.
Here from the leader of the largest Christian denomination:
The theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not “a magician with a magic wand�, Pope Francis has declared.
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “pseudo theories� of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it�.
“When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,� Francis said.
DanieltheDragon wrote:
So do you agree that slavery should be allowed? That slaves should not run away? Is sex slavery ok?
Basically, I do agree with those positions as per the Bible's explanations.
If Wootah is saying what it appears, that he agrees with slavery, I cite this as an example of the negative effect of religion. Other literalists defend killing people for opposing 'God', for adultery, for disobedience, for homosexuality, etc.
WHY?
'Because the Bible says so' -- uncritical / unthinking acceptance of and/or defense of practices that most of society has long since moved past.
If that is not what you are saying, Wootah, please clarify.
.
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
DanieltheDragon wrote:
So do you agree that slavery should be allowed? That slaves should not run away? Is sex slavery ok?
Basically, I do agree with those positions as per the Bible's explanations.
If Wootah is saying what it appears, that he agrees with slavery, I cite this as an example of the negative effect of religion. Other literalists defend killing people for opposing 'God', for adultery, for disobedience, for homosexuality, etc.
WHY?
'Because the Bible says so' -- uncritical / unthinking acceptance of and/or defense of practices that most of society has long since moved past.
If that is not what you are saying, Wootah, please clarify.
Or perhaps it is defendable and the uncritical / unthinking is on your side? Do you imagine anyone in this day or age would accept slavery unthinkingly? I'll defend what the Bible says on the matter for sure.
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Wootah wrote:
What other teachings of the Pope do you follow? I look forward to seeing more posts on your growing Catholicism!
It is a mistake to think that because someone makes a mistake in A then his advice on B is wrong. One of the notable aspects of Christians is how they hate each other, but this phenomenon isn't peculiar to Christianity: Sunni and Shia often kill each other.
Maybe Christ can help:
John 13:34-35 (KJV)
" A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
I think Francis seems to be trying his flawed best regarding this advice. Incidentally, my own Catholicism has dwindled away to disappointment and disillusion but I wouldn't issue blanket condemnations. They are sure to be wrong.
Wootah wrote:
What other teachings of the Pope do you follow? I look forward to seeing more posts on your growing Catholicism!
Who is right the pope or creationists?
Creationists of course. One has to be losing faith to move away from biblical literalism.
How does that follow, Wootah? Moving away from Biblical literalism only means losing faith in Biblical literalism...it does not necessitate losing faith in God or even losing faith in Jesus.
It does not even necessitate losing faith in the Bible...not if read within the context of the times and culture. And with awareness of literary forms. And with the realiztion that the Bible is a book of Spiritual inspiration, not a book of science, nor a book of history.
My theological positions:
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
Zzyzx wrote:
.
Here from the leader of the largest Christian denomination:
The theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not “a magician with a magic wand�, Pope Francis has declared.
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “pseudo theories� of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it�.
“When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,� Francis said.
Excellent and important topic you've highlighted here Z..
Episcopalians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and other mainline Protestants are on the same page as Pope Francis, as are Eastern Orthodox.
It's time for Evangelicals and Fundamentalists to catch up!
As the late great Robin Williams used to say, one of the top 10 reasons to become and Episcopalian (and by extension, reason to become a Catholic) is that you can still believe in dinosaurs.
My theological positions:
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
Zzyzx wrote:
Some time ago I mentioned the Pope and some people assumed that meant I had become a Catholic. Perhaps they make the same sort of mistake when I mentioned the KKK, Nazism, and the Spaghetti Monster.
What other teachings of the Pope do you follow? I look forward to seeing more posts on your growing Catholicism!
What teachings of the KKK do you agree with? Is that part of your modern reasoning?
Yup, mention the Pope and a Theist is likely to consider that 'growing Catholicism'
Mention the KKK and a Theist is likely to question agreeing with their teaching.
Perhaps similar thinking leads one to conclude that the last line of my signature reflects concern with baking.
Not all Theists Z, just the one who suggested that. Please don't generalize.
My theological positions:
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
."
