Hellobee Boards

@runsyellowlites: Different people / schools of thought interpret the Bible differently. I'd never been exposed or considered taken the Bible so literally, I didn't realize people did until I got to college and heard there was a controversy. To me and the people I've listened to there's more than one parable in the old testament and parables aren't always to be taken literally. I've read the Bible cover to cover several times starting at a fairly young age and that's how it's always made sense to me.

I like that when I read this topic, the "you might also enjoy" top link is "What conspiracy theories do you believe in?".

And yes, I think evolution by natural selection is true.

@MrsBrewer: I saw about this on a great documentary! I SO want to go!!! (I love documentaries so I've seen a number on creationism. tehe)

@MrsBrewer: I would LOVE to go to that museum. My DH is an atheist and I'm a very, very liberal Christian (think Unitarian) but we are both fascinated by this topic and would love to see how the creation side is explained thoroughly (instead of just "you've gotta have faith"). It would blow DH's mind (and probably cause him to start a big debate with someone!!). It's such a shame Kentucky is 4000 miles away!!

@Cherrybee: I would love to go too. I find religion so interesting, but as something to observe, not participate in. Want to take a road trip?

@mrbee: Yes, The Book of Job, by some interpetstions, supports this as well when God was speaking to Job & tells him He created them "along side" or "*with thee"... Actually from the creation story, God would've created all animals the 6th day so assumption would say dinos would've obviously been part of that.

@runsyellowlites: There's lots of examples if you google old testament parables. Plus there's tons of songs/poetry, which I guess aren't exactly parables but don't seem like they should be taken literally. The book of Ecclesiastes, which I think is beautiful, if you take every verse literally might drive someone to suicide or just getting drunk and making love all the time.

There may be some truth to parables but it's the extent to which they're interpreted that's a problem for me. Like building a vineyard might be used as an example but I don't think it meant it's the only way to build the vineyard, that wasn't the point of the parable. Jesus breaking the Sabbath a couple times I think he points out how religious laws aren't always interpreted correctly and the spirit of the words should be considered more.

@MrsBrewer: Have you seen the doc "Animals that Defy Evolution"? It used to be on Netflix, but I don't think it is anymore.

@Maysprout: I'll have to look that up! I know the poetry/songs but I've never heard of them being compared to the literal aspects of parables. Very interesting!

@mrsjazz: my DH as well (also an atheist..) but not in a good way.

I definitely believe in evolution.

I definitely do not believe in evolution. The only type of evolution I believe in is among micro-organisms. A good example is the common cold: it's evolved to resist "cures".

I wholeheartedly believe in creationism and the earth made in 7 days. I suppose I also believe in dinosaurs (never thought much about that one).

I also think that to be a Christian you have to believe the bible in it's entirety is true, so if a Christian doesn't believe in creationism... well that's between them and God.

I'm not particularly religious at this point in my life, but I am open to the supernatural / spiritual. I also believe in science, but I know that humans are still learning and discovering things and we don't fully understand the world.

But bottom line, while I love to learn and think critically, I am with Mrs. Wagon - it's more important to focus on things within your control (loving others, being a good person, making the world a better place). So, I'm kind of agnostic about most things and I'm cool with it.

Overall, though, I think that people always find a way to make scientific discoveries compatible with their faith. Before humans went to space, it was heresy to say the Earth was round and not flat because the Bible speaks of the "corners of the Earth." Now that we know its round, that passage is seen as symbolic. Again, I'm not particularly religious, but I don't think God would give us Scriptures to test or confuse us, or to compete with what our God-given brains are discovering. There's so much more in the Bible that is worth taking to heart (love your neighbor, the Golden Rule, etc.) that worrying over how literal certain references are seems to be missing the point if you ask me!

@MrsBrewer: Oh I was wrong about the title.. It's "Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution" parts 1, 2, & 3... I think you could probably find it on amazon! I really liked God of Wonders too.... stinky they aren't on Netflix anymore! boo that!

For the Scientist:
Removing religious premise, what are your thoughts on Intelligent Design as an argument against Evolution?

Of course since most say you're "evolutionist" I assume it would be that you don't prescribe to the science, but have any of you studied it or heard the arguments of support?

@Mrs. Pen: +1!

@mrbee: From biblical measure it was huge, BUT I think most animals that were taken onto the ark would've been babies, or before sexual maturity so many of the larger would still fit! AND, again biblically speaking, all animals would've made it BUT some of the more aggressive species (thinking t-rex here) likely would've died out just from being out-numbered.

I also saw a doc on Dragons or Dinosaurs talking about how long before we ever found fossils there were pictures of what would look just like a Dinosaur AND old translations of scripture actually included the word "dragon" in many instances!

@mrsjazz: This thread is blowing his mind right now - in a really shouty way! He loves a good debate. He fears he might get thrown out of the creation museum though!!

@mrbee: My DH just said, when he read your last comment: "Jurassic Ark". Lol.

@MsLipGloss: is that really what the Creation Museum is? I thought it would be more trying to prove something..

@mrbee: Putting out the spicy topics!

Yes, I believe in evolution, and that the earth is billions of years old. There's no doubt in my mind.

PS-I really appreciate that the differing viewpoints in this thread (and the conspiracy theories one) have not exploded in fights. Part of why I love this community so much!

@.twist.: haha ditto

I am definitely in the evolution camp (my dissertation is based on it!). In a nit picky way, it bugs me when people say they believe in evolution in a similar way as saying they believe in God and I think that phrasing often throws people off. Also, there is a big difference between evolution by natural selection (a process that has been scientifically shown to occur over and over again) and how life came about. This distinction is really important to any discussion for whether or not evolution is true.

@mrsjazz: "there's not just one way to be a Christian" <---- Agreed!

I'm not religious but my dad is a minister. He absolutely believes in evolution and I don't think that means he's not a "real" Christian.