What were the creationist literature sources he used? Off the top of my head, he quoted Science, National Geographic, Lucy: The Beginning of Humankind, and People of the Lake. I read those last two books, and I have the issues of National Geographic and Science that he quoted. None of those sources is creationist literature. If he quoted one, I don't think he used it to support his thesis.
If I remember right (it has been a while since I read that book, and I've read a LOT since then), he was critical of creationists. He claimed we overstated our case and ignored sound data. I just don't see the creationist tie.
The line between "working towards consensus" and "reinforcement syndrome" is extremely thin.
Yes, sermons should be free. I should pay a membership fee for the YMCA, not for church. Have you read "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola? I recommend it.
Which laborer is worthy of wages? Everyone does something. If I teach a Sunday school lesson, am I worthy of wages? What if I teach the kids while the rest of the congregation is upstairs? Should I receive wages for my babysitting services? What if I provide janitorial services? Am I not a laborer?
I think the line now between volunteer and paid staff is rather arbitrarily drawn.
Sorry Jessica. I was being sarcastic. The post was meant for ouini, but I realize that I didn't say that explicitly.
I was trying to make the point that anything is justifiable if you accept a materialistic worldview. That's all. Rape was just the most extreme tool with which I could make my point, so I used that. I am NOT condoning it, but rather challenging ouini (and others like him) to back up his statements. Replace it with any vice, and the point is the same.
"So it's better for people to be happy than not be happy." What's your point? What if I pursue happiness by killing Jews/Blacks/people under 6 feet tall/ etc? Are you going to tell me I'm wrong? You see resolving conflicts without violence as the best way. Good for you, but what if I don't? Would you try to stop me from my violent solution? Why? Who do you think you are? (That's hypothetical sarcasm only, please don't turn me into the FBI)
Its interesting you mention rape. The atheist creation story is evolution, and in evolution the only purpose in life is to pass on one's genes. Rape seems to do a pretty good job of that, and thus it is a trait that has survived. Ever read "A Natural History of Rape" by Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer? If it works for the scorpion fly, why not humans? It seems to me that we had better either start arresting male flies or stop arresting male humans, if we're going to be consistent. After all, according to Richard Dawkin's comparison with apes in "The Blind Watchmaker", it's only the deceptive lack if embarrassing intermediates that allows us to hold a double standard.
Did you see that an attempt was made to explain that soft tissue as some sort of 'biofilm' and thus dispatch with it? Mary Schweitzer (the original discoverer of the tissue) upheld her original conclusions.
The story you mention was also featured in the May 2006 Smithsonian Magazine. It has one of my favorite quotes, "Even after 68 million years, these dinosaur remains look surprisingly fresh under Schweitzer’s microscope." Classic!
Atheists are "good" only because it is not in their best interests to misbehave. As things stand for now at least, criminal behavior (or behaviour, if you like) carries unpleasant penalties. Remove the penalties, and give time for it to sink in, and you'll see all of the token vices. In the words of the "Men's Warehouse" guy, I guarantee it.
I highly recommend the last part of Anne Coulter's book, "Godless".
Very good choice for a persecution complex, Dallin. Please allow me to quote Brigham Young. Remember, prophets speak for God.
"Shall I tell you the Law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the Law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so."
Living out west provides me more entertainment than I could ever hope to buy!
Thank God for Faithful Preaching The saints of Rocky Mount are very blessed by God to have a faithful preacher in these evil days. And we pastorless folk all over the world are blessed to have this preaching on the internet. Thank you, Pastor Mahan. Thank you, saints in Rocky Mount.
Beautiful Preaching... of a beautiful truth. We all must pray to be kept in this truth daily. Thank you, Pastor John. God has blessed a pastorless congregation with this message.
AntiVaticanistAmerican wrote: Jim: The Fact that Ron Paul has heavy support from Neo-Nazi's, White-Supremist groups and The KKK is evidence enough Not to vote for him; let alone support him in any way, shape or form! And Republican Bob Barr's hypocrisy in accusing Democratic Bill Clinton of Adultery; when Bob Barr is No Better an Adulterer than Former President Bill Clinton! [/QUOTE}
Don't judge Ron Paul by the people that supposedly follow him, which by the way was made known to you by a media who essentially hate him. There was once an important Figure 2000 years ago that people were wary of because of the supposedly 'unclean' people that followed Him.
As for me and my community and many other joining churches with ours are voting for Ron Paul for true freedom. Freedom to choose at a state level what is right for us as people of God. I ask you to judge him 'by his fruit'.... A sound and functioning family, marriage of 50 years, and a humble servant of God who is not afraid of public lies.