[Cerek the Barbaric]

Grungi - I just wanted to let you know that I've developed a lot of respect for you throughout the previous discussion. I understand you don't like religion. I went through similar (but far less harsh) circumstances growing up. I know what it's like to be picked on by other kids. I went through a lot of that myself mainly because I was just too small to do much about it.

Darkman - I made the post about dinosaurs in the Bible because Grungi and Hunter of Jahanna had both asked why the Bible didn't mention them at all. I realized (and admitted) that the wording used in Job was very generic and subject to interpretation. The explanation gave the reasoning behind the decision that "behemoth" was the OT term for "dinosaur".

Also, I personally do not "pick and choose" which parts of the Bible I consider literal and which parts I consider symbolic. I consider the entire Bible to be literal (with the exception of Revelations, which can't be literal as it describes events that have not yet come to pass) - yet it is also amazingly symbolic at the same time. A rather unique accomplishment in my opinion. However, as you read my posts, you will notice that I do not engage in "Bible-thumping". It's ineffective, tires out my arms, and ruins the spine on my Bible....so I finally just gave it up. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Madriver - It was not fear that kept me from responding to the links you posted...it was simply real-life. Too many family and work obligations going on right now. The information was interesting, but gave no evidence compelling enough to change my mind. I don't deny that evolution does occur within the same species or breed...but I saw nothing to convince me that it is possible for one species to evolve into a different one. Here is a link to a Christian rebuttal of the Theory of Evolution {[url]http://christiananswers.net/creation/menu-humans.html[/b]}. It answers several of the more common issues regarding Evolution vs Creation.

Trickster - Just wanted to say HELLO and GOOD TO SEE YA! I've missed your presence on the boards and hope you'll be around more often.

{whew} Let's see......what else do I need to cover....OH YEAH!!!!!

The whole series of "attacks" on science and carbon dating were basically just my way of trying to turn the tables on those who say they only believe that which can be proven with hard evidence. They typically (but not always) criticize Christians for accepting God on "faith" and say that we are just deluding ourselves. Yorick was the first to point out that - unless the critics were scientists themselves - then they also were accepting the facts of science on "faith". I carried that concept a bit further to show that science is NOT infallible (and is sometimes just flat out wrong).

I don't fear science, nor do I believe there is a global conspiracy among scientists to discredit religion in general. The two fields can be quite compatible and support one another when viewed in the proper perspective. I do view science with some skepticism because we have first-hand accounts that scientists sometimes manipulate the data in order to get a favorable result. And - as has been mentioned already - things that were considered universally true just a few years ago are now known to be false, or only partially correct.

Well, I'm sure I've overlooked some other important members and/or points from the previous discussion, but my time is up for now. I do want to commend EVERYBODY on the lack of flaming in these threads. You have all been very civil and respectful to each other (for the most part) and that is what leads to the most enjoyable discussions here.

Keep up the good work. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]