Thanks ever so much,
Andy

The (ever-evolving) theory of evolution has nothing to say about the origin of life. If you think this is a “fly in the ointment,” then I would respond that you do not understand evolution. Please read “Why Evolution is True” by Jerry Coyne. Every point raised in your JW “Evolution Book” is answered there, lucidly and thoroughly.

Blades of grass and foliage returning in the spring are explained perfectly by well-documented natural processes. I say, if you insist on positing a supreme being as the prime mover for these (entirely natural and not remotely mysterious) processes, you are the one required to provide proof.

In any case, thanks for stating the opposing view so thoughtfully and respectfully. Your nuanced reply was uncommon and refreshing.

I have not read every post in this exchange, but I have read–with interest–probably 25% or more, enough to get the gist of things and the various contributors’ points of view. It is reminiscent of many such wrangling debates I have been involved in over the decades, especially those on the Internet. By the way, some of the posts here are quite well-thought out, well-researched and well-written! Bravo!

I typically avoid these debates, and my desire is to avoid this one. Such debates are exhausting and quickly devolve into endless loops of one’s trying to untangle someone else’s misrepresentation of what that one thought he or she had clearly stated. For these reasons I am not seeking to debate anyone here and do not intend to reply. But if you would, please kindly permit me to weigh in with my opinion, my point of view, and I will disappear as quickly as I came.

“Oh, sure, Robert, you just want to drop a bomb and leave. How brave of you!” No. Please refer to the first two sentences of the previous paragraph, especially the second one.

On the welcome page at Robin’s Web site there is a photograph of a hand-written sign tacked up on a telephone pole (what the ancient Greeks might call a “stauros” if it has no cross members) and that sign says: “Think that you might be wrong.” That is very good–no, excellent–advice! Please be assured: I question myself every day of my life as to whether I might be wrong. Seriously, I do, on the big things and on the little things. If one closes oneself to the possibility that he or she may be wrong, then I submit that one is an arrogant fool and will more than likely end up on the arrogant fool ash heap of history, from which the smoke ascends day and night forever.

That said, I fully understand the unwillingness a person may have in believing there is an all-powerful Creator. If a person is pondering the possibility and looks toward religion for satisfying answers, he or she is bludgeoned immediately and mercilessly with such a dizzying array of conflicting interpretations, each purporting to be the only correct one, well, how could anyone blame that person for wanting to run away screaming? Couple that with all the unspeakable atrocities committed in the name of God throughout history, and the idea that there is no God becomes more appealing. Then, like water seeking the path of least resistance, some come to the conclusion that it is pointless to try to prove the “unprovable,” so why even bother? “We are here,” they reason, “and that is all we know for sure. Therefore, it is all I will accept.”

They are not without company, and they are not without comforters. The biblical Higher Criticism movement, which gained popularity beginning in mid 18th century Europe, laid the groundwork for people to accept the Theory of Evolution a hundred years later. Suddenly there were tools available to the educated class with which they could begin to tear down this “antiquated notion” that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” It was chic. It was vogue. And it stuck.

At this point it would be perilously easy to slip into one of those interminable debates about carbon dating, potassium-argon dating, the fossil record, etc., ad nauseum. “Been there, done that” so many times, I refuse to go down that painful and fruitless path again. But each time I did, I purposely and actively considered that I might be wrong about special creation, and each time I could lay my head down at night satisfied that I did not share ancestors with apes and that my ancestor, Adam, was directly created in the image of God.

There are flies in the ointment of Evolution theory, the most significant of which is the origin of life itself. ‘Nuff said about that.

I see proof of God’s existence in every blade of grass. I find assurance of Jehovah’s promise of the resurrection every Spring when I see the emergence of fresh, new foliage sprouting forth from every tree. As glorious as that is, it will pale in comparison to the realization of welcoming billions back from the grave!

Yes, there have been times in the past when Jehovah commanded the extermination of entire populations of cities. It seems unthinkable to us that a so-called “God of love” could do such a thing. If you think such actions recorded in the Bible are proof that God does not exist, think that you might be wrong. Consider that if the Creator does exist, it stands to reason that our perspective would be vastly different from his. So do not make the mistake of projecting our limited view onto God. Rather try putting yourself in his place, seeing things from his perspective.

Start with the biblical teaching that we are all dead to God already anyway, due to our imperfection, and that it is only by his forbearance that we were allowed to come into existence in the first place. Enter Jehovah’s purpose to redeem humankind through the nation of his choosing and the nations round about, many of whom, steeped in worship of demon gods, child sacrifice and disgusting sex worship, stood in opposition to that nation, Israel. Then consider that, as Jehovah explained to Moses, he would make his name known. “I am that I am,” or more accurately, “I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be,” meaning: “I will become whatever it is necessary for me to become in order to fulfill my promises and my purpose.” That is the expanded meaning of his very name itself, Jehovah, or Yahweh, which in ancient Hebrew is the causative form, imperfect state, of the verb hawah’ (become). In making themselves enemies of God’s chosen nation, those nations made themselves enemies of God. Taking into account the above-mentioned circumstances, Jehovah, in backing and protecting his people, fulfilling the promise he made to Abraham, became to those nations a god of war. As Creator, he exercised his prerogative to disallow the continued existence of his enemies. He has the right to do so, and in so doing he provided a warning example to all future generations of what will be the ultimate outcome for those who choose to oppose him. Note that people who would otherwise have been killed with the rest, but who went out of their way to make peace with Israel, were spared, e.g. Rahab and the Gibeonites.

I consider every day whether I might be wrong. My conclusion thus far is that it takes a great deal more faith to believe life accidentally sprang from nothing than it does to believe that life, in all its great diversity, exists as a result of intelligent design. As stated, I do understand the opposing point of view; however I must respectfully disagree with it.

Thanks for allowing me to express my opinion. I will take my leave now.

No points, but thanks for playing!

Good/evil are concepts that religions taught us. It would be stupid to try to characterize religions with these concepts, because it would implicitly mean that we accept the scheme with which religions brainwashed us.

FAIL.