I agree with the sentiment that a religious discussion should take place
in another forum, if you look carefully at the reply I gave my comments
were directed at the inference that people coming from scientific
backgrounds had points of view that were incompatible with religious
beliefs. This is not the first time I've seen such comments, and it
most likely won't be the last. I know this statement to be false and
said so. From the volume of private mail I've received from my original
comment I know many of you were glad I pointed this out. Like me except
for wishing people a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter on this list
you've never brought up religion before, like me you were saddened this
issue was even raised in the first place. After this message I won't
continue responding to this thread, as it has become obvious that the
original post is now being used as a sounding board for promulgating
beliefs both religious and antireligious, which was not its intent.
Some things however I will comment on here:
MH>I do not want to harp on a non CP related topic but the
MH>confrontational nature of the replies below have forced my hand.
I'll let the poster of the other message speak for himself but since you
also quoted my message I'll respond. If you considered my message
"confrontational" you obviously are a babe in the woods when it comes to
email discussions. My message corrected you in the kindest, most gentle
way possible, I even repeated your welcoming phrase to ease your mind
and reassure you the emotion in my response was identical to the
compassionate and caring tones you showed Mr. Cusson. In fact I think
the heat of my message was quite lower than yours was, didn't you begin
your post to him with the phrase "Here is a tangent I would like to rant
on" not exactly a congenial way to begin a dialogue. If you think I was
being rough on you, I assure you, you ain't seen nothing yet! :-)
>>There are vast numbers of people around the world, and probably
>>many on this list, who come from scientific backgrounds AND
>>consider the increase in knowledge concerning the evolution of life
>>on Earth and the development of species as further insight into the
>>existence of a Creator. The wonders of discovery enhance their
>>beliefs, they don't detract from them.
MH>I have always thought that creation beliefs based on control
MH>and direction by a being generally undefined, and evidence of
MH>evolution, a random process driven by selection, were somewhat
MH>conflicting.
You've been mistaken. I hope our discussion has enlightened you.
MC>I wish the political power of religious organizations was directed
MC>more towards preservation of "God's creations", like CP and thier
MC>habitat. Instead it is spent on attacking gay rights, gun regulation,
MC>the intenet, evolutionists, abortion, birth control, family planning,
MC>other religions, socialism, and liberal thought in general. At least
MC>this is my observation in the USA.
Good point Michael, here in San Francisco religious believers (who make
up the vast majority of the city's population) and institutions are
famous for spending their political power attacking gay rights, gun
regulation, the internet, evolutionists, abortion, birth control, family
planning, other religions, socialism (even socialists are attacking
socialism these days but that's beside the point) and liberal thought in
general. That's why this city, as well as the other major cities in the
U.S., are such hotbeds of conservatism. What kind of religious
institution do you hang out in? Maybe it's time you left Arizona, why
be oppressed when Paradise on Earth is only a couple of states away?
LC>Evolution by natural selection is a MECHANISM by which we can
LC>explain the diversity of life on earth. So if you want to believe in
LC>some sort of supreme being, whose to say this entity didn't simply
LC>lay down the laws of the universe (including natural selection and
LC>the other components of modern evolutionary theory) and let
LC>things follow on their own course.
Or still has a divine hand in guiding them now and forever. Your
professor echoes my sentiments. Up until now I haven't touched on my
personal beliefs but since some have assumed I don't believe in
evolution and natural selection let me just set the record straight by
letting you know I do. Like many of you, yes, even those of you with
scientific backgrounds, there's no conflict between my belief in God and
my belief in the scientific method. If nothing else this is new
information to at least one member of this list, I hope this discussion
has shed more light than heat, I assure you my tongue was planted firmly
in my cheek when it came to comments I wrote that may be perceived as
barbs. Now, thankfully, back to CP.
God Bless You,
on second thought to avoid any flames I better also include Warmest Regards,
Demetrios