EvC Forum: What is the definition of Creationism?

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Topic: What is the definition of Creationism?

arachnophilia

Member (Idle past 1369 days)

Posts: 9069

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Message 13 of 17 (283791)
02-04-2006 12:12 AM

Reply to: Message 12 by nwr
02-03-2006 11:39 PM

Re: Big C, small c

The explanation I heard (from an evangelical Christian source), is that pastors were noticing that the youth members of their Church would be strong Christians. Then they would attend college and take a biology class, and come out as atheists. The decision to emphasize literalism (Young Earth Creationism) was, according to this report, a counter measure attempting to stem the loss of youth to atheism.

Sorry, but I don't remember exactly where I heard this. It was on an evangelical radio program a number of years ago. I have no way of confirming its accuracy.

i've seen the very same phenominon with ancient literature classes. christians go in thinking the bible is special, and then have to read ten other books just like it. what are christians going to do about that? ban gilgamesh?

There is a theological reason that is often given. It is said that Genesis must be taken literally to support the doctrine of original sin. Personally, I think this is bogus. A symbolic understanding of Genesis works just as well to support original sin. And, in any case, the doctrine of original sin is non-biblical. It seems to have been an invention by Augustine.

right -- a literal reading of genesis doesn't really support original sin anyways. i sure don't see it in there.

This message is a reply to:
	Message 12 by nwr, posted 02-03-2006 11:39 PM		nwr has replied

Replies to this message:
	Message 14 by nwr, posted 02-04-2006 12:52 AM		arachnophilia has replied

arachnophilia

Member (Idle past 1369 days)

Posts: 9069

From: god's waiting room

Joined: 05-21-2004

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Message 15 of 17 (283801)
02-04-2006 12:58 AM

Reply to: Message 14 by nwr
02-04-2006 12:52 AM

Re: Big C, small c

That's probably less of a worry, in that the number of people who study gilgamesh is small compared to the number to take a biology class.

i'm not sure. but for some reason it tends to produce less serious objections.

There are probably cases of people who study theology and come out atheists. (I wonder if prophex is reading this ).

yes, i've heard of a few. there was on the radio a while back that was talking to npr about the history of the new testament. he mentioned how in the course of his studies he lost his faith. it's a really challenging subject area, if you think about it. lots of hard questions. i must say, it's been doing a number on me and i'm not even actually studying all the material.

but the position of the modern fundamentalist churches seems to be "remove all everything from your life that causes doubt." science, theology, knowledge, education, music... friends, family...

This message is a reply to:
	Message 14 by nwr, posted 02-04-2006 12:52 AM		nwr has replied

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	Message 16 by nwr, posted 02-04-2006 1:24 AM		arachnophilia has replied

arachnophilia

Member (Idle past 1369 days)

Posts: 9069

From: god's waiting room

Joined: 05-21-2004

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Message 17 of 17 (283981)
02-04-2006 6:17 PM

Reply to: Message 16 by nwr
02-04-2006 1:24 AM

Re: Big C, small c

If you don't have doubt, then you don't really have faith either. If you have properly thought it through, you cannot help but have doubt.

yes, quite right. faith isn't really meaningful if you don't realize that you could be wrong.

This message has been edited by arachnophilia, 02-04-2006 06:18 PM

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