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Faith and Values Letters to the Editor - 7/07/2006
By: Readers of the North County Times and The Californian | ∞
Here comes the mountain of evidence
Isotope ratios in geological strata showing the great age of the Earth, lack of any modern fossil in the Cambrian Explosion, modification of fish and their fins to become land-based tetrapods with modern limb plans in the Devonian (Eusthenopteron to Tiktaalik Roseae to Acanthostega), traceable intermediate forms from tetrapod limbs to bird wings, vestigial leg limbs on whales, increasing diversity of fossils in subsequent geological ages to the present, extinction of many life forms associated with increasing diversity (selection), similarity of all mammalian body plans, all the hominid fossils developing larger and larger crania and eventual lordosis of the lumbar spine, all the variety of finches on the Galapagos Islands showing radiation and adaptation to differing environments, all the similarities and differences in DNA sequences of all organismal genomes sequenced so far, closer relationship of genome sequence and protein sequence between apes and men compared to mice and men, preservation of some bacterial genes in complex organisms, all the antibiotic resistant bacteria, all the chemotherapy resistant cancer cells.
Now for some mistakes: the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the male prostate that surrounds the urethra, ongoing mutation of clotting factor VIII, inside out design of the mammalian retina.
DR. STEPHEN and
CAROLE BAIRD
Solana Beach
God does not allow sin in his church
I ask this question to anyone who can answer; please do so. Read the question as it is written. Where in God's word do the words "liberals" or "conservative" appear? These two words have nothing to do with a true Christian life, any more than does "politically correct."
There are those within God's family who hold positions that have openly invited Satan into the church family by laws they pass; those who believe his lies and are sending the wrong message to a lost and spiritually dying world.
God has never, nor will he ever, condone sin to walk into his church and teach from his pulpit ññ to hold any office of the true church.
The sinner is welcome to come and sit in God's church and listen to his true message, for it's the only message from his word that can and will set a sinner free.
When those who sit within the family of God and hold offices and vote to allow homosexual, lesbians or transgendered sinners from the world, those people need to go back to Calvary. They missed something.
PEGGY STANLEY
Fallbrook
Jesus does not tolerate sin
In response to Joseph Kraatz's June 25 letter ("Jesus never preached intolerance"), I am not sure he understands about being a Christian. Let me explain: When one becomes a Christian it is not just a form or a way of life, it is your life. As such, if a doctor feels convicted by the Holy Spirit to not perform an act on a patient that would be forbidden by God, he should not be compelled to act otherwise, for any reason.
As for intolerance, Jesus taught intolerance of sin with nearly every word out of his mouth. The act of homosexuality, as well as adultery and fornication, are sins and definitely hated by Jesus, and he has absolutely no tolerance toward them. We are not to have any tolerance for them either.
That is not to say he hates the sinner, but he does want the sinner to repent of his ways and never to do it again. If he doesn't repent or change his ways, there are consequences.
JO ANN SPIVEY
Oceanside
Free thinker turned to creationism
Tony San Miguel (Faith & Values Letters, June 30) and I have something in common: We were both adversely affected by something in our youth that caused us internal distress and conflict. However, there is a big difference in how we reacted to it.
While Tony tried to visualize his parochial school sisters in their underwear and later became an evolutionist, I did not turn my back on science when I discovered that Darwin's theory was full of holes. In fact, when I came to the realization that evolution theory was not the rock-solid explanation for where and how species originated as I had been taught, science in general and biology in particular started to make sense to me.
I began to see natural selection as the conserving principle that it is, not a producer of macro-evolution as evolutionists would like everyone to believe. It is sad to think that some people spend their whole lives trying to punish someone who did them wrong many years ago. My hope is that someday Tony will be able to forgive those who did him wrong so he can truly be a free thinker.
RICK KELLOGG
Wildomar
CWA can make a difference
Thank heaven for CWA (Concerned Women for America). Is there a problem with hoping to make a difference in reversing the decline of moral values in our country? If using the Bible is hurting innocent people, why is it the best-selling book in history? I love our country but am ashamed of where we're heading today.
I believe CWA is aware that they are using the Bible as a tool to help innocent people, as there is no other book so powerful. Read your old school textbooks ññ they are all dedicated to the glory of God.
As a Christian nation, founded on Christian principles, we owe it to our children to bring them up in God's word, the Bible. The reason CWA has seemingly intimidated homosexuality is because it is a sin, plain and simple, and because in God's word it is an abomination: 1 Corinthians 6:9.
My question to the reader is, who is going to change our direction if it isn't people like CWA, our pastors and missionaries? There is a Christian political party, the Constitution Party, aka the Independent Party in California, whose platform is God, family and community (constitutionparty.com). Maybe they can also make a difference. Let's hope so!
CAROLE BRAUN
Oceanside
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Love it wrote on Jul 7, 2006 2:49 PM:I love reading these letters. I can never believe how foolish people are. They use their religion to justify prejudices and spread hate. Religion was designed to control the simple minded. Anyone who believes in a all powerful being in the sky is trully ignorant.
Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2006 7:36 PM:Love it - you are mentioned in the Bible. God said: "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God".
To Love it wrote on Jul 8, 2006 12:39 AM:In all of your enlightenment on there being no higher power, I assume you beleive nothing was created and everything derived from nothing at some point some how. There is the Big Bang theory, but something had to create the thing that banged. You must live a lonely life to beleive you are nothing more than an insect whose purpose on this planet is to serve yourself until you perish. It is common knowledge amongst beleivers that the devils best invention was enlightenment. When people started answering wonders with science, they started to think they are God. This led to the vast spread of the belief that there is no God. Beleive me, there is and the world ends at his command. Your sole purpose is to be faithful to your creator and serve his will. That is the meaning of life. It is not to go to college and buy a big house and a big car.
2 cents worth wrote on Jul 8, 2006 2:21 AM:OK, let me jump into the frey. It is my understanding that the Bible is largely parable and/or metaphores. I believe it should be read with this in mind. It should also be noted that much has been lost in translation AND in changing of word usage. I.e. the word "sin" that we read today originally was an archery term meaning simply "missing the mark." It did not connotate some big spiritual CRIME! But, a falling short or missing to one side or the other. The word that has been translated as HATE, if I remember correctly had the original meaning of turning away from, and not the vehement emotional response the word "hate," by today's usage means. Bottom line: we are commanded to love. Nothing complicated about that.
S wrote on Jul 8, 2006 3:44 AM:Call to all mortals; please tell me which deity to follow. Which writings should I read? HONK if you've seen bad acts justified by ancient writings. I believe in a 'higher power' but I wouldn't even attempt to define it let alone list its rules. I would advise the self-satisfied that Karma's going to get us all. Live your life according to your own conscience. Let it be.
Lin wrote on Jul 8, 2006 6:41 AM:The definition of a fool is a person who believes in something just because a book or group of people tells them they're a fool if they don't believe in it.
Ace wrote on Jul 8, 2006 11:17 PM:Faith...New York exist and I believe in it because all the signs are there...yet I've never been there (yet)
Patrick wrote on Jul 9, 2006 7:34 AM:Opium for the masses. Justify anything as long as it's in the bible! Religion is the current cause of all of the worlds problems... just look at the middle east or our illustrious leader GWB!
Kiki wrote on Jul 9, 2006 1:09 PM:Religion is one thing and belief in God is another. God is the supreme being and has a plan, his plan is not for us to push people away but to confront them from the brotherhood of love and compassion. Like the scripture says, let the one without sin throw the first stone, stone could be words or actions.We are all sinners and none are perfect save Jesus, always was and will forever be. For a person to think our world just happened, that people just happened, that our universe just happened out of nothing is the ultimate of stupidity. In the East they use religion, man's law, as a reason to kill and keep humans, women in bondage. Remember 'religion' is not the same as Godly.Some are called and some aren't, it's free will.Who wants to be forever in darkness, separated from God? He waits for you and Jesus paid for your sin and went to prepare a home for you in paradise. I don't know about the rest of you but I want paradise and I want it for my family.I know some people who have said for some reason or another to another person (out of revenge or hate)we know we will se our son, mother, brother, father, cousin, etc. in heaven, indicating that the other person won't. Watch your tongue and the words out of your mouth which could condemn you in the eyes of God. No one judges but God. I hope the language is simple enough for all to understand and if you want to read a REALLY good book, it's called the BIBLE.Go to church and have it explained to you.
John wrote on Jul 9, 2006 4:18 PM:My feelings are that the Bible is a wonderful novel,Although a novel there are many areas in the bible that can help us live our lives better. How many versions of the bible have been written?At least 100 at best guess,all Modified by Man. What does the last sentences in the Book of revelations read? Rev 22.19. Christians have been changing and adding to the Bible for centuries ,to suit ther own selfish purposes .You can bet your Evangalistic Butt that if Jesus were walking this planet today, He would be Pissed off.Theres a special place in HELL for The Fallwells,Swaggerts and minions of other dirtbags that Pimp ther own agendas,ther nothing more than the American verson of the Talaban. Next time you look at a rendition of the Last Supper,take a look at the one whos sitting to the right of The Christ, His favored one.
2 cents worth, again wrote on Jul 9, 2006 10:41 PM:Thank you John (and a couple of others)! There is a big difference between religion and spirituality. I once heard it put this way: Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell; spirituality is for people who have already been there and back. Another way I have heard it put: Christianity is the Religion ABOUT Jesus whereas spirituality is the "religion" OF Jesus. (This being why the Jewish heierichy was so upset with His teachings at the time.) Did he not say, "is it not written ye are gods and sons of gods" - this, to me, completely dumps the theory that He was/is the ONLY son of God, or that He ever claimed to be. Did he not say, "OUR Father?" As for condemnation in the eyes of God - doesn't it also say somewhere that the eyes of God are too pure to behold sin? Stand as close to a lightbulb as possible - you will barely see any shadows, at all. Step away from the lightsource (i.e. Truth) and they jump out all over. So you stand back away from this light and tell another person, "Naughty! Naughty! I see your shadow!" Is it the person's fault or yours for being so far from the light? Back to Basics: We are to speak, think and act from a position of compassion, love and foregiveness.
PanchoVilla wrote on Jul 10, 2006 8:15 AM:"My feelings are that the Bible is a wonderful novel"...Just think if the "Lord of the Rings" was written during the switch from Roman Paganism to the Christian trilogy ...what fantasy novel would have won out?.They both had passages like...fire on the mountain(Mount Doom) and parting of seas(Hobbits being chased by the Dead riders) miracles from heaven,a dead corpse coming back to life(Gandalf in the Dwarf mines)....All I know is if the mud hut dwellers were as ignorant as the Concrete and glass dwellers of today they would have cobbled it up and the wannabe state religion would had us worshiping Gandalf the white instead of the Hippie guy.
Kiki to PanchoVilla wrote on Jul 11, 2006 5:00 AM:Don't you see how many books are taken from the Bible? They just make grotesque liitle creatures and characters and change the surrounding to make it different. They can't top the Bible so they copy.
To Kiki wrote on Jul 11, 2006 12:18 PM:Take your simple mind back to church so someone else can think for you.
Spiritual but not restricted wrote on Jul 11, 2006 3:18 PM:"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tell me so." Even as a kid in Sunday school, I always thought this was rather simplistic. I've heard Catholics tell Baptists that they were going to hell and vv. Do intelligent people really think that the Bible should be the last word for everyone on the planet? Appparently some folks don't get out much.
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