As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
Where did we get the concept of a "straw man"? One folk story says that it originated with men who stood outside of courthouses with a straw in their shoe in order to indicate their willingness to be a false witness. Another is that a man made of straw, such as those used in military training, is easy to attack. I'm going to use the latter account.
It's easy for most non-religious individuals to attack modern-day Christianity (and other religions).
Scientists don't need to even give a thought to giving any credibility to God until the major religions of the world can come to a common definition of God. Religions generally are still trying to determine WHAT GOD IS! I believe in "creationism", but not Biblical creationism which is a straw man that's easily attackable even with the likes of another straw man- evolutionism!
The Western straw God(s) are likewise easy targets
>God is a superhuman being living somewhere out there.
>God is sort of a "Grandfatherly figure" who loves to give gifts.
>God is a demanding schoolmaster who is quick to use the "stick" to correct.
>God is a sadistic tyrant who created faulty beings that would never function properly and need to be sent to an eternal hell for some reason that escapes intellectual sincerity.
The "popular God" that encompasses the mentions above and a host of other anthropomorphic concepts can easily be shot down (like the military straw man) when using logic, philosophical integrity, and common sense. Ah, but what well meaning fundamentalist needs to answer to anything other than obedience to what they've been TOLD to BELIEVE? :-(
Over the dozens of centuries religion has become more sophisticated or has attained a higher level of consciousness; however, we have miles to go before we can sleep-rest. The God who created the universe isn't the same God that we've created in our religious imaginations, nor is He-She-It, the same God that we find in most of the Judaeo-Christian Bible. I embrace the view though that the Creator-Father-Consciousness is like Jesus described, as far as his language for the day 2,000 years ago would allow.
If Jesus were to return today, He'd use different language. In fact, He is: the Spirit IS. Why are we resisting what the Spirit-Consciousness is NOW saying? The expansive and ever enlightening illuminations of God are for our benefit, joy, and salvation (don't use that last word as religion has boxed it in!). :-)
Has anyone seen Dorothy or the Tin Man?
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Overwhelmed By Numbers
By: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg | 07/12/2009I was overwhelmed with all the posts on Shalom Aleichem that I received in response to my invitation. I spent so much time responding to emails, posting, editing etc. that I barely had time to write anything this week. I was thrilled to receive so many beautiful insights into a song that so many take for granted, but I was also distracted. I am far from the best time-manager. (Busy-itis)
The Tree of Life: A Cure For Bittered Waters
By: Stephen Stillman | 06/12/2009We are familiar with the story of Moses leading the people of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. One of their most critical times during this journey was when they were suffering from an almost intolerable thirst. How their hearts beat with joy when they came to Marah and saw water! Just as quickly as their hearts become joyful, despair came again because the waters were too bitter to drink. All of us sooner or later in life come to Marah where we find bitter waters in the cup of human experience.
The Lord God's Invitation in Bible versus Quran (1)
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 05/12/2009In the Bible, the Lord God invites the birds and all the wild animals for the flesh of the mighty to eat and the blood the princes of the earth to drink. In the Quran, Allah invites the people to keep their duty to their Lord.
God Calculus
By: MILES PRIDE | 04/12/2009We know very little about our vast universe. What we know could easily be deposited on the head of a pin in a million galaxies. Evolution, as it pertains to man, is arguably far from substantiated (even evolutionists disagree with one another.) This being the case wouldn't the "possibility" of a...
Expert TW Jackson Guide To Winning Back Your Ex
By: David Gaillard | 04/12/2009You had a fight with your partner and now you have broken up with him or her. If you are thinking of winning back your ex, calling him or her twenty times a day or leaving desperate messages at the
From My First Breath, I Knew That God Existed. Why Does Faith Come Easily To Some And Not Others?
By: Theplus50crowd | 04/12/2009There are numerous religions and faiths in our world. People continually search for the truth about life and death. For some of us, God touched us at an eary age, therefore, we instinctively knew He existed. For others, the search for God becomes a journey that takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Kissing and Foreplay during Ramadan?
By: John Doe | 04/12/2009This is an article about whether you're allowed to kiss your wife during Ramadan or not. Are you allowed to have foreplay during fast?
Is Sex Allowed During Ramadan?
By: John Doe | 04/12/2009This is an article focusing on the sexual part of Ramadan. Are you allowed to have sex during Ramadan?
Random Mutations?
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 06/12/2009 | SpiritualityCan we determine anything about our future or where we are headed as long as we embrace the scientific view of where we came from?
Conscious Intent
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 05/12/2009 | MetaphysicsWhere do we want to go that would be good for all that live on this planet? Who do we want to be? We do ahve free will.
God Loves The Children
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 05/12/2009 | ChristianityLittle do we know how much fear of God we are putting into our chidlren, and I'm not talking about a good thing.
The Politics Of Panic
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 03/12/2009 | NatureIs there anyone that we can believe these days or has everyone staked out a territory that they want to sell- at ten times the value?
Climate-gate or Email-gate?
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 03/12/2009 | NatureNow we're into who ox is gored with the latest "gate-ism". Is it the hackers who are criminals, the global warming fraudulent scientists, or both?
Fool Speed Ahead
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 29/11/2009 | ReligionIs it possible for we Americans to slow down our life styles long enough to enjoy the TRUTH of life. Could we consider some of the Oriental approaches?
The Cosmic Landlord
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 29/11/2009 | MysticismHow easily we have become victims, not realizing that we are joint heirs and that there is no leasse on life.
Flawed Lens
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 29/11/2009 | MysticismWhat's up with the dualistic either-or concept that so much of the world embraces? May we open our eyes to the And-Or possibilities.