Intelligence is a Curse

[Erinome]

From a Christian perspective:
1. "I seriously want to know if other Christians think that being an intelligent person, who values evidence and facts over a book that was written when men still thought the sun revolved around the earth is cursed. If so, who cursed us? Why?"

It is not a curse to be intelligent. It's a curse to lack humility. If you cannot end a fight without saying the last word, if you cannot submit yourself to rules, if you simply cannot apologize, then you lack humility. A person lacking humility can never respect the saving power of Jesus Christ, because it calls for people to confess with their own mouths that they have done wrong in their lives.

The fact that these men knew nothing about the stars or the movement of the animals in the ecosystems around them does not mean they were not witnesses to this person Jesus Christ. Also, science presents us with compelling information about the beginning of the universe, the movement of men and the body. What science book can break down how to mend the heart? What can astrophysics do to give hope to people who suffer? What logic book provides us with a way to pray and love people who are beyond loving? What good does it do to compare logic, numbers and calculations with matters of the human spirit?

Think about it, do people apply logic to "crimes of passion"? It is apparent to me that the spirit and science are separate and must be handled that way.

1. "Why did God create me to be intelligent"
The Lord gives everyone gifts. Some are gifted in intelligence, some are gifted with their hands, some with words, all people have been given gifts. The Lord gives us a mind so that we can use it, he has no problem with you constantly questioning and challenging. He will answer all of your challenges when they are real, but if you have wrong motives, he has no reason to show his face to you, because you are not interested in seeing it, your motives are elsewhere.

2. "Why didn't he make me stupid?"
This depends, do you want to be stupid, I'm assuming, like Christians? Do you feel if you were "stupid" you could believe in God? Are you saying that your intelligence stops you from having faith because the evidence for evolution is so overwhelming compared to the claims of the Bible? Have you ever considered having faith in God, even though there are facts supporting evolution?

3. "By saying this, is it not saying that Christians are stupid?"
From the story you described, it sounds like your friend does think that Christians are stupid. For someone to respond with something like, "I can't read this, Jesus will be mad at me." Unless it's forbidden (sorcery, soothsaying, fortune telling, occult participation) then that is a very immature statement to make, and a young Christian would definitely say something like this. "Young", not by age, but by experience and time spent in Biblical teachings.

4. Lastly, how do you get into these fights? Are you seeking Christians to argue with, or are you just running into them? I really am interested.

Usually, when I resond to you, you get a little edgy. I'm saying all of this calmly, I'm not trying to jump down your throat. I'm answering your questions as a Christian and I'm doing it because I think that you really have a desire to know. I'm asking my own questions too and I'd appreciate it if you answer.

When I read your posts, you sound like someone who is burned, by many things. You sound like you've had tons of "friends" who are "Christian" and yet the moment you challenge them, they walk away from you. I didn't like that your friend said you were "sick." I don't think a difference in opinion is sick, nor do I think someone not willing to back down is sick. I don't think you should be judged by your body, nor by your mind. I think you should be judged by your character, which as we know is produced from your life experiences and how you choose to respond to people and circumstances.

I won't back down, unless I'm dead or you become unreasonable.

Salty.

Hobbies Note: I read books about the occult from a Luthern minister who counseled former members of the occult on all levels and sides. I do not participate or read occult participation books.

1.) Jesus is a fictional character, plagiarized and irrelevant to my thought process, decision making, and life. I am not afraid to admit when I have done wrong. I live by the "golden rule" which is derived from both logic, and compassion.

2.) When you talk to me about what "god" has gifted people with, I can't help but assume that you actually think god is real. I don't feel I was "gifted" with intelligence at all. I'm offended when you say that my intelligence comes from "god", because I've worked very hard for my intelligence. I am not the smartest person in the world, by far, but through virtuous DNA I have a brain with the capacity for attaining knowledge, and I've worked very hard in school, as well as through independent study to obtain my intelligence. Some imaginary person had nothing to do with it.

3.) I wear a necklace with an atheist pendant because I am unashamed to be a reasonable person. People ask what it means all the time. Also, I have Stephen Hawking's books on my coffee table, and the Christians around here see that, and see

That's how the argument was started this particular time.

I can see how I might seem edgy, sometimes. I am put off by people talking about god like he's a real thing, and even more put off by people defending a repulsive book like the bible. I think people who take it literally are too stupid for me to talk to, and the people who nod away all the parts about slavery, murdering innocents in the name of god, etc, are hypocrites. Either the bible is "the word of GOD" to you, or it's nothing at all, and if it's the word of god, live by it- ALL of it. Since that would require actually reading it first, many Christians defend it, without even knowing what they're actually defending. It makes me kinda sick, and I'm not one to disguise my feelings.

I see religions as dangerous to the progression of society. I see that people who have faith have stopped looking for truth, and it makes me feel angry that they have no regard for the human achievements in science, and the actual facts about our universe and origin that we have managed to survive on this planet long enough to really understand. I will always defend my view passionately, but I assure you that as a woman of science, I am open to being proven wrong. Neither you, nor any other theist has ever done so.