Keep Life in perspective...

[andrea]

Why can't both co-exist? Evolution is evident in that things apparently change according to their environment. For instance there are many different kinds of human beings. But that in itself presupposes one common ancestor? This in itself I find amazing. But if you look at how many different breeds of dogs there are it is evident that these changes do not need millions of years to occur. In fact logic tells us (yet this does not seem to be discussed much) that an object only 8000 miles in diameter cannot remainmolten at the centre (which the earth is) for millions of years.

evolution does not always take millions of years to occur Grahame, a few years ago a certain species of lizard was introduced to a certain island (cant remember which) and within 20yrs the lizard had developed 2 stomachs in order for it to adapt to its environment.

People in the some parts of the world are being born shorter than they were years ago, its still evolving.

[andrea]

Mertol, 9/11 and 7/7 were both terrible events, why do you think they happened?
What did those terrorists think they were gaining by doing the bombings etc?

[grahameb]

I find it more likely Grahame , that there is intelligent life in the universe rather than some super higher being that created it all.

I cant accept that there is a god because there is no proof, according to the bible the earth is only thousands of years old, we know thats not true.

I put my faith in science and good people.

I never put my faith in people Andrea. I may end up like Jeremy. I look down the corridors of history and find nothing but evil that men have done. Yes and also in the name of some god or other. Faith in changeable men? Definitely not. I may fimd myself locked up in gaol some day wth many friends whi keep changinbg their faith in me as to whether IO am guilty or not. Yet I have put my faith in Christ. I have discovered that he has never let me down. People may. But God never. Speaking for myself mind.

[grahameb]

if god allowed 9/11 to pass without intervention grahame then god is not almighty , i would call him a terrorist.

Who knows what God thinks? Why do we always blame God for bad things yet fail to praise Him for the good that he does.

[andrea]

Its not actually blaming god Grahame, its more blaming religion.

[grahameb]

evolution does not always take millions of years to occur Grahame, a few years ago a certain species of lizard was introduced to a certain island (cant remember which) and within 20yrs the lizard had developed 2 stomachs in order for it to adapt to its environment.

People in the some parts of the world are being born shorter than they were years ago, its still evolving.

Of course. I would not call that evolution. I would call it adaptation. Because it could easily happen in reverse depending out the environment. Evolution also presupposes that things are getting better. But that is not always the case. Look at some of the breeds of dog. Some definitely have breathing and other problems. It is a change that is dependent upon environment. It doesn't happen spontaneously for the better. If that was so why do people still act in the same way as they did 1000's of years ago? I think Mertol's 9/11 post fits in here perfectly. If anything good happens, "Oh yes it's evolution" they say. If anything bad happens "Oh its God" they say. But the plain facts are that if it were not for people having faith in God you wouldn't have organisations today such as Bernardo homes and the nursing profession and the reform of the prison system etc and etc.

[grahameb]

Its not actually blaming god Grahame, its more blaming religion.

Well to be truthful Andrea mertol was blaming God.

[ngb1066]

I used to buy his Yearbook of Astronomy every year. I used to watch him when he was a young man with black hair. I made a refractor telescope. I went to an opticians who made an object glass for me and this thing was about 8ft long. Made out of an old carpet tube. Every time I put the thing in my garden everyone used to close their curtains.

So did I - I still have several years' worth!  I used to watch "The Sky at Night" every month.  I had to negotiate a special concession from my parents - it was on very late so they woke me up, I watched it then went back to bed.  No videos in those days!

 

[andrea]

Well to be truthful Andrea mertol was blaming God.

I personally blame religion and not god.

But this is an argument that would last forever, does god exist or doesnt he?

[ngb1066]

Funny you should say that Neil - I considered becoming a barrister when I was in sixth form - not sure what the common factor is between the law and astronomy?!

Very interesting Bob.  I am not sure there is a connection between the two.  Why did you decide against becoming a barrister?

You don't play chess by any chance do you?  There does seem to be some connection between chess and astronomy. C.H.O'D. Alexander was well known in both circles.  Patrick Moore is a keen chess player.  I used to play for my County.

[andrea]

Going back to the video Roch posted, excellent video, makes you think doesnt it?

Prof brian Cox is good to watch.

[grahameb]

I personally blame religion and not god.

Do you also blame religion for the good things it has brought as well?

[andrea]

I think people have brought good things grahame, not god or religion.

though religion is the inspiration for some nice art and architecture (have i spelt that wrong)

[grahameb]

I think people have brought good things grahame, not god or religion.

though religion is the inspiration for some nice art and architecture (have i spelt that wrong)

Andrea. At the beginning of the 18th century society had sunk to such depths in the land that a Frenchman is quoted to have said that religion is dead in England. Morals had slumped to an all out low. Crime was untamed. Every 6th house in London had a gin still in the so called gin craze. Drunkenness was a blight on the country and fueled many terrible crimes. The government in desperation to control the crime wave made over a 100 crimes punishable by death. Society was in a much worse state than ever before in the history of England.
Then in the 1740's there came into being what was termed the great awakening. Through the preaching of men like George Whitefield and John Wesley men and women began to turn to Christ in their 1000's. Soon the effects of this religious awakening ie men and women believing in Christ was felt all over the nation and very soon the pubs and gin houses began to close and became chapels instead. You had as a direct consequence of this awakening charities being formed by Christians. Orphanages and benevolent societies of different sorts. In fact it was even written by historians that if it were not for the great awakening England may have gone the way of France and would have had a bloody revolution. Now that was a direct result of religion upon people. Or rather "real" Christianity.

[boheme]

Its interesting to note that a lot of scientists are religious (which is a surprise to many people), if you go back to the so called big bang most people agree that this event happened, astronomers have radio telescopes which show this vividly, the Astronomer Royal often does lectrues on this with great photos..... However what caused it - this is where science and religion converge and neither can prove it one way or another - if God caused the big bang or it was a purely scientific event horizon - If you call this God, then he exists !! As for him controlling human behaviour, sadly the species acts for the most part like all other species who exist to re-produce and become the dominant species by natural selection, which in a lot of cases results in mass killings in the name of religion. By far the most successful species are the insects...... maybe God planned it that way !