reply posted on 15-12-2008 @ 08:19 PM by Anonymous ATS
I must admit, I have not read every single post to this question, but hope to remain on the original topic nonetheless.
First off, I am Christian. But one who struggled with the idea of a blind faith for many years. God was way too hard a concept to grasp, but simply
ignoring the obvious of some sort of "Supreme Deity/Force/Energy, etc." just seemed too illogical as well. I say obvious because there is too many
"whys" out there that given our current state of humanity we can not answer without acknowledging some sort of Higher Power. So for a long time I
was an Agnostic, "I'll believe it when I see it".
First off, as far as evolution. I believe there is truth in some form of evolution, but not how Darwin presented it. To say my ancestors are an ape,
just seems too outlandish. I mean, if this would be true, why are there still apes? Why did that branch of the family tree not evolve as well? I do
believe that all species have evolved in some way, shape, or fashion. And who can ignore the ever so elusive, missing link. So as much as Darwinian
evolution makes so much sense to some, its also relies heavily on some form of faith for others.
Second, I will also to speak on God. As I said before, I am a Christian. The only proof of this I can offer, lies in the approach I took to establish
a firm belief in Jesus Christ. My biggest struggle with Christianity, was the various interpretations with the Bible. With so many differences, how
can they all be true? A former pastor talked with me in some length about this, and posed this question, "What have you done to determine which one
seems to be accurate?" He was right, it was easier for me to dismiss all of them, rather than approach my problem the way science attempts to solve
problems. All too often, a scientist will devote a lifetime to prove his theory. In the end, he may still have only a theory, but his work and effort
alone is enough for him to personally believe it is true, if only to him; ie. faith from work. Work that has become personal (a good example is
Einstein), just as my relationship with Jesus has become personal through my effort in studying the different texts of the Bible. In the end, I found
an interpretation that made sense, that fit me, that I understood. Which is what Christianity is all about, a personal relationship with our Lord and
Saviour. I will never agrue doctrine, translations, or the like, cause in the end my best proof about why I believe in God, is to explain, that I just
have a feeling that is so profound, so hard to explain in words, that shakes me down to my bones when I feel it, and that is proof enough for me.
Lee Strobel was an atheistic lawyer/reporter for the NY Times that set out to disprove the idea of a God. In the end, he stated there is more proof
for God, than against.
The scientists who developed the big bang theory had initially set out to disprove God. They did offer up the most accepted theory of how it all
began. But, several years later, upon attempting to expand this theory, stated that the big bang happened with such precision, that it was impossible
to ignore the idea of a Supreme Being. If the bang had happened a fraction of a second sooner, or a fraction later, it would not have happened at
all. Hence Creationism was born.
So in the end, I offer this, what effort have you made to see for yourself?
Its only 5k points... (seems like a lot, but a decent thread will net you 5k easy...) 
