Intelligent Design and Biological Flaws

[Thana]

"And the LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." -Genesis 6:6

How can you regret something that you don't believe is a mistake?

Regret doesn't mean you made a mistake. Regret is to feel disappointed/sad. And God was disappointed with what humans had done.

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

Regret doesn't mean you made a mistake. Regret is to feel disappointed/sad. And God was disappointed with what humans had done.

But it specifically says that he regretted making them, not that he regrets what they have done.

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

Seems carnivorous animals will have a diet change too.

The cow and the bear will feed together,
And their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat straw like the bull.
- Isaiah 11:7

And that doesn't seem the least bit strange to you? Animals whose teeth and digestive systems were obviously meant to actually take in meat to begin with, yet still are herbivorous for some reason.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

They'd probably say that intelligence design does not mean perfected design. They believe the designer is perfect. Whatever he/she created started off as perfect (hence the intelligent design) but some how derailed ... so originally it was supposed to be an intelligent design... The results of giving humans free will lead to all what you listed below (according to some religions).

How do supporters of intelligent design explain these flaws in humans, (as well as animals,) while maintaining a belief that everything was intelligently designed?

 

[Thana]

But it specifically says that he regretted making them, not that he regrets what they have done.

Either way, It still doesn't mean we're mistakes. If He was disappointed that He made us, how does that then make us mistakes? I know most parents at one time or another has regretted having children, But does that then automatically mean they think their children are mistakes?

 

[Kolibri]

Because Jehovah is "perfect in his activity" (De 32:4,5), the passage you are referring to at Ge 6:6,7 cannot mean that God felt regret in the sense that he made a mistake. Regret is the opposite of pleasurable satisfaction and rejoicing. God was regretting that after he created mankind that they had become so evil that now he found himself obliged to destroy them. He felt regret because as Ezekiel 33:11 says: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that someone wicked changes his way and keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why should you die...?"

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Then what did carnivorous animals eat? Plants wouldn't have had the nourishment to sustain them, and they couldn't kill prey. Would there have been grazing lions/tigers/bears?

That's a good question, actually. Some Christians say that the Fall only impacted humanity and left animals as they were, so that animals did die, kill and eat each other before the Fall. Other Christians say no. I'm kinda on the fence with this since I kinda have my own views on what happened that fall outside the traditional understanding.

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

Either way, It still doesn't mean we're mistakes. If He was disappointed that He made us, how does that then make us mistakes? I know most parents at one time or another has regretted having children, But does that then automatically mean they think their children are mistakes?

It means so at the time, yes. You may change your mind about something being a mistake, but if you regret doing something at that moment in time, then you believe it is a mistake.

Also, that would mean that God's thoughts can be contrary to what is actually true. (i.e. him believing we are mistakes, when in reality, we are not.)

 

[Kolibri]

That's a good question, actually. Some Christians say that the Fall only impacted humanity and left animals as they were, so that animals did die, kill and eat each other before the Fall. Other Christians say no. I'm kinda on the fence with this since I kinda have my own views on what happened that fall outside the traditional understanding.

I have a wait and see attitude for some of it. I mean I believe the scriptures, but animals were never intended to live forever. But humans were. What happens when an animal dies? Will there still be other animals used to break down the carcasses?

We learned that before the flood the animals did not fear man as they do now. The fear served as a protection now that humans were allowed to be carnivores. What will it be like when we don't have to fear animals and they do not need to fear us? I really look forward to raising black panthers, at least for a time. It was a dream of mine while a young boy thinking on these promises. And it seems that I have been given the opportunity to seek my dreams regarding what is reasonable in this time and era, so why not then too?

 

[gsa]

But it specifically says that he regretted making them, not that he regrets what they have done.

You can never get them to admit the obvious, because they "know" what the bible says before they read it. It is amusing to watch, nevertheless.

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

Because Jehovah is "perfect in his activity" (De 32:4,5), the passage you are referring to at Ge 6:6,7 cannot mean that God felt regret in the sense that he made a mistake. Regret is the opposite of pleasurable satisfaction and rejoicing. God was regretting that after he created mankind that they had become so evil that now he found himself obliged to destroy them. He felt regret because as Ezekiel 33:11 says: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that someone wicked changes his way and keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why should you die...?"

Once again, it specifically says that he regrets making them, not that he regrets what they themselves have done.

"The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled."

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I have a wait and see attitude for some of it. I mean I believe the scriptures, but animals were never intended to live forever. But humans were. What happens when an animal dies? Will there still be other animals used to breakdown the carcasses?

We learned that before the flood the animals did not fear man as they do now. The fear served as a protection now that humans were allowed to be carnivores. What will it be like when we don't have to fear animals and they do not need to fear us? I really look forward to raising black panthers, at least for a time. It was a dream of mine while a young boy thinking on these promises. And it seems that I have been given the opportunity to seek my dreams regarding what is reasonable in this time and era, so why not then too?

Honestly, I do think that animals were meant to live forever and they do have souls (I'm an animist of a sort and not human-centric), but that's my own personal understanding of it and my inspiration from people like St. Francis of Assisi (my namesake and the dude in my avatar ).

But I agree with you - wait and see. These are open questions. The Bible doesn't specify answers when it comes to this topic, as far as I know. Raising black panthers would be so awesome!

 

[Kolibri]

Once again, it specifically says that he regrets making them, not that he regrets what they themselves have done.

"The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled."

And if you want to understand what he meant, there is a need to look at other scriptures. Or you look to an encyclopedia to see what the word meant in the original language.

M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia comments: “God himself is said to repent [na·cham′, feel regret]; but this can only be understood of his altering his conduct towards his creatures, either in the bestowing of good or infliction of evil—which change in the divine conduct is founded on a change in his creatures; and thus, speaking after the manner of men, God is said to repent.” (1894, Vol. VIII, p. 1042)

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

And if you want to understand what he meant, there is a need to look at other scriptures. Or you look to an encyclopedia to see what the word meant in the original language.

Why so? Is the "word of God" not sufficient enough to speak for itself?

M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia comments: “God himself is said to repent [na·cham′, feel regret]; but this can only be understood of his altering his conduct towards his creatures,

So, he still feels regret, is what you are saying.

either in the bestowing of good or infliction of evil—

So God causes evil?

 

[Thana]

It means so at the time, yes. You may change your mind about something being a mistake, but if you regret doing something at that moment in time, then you believe it is a mistake.

Also, that would mean that God's thoughts can be contrary to what is actually true. (i.e. him believing we are mistakes, when in reality, we are not.)

Mm, No that just seems like you interpreting the word regret as the word mistake. Which is a mistake, I regret to say.

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

Mm, No that just seems like you interpreting the word regret as the word mistake. Which is a mistake, I regret to say.

God regretted the fact that he created humans. It says so in black in white. How could one regret what they have done, and not believe it is a mistake? Please, by all means, riddle me that.

 

[Thana]

God regretted the fact that he created humans. It says so in black in white. How could one regret what they have done, and not believe it is a mistake? Please, by all means, riddle me that.

I've given you two examples of how regret does not mean mistake.
Have you never regretted something you had to do, But it needed to be done? That undeniably means it wasn't a mistake, You just regret the circumstance which means it saddens/disappoints you.

Just... let it go. Regret does not mean mistake.

 

[Kolibri]

God regretted the fact that he created humans. It says so in black in white. How could one regret what they have done, and not believe it is a mistake? Please, by all means, riddle me that.

Lets say you were a parent. You had a healthy boy, but as he reached his teens he started to break not only the house rules but the law of the land too. Perhaps he killed someone and showed no remorse and every intention to keep doing as he pleased with no regard for anyone else. Would you feel regret? yes. Would it be your fault? not necessarily.

Now what happens if you threatened to punish him severely and he changed his ways. Would you continue to carry out the threat even after he changed? Would you not change your mind and your action?

 

[Triumphant_Loser]

I've given you two examples of how regret does not mean mistake.
Have you never regretted something you had to do, But it needed to be done? That undeniably means it wasn't a mistake, You just regret the circumstance which means it saddens/disappoints you.

Just... let it go. Regret does not mean mistake.

If you are absolutely 100% sure that something has to be done, you wouldn't regret doing it. Regret comes from doubt as to whether or not you have done the right thing.

 

[serp777]

My belief is life was fostered by higher intelligence/nature spirits. They are beyond us in their intelligence but they are still finite beings not omniscient and omnipotent. They learn through evolution what works and doesn't work.

That doesn't sound religious really. it just sounds like the wormhole aliens in deep space nine.

Aliens are a lot more likely than a cosmic sadam hussein who cares about what you do with your genitals anyways.