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Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 20:51:50 -0400
From: Mike Ryder
Subject: Re: Briefly.
To: [Family member B]
Cc: [Family member A]
---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:08:47 -1200
>From: [Family member B]
>Subject: Briefly.
>To: Mike Ryder
>
>Hi Mike,
> Answers:
>1. How old is creation?
>I suspect that the earth is vastly older than the human race.
I suspect you are right. Current science estimates the figure at
somewhere around 4 1/2 billion years. With this figure at the
acceptable to your belief system? I know alive Christian
apologists actively endorse the young Earth concept, which states that
the Earth is around 6000 years old.
>2. London Bombings.
>Probably originated as a retaliation through a perverted sense of
justice.
It's odd that we should be talking about this subject on the very day
that for another group tried to repeat the bombings in London.
Speculation on the most recent events is premature but I suspect you
are right in that it is justified via some sort of sense of justice or
more accurately, injustice. I also suspect, although without
current foundation, that it is also tightly coupled with
religion. Of course human motivation and desperate acts are
likely to have a myriad of complex and interrelated motives of which
religion will only reflect a percentage.
>3. God's grace.
>Present Christian dispensation AD1 to date.
So if I read this correctly you're saying that that this is a time
period of undetermined length in which Christians are supposed to
spread Christianity? What about the rest of the world? Are
they merely players present in order so that Christians have someone to
convert? Or even worse than the present to test and tempt true
Christians from the righteous path?
>4. Number 7 as in 7th July.
>I think numbers of this type only have significance where God has
>authorised or originated the event.
By God, I assume you restrict this to the Christian God? How
would an objective observer know whether this God had authorised an
event? As for God originating events it seems to me that from a
Christian doctrine God must originate every event, as in all seeing,
all knowing, timeless supernatural being. Extending this concept
ever so slightly, God must also authorise every event, as he has put
the events in motion, foreseen the events and the consequences and
decided to go ahead with the events. It seems to me there is little
reason to apply numerics to one event and not to another, at least from
an objective point of view.with the
>5 What happens when Christian dispensation
ends?
>Exactly what you want to happen. Man is quite free to do what
he wants
>to do with no church to oppose him.
I admit to being confused by your answer. I was expecting for you
to say the final judgment or something similar. It almost sounds
like you are now saying that the world might be free from the
influences of religious dogma, but I suspect they have misunderstood
you.
>6. Religion has a case to answer.
>Yes, it does and it will. And so will non religion too.
Now I think you talking about a final judgment. I thought that
was reserved for individuals. The case I was referring to is more
of a moralistic case not aimed at any individual that rather at cause
or a quest. In other words if the humans species survives long
enough history will pass judgment on the various religions, assuming
that religion fades into obscurity sometime in the future. I know
this is speculation, but it is what I was alluding to with my comment.
I don't see how non-religion can be judged, or rather on what basis it
might be judged. If that were to be judged for not holding with
religious beliefs then certainly it would be guilty. Further than
that I don't think there is any common platform on which non religion
might stand or fall. Perhaps I'm wrong and you have something
particular in mind, if so please share with me.
mike
bravenet.com