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The Threat of Creationism

gnostic

The Lost One
No reasonable religious person like myself would ever want to stop inquiry by science. That is a false tale still claimed by many atheists
I am many things, George. Atheist is not one of them.

Are you now calling me atheist?

Who's now telling false tale?
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I am curious, are you interested in finding the truth, or in validating your myth of choice?
I am more interested in the truth. I do not consider my beliefs a myth as you seem to imply but as the most likely and reasonable understanding that holds that consciousness/Brahman is fundamental and matter is a derivative of what is fundamental. My belief comes from those adepts that I have come to believe perceive reality beyond our limited senses.
 

Vorkosigan

Member
I am more interested in the truth. I do not consider my beliefs a myth as you seem to imply but as the most likely and reasonable understanding that holds that consciousness/Brahman is fundamental and matter is a derivative of what is fundamental. My belief comes from those adepts that I have come to believe perceive reality beyond our limited senses.
I apologize for any offensive implication.
And how do you evaluate your believes? how do you know you are right/wrong?
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I apologize for any offensive implication.
Accepted.
And how do you evaluate your believes? how do you know you are right/wrong?
My interest began with a study of the so-called paranormal which led me to conclude beyond reasonable doubt that the universe is dramatically more than our senses and science at this time can reach. From there I investigated wisdom traditions that included an expanded view of reality particularlyTheosophy and then eastern/Indian/Vedic wisdom traditions and found them to have explanatory power of the so-called paranormal whereas western science wanted only to dismiss or explain away anomalous phenomena. Eventually, it became clear to me that the highest thinkers of these other wisdom traditions all dovetail into a belief that Consciousness/Brahman is the fundamental reality and the seed from which all this material universe sprouted. .
 

`mud

Just old
Premium Member
hey George,
That sounds like the calamity of the chaos after what you just described !
Nice description !
~
'mud
 

Kartari

Active Member
Hey George-ananda,

Apparently we are thinking with different definitions of 'creationism' so not understanding each other. You are using the a far more Creationism idea than I.

I see the universe as a creation of Brahman. Physical life was not a chance occurrence; it was a creation. You said you didn't see a difference between YEC and old earth creationism. That miffed me.

What I was trying to point out was that what I think you are really condemning is denial of scientific discoveries (YEC). Science has not fully discovered how/why abiogenesis and evolution occur and I believe it involves forces beyond current science's reach.

In science class though, they should stick to what mainstream science currently believes and perhaps mention the complete story is not yet known to science.

Just wanted to clarify that I was also referring to the same group of creationists LuisDantas is in my previous post. I believe the term creationism generally refers to YECs, or at least anyone who believes all was not only created by a creator deity but who also explicitly rejects evolution. This definition can be confusing, though.

If you believe the universe was created by a deity and also accept evolution, I am not against that. We don't know everything, that's true. The issue for me is when some people not only adamantly refuse to accept valid evidence in lieu of holding onto beliefs that are inconsistent with reality as we know it (i.e. YECs), but persist in attempting to impose their ignorance onto others. Especially by pushing it into the heads of other people's children and not just their own.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
Hey George-ananda,



Just wanted to clarify that I was also referring to the same group of creationists LuisDantas is in my previous post. I believe the term creationism generally refers to YECs, or at least anyone who believes all was not only created by a creator deity but who also explicitly rejects evolution. This definition can be confusing, though.
I was thinking it was YEC too but @LuisDantas miffed me temporarily by saying there was no significant difference between YEC and old earth creationism. That would have left only atheistic creationism standing. But we finally straightened out the misunderstanding.
If you believe the universe was created by a deity and also accept evolution, I am not against that. We don't know everything, that's true. The issue for me is when some people not only adamantly refuse to accept valid evidence in lieu of holding onto beliefs that are inconsistent with reality as we know it (i.e. YECs), but persist in attempting to impose their ignorance onto others. Especially by pushing it into the heads of other people's children and not just their own.
I understand your point here. The term 'Creationists' was being used incorrectly.

Back to the intended topic; my position is saying the 'Threat of Creationism' is an alarmist overstatement primarily by those with a vehement dislike of religion (but perhaps not exclusively). The video was made 32 years ago and I am not really seeing any significant damage caused by this 'threat'. I go soft on YECs as not everybody has a worldly background as perhaps us and they see things more black/white and I am fine with letting them have their thinking on this issue. Those with almost all the intellectual control in modern society are not YECs so I feel no threat whatsoever to society. The tide is against YECs and is washing away naturally through more general worldliness.
 

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
I don't think so.

Creationism, if correctly defined as the simple belief in a creator God, is hardly objectionable. But it also lacks influence.

What is (incorrectly, but usually) called Creationism is in truth a movement based on dogma and denial of scientific knowledge.

No serious religion has any time to lose with it.
 

`mud

Just old
Premium Member
hey George,
"... fundamental reality and the seed from which all this material universe sprouted. .
The real 'chaos' started there, but everything evolved,
now...............where are we going ?
~
'mud
 

gnostic

The Lost One
Where did I call you personally an atheist? Please re-read the sentence; That is a false tale still claimed by many atheists

Well, you were responding and rebuffing my reply, so there might have been implication that you were accusing me of spreading "false tales" like atheists.

Hence, my question, asking for clarification.

If you weren't then I do apologize for my misunderstanding, but at the same time, thank you for clarifying yours.
 

jeager106

Learning more about Jehovah.
Premium Member
The creation story in the Bible is nothing more than an explanation of how we humans got here
written for the people of the time that had NO concept of science.
It's a nice bit of prose.
Period.
People that believe in a literal 6 day earth creation are brain dead.
I'm a believer in the Bible, God and Jesus but STUPID I ain't!
 

`mud

Just old
Premium Member
The creationists aren't worried about the dynosaurs,
and overlying footprints in the frozen past,
and there's about 67 talking species,
created at different places on the planet,
oh....I forgot the great flood, everybody gone !
And they all sprouted up again,
I really don't know......smoke and mirrors to me !
But.....I wonder about the 'holes' in the sequence.
I really, really don't think 'God' did it,
phoney dynosaurs !!! Good replicas though,
way much Stuff,
but fun!
~
'mud
 

jeager106

Learning more about Jehovah.
Premium Member
I was on a "religious" site once where most all members espoused the literal
6 day creation.
Almost ALL believed the fossil record and dating of such was mere "propaganda"
invented by atheists to disprove the Creation event.
I left that site to the brain dead.
Frankly I don't care how humans got here.
I'm more concerned with what we do with this gift of life.
Thus far humans have failed to exhibit "humanitarian" behavior for the most part.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Science shouldn't be threatening to someone of faith, nor should faith be threatening to a scientist. And I'm of the belief that the two can peacefully coexist, not forcing a scientist or a believer to have to choose. Although, I'm not a believer in creationism, I identify as a Christian.

Deidre, you are consistently one of the nicest people. ...just saying. :)
 

viole

Ontological Naturalist
Premium Member
Science shouldn't be threatening to someone of faith, nor should faith be threatening to a scientist. And I'm of the belief that the two can peacefully coexist, not forcing a scientist or a believer to have to choose. Although, I'm not a believer in creationism, I identify as a Christian.

If you believe any of the following:

1) God created the Universe
2) God had man in mind when He created the Universe, ergo:
3) Evolution is tweaked or controlled by God

You are a creationist. I don't think that not believing in a literal Adam and Eve is sufficient to be qualified as non creationist. Maybe intellectually more defensible, but creationist nevertheless.

Ciao

- viole
 
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