Original Sin?

Quote: Wizard

That sounds like a very logical position to take. With that, may I ask whether you believe the creation story as told in Genesis to be the literal truth or might it be more of a parable, like the type Jesus spoke, to convey a point rather than an exact historical account of the event?

I like the quote that Paco presented, he is so good!

Anyway, I personally believe that the two creation stories as told in Genesis are not literal truth and they convey some fundamental points such as: God is creator and source of all that is, that nature is good and beautiful and we can learn from it and understand it, that human beings are the crown jewel of creation. To take it as scientific or a exact historical account is impossible and not the point.

Quote: FrGamble

that human beings are the crown jewel of creation.

We aren't even the crown jewel of
evolution, let alone some fictitious
'creation'. Curiosity and self-pride
does not equal true intelligence and
superiority. There are species of
insects that are so evolved, so
intelligent, so resilient, they are
almost indestructible. We're just
flukes, a mutation gave us these
big brains in these very vulnerable
bodies. The only reason we survived
is because we're curious and figured
a few things out. But we for sure are not
the crown jewel of anything.

Outside the species of homo sapiens, other animals are constantly evolving in order to better suit their environment. It would be incorrect and extremely egotistical to say that we are the most evolved species when there are millions of species who are much older than us and are continuing to evolve at rates faster than humans.

Quote: FrGamble

I like the quote that Paco presented, he is so good!

Anyway, I personally believe that the two creation stories as told in Genesis are not literal truth and they convey some fundamental points such as: God is creator and source of all that is, that nature is good and beautiful and we can learn from it and understand it, that human beings are the crown jewel of creation. To take it as scientific or a exact historical account is impossible and not the point.

I very much respect that position. I don't think the bible was ever meant to be a science book. I like how a Lutheran pastor put it to me once -- the bible is true of the spiritual matters of which it speaks.

Quote: Wizard

very much respect that position. I don't think the bible was ever meant to be a science book.

Especially don't trust the NT. Almost
none of it really happened. The stories
were changed, added to, embellished,
exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness.
Paul Bunyan and his blue ox have as
much credibility as most of the Jesus story,

Quote: Evenbob

Especially don't trust the NT.

As opposed to the unicorns, giants, and people living 969 years in the OT.

Quote: Wizard

As opposed to the unicorns, giants, and people living 969 years in the OT.

What's the difference, giants and unicorns, or walking
on water raising the dead. It's all fairy tales and
myth..

Quote: Evenbob

What's the difference, giants and unicorns, or walking
on water raising the dead. It's all fairy tales and
myth..

My point exactly. You were the one who said you especially didn't trust the NT.

Quote: Evenbob

Jesus was Divine? He died young too.
(I bet you have no ides who this is}

FrG lives in Baltimore, also the home of John Waters and the individual you pictured. He wouldn't be so sheltered as to not know these rather infamous Baltimorians.

Quote: Evenbob

Especially don't trust the NT. Almost
none of it really happened. The stories
were changed, added to, embellished,
exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness.
Paul Bunyan and his blue ox have as
much credibility as most of the Jesus story,

The only thing exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness is your argument. You have nothing to stand on here. The Bible is the most documented and attested and supported texts in the history of writing. You don't believe someone rose from the dead and you can chose to believe that even against the evidence, but then you are left trying to explain Jesus Christ and His impact on human history.

Quote: FrGamble

The Bible is the most documented and attested and supported texts in the history of writing.

I'm not getting sucked into that
boring conversation for the 8th
time. I've already firmly established
that the NT is mostly fairy tales not written
be anybody who was there. 6 of
the books of Paul weren't even
written by him, they were written
long after he died by god knows
who.