Genesis Revisited by Michael Shermer

Not exactly the best reading ever (in fact I think it's terrible) but following on from the TheMilkEyedMender's reading from the Portable Atheist by Christopher Hitchens I thought I would like to share with you my favourite chapter from the book so far.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Portable
• Atheist
• Christopher
• Hitchens
• Michael
• Shermer
• Genesis
• Creation
• Science
• Big
• Bang
• Bible
• Biblical
• Bollocks

[5erendipity]

Yes, God can do whatever he pleases, but he must prefer to do everything the hard way.

[mungbeanman]

Agreed. God appears to be the most omnipotent, omniscient moron I've come across.

[zoxovox]

kinda odd that god has to rest at all isn't it? lol

[mungbeanman]

Frustrated? I'll bet they are. The problem arises when because they shout the loudest they are the ones who non-Christians view as the Christian mouthpiece.

Here's to common sense.

[Matur1n]

Just understand that many Christians are as frustrated with YECs as atheists are. In particular, holding to the 4004BC date that was calculated by Bishop Ussher in the 1600s. People who who too ferbantly follow traditional things, like the 4004 date or Jesus being born on December 25th, are frustrating. The Bible doesn't mention either date. Someone decided cenruries later those were good dates to use, and YEC and others took it too much to heart.

[mungbeanman]

Well, I agree that YECs are (fortunately) fewer and further between than we actually perceive but it does tend to be the YECs who shout the loudest. If you disagree with them then we are technically on the same side. Sensible, intelligent Christians (like DonExodus2) should also speak out against the YECs with us if they don't want to be tarred with the same brush.

[Matur1n]

"Recent studies show that about half of all Americans ... young earth doctrine."

You are off by nearly a factor of ten. The denominations who do not follow it at all are Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Episcopalian/Anglican, Methodist, Lutherans and Presbyterians. Those denominations alone make up 85% of the Christian population. On the other side, you have a minority of Baptists and Pentecostals. At best we could say that some 5 to 6 % of US Christians are YE Creationists. Even fewer worldwide.

[Matur1n]

What? Nobody is harping over 4004! Young earth doctrine is both popular and wrong. Pick a side."

Well I am against Bishop Ussher's young earth doctrines. But I acknowledge he decided that crap in the 1600s when science was just as stupid about the earth. too bad some follow him still, but it isn't in the numbers that you believe.

[tcrb2]

What? Nobody is harping over 4004! Young earth doctrine is both popular and wrong. Pick a side.

[Matur1n]

"10000 years is no less ignorant than 4004 years. The error is literally astronomical."

Then don't harp on 4004 as if that is what we all believe.

[tcrb2]

10000 years is no less ignorant than 4004 years. The error is literally astronomical.

[Matur1n]

It depends on how it is asked. In my experience, the young earth creationists are a small minority and I have seen surveys that say that. If you ask it like "is it possible" then you will get a bigger group inculduing me, and I would hardly be called a creationist. Ask about 4004 BC and you would even get a tinier group as even many creationists don't hold to that date.

[tcrb2]

A small group of Christians? Recent studies show that about half of all Americans believe in the young earth doctrine.

Furthermore, 44% are at least quite sure that Christ will return within the next 50 years, ushering in the end of days. This electorate incidentally holds nigh-on a nuclear monopoly over the entire world. Shit.