(May 25, 2016 at 9:38 am)FatAndFaithless Wrote:(May 25, 2016 at 9:34 am)Kingpin Wrote: Fair point and understood. I completely understand that anything I believe is scrutinized (as it should be). I believe that most Christians believe there was a man who lived, died and rose from the dead 2000 years ago named Jesus Christ who performed miracles and had disciples that so ferociously believed in Him they were willing to die. I believe most Christians believe that the entire universe was created by a being, force, entity (whatever word you like) outside of any natural law.
Again though anything I say is MY opinion based on my understanding of the information I have consciously elected to intake and make a decision on. What you believe is not my business. To each their own.
Would you say that your understanding of the information is based on scientific and historical foundations, or on faith? Because "to each his own" is a fine way to live, until the people who believe as you do try to start pushing these beliefs into public schools, because they claim that their beliefs are not only true, but validated by science and history (see creationism in the US public school system). The problem is that we want to teach our children what is true, but people obviously disagree about what is true. Would you cordon off these religious beliefs of yours into an area completely separate from scholastic history and science education and keep them as a matter of the church and of faith?
Great question. Even though I am a creationist, I am NOT a proponent of creationism in schools as it's wanting to be presented. Personally, things such as creationism should be left in the elective courses such as World Religions. There are numerous theories on origins such that one cannot be presented as fact, but there are facts that we can use to deduce our own conclusions.
As far as myself, my understanding is more of a culmination of all three, but the word faith not as we define it today, but more from it's Greek origins (pistis). Most people on here know this is my stance and that I am an advocate for freedom of speech and religion. I believe that if the government allows Christians to hold prayer vigils, setup booths, etc, then at the same token ANY belief system should be afforded that same right. I have no business forcing my beliefs on anyone. However when I am asked what I believe I will not shy away from what I hold true. Nor should anyone. I am no different than any other person and as such have no right to judge anyone.
We are not made happy by what we acquire but by what we appreciate.
