...people believe that God exists and miracles do happen and we all have faith in God for what he does. On the contrary, certain people believe that man has evolved through science and according to science, many factors could not have had an explanation as to how it has happened and hence cannot be believed, as science gives an explanation to every events occurring. When an individual has faith in something, he does not require an evidence to prove what is happening and this is opposed by a scientific mind-set. People analyse a situation through various thinking and it could based on either religious believes or on scientific thinking and this is where the confusion arise. A beautiful debate is being illustrated between Albert Einstein and his student at one of his class sessions. Einstein was an atheist and hence he believed that there is no God and only science existed. In one of his classes a debate accidentally starts related to the topic God vs. Science. He asks one of his students, who are a firm believer in God to answer to his questions. His questions were simple initially and he wanted to make sure that the student was a strong believer in God. He started the conversation by asking whether God was good or bad and what would the student do if he had the powers to heal a sick and dying person? The student readily said he would heal. To this Einstein says that he lost his brother, who suffered cancer but was a strong believer in God and why God did not help....
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...Our present-day notion of the separation of church and state is different than the Founders’ vision of the role of religion in our democratic republic, government, and public life. The conditions we live in today do not call for the stretching of the original meaning and it is not an improvement, it takes away our liberties and goes against the First Amendment. Even though many of our articles we were required to read this week say that religion is necessary for morality I respectfully disagree, you do not need to believe in a god to have morals you just need to be virtuous. The Founding Fathers wanted to have a nation that was run on a religious base but they did not want to limit that religion to any one kind allowing everyone to have their own beliefs. The Founders wanted to have religion as an integral part of the political system and as Michael Novak quotes George Washington in Faith and American Founding, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports” (Signature Series Reader, p 304, 2008.) Washington believed that we could not thrive as a country, as a united front, without having the common belief in religion and morality. Matthew Spalding in The Meaning of Religious Liberty, speaks of how the “American Founders advanced religious liberty in a way that would uphold religion and morality as indispensable supports of good habits, the firmest props of the duties of citizens, and the great pillars...
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...In the beginning, there was nothing. According to the Book of Genesis, God created everything from scratch. God created the heavens, earth, light, darkness, sea, stars, birds, and animals. God created a man and named him Adam. God created a woman and named her Eve. Adam and Eve were put in the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden was filled with fruit trees, animals, and there were river flowing all the time. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had plenty to eat. They did not have to work nor make money. Adam and Eve were naked but they were shameless. Adam and Eve did not have much to worry about. In the year 2001, we are living in the garden that is embedded with various scientific stuffs. Let’s just take a look at my life. Few years ago, I used the typewriter to write papers. Now, I am using a computer to write the paper. In the morning, the alarm clock wakes me up. I turn on the faucet to get water to brush my teeth. I pour out already brewed coffee from programmed coffee maker. I drive a car to get to the places. I wash my cloth in washing machine and dry them in the dryer. I don’t wear eyeglasses anymore because I am wearing contact lenses. Furthermore, this winter break, I am planning to have Lasik operation to correct my vision permanently. Then, I could say goodbye to my contact lenses. This is the sketch of my life, but just a part. I am living in the garden with full of scientific devices that I could no longer live without. Wow. How did we get here from the...
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...Do you believe that gods are morally superior to humans? In the Iliad there is a very complex relationship between the gods and the humans. One would commonly believe that the gods help the humans stay moral, however in the Iliad it is almost the exact opposite. This essay, through textual evidence as well as through arguments from authority, will show how the gods are in fact less moral than the humans. Often those who start or refuse to stop an unjust war are considered to be immoral people, or in the case of the Iliad as immoral gods. According to Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on War, “War can be necessary and proportionate only if it serves an end worth all this death and destruction” (Lazar 3.1). Meaning war may be needed if there is a just reason and if the war will prevent even more catastrophe. The gods in the Iliad time and time again act immoral by provoking unjust wars and frequently encouraging wars to continue that are coming to an end, such as when Athena "stirs" the fighting at the wishes of Zeus, Zeus telling Athena to "Urge on the Danaans" (Book 17, 537-543). In the Iliad each god has their own self-serving plan for what they wish to happen and every one of them uses the...
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...Annette vs. Nancy When taking the time to examine the characters of Annette Reille, from the play, and Nancy Cowan, from Carnage, it is easy to find their likenesses, but there are also some noticeable differences. One of the main reasons for all of these differences is merely different interpretations of the character by different readers. For example, the tone in which certain lines are said or in the way a certain action is portrayed can change the whole personality of a character. When reading, the reader portrays each of the characters as he/ she believes them to be, but then another reader could have a difference of opinion and change the whole attitude; this was the case if you consider the readers to be myself and Kate Winslet. Although Annette often appears to be conciliatory, her counterpart Nancy seems more invested in ending in the conflict. In the play Annette is trying to work out the situation going on between the boys with no conflict between the parents, and this conciliatory side is shown many times throughout the play. One of the times we realize Annette is trying to keep the peace is in the beginning when she says to Veronique “We should be thanking you. We should” (Reza1258). Annette says this as a response to Veronique, after she finishes “discretely” bragging about how she and Michel handled the situation. She is very complimentary of Veronique, which is her way of keeping things calm. This line, along with others, shows Annette agreeing with these...
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...describes the universe as the battle ground for these equally opposing forces and identifies them as light and darkness. In this definition we see God being light and Satan being darkness as equal forces in eternal hostile battle. This form of dualism is in contradiction as to what Scripture teaches. Scripture starts with God creating not only the earth but the heavens as well. (Gen.1:1) In the book of Genesis we see God as the creator of all. In the ending of Scripture God claims victory over Satan and Satan is cast into the lake fire to suffer eternal torment.(Rev. 20:10). In Isaiah 14:12-14, the prophet addresses Satan as the one fallen from heaven and cast down to earth for his prideful sins against God. In Ezekiel 28: 12-17 God addresses Satan as the King of Tyre, through the prophet Ezekiel. He addresses him as having been an anointed guardian cherub. God says “for so I ordained you.” (vs 14). “You were the model of perfection,”(vs _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1H.B. Kuhn, “Dualism.” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: 2nd Edition, ed. Walter Elwell, [Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Publishing Group, 2001] 357 12).Verse 13 starts by saying “you were in Eden the garden of God”, followed by a description of...
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...Greek vs Roman Comparison Chart | Comparison | The Greeks | The Romans | Greek vs Roman Attitudes | Greeks revered the poet | Romans revered the warrior | Greek vs Roman Mythology | Poetical & fanciful myths about individuals | Practical myths focussing on the gods relevance to everyday life and the Roman state | Greek vs Roman Creativity | The Greeks were highly imaginative and developed their fantastic mythology | The Romans borrowed existing mythology, names were changed. Stories of the wars and founders of Rome were included in their mythology | Greek vs Roman Time Period | Greek mythology was developed first | Roman mythology was developed 1000 years later | Greek vs Roman Nature of the gods | Greek mythology focussed on the personality traits of gods | Roman mythology focussed on practical roles and achievements | Greek vs Roman Actions | Individualistic, emphasis placed on the heroic deeds and achievements and actions of individuals | Non-Individualistic, emphasis placed on the achievements and actions of Romans and Rome | Greek vs Roman Politics | Greek religion had little influence on politics | Roman religion was officially endorsed by the state and exerted considerable influence over the government of Rome | Comparison | The Greeks | The Romans | Greek vs Roman Priests | Greek priests were revered as teachers and healers of individuals | Roman Politicians took the offices of influential priests, called...
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...Source Theory states the belief that Torah was not written by Moses, but rather, four independent authors. (Ch. 1 Pg. 21 ) 2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory. Spinoza developed a "higher criticism" of the Bible to analyze its contents internally, rather than through the text, which is tagged "lower criticism". (Ch.1 Pg. 21) 3. How does Davis refute this theory? Because it takes everything God made as a farse considering there is scientific evidence to back up this theory 4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship? The external evidences are contained with in the Torah, which contains references to Mosaic authorship. Exod. 17 :14; 24:4; 34:27; Num. 33:1, 2; Deut. 31:9. Numerous references :n the New Testament also allude to Mosaic authorship, and many are direct quotes from Christ Him- self. For example, Jesus asked the Sadducees, "Have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" (Mark 12 :26). (Ch. 1 Pg. 24) 5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship? The Internal evidences are examples of the authors eyewitness details. For example the aurthor referred to flora and fauna that are typically Egyptian or Sinaitic, the Shittim, or Acacia tree, is indigenous to Egypt and the Sinai lJeninsula but not to...
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...Teach the Bible I. Romans 8: 1-17. “1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to...
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...influenced the world in a different way. Despite their differences, Islam and Christianity have many similarities in their core beliefs and convictions. Islamic and Christian people believe in one God that is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. They also both believe in God-sent prophets such as: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John, Jesus, and etc. The Ten Commandments and moral teachings are important to both the religion’s core beliefs and they have strong conviction that all people should live by the standards provided in the commandments and teachings (“Islam vs. Christianity”). Right and wrong are absolutes and cannot be wavered in between yet both religions claim to have “gray areas” that require personal conviction. Muslims and Christians believe that the Old and New Testament are Holy Scriptures inspired by God. Both Islam and Christianity believe in a fallen, evil angel called Satan. According to the religions, Satan should not be followed and people should avoid his temptations and spirits. Muslims and Christians believe in a life after death that is eternal and that the eternal life will be spent in either Hell or Paradise (“Islam vs. Christianity”). According to the religions, the world will one day come to an end and all people will be judged by God for the deeds they have done in life. Although Islam and Christianity have many of the...
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...knowledge of God is made larger with every discovery we make about the world. –Joseph H. Taylor Jr, God Evidence According to Steve Paulson (2010) “The debate over science and religion is like catnip for anyone wanting to spout off about the improbability of God or the arrogance of scientists”(p.1). Since I was young I remember being told that no matter what I learned in science class about evolution, or the big bang, that God was real. According to Dr. Agustin Fuentes of Psychology today “There are some factions of Christianity whose leaders (and thus their followers) express adamant opposition to “evolution” and this is often used as the key example in the science vs. religion conflict.” Examples of controversial scientific discoveries such as cloning, and genetic manipulation, are considered to be inhumane. In my opinion God created science for humans to better understand the world he created, and according to Steve Paulson (2010) Albert Einstein shared my belief demonstrated when he stated “ Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind” (p.3). It is well known that some people believe that the universe was started with the big bang as well as the subsequent reactions that followed. This brings into the discussion the Higgs Boson more commonly known as “The God Particle” The primary function of the Higgs according to Leon Lederman (1993) is “giving mass to massless particles” (p.367). The Higgs is being considered to many as a challenge to god existence...
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...Why Does God Allow Suffering? by David C. Pack ------------------------------------------------- The world is filled with suffering of every kind. Countless millions know little else. Yet God allows it. Why has He not stopped the terrible suffering that afflicts so many? Is there a REASON God has not intervened? Does suffering have a great unseen PURPOSEthat can be understood? Take a long look around the world. Enormous numbers of people are suffering everywhere for every kind of reason. Every day, 200,000 people starve to death—and this is after weeks or months of horrible suffering. Such suffering is not limited to physical pain, but includes psychological and mental anguish of parents often having to watch their children die in their arms. Starvation is so awful that death is actually a blessed relief. Why doesn’t God stop this? Even more people die each day from disease. The very word disease means people are not “at ease.” As you read this article, untold trauma, pain and suffering, due to crippling conditions, infections and disease of every sort, are occurring around the world. Just in Africa, children are orphaned by the millions every year, due to AIDS alone. Why isn’t God intervening? The prophet Daniel spoke of “the TIME OF THE END.” The apostle Peter said, “there shall come in the LAST DAYS scoffers.” Paul said, “In the LAST DAYS perilous times shall come.”… Order Now Now consider poverty, which affects one-third of all people on earth. The lack of...
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...is full of polarities - good/bad, inhaling/exhaling, high/low and so on. In addition the is yin/yang, protons/electrons, left/right, black/white, matter/anti-matter and so on endlessly. Does something exist that does not have an opposite? I am yet to think of one. As soon as one defines ‘x’, then ‘not x’ is immediately defined as well. However that is for the philosophers to conjugate over. THEORY OF OPPOSITES Freud’s theory of these two instincts certainly is a theory of opposites. One problem with such theories is that they can become static. One discusses what is a manifestation of Eros (the life instinct) and what is a manifestation of Thanatos (the death instinct). Eros = love, procreation, win/win situations, peace and cooperation, god. Thanatos = hate, murder, game playing, war, devil. This provides us with a static taxonomy of this...
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...with Islam and Muslim extremists, finally to the contempt against Christianity from actions of the Holocaust, each tradition faces contemporary struggles within their own right. Gaining a better understanding and insight into the historical, theological, and contemporary struggles between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism will enhance appreciation for each belief. Historical Connections and Theological Similarities: One main pillar of similar theology between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is the belief in one god. However, each has different perspectives in relation to God. For example, Christians believe in [pic]the Trinity[pic] of [pic]God; God the Father, the Son (Jesus[pic] Christ), [pic]and the Holy Spirit[pic] ("Judaism, Islam, Christianity-Comparison", 2002-2011). Also Christians consider Jesus [pic]the son of God, born to the Virgin Mary, and[pic] had [pic]come to earth to offer redemption for mankind’s sins.[pic] Additionally, Christians see God as giving [pic]a revelation of himself through the flesh[pic] of [pic]Jesus Christ.[pic] Counter to Christianity, the “Judaism, Islam, Christianity-Comparison” (2002-2011) website reflects that [pic]Islam embraces an immaterial, invisible...
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...Young Earth –vs- Old Earth Here is my take on the young earth- vs- old earth debate. I am extremely confident that the Universe and everything that lives on the Earth was created by God. This miraculous process took place as stated in Genesis chapter one. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Holy Bible). The oppositions to old earth is young earth. For me, it is just like the life of a Christian. If you live for God then you oppose the way of the devil. Old earth perspective can be added up to two main issues. Issue number one is the meaning of the word Yom. Young-earth followers will say with no hesitation, that Yom equals a 24-hour day in the creation account. “God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” “And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Holy Bible). Old earth counter this argument because the definition in the Hebrew, “gives Yom more than one meaning”. “It can be 24 hour period, or an unspecified longer period of time” (Along with other meanings). The second issue, says that life on earth developed “over a process of time” (Morris, 1994). My perspective has not nor will it ever change. As I always say, “if you can explain your God, then He is too little”. This definitely takes faith to believe the creation and the account of the flood. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding“(Holy Bible). Let us take the big bang theory. “This theory...
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