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Showing posts with the label Christian

Academia and the Christian Difference

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Academia is a word that includes higher education, and often scientific research conducted in those institutions. One goes to these centers in hopes of becoming a scientist. Although some folks may try to deny it, many professors seek to destroy the faith of Christian students. Indeed, atheism is presumed in academia and the rest of the secular science industry — and this attitude is harmful to Christian students . The "war" between science and religion is fictitious, an atheistic construct. Many of the founders of modern science were not only Christians but also biblical creationists. Saugerties Dam, Esopus Creek in Saugerties, NY, Unsplash / Cowboy Bob Sorensen Because of their insistence on naturalism, secularists are choking scientific research. They try mighty hard to keep the Creator out of science, yet they are upset about misconduct in science . Well, researchers and scientists are simply being true to their worldview if cheating helps their survival fitness... Christ...

Apollo Lunar Landings — Conspiracy?

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  On 20 July 1969, the Lunar Module Eagle  of Apollo 11 touched down on the surface of the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin walked on it with Collins was waiting in orbit in the Columbia  command module. At least, that is what they want you to think. Almost everyone accepted the narrative, and the Soviet Union offered reluctant congratulations to the Americans. Later, some people began saying that the six successful lunar landings never happened. It was all a conspiracy, and the landings were filmed on a soundstage on Earth. Edwin Aldrin by US flag on moon (PD), WikiComm /  NASA ,  (PD), usage does not imply endorsement of site contents Also on 20 July 1969, the USSR failed with their Luna 15 effort. It was a probe that was supposed to land, get samples, and return them to Earth. It crashed. The Soviets did  have some contributions to space exploration over the years, but not that time. (For reference, their Luna 9 in 1966 was the first spac...

Artificial Intelligence — Threat and Disappointment

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen It seems like practically everywhere we turn, AI is in use. Some people consider it a tool, others a threat . We can interact with it unknowingly. My most frequent use is internet searches; AI gets the query, scours the web, and answers rapidly. Plus it gives links for research. For the arts, I want material done by people. Sure, use computers and AI for small adjustments, but overall, make it human. A Christian hard rock channel on YouTube has at least eight "albums" by a fake band, and the write-up is deceptive . AI Cyborg adored by mindless masses* Some folks don't want AI writing and "performing" their music because it's sterile; it lacks...soul. The "band" mentioned above has Christian lyrics, but since so much material is cranked out, I lack belief that anyone is checking the lyrics for theological accuracy. Christian lyrics, even sermons, by AI should be of concern to Christians. People dislike artificial intelligence ...

Creationism Helps Mental Health in Students

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Concerns were raised about the increase in mental illnesses in Australian students, and other countries (especially the formerly United States) should follow suit. Worldviews have consequences, and students are being indoctrinated with the Darwinian worldview. As I have said many times, atheism essentially teaches negativity. That is, we are the products of the Big Bang, then minerals-to-microscopist evolution, there is no final ultimate justice, rewards, punishment. When you die, you are worm food. That is the evolutionary message of hope. No wonder people are messed up. Sunrise in the forest, RGBStock / Alex Bruda The study revealed that the Christian worldview gives hope, which is effective against mental illnesses. There is  a final Judgment and justice, Jesus is coming back for his people, you can be raised from the dead and be with him in glory, and more. If studies like the one in Australia continue, it would be a good idea for them to examine the fact that evolutionism is n...

God, Space Aliens, and May the Fourth

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  A kind of holiday was made to celebrate Star Wars  movies, a cash cow for the Disney Corporation since 2012. Many space operas came along afterward, such as the dreadful  Starcrash  a year later. Fans do not really need a holiday, as there is something Star Wars  frequently happening throughout each year.  Some folks make a distinction between science fiction  which is generally more serious and thoughtful, and sci-fi , which is usually mental fluff. Early Star Trek  had real and imaginary science in their stories, and Stargate SG-1  used some actual science. Space war, Pixabay / Adis Resic Fantasy and science fiction have been around for a very long time, but it really took off in the twentieth century. Comic books had science fiction. Television and movies got into the act later. It is interesting that many Christians enjoy science fiction and sci-fi, but the majority of the authors of these and fantasy material (the...

The Final Experiment and the Flat-Earth Cult

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It has been said that the flat-earth movement has some characteristics of a cult. There is no authoritative set of doctrines , and beliefs are varied, as seen in a cursory view of the Flat Earth Society FAQ . Some are typical, such as Earth being flat and round like a disk, but others hold views that are...truly bizarre. Some of the strange views are found online (the internet has given flat-earth views a wide audience ). Members had a chance to put up or shut up with something called The Final Experiment. It did not go well. Flat Earth rendering, public domain image, Wikimedia Commons /  Trekky0623 Another trait that flat-earthers share with cults is a victim mentality; they're all out to get us. NASA photographs proving the spherical earth? Faked for various reasons, and thousands of people are in on the deceptions. (Was I forced to wear a NASA T-shirt while I wrote this post, or will people believe me when I say that it's entirely coincidence?) Flat-earthers have many rescui...

Artificial Intelligence — Helpful or Harmful?

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Long ago, I encountered a computer program called ELIZA on the TRS-80, which was a machine for beginners. The Tandy version of ELIZA mimicked a therapist but it could be tricked with clever wording. This was early stages of artificial intelligence. AI is ubiquitous, especially online. (Indeed, when I highlight a block of text I am composing, a particular browser offers to use AI to rewrite it. No. The mistakes and possible cleverness are mine.) It is being used in some amazing ways but some see it as a threat. Robot using computer, Pixabay /  Lukas Many people think that AI will put artists out of work. Some graphics it produces are impressive, but others (especially at the free level) are risible. Many videos on YouTube are entirely made by AI, but there are certain flaws in narration that give them away. (I expect lawsuits because the voices of famous people are often used.) Music is composed by AI that is acceptable but...unsatisfying. Some folks have such a high opinion of arti...

Groundhog Day, Superstitions, and Christians

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Admit it, you have occasionally tried to avoid bad luck or enhance good luck. If you study on it a spell, you can see that luck is treated like an entity that dispenses favorable or unfavorable events. Mayhaps it is like the Force of Star Wars , or  the Fates . Many superstitions are widespread but have no known origins. A remark attributed to Groucho (Julius Henry) Marx is if a black cat crosses your path, it means the animal is going someplace. It is bad luck in some places but good luck in others. Groundhog, Pexels / Abdullah Dawud It is interesting that Groundhog Day actually has an old history, and the rodent was first associated with it by Germans. Many of them settled in Pennsylvania, so their traditions eventually blossomed into Punxsutawney Phil, the weather predictor with a lousy track record. Why that name, Cowboy Bob? I dunno. This burrowing cousin of squirrels (who can climb trees) has other monikers. How about Woodchuck Day? Better yet, Whistle-pig Day? How ...

The Capsizing the Ark, and Corrupted Animals Questions

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Stevia Dolce, the baker at the Darwin Ranch, made one of her stealth visits to my place. (This is because she does not dare show doubts about evolution for fear of her job.) As I chewed on a croissant she brought, Stevia said that her questions may have been tolerated by foreman Rusty Swingset, but she was not sure. The first question is quite reasonable for believers and unbelievers alike: In the Genesis Flood scenario creationists describe, how could the Ark avoid capsizing? Second, why were the animals punished and called "corrupted?" Ark Encounter, Pixabay /  Michael Wysmiersk Those are  good questions. After complimenting Stevia about her thinking (and baking), I admitted that I had a bit of work to do because I had not considered either question very much. Now, I don't think the Ark was the very first ship built, ever; Noah and his sons would have had shipbuilding skills . Also, while the Flood and many aspects of it were miraculous, not everything involved was . Co...

Number of Animals on the Ark, and How it Survived the Flood

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As stated before, when comparing worldviews it is necessary to see if they are consistent within their own frameworks. Christians claim to believe that the Bible is the written Word of God. Biblical creationists go further by declaring that Genesis is a record of recent creation, so written details are accurate. Many people know that the people at Answers in Genesis have the Ark Encounter , which is a theme park featuring a full-sized replica of Noah's Ark built according to biblical specifications. This raises questions about the Bible and the Ark itself. AI-generated Noah's Ark image, Pixabay / dlsdkcgl For the Ark Encounter, Answers in Genesis has conducted a great deal of research. In this first of two articles, the feasibility of the number of animals on the Ark is considered. They did not use the easiest or safest numbers. Mockers will say something like, "The Ark couldn't have held all those animals. Because atheism," or words to that effect. They don't...

Textbooks Indoctrinating Children for Darwin

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Although many Western countries had Judeo-Christian values when they were founded, they have drifted from them over the years. People still enjoy the fruits of those values to some extent but are mostly unaware of where they originated. Different values are taught in schools. State-run education is a misnomer; it is actually indoctrination. Yes, indoctrination  is a word that is often casually used, but it is used very deliberately in this case. The school system has control of children for about a thousand hours a year. They teach materialistic and atheistic "values," especially evolution. Textbooks, Freeimages /  Jean Scheijen It is hypocritical for atheists and other secularists/humanists to be outraged when Christian parents want to instill their morals and principles in their children. Christians are supposedly indoctrinating" them. Not hardly! The opposite is true. Evolution is paramount, and liars for Darwin believe that, according to their fundamentally-flawed mo...

Worldviews and the Value of Human Life

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Although many Western countries developed from Christian principles, they are becoming increasingly secular. Even so, there are still some undercurrents of those ideals in society. A woman announces that she is expecting a child and people celebrate. Ultrasound pictures are shown. Expectant parents love this person they have never met in the flesh. Evolution devalues humanity and atheists desperately cling to that myth. It is not just a biological subject but a worldview. Evolutionists consider all forms of life to be related — and equally meaningless. But they cannot consistently live with such beliefs. Woman showing ultrasound, Unsplash / Christin Noelle People with a secular (indeed, anti-Christian) worldview celebrate death. People like this are usually on the political left, and it has been said that abortion is like a sacrament for them. They celebrate the killing of unborn babies! And yet, they get involved in conservation efforts and want to save the baby seals. The Christian ...

The 2024 Solar Eclipse and Divine Judgment

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Posts and articles here will be sporadic for a few days or weeks until things get more under control. People are totally (heh!) excited about the February 8, 2024 solar eclipse, even more so than they were in 2017. Scientists can make observations, make predictions, test equipment, and so on. I'm happy for them. This one will be a bit different than the last one . It is not just for scientists, either. Just two days ago at church, I was talking with a couple of ladies who have friends in the area of totality. They are taking a trip there. Also, I saw people asking a worker at a big box store if they had the eclipse glasses. Get ISO 12312-2 from a reputable dealer to be safe . So I was surprised to hear that God's judgment on the formerly United States is part of the festivities. Total solar eclipse 2017, NASA / Aubrey Gemignani (usage does not imply endorsement of site contents) Bluntly, these people who see "signs" and "prophecy fulfillment" are embarras...

The Senses and Creation

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  Since my wife has gone to be with Jesus and I am alone now, I have to be much more precise in my daily activities. Getting ready for work each morning requires attention to detail and following a routine. During the morning hustle, I noticed how the senses play a part in our daily lives. The alarm is on my phone ("Heaven Changes Everything") which goes off at almost the same time as the timer turns on the lamp. It is a mite cool in here because I dial down the heat for the night. Since I leave for work in about 100 minutes, I leave the heat alone. View from bedroom with lamp on timer, modified with FotoSketcher The faint smell of scented wax from the heater that Charlene liked reaches me and I remember using the device last night. I didn't like to smell cigarette from a neighbor's apartment. Sometimes the smell of doobie intrudes. It used to wake her up in the middle of the night, but Polly Pothead moved out and I don't have to deal with th...

Assumed Atheism Harming Religious Students

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  Internet atheists express their hatred of God and bigotry toward Christians quite freely from the safety of their keyboards, and they insist on asserting false facts. One of these is that creationists believe "God did it" is a sufficient scientific explanation for something. They are unable to meet the challenge to produce a creation scientist who uses that idea. Another false fact is that if someone is not an atheist, he or she is not a real scientist. Although ridiculous, it shows their bigotry. It is also a way to control science itself to fit their own naturalistic beliefs. Train waiting on tracks, Unsplash / Cowboy Bob Sorensen Something I read long ago in a UFO publication is that they first seek natural and rational explanations before appealing to UFOs. I have seen a similar view used by paranormal researchers (never mind whether or not experiences were genuine). In simple terms, science uses methodological naturalism . While Christians presupp...

Young Earth Evolution, Todd Wood, and Me

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen This is an article I would rather not write, but my experiences and thoughts may be useful to others. Maybe I will get insight from them. A spell back, I was confused by Dr. Todd Wood who appeared in the creation science film Is Genesis History . Well, it was afterward that I was confused. He seemed to be advocating for baryons-to-biochemist evolution . After a bit of investigation, I wrote an article discussing both my confusion and also about a video he made that seemed to settle things. Todd Wood with Del Tackett, Is Genesis History screenshot, modified with FotoSketcher Although I am a nobody, I was hoping that he would respond to the article. That didn't happen. After a while, I stopped paying attention to Dr. Wood's activities. Then some articles from Answers in Genesis got my attention. They were doing a series on young-earth evolution , which is something new to me. The idea seems contradictory, because evolution demands deep time and a denial...

Misportraying Atheists as Driven by Reason

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Back in 2013, an article in Psychology Today  portrayed atheists in a positive way. There was an undercurrent of victimhood where these nice folks just want to go about their business and just happen to disbelieve in God and the supernatural. They do not bother others. One problem atheists have is that those who are not so militant read and hear the propaganda from angry misotheists. That would explain how a co-worker reluctantly told me that she is an atheist, acting like she expected some kind of personal attack. It is the professing atheists who are on the prod . Although they portray themselves as moved by science, evidence, and reason, very few show skill in those areas. It is interesting that a discussion can be civil until evolution is not shown reverence. Then the fangs and claws come out because atoms-to-atheist evolution is foundational to their worldview. After all, they need a creation myth to go with their belief that reason brings some kind of salvation. Take a warnin...

Immanuel Kant, the Enlightenment, and the Old Testament

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There was a period in certain parts of Europe called (with a passel of hubris in the eyes of this child) the Age of Reason  or the Enlightenment . These things do not simply spring up on their own, but are developed from religious, cultural, intellectual, political, and other cultural views that happened before. The Enlightenment was by no means unified. Some had a fondness for Classical things (Socrates himself was particularly missed by Voltaire). Some wanted knowledge without the senses, others believed knowledge could be achieved by reason alone. This period is sometimes considered a triumph of atheism (indeed, the bloody French Revolution was the culmination). Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles, was an atheist who lived at this time. His Zoonomia  was unfluential to Charlie . Immanuel Kant by Johann Gottlieb Becker, 1768, modified with PhotoFunia Criticism of the Bible was widespread at this time with efforts to find excuses to intellectualize it away. (For that...