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what's the point of jesus if adam & eve did not 'fall' and condemn us all to sin?.
We are not the same as animals. Animals can't sin. They don't know better, they're not capable of better. We are.
We were once less intelligent, less self-aware animals. We've since advanced over millions of years. So at what point in our evolutionary history, the sliding scale of intelligence, did we become sinners? Was there a specific moment where suddenly modern humans became sinners? And why did god make it so?
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
So does one's "nature" determine whether they would seek out the creator again? If so, by that theory, all members of the forum on that island would end up exactly where they are now - either believer or non-believer.
Further...if one's "nature" determines whether you can "see" that there is a creator, where does that leave ones like myself or SweetBabyCheezits or cyberjesus? Our nature can't see or recognize the creator. We're screwed then.
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
Back later...lawn to mow quickly. Plus it's my birthday...so some beers to drink too!
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what's the point of jesus if adam & eve did not 'fall' and condemn us all to sin?.
Tammy...too many threads on the go! And gotta go mow the lawn...but quickly for now...
if Adam simply represents mankind, then the whole made in God's image is still valid. So there is still distinction between man and animal.
The reality is from an evolutionary perspective is that humans ARE animals. We have all evolved from the same source, we share DNA with everything...heck even dandelions. The bible paints a picture that man is above all these things, that we rule over lowly animals and plants. But in reality that is not the case. Personally I find that view of human superiority rather arrogant.
It is true humans have evolved into the most intelligent animals on the planet. But it is a sliding scale of intelligence - dolphins and chimpanzees are also highly intelligent. Point is...if humans are sinful then all living things must be sinful. Where did it come from...if there is a god why did he make it so? I just don't see logic in that.
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
Put it another way. If the entire world woke with amnesia... would no one seek out or believe in a creator?
Speak of the devil angel! Here's Tammy...
Funny you say that. I was thinking of expanding the hypothetical a little further. Say we took the members of this forum and put us all on an island, and we all have amnesia. Before anyone could start to believe in a spirit creator, someone would have to come up with the idea. Would someone? And if so, would the people of this forum eventually end up in their same stance as now?
I don't know. But I'm gonna start by guessing that eventually human imagination would come up with some story of the supernatural.
Edit: adding that supernatural ideas may arise, but would the bible story come up again, or any other current ideology we have now? Highly unlikely.
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
I think a human who awoke in our scientific age - without religious bias ingrained in him - would have a distinct advantage and see right through the low hanging bunk of religion. To me, the biggest problem is getting past early presuppositions.
Agreed, with the amount of information easily available today, if research is done with unbiased, critical thinking the conclusions would be no evidence for a god. That said, both you and I feel that way because we currently don't have god belief and see it as irrational. But believers don't think it is irrational. So I'm guessing if a believer posted their answer they'd probably say they'd believe all over again. I'm hoping Tammy, for example, stops by and offers thoughts on this. Interesting to get the other side of the coin view.
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
Agreed, misery. Being a born-in JW I didn't have much choice. But figure there's no way I'd fall into that trap on my own.
I'd like to think, using the same rational thought process that have arrived me at non-belief in a god, I'd do it all over again. But I wonder about believers, would they come to the same conclusions? Do past memories/experiences lead them to belief in god.
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what's the point of jesus if adam & eve did not 'fall' and condemn us all to sin?.
Is sin an evolutionary trait passed down in our DNA?
I've explained what I believe sin is. Wrongdoing. Moral and criminal. It comes from within us. From our choices. I might say from our heart... but that is not exactly a scientific explanation. It is more of a spiritual/philosophical one.
The begs some interesting questions. So all life has evolved on this planet from a common origins, humans share "cousinship" with all animals. So IF humans are sinful, what about the rest of the animal kingdom? Are monkeys sinful? Why and how did sin enter into evolving life on this planet?
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
As a hypothetical, you're thinking abilities would remain the same, just your memory would be wiped. Left to explore and ponder the existence of a god or not again. Would you arrive at the same conclusions all over? Or not neccessarily because our past memories and experiences lead us?
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in god?
why or why not?.
...and therefore had to start from scratch, do you think you'd arrive at your same current stance on belief or non-belief in God? Why or why not?
