I have trouble figuring out people's beliefs. There are so many contradictions. For example, Western religion believes in a God
who created the universe. A being who is all powerful. This is plausible. Many religous scientists will look at facts from nature and tie them into proof for a creator, and many of the points can be
used as such in a valid way. However, when push comes to shove, There holy book will have the final say. There facts nature is providing do not contradict a creator, but they do contradict some of the facts in their holy book. This tells me that the ultimate core beliefs which
form an image of 'their' god are irrational. This is not to say that god doesn't exist. A supreme being is by definition above all OPINIONS and the WORDS of EXPERTS written in some book. God will not stand or fall by being contained completely within some book, an IDOL.
If god created the universe, you should be able to learn of HIM from the universe. HE is the universe.
As far as atheistic evolution is concerned, it seems very improbable to me. Entropy being the biggest stumbling block. If I am to believe that a person has a solid faith in evolution, I need something demostrated. If a soceity asserts a belief in atheistic evolution they cannot continue building gravestones and and Constructing lasting Momentos for themselves so future generations will remember them. Atheistic Evolution teaches that death is the natural end. We'll, if it really is, we should not be decieving ourselves by pretending that gravestones and pictures of a loved one somehow keeps them alive. OUR memory of them may be kept alive, the the momument does nothing to keep the INDIVIDUAL himself alive. All his thoughts, his hopes, his experience, are ANNILIATED. So as long as we build momuments and carry on the family name, I will believe that the majority of people still believe in life after death. You can't have it both ways.
[This message has been edited by Cman, 03-31-2004]