Theory. With theories, all the evidence available that we can find points to the facts. Theories can be refined further, facts (like 2+2=4) can not.

So it's not really "belief" exactly.

I'm willing to believe anything if the evidence supports it.

I want to commend Grant for at least viewing the debate with some measure of open-mind. That's far far more than most of the people here would ever do.

Although we disagree, I respect Grant for his honesty and interest in the debate.

I find scientific advances to be fascinating, although I don't really comprehend some of the most recent postulations in physics.
As for proven science, it's amazing how often todays science becomes tomorrows correction. Great minds pushing to understand what God (in my opinion) hath wrought, is a high form of human intellect. Philosophy, logic and theology are also of that high(est) order.
I don't have to throw out my faith to appreciate what frontiers we are probing. However, I do believe that on a scale of 1-100, we have reached an understanding of about 6 when it comes to science. We've only scratched the surface. As for our understanding of God, it is forever beyond the capacity of the creature to comprehend the creator.
Enough of this for me.
Good discussion.

And Erik, you have been provided with answers and facts and opinions, a lifetime of content, but you have equally not accepted them.

In fact you are hung up on your deep hatred and resentment.

There is real violence out there in communist atheist China and radical muslim Iran, where people are indeed being persecuted and burned and raped and murdered. But Erik is sitting here seething in resentment and hatred because of what? Your religious co-workers were talking behind your back. How small and self absorbed are you?

You were not happy with religion and you are not happy without it.

Seems to be a You problem, not a Christianity problem.

JCO,

Seems to me you just made a statement of Blind Faith in the scientifically unknown vis-à-vis how future science will provide your answers. And it might, I am not saying it won’t in fact the latest advances in Physics, Math, Astronomy, Cosmology, Biology point to an Intelligent Design theory with implications that sound a whole lot like the Bible.

I am glad you accept that scientific truths can change because if not, you would still be quoting the Miller experiment as a slam dunk when in fact it is not. But we can sit here and argue about all these complex issues to the best of our understanding, including how the theory of Evolution continues to be idolized even as it’s followers admit it’s blatant flaws within the fossil records, or implications of the bacterial flagellum, etc, or how the universe may or may not be finite but that the very definition of infinity presumes that it cannot be crossed thus we cannot arrive to the this present event, and the evidence conveyed by the second law of thermodynamics, etc. Or we could dive into how science cannot explain consciousness and soul, and on and on and on. You and I could do this forever, presumably to achieve what?

Again there are far more qualified individuals out there debating and extensively researching these issues on a daily basis. You choose to have blind faith in how the future of science will fully discredit Christianity. I choose to have Faith in a living God who speaks to me through an amazing Prophet, the only one who conquered death and whose life was masterfully crafted to retain a detailed historical account which stands the test of time.

Paula, obviously I am saying that I do not encounter Muslims daily. They don't try to change my laws and impinge on my personal freedoms. They don't advertise on TV and radio, spreading lies to my neighbors.
When they do, I'll take them on.

Keep on worshiping that baby-killing god of yours.

I wasn't aware that the Miller Experiment has overwhelming problems with it - The results of this experiment DID suggest that a mixture of oxidized and reduced compounds, including hydrogen sulphide, may have been important in the formation of amino acids and amines not only on Earth, but elsewhere, namely inside the parent bodies of meteorites. Does it answer all the questions on the origin of life? No. But again, it's probably a step in the right direction?

Do you think sitting around and thinking about Eve being made from Adam's rib a step in the right direction?

Again, only religious people think that changes in scientific theories are a "problem" with science. No scientist themselves think this, nor do they sit around worry about religions when undergoing their scientific research. To the vast majority of scientists, religion is irrelevant.

Oh, and I don't 'worship' the Theory of Evolution anymore than I worship any other scientific theory. I'll leave the worshiping to you and your style of thinking.

Really, Erik? You did not encounter them on 9/11/01?
The rest of us in this world encounter them on a daily basis. Some of us have seen it first hand, but all you have to do is turn on the TV.

Where is your concern with the brutalized and the afflicted?

Oh that’s right, once upon a time there was Erik, and he was arguably a religious guy who was deeply hurt by someone arguably part of a specific denomination of a certain religion.

And now he waddles in a pool of permanent self-centered dissatisfaction.

All the while Christians from many backgrounds and denominations come together, everyday to bring hope and tangible help to those same victims whose situation seems to affect you not.

JCO,

Again, debatable in many ways, but suffices to say that for example he used the wrong assumptions in the formulation of gases. Regardless, ions away from ability to create a living cell, or self reproducing organism. Talk about requiring a leap of faith.

I don’t have a problem with Science or changes. In fact I welcome it as I previously pointed out. I have an issue with a) your suggestion that half-truths, unproven theories or presumed steps in the write direction provide all the acceptable answers, even if it doesn’t, as long as it supports your views, but where scientific theories that argue against yours are suddenly irrational b) I have a problem with people like you who make a variety of prejudicial remarks and frankly demonstrate a considerable amount of close mindedness. If science is the pursuit of truth you ought to be cognizant that predisposed antagonism is anything but part of a logical stance.

Just more ad hominems. I was never hurt by anyone in the church.

If you really think Islam is more prevalent in America than Christianity then there is nothing I can do to help you.

Erik,

Ad hominem? Hardly. I think you're projecting.

Many of your statements suggest if not outright state that you had a very personal negative experience which led to your quest.

I did not say Islam is more prevalent, why so disingenuous?

I hope that at some point your hostility can run it's course and you move on to a better place in life. Love and let love!

"If you judge people, you have not time to love them".

Paula;

It’s is obvious that you cannot convince me that Christianity has all the answers to this life (or an afterlife), or that it is indeed true, and I cannot convince you that God does not exist (or at least in the form you are proposing). Thus, we are at an impasse.

Which is fine. I do have a masters degree in Chemistry, so I do know something about science. And on the whole, the religious right is generally VERY ignorant of science, and they continue to pass around nonsensical ideas and beliefs because they only talk amongst themselves. Statements like “evolution has major gaps in the theory!” “There are holes in the fossil record!”, “science is also a leap of faith!”, and my favourite, “Science can’t be trusted because it is always changing!”, are constantly bantered about by the religious to convince themselves that science is not a threat to their beliefs. But it is, or at least it should be.

Gullibility and credulity are considered undesirable qualities in every department of human life -- except religion. Why is that? And this isn’t about whether or not science has all the answers to everything, it currently does not. Grant recently pointed out a 6/100 maybe understanding of our universe through science, and maybe that’s just about right. I wouldn’t disagree with that at all, and perhaps it is even lower. But you make statements like “unproven theories”, “half-truths” and so forth that demonstrate that you really do not understand the scientific process at its core.

What’s an example of an unproven theory in science? Is the fact that carbon contains 6 protons unproven? How about the laws of gravitation? Unproven? What about protein chemistry?

Give me an example of a scientific theory that is against my belief system and that I would consider it to be irrational? I cannot think of a single scientific fact or theory that I have a problem with. And that’s just the point — science is what it is. If the vast mountain of evidence garnered for the past 100+ years points to our evolution (and the evolution of every living creature on Earth), why would I want to fight that? I would only do so if I was the one with the prejudice in the first place.

Notice how the Christians never want to debate facts or evidence. They always, always turn it into a personal thing about how we are bad people. Look at this thread. I keep volunteering to talk facts and evidence and they keep running away.

So when do we hear the psalm of praise for infant murder?

Facts and evidence makes them uncomfortable, which is why they are religious in the first place.

"According to what I was taught at my Southern Baptist church by a minister whose name you would know if I said it.

God is not always fair, but always just..."

Now those are your words Erik...Your Words not Mine.
------------------------
So I am a Little Crazy?

I am Full-Crazy: However; I am not the one preoccupied with Infanticide...

And Erik?

If you are so concerned with 3,000 Year-Old Dead Babies?

Why don't you do something to help the Little Ones in your County?

Do a Golf Tournament or give a Bunch of Money to the Local Orphanage...Better yet? Show up and change some Diapers.

Go to the Local Hospital or Clinic where those Babies are being Rescued Day by Day by the Folk at Scottish Rite or Emory or Grady.

Go walk into a Pediatric Cancer Ward and look straight into the Eyes of the Little Ones who are Dying...

Look into those Parent's Faces--Stare right straight into those Eyes of Despair...

Give them a Smile and a Hug or just listen Quietly while they share their Frustrations over their very Ill Kids.
----------------------
Then once you have Been There and Done That?

Tell them there is No God...

I recall a while back you saying you'd been treated violently by some Christians, Erik,and I apologised on behalf of true Christians everywhere, for awful witness by false Christianity.

I like Gunk, I like some of his comments. Don't always understand them all, if he's crazy then perhaps all of us are on some level or other. Who cares. I care about him and others here.

I don't engage anymore because it all goes around in circles with not much evidence of anyone really 'listening' to each other.

Mankind chose to bring sin and evil into the world by trusting Satan over God, God chose to give us a way back to perfection with Him. I'll take it, tho' my perfection will never be fully realised in this life whilst I inhabit a body of sin.

I do not believe for one moment a God-less world would be free of hatred and violence. The modern religion is that of self and I don't like it very much at all.

Cat, you are better than you think you are. Don't let the big guy in the sky talk you down like that.

It isn't about Gunk--though I appreciate the Kind Words.

It isn't about Erik or JCO or any Other Person.

This Website was Founded and Funded by Individuals who Believe this Ministry is Viable and Trustworthy.

It has been a Real Blessing to me...even though it Hurts Sometimes.

The Personality is Bryant--he Writes these Devotions. The Greater Person is Jesus.

Follow Him.

I agree with JCO, Cat. You're body is not a body of sin.
As far as wars and violence go? No, a godless world would not be violence free, but it would be free of Faith-based violence like 9/11 and the ensuing wars we have become involved in.

Yes, I have received bad treatment by Christians but that is only recently. That is not why I left the church or Christianity. You see most Christians are used to emotional-based reasoning. They believe because of certain feelings they have and they assume if someone disbelieves then that must be feeling-based too (eg "You are angry at God" etc).

If there is any message I have for people it is to TRULY READ and study your Bible. Read it honestly and not take some preacher's word, (or my word!) about it.
Can Bryant tell you that? No. He doesn't want you reading and studying the bible because you might just find some very ugly unpleasant stuff there.

Do you know Psalm 137? There the sweet Psalmist praises those who dash an infants brains out on a rock.

That's the Bible they don't want you to know. But I don't care. I don't need your money. I don't need you in the pew every Sunday. I don't want anything from you. Just read and study honestly, ok?

Erik,

Nobody believes for a minute in any of your sob stories anymore, but using your children is below the belt.

Obviously you need to come up with excuses to justify your permanent state of hostility and personal dissatisfaction.

Why else would you invade this specific space with lies, innuendo, and insults to our faith or how we choose to live life? There are no genuine questions on your end, and all of them have been thoughtfully answered at one point or another.

And guess what, you are free to not accept them and move on.

But you don’t because somehow it is soothing to your revengeful delusion to keep regurgitating the same tired lines. Then you expect courtesy and tolerance? I am afraid not every one of us is cut form the same cloth.

I do feel sorry for you, and I did not before.

Insult Erik. Call Erik a liar. Call Erik a bad person.
Run away. That about does it.
No arguments, no logic, no defense of God. Just the last refuge of a losing argument, the personal insult.

Pretty much a typical Christian.

JCO,

Oh well, you nailed it! The religious right! Does that include Jewish, or would that be the religious left? How delightfully predictable are you people? That’s really what this is all about, isn’t it? You ought to stop watching Rachel Maddow. Your time would be best spent with Sun Tzu. You might learn that arrogance is a pathway to defeat.

And…misspoke again! I never sought to convince you of anything. I merely opinionated in response to the statements you chose to make as you offensively encroach upon the site where people of my faith congregate.

I think it’s delightful that you claim to have a degree in chemistry, but how does that place you at a higher ground? Let’s face it, if your insights were really all that valuable why would you be wasting your time on some website with a bunch of gullible folks?

It’s an impasse from the beginning because your ignorant, all encompassing statements presume Christians (and I guess Jewish, since they also believe in God) do not possess the intellectual capital to have researched and reflected on theses issues. All millions and millions of us have arrived to this point because of a genetic predisposition to being taken by a fairy tale. And you got to this conclusion via unequivocal empirical evidence?

You are either sincerely uninformed or you are simply dishonest, much like Erik, when you previously suggested that there are no scientists who are religious. Or, that religious individuals fear science or that scientists don’t think of religion. How could you possibly know this? Have you interviewed each and everyone single of them on their thoughts and beliefs?

I don’t feel the need to dwell on semantics, or your understanding versus mine of assumptions and definitions. Anyone can read books, or get on the internet and can find just about all the information they need to support whatever is it they so desire. Individuals far more accomplished and reputable than you or I argue for Intelligent Design, others believe in Theistic Evolution, and yet others in Darwinian Evolution. I find that there is compelling negative evidence to cast doubts on the theory of unguided evolution, and equally compelling positive evidence to support a Creator. I further find that whenever there is an ability to cross reference, the Bible reveals itself as a historically accurate document. Since I tend to not be close minded and bigoted, like you, I am rather open to further my knowledge and to know how my God will reveal itself to me next.

Again, your questions have been thoughtfully, repeatedly answered by many individuals on this website or elsewhere. You have chosen not to accept them, but resort to continuous obnoxious remarks, I am just pointing out the persona you convey.

...above comment was of course directed at esteemed brother Erik.

Only wanted to say that I am still praying for both of you, Erik and JCO. I hope someday you will see that this complex universe where there are no two people sharing the same DNA or fingerprints out of billions did not just fall into place from an explosion or other accident, but instead was designed by our Lord God who has made available forgiveness to you through the acceptance of His Son Jesus into your hearts- God bless

hi

Same thing that makes you Think you could possibly ask That Question...

Classic!

Thanks, Gunk. I could not have said it better.

I have been called a liar by both Gunk and Paula. Are you proud of that Right from the Heart? Do you stand by that libelous statement?

Are you proud of what your followers have said on this devotion, calling people liars, personally attacking me and others?

Do you think this brings honor to God?

All I did was ask that you all READ and STUDY your BIBLE and I am subject to these personal attacks from Johnson Pharisee Baptist. Is this what Jesus Christ would want??

test