In too many parts of the US , The Book of Genesis wants to be taught in the classroom as an alternate to evolution. If this is the case the "theories" provided in said book are fair game. Even the chronology in the Genesis is nonsense, the earth was rich in life long before man arose (hundreds of millions of years). Genesis contains some historical facts Isaac's descendants became the tribes of Israel and Ishmael's became Muslims. Life spans seem to have been much longer back then, lasting centuries.
The Book of Genesis is simply a case in point that the bible should not be taken so literally, it was written by ancient man not God. In responding to Ron's post earlier, I was only interested in having a
lively exchange of ideas, not a discussion of religion, per se. I didn't mean to challenge Ron's or anyone's beliefs or to have mine challenged in turn. Most who know me also know that I am a relatively religious person, but I don't take ancient dogma (read: Bible) at face value. Regarding the scientific value of such discussions, in a broad sense astronomy is as much about culture as it is about science. Is it not legitimate on occasion, therefore, to discuss religion in such a context?
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen@thebluezone.net Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 12:10 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] some misconceptions,was "own"
Absolutely, The Book of Genesis is not scientifically based, so lets keep this based on science, and not on wether Ishmael or Isaac are the chosen ones. The Sun is probably about 4 billion years old, humans have been around for about 4 million and dinosaurs existed long before humans.
This is all current science.
The Bible is not a book of science just in case you're confused. Do you
really want to start a discussion around religion?
I suggest you end it here or take it completely off line with those inclined to think as you do.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen@thebluezone.net Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 9:42 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] some misconceptions,was "own"
From Genesis.
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also"
The 2 great lights, the Sun and Moon. The stars are mentioned as separate entities. Genesis offers fantastical explanations that do not conform to modern scientific observations.
Sorry Patrick but I need to push the o.t. envelope a little just to clear
up some confusion introduced by some members who don't know any better. Any follow-up can be done w/me personally. (but there might be enough astronomical references here to keep it viable)
1) < Genesis states the sun is not a star> Actually Gen. 1:14-18 uses the term "lights" for all the objects God put in the heavens. Even the sun and the moon are referred to as only "lights" in that chapter. Giving a title or name such as "sun" or "moon" to these objects is strictly a pagan notion. The term "sun" is not used until Gen.15:12.
2) <God is neither male nor female > True enough. The male gender designation used for God in the bible catered to the patristic nature of the culture to whom it was written.
3) <Can God reproduce > No, that would mean "other gods" and Judaism and biblical Christianity are monotheistic. Duet. 6:4 Isaiah ch 44 & 45 etc.
4) <Mary was without sin> This notion was introduced by the Catholic Church in the 13th century and there has always been deep division concerning this doctrine within the Catholic church. In Luke 1:46 Mary calls God "her Savior" and in biblical parlance only a sinner needs a Savior.
5) To Dave Gary who "generally shuns supernatural explanation for things" begs the question; what is supernatural and what is natural? Our total knowledge of the natural world probably constitutes a fraction of one percent of all there is to know about it. What is the true nature or light? How do stars and galaxies "really" form? What is "life"? What massive, fortuitous, and precise chain of events transformed early life forms from asexual to bisexual? And need I mention quantum mechanics? Depending on a persons worldview much of what I just mentioned has no naturalistic explanation. So considering our dearth of knowledge of the natural world lets not be swift to judge what is termed supernatural ( a word not found in the Bible btw). It could be just another thing lacking an explanation. These events do have historical context after all.
Finally lets consider the "Law" of Cause and Effect. The cause of time is eternal, the cause of power is all powerful the cause of knowledge is all knowing and the cause of the natural is supra-natural. Merry Christmas Ron
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1170 / Virus Database: 426/3292 - Release Date: 12/01/10
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com