Atheists V Creationists ... FACE OFF

by snare&racket 122 Replies latest jw friends

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  Chariklo

  Just before you all really get going, might I just throw into the mix, for your consideration, that the scientific basis for evolution, (with which the Christians I know have no argument, nor myself), is based upon the research of a nineteenth century Catholic monk, Gregor Mendel?

  

  Mendel's work on genetics and inheritance in peas, at around the same time as Darwin was developing his ideas on evolution, is another important string to the growth in scientific knowledge and understanding of evolution.

  http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/history_13

  A search brought me to this book, Evolution and Christianity by Horace Nelson Mateer. Maybe somone knows it? I actually don't, but I find it was reprinted and brought out in a new edition in 2012.I don't even know what line he takes, so I'm offering it to you purely for your research. It's in Google books too.

  http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Evolution_and_Christianity.html?id=5h3XAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

  Here's the info from Amazon.

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Lightning Source UK Ltd (17 Jan 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1272439887
  • ISBN-13: 978-1272439880

  Soledad, I too find much that is good in Deepak Chopra's writings.
• 

  Soledad

  Fantastic that you linked to Mateer. I vaguely remember touching on some of his writings back when I was in college the first time around.

  I'm going to download it. Thanks.

  Cofty, who's going to start that thread-you or I? Would love to participate if time permits.
• 

  cofty

  Cofty, who's going to start that thread-you or I? Would love to participate if time permits. - soledad

  I don't have anything positive to say about Chopra - quite the reverse, but if you or Chariklo would be interested in posting about why you respect him I would be interested in reading it.
• 

  still thinking

  Ok, are we still reading it? If we are I will start reading mine tonight. I've finished my other book.

  But if not. I'll read something else. My list is long and time is short...lol

  Out of interest...who else is going to read the book?
• 

  A Ha

  I don't know how active I'll be in the conversation, but I'm going to read the book.
• 

  ziddina

  For those who have requested more videos, perhaps we should start a "humorous atheist vs creationist videos" thread in the "Humor" section...

  As for the book that CA has recommended - I've just looked at the first few pages, but I'm always suspicious of supposedly "scientific" books that start out with a Norman-Rockwell style autobiography...

  It's distracting and doesn't address the issue at hand, PLUS it tends to set a warm-n-fuzzy EMOTIONAL tone for the rest of the book.

  REAL science shouldn't be based on "emotional" viewpoints.

  The DEBATE about the validity of real science versus "god" science, on the other hand... Sometimes gets VERY emotional.
• 

  Christ Alone

  Come on Zid. It's not a warm and fuzzy kind of book. Yes it starts on a "warm summer day". But if you ignore the biographical portions, it's very interesting in its attempt to say that science and belief can work together.
• 

  Christ Alone

  Zid, the purpose of the book is basically this statement on pg 3,4: "Many will be puzzled by these sentiments, assuming that a rigorous scientist could not also be a serious believer in a transcendent God. This book aims to dispel that notion, by arguing that belief in God can be an entirely rational choice, and that the principles of faith are, in fact, complementary with the principles of science. This potential synthesis of the scientific and spiritual world views is assumed by many in modern times to be an impossibility, rather like trying to force the two poles of a magnet together in the same spot. Despite that impression, however, many Americans seem interested in incorporating the validity of both of these worldviews into their daily lives. Recent polls confirm that 93% of Americans profess some form of belief in God; yet most of them also drive cars, use electricity, and pay attention to weather reports, apparently assuming that the science undergirding these phenomena is generally trustworthy."
• 

  ziddina

  Yeah.... But he certainly starts off with a clear appeal to the sentimental, emotional side of his readers, which as I mentioned before, makes the tone of the book suspect, right off the bat.

  But I will continue reading, as I have time.
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  Christ Alone

  Actually, that turned me off just a bit too, Zid. I don't necessarily like the biographical portions of the book. Although it makes it more readable than if it was merely a scientific textbook.