Who created God? Where does the universe begin and end?
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From: Lake Tittycaca
I belive we were given Free Will, thus the reason for much of the "bad things" that happen.
My question may seem very simple but has no answer. I have made it this far in life without one, but it's something I think about often. Spose it's the conflict between "faith" and "science" that we all have to deal with.
My question may seem very simple but has no answer. I have made it this far in life without one, but it's something I think about often. Spose it's the conflict between "faith" and "science" that we all have to deal with.
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
My background is more "scientific" than that of most scientists: I'm a mathematician. The proof my discipline requires far exceeds that of any of the other sciences.
This thread reminds me of one from about a year ago where we had "scientists" and "the faithful" arguing about the existance of God. One of the scientists made a list of three things we know for certain, one of which is, "No object can simultaneously possess and not possess a given characteristic." In other words, there can be no contradictions. Scientists agree on this.
I ask, "Why not?", and "How do we know this?" Aristotellian logic takes this as an axiom (they call it a law, to make it sound really, really important; it is), as does modern science, but how can we be certain that it's true? Is there something in the nature of nature that makes contradictions impossible? If so, what is it? How can we be certain that there are no contradictions simply because we have been unable to catalogue any? (My guess is that if there are contradictions in nature they're very, very subtle.)
My point is that "science" depends on faith every bit as much as religion does, though in different ways. If you encounter a scientist who denies this, insist that he answer the questions I've posed above; he'll be unable to.
Oh, and, yes, I'm a Christian. Even as a mathematician, I have all the proof I need.
This thread reminds me of one from about a year ago where we had "scientists" and "the faithful" arguing about the existance of God. One of the scientists made a list of three things we know for certain, one of which is, "No object can simultaneously possess and not possess a given characteristic." In other words, there can be no contradictions. Scientists agree on this.
I ask, "Why not?", and "How do we know this?" Aristotellian logic takes this as an axiom (they call it a law, to make it sound really, really important; it is), as does modern science, but how can we be certain that it's true? Is there something in the nature of nature that makes contradictions impossible? If so, what is it? How can we be certain that there are no contradictions simply because we have been unable to catalogue any? (My guess is that if there are contradictions in nature they're very, very subtle.)
My point is that "science" depends on faith every bit as much as religion does, though in different ways. If you encounter a scientist who denies this, insist that he answer the questions I've posed above; he'll be unable to.
Oh, and, yes, I'm a Christian. Even as a mathematician, I have all the proof I need.
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From: Long Island, New York, US
I wouldn't say Christianity is really a religion per se, but I believe in its truest meaning and intent, it is more a way of life than anything else. "Organized religion" just sounds so negative and authoritarian. Unfortunately, many "Christians" don't really see it this way and that's where the stereotype of "Christians" being hypocrites become perpetuated. A lot of people I know put up a fake front on Sundays but being a Christian is a 24/7 thing.
And RiceBurner slammed the nail on the head - just accept Christ into your heart and that's it, there is and should be no burden of you trying to "attain" salvation throughout your life because you wouldn't be able to do it, no one could. Just clearing up a misconception held by many of what it takes to become a Christian.
And RiceBurner slammed the nail on the head - just accept Christ into your heart and that's it, there is and should be no burden of you trying to "attain" salvation throughout your life because you wouldn't be able to do it, no one could. Just clearing up a misconception held by many of what it takes to become a Christian.
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
The question that started this thread reminds me of a story:
A young man was talking to an elderly woman, and he asked her, "What holds up the earth?"
Well," the woman replied, "the earth rides on the back of a large turtle."
The young man thought about this for a moment. "Then what holds up the turtle?"
The woman's reply was swift: "It sits on the back of another turtle."
The young man knew that he had her. "All right. Then what holds up . . . ."
The woman held up her hand to stop him. "I know where you're going with this, but it's no use. It's turtles, all the way down."
A young man was talking to an elderly woman, and he asked her, "What holds up the earth?"
Well," the woman replied, "the earth rides on the back of a large turtle."
The young man thought about this for a moment. "Then what holds up the turtle?"
The woman's reply was swift: "It sits on the back of another turtle."
The young man knew that he had her. "All right. Then what holds up . . . ."
The woman held up her hand to stop him. "I know where you're going with this, but it's no use. It's turtles, all the way down."
