Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Speaking of dumber than dumb . . .

Peter Duran speaks out of prejudice, not knowledge.

First, evolution is only an unproven theory with many scientific impossibilities in it. A cursory study of physics alone invalidates certain vital aspects of the theory of evolution. Mathematical probabilities refute it out of hand.

Second, the Bible is literature. It has many forms of expression within its pages, including literal rendering of historical events, figurative rendering of literal events, analogy, poetry, advice, adventure stories, a great hope for the human race.

Taking the whole text as a literal history or scientific treatise without regard to the literary features of the book has led to a lot of confusion and errors taught in churches.

Calling it full of inherent contradictions, absurd claims, and errors of historical fact is just an excuse used by people to reject the whole, unread, unstudied, unknown.

Third, ignorance alone ever claimed that the earth was the center of the universe. Ignorance alone would claim that the Bible proclaims such an absurdity, or that it is spread abroad by educated Bible teachers. In fact the Bible says, “[God] spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” It is man’s only religious book that describes the actual condition of the earth, rather than suggesting it is held up by a turtle, an elephant, or a very strong man.

Fourth, the Genesis account of creation is in two parts. First, God created the heavens and the earth. Secondly, the earth was formless and void, and certain things began to happen. The account may use fanciful language, but is a pretty good description of the course of events that would have accompanied the receding of the ice age of just a few thousand years ago.

Fifth, no new life forms (did he get that term from Star Trek?) have ever been invented, copied, or created. Mutations have been developed, cloning has taken place, but all have started with existing life. None create life from inorganic matter.

If Mr. Duran wishes to engage in intellectual dispute, he should start with correct premises in order to finish with correct conclusions, avoid sweeping generalizations, and refrain from attacking the persons whom he holds in dismay instead of their ideas.

I have found that the yahoos at the local pubs are more intellectually honest discoursing on their everyday experiences than the elitists who pronounce on what they don’t understand.

Mary Barranti

Peachtree City, Ga.