If theology is defined as the study of the “idea” of god it is clearly a valid endeavor. If it is defined as “the study of god” which we have no evidence of, than it seems fair to call it the study of make believe.
I am guessing your question is rhetorical as you surely know all the scientific evidence points to the universe (or possible multiple universes) beginning with the Big Bang.
I find it incredibly exciting to contemplate. Just wish I could be around a thousand years from now to see what new things about reality have been discovered. I think it very likely those people will look back on us as being relatively ignorant and primitive knuckleheads.
Actually, in the 1970's Stephen Hawking was able to make great strides in developing evidence of the big bang, which occurred 13.7 billion years ago. There is actual scientific evidence of this, and it is an absolutely fascinating area of study. I sometimes wish I had devoted my life to science rather than the humanities! In response to your challenge, Homesick, I would suggest that if there is clear scientific evidence of something, it is no longer "make-believe". So the study of evolution is not the study of make-believe. We trust science in all other ways, why would we not trust science and reason when it comes to such important issues such as this? For example, you would not want to take a medication on "faith" alone. You would want to know that it had been studied scientifically and been proven to not only be helpful, but to not be destructive. In the absence of such science to back it up, you would probably not feel comfortable taking the medication. So why, then, when it comes to fundamental issues such as religion, do we suddenly throw reason out the window and suddenly embrace "faith"? I guess I don't see faith without reason or evidence as a good thing; it is blind and therefore dangerous.
1. Christianity is INHERENTLY DIVISIVE as believers are promised eternal bliss and nonbelievers eternal torture.
2. Christianity INDUCES UNWARRANTED GUILT AND FEAR by asserting that a Cosmic Judge watches one’s every move and knows one’s every thought.
3. Christianity OBSCURES TRUTH AND PROMOTES FALSEHOODS by diverting focus from the natural (real) to the supernatural (unreal).
4. Christianity DEBASES HUMANITY by condemning us as sinners worthy of eternal damnation.
5. Christianity BREEDS A FALSE SENSE OF IMPORTANCE by asserting that The King of the Universe knew each of us intimately before we were born, knows the numbers of hairs on our head, has a special plan for us, loves us, watches us, listens to our every word, desperately wants a personal relationship with us and even promises to give us anything we ask for (Mt 21.22).
6. Christianity’s assertion that the Devil is real ALLOWS FOR THE LITERAL DEMONIZING of others.
7. Christianity PROVIDES THE ULTIMATE JUSTIFICATION FOR EVILS of all kinds (such as the vilifying of homosexuals and the subjection of women).
8. Christianity’s THREAT OF HELL HARDENS HEARTS and causes others mental anguish.
9. Christianity PROVIDES COVER FOR ABUSES OF ALL KINDS as evidenced by thousands of sexual abuse cases in the last few years alone.
10. Christianity LEGITIMIZES FRAUD as evidenced by countless insincere televangelists and church leaders.
8 comments:
Actually, theology is the study of God. The greek word for God is theos, and any time you see "ology" at the end of a word it means "the study of."
Yes, the definition of theology is the study of god. But if god is not real then theology becomes the study of make believe.
Would you suggest the believer in Zeus is studying God or make believe?
I would suggest that the study of Greek and Roman polytheism would fall under discipline of theology. How could it not?
How did the universe begin?
If theology is defined as the study of the “idea” of god it is clearly a valid endeavor. If it is defined as “the study of god” which we have no evidence of, than it seems fair to call it the study of make believe.
I am guessing your question is rhetorical as you surely know all the scientific evidence points to the universe (or possible multiple universes) beginning with the Big Bang.
I find it incredibly exciting to contemplate. Just wish I could be around a thousand years from now to see what new things about reality have been discovered. I think it very likely those people will look back on us as being relatively ignorant and primitive knuckleheads.
Big Bang?
What caused the big bang?
Okay, two can place this game. Given the rules you've define then this statement is also true.
Evolution is the study if make-believe.
Actually, in the 1970's Stephen Hawking was able to make great strides in developing evidence of the big bang, which occurred 13.7 billion years ago. There is actual scientific evidence of this, and it is an absolutely fascinating area of study. I sometimes wish I had devoted my life to science rather than the humanities! In response to your challenge, Homesick, I would suggest that if there is clear scientific evidence of something, it is no longer "make-believe". So the study of evolution is not the study of make-believe. We trust science in all other ways, why would we not trust science and reason when it comes to such important issues such as this? For example, you would not want to take a medication on "faith" alone. You would want to know that it had been studied scientifically and been proven to not only be helpful, but to not be destructive. In the absence of such science to back it up, you would probably not feel comfortable taking the medication. So why, then, when it comes to fundamental issues such as religion, do we suddenly throw reason out the window and suddenly embrace "faith"? I guess I don't see faith without reason or evidence as a good thing; it is blind and therefore dangerous.
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