The Debilitating Effect of Taking Genesis Literally

[Diogenes]

The proposition for debate is that when one takes the tales of Genesis literally, one becomes intellectually disabled, at least temporarily. Taking Genesis literally requires one to reject biology (which includes evolution) and other sciences in favor of 'magic.' Geology and radiometric dating have to be rejected since the Earth formed only about 6000 years ago, during the same week the Earth was made (in a single day).

Much of the debate in the topic of Science and Religion consists of theists who insist on a literal interpretation of Genesis rejecting basic science. Most of the resulting debates are not worth engaging in.

[Clownboat]

The proposition for debate is that when one takes the tales of Genesis literally, one becomes intellectually disabled, at least temporarily. Taking Genesis literally requires one to reject biology (which includes evolution) and other sciences in favor of 'magic.' Geology and radiometric dating have to be rejected since the Earth formed only about 6000 years ago, during the same week the Earth was made (in a single day).

Much of the debate in the topic of Science and Religion consists of theists who insist on a literal interpretation of Genesis rejecting basic science. Most of the resulting debates are not worth engaging in.

The way I see it the Big Bang supports what is said in Genesis

What's this? A Christian managing to make the Bible fit with modern scientific thought!
Next thing we know, the earth wont be the center of our solar system any longer either.

[Diogenes]

[Replying to Diogenes in post #1048]

Those are motives for inventing a god, I think The Barbarian was asking about evolutionary reasons. We evolved a sense of god as a side effect of us getting very good at spotting intention or purpose, which helped our ancestors spot danger.

I'm not sure there's a significant difference between motives and reasons in this context, but I agree in the sense that we seek patterns and look for purpose and reasons. We look for causes. It was logical for us to (mistakenly) assume everything had a cause or purpose. I suppose we tend to impute purpose whether there is one or not.

I don't know that we need always to find intentions or purpose, but I agree with your example about spotting danger by trying to predict events, or to intuit intent and purpose in other animals, both for safety and sustenance. Yes, gods could be a side effect, but inventing gods to give us purpose, meaning, and psychological comfort makes sense. We seek reasons and explanations even when there are none. It would be interesting to explore why we infer purpose when there is none. Why do so many find it difficult to accept that life, existence just IS?