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The Origins Controversy and Religious Motivation

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  Evolution News and Science Today  is run by the Discovery Institute, the leading proponents of Intelligent Design. Despite what propagandists for universal common descent evolution claim, ID is not  creation science in disguise. An article on that site, " Are Proponents of ID Religiously Motivated, and Does It Matter? " inspired this one. The author, Dr. Jonathan McLatchie, made some excellent points in his response to a critic, especially noting that logical fallacies were utilized — which is typical of advocates of evolutionism. Image by Cowboy Bob Sorensen, modified with FotoSketcher Dr. McLatchie pointed out that when the critic of ID claimed that they were religiously motivated, it was a genetic fallacy (also, it poisons the well) . What is too often ignored is the fact that secularists are religiously motivated themselves, as many have religions without deities. This screenshot from X (formerly Twitter) shows a religious attitude toward Dragon Ba

Biblical Knowledge and Creation Science

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At one time, Christians were the main people doing science. (It was called natural philosophy  until the name was changed to science .) Christians and creationists were right at home here. Science operates by laws, and those were given by the Creator. They provide consistency. See how that works out? Eventually, Christians yielded to materialists. Much of that was through compromise on the authority of the Bible. Secular scientists reject the Bible in favor of naturalism. Both kinds of scientists have worldviews based on their presuppositions. Universe and Bible, Pixabay / Alex Myers and Maicon Fonseca Zanco What follows is going to be difficult for some people to accept, even creationists. Bible-believing Christians actually have an advantage in doing science. Indeed, Psalm 119:130 tells us that God's Word brings understanding. Not only does the biblical worldview rule out time, chance, errors as explanations for observed data, but Christians also have a basis for logic and scie

The Fading of the Alleged Fact of Evolution

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As discussed here several times before, a movement, revolution, or other large effect on a society seldom spontaneously generates. Mayhaps you have heard how something was "ahead of its time" or the world was not ready for it. Conditions were not right for that thing. Other sweeping changes occur, leaving people wondering how they took root. Slowly. Charles Darwin is treated like a brilliant scientist for creating evolution, but that is the opposite of the truth . The conditions in Victorian England were right for his conjectures, and the prominent Huxleys helped him out . Darwin caricature, 1871, Vanity Fair , modified at remove.bg At the time of Darwin and even before, people were becoming more blatantly rebellious to God and disrespectful to the Bible. (Interestingly, the only degree that Charlie earned was in theology, which lends credence to the suggestion that he lifted the biblical creation narrative and was making a naturalistic religious text!) Many factors came toge

Surprisingly Christian Material on Intelligent Design Site

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  When perusing Evolution News , the primary website of the Discovery Institute, there seems to be a great deal of self promotion. There is also quite a bit of science and philosophy. There are scientists involved, and it is reasonable to think that they publish in secular scientific journals just like creationists. My problems with the ID movement are that while they show unguided  evolutionary processes are not possible, it has a big tent. That is, there are agnostics, biblical creationists, what appear to be theistic evolutionists, and others involved. Sometimes Christians there seemed to be reluctant to mention the Creator. Also, I am a biblical creationist and presuppositionalist. Neon question mark, Unsplash / Emily Morter Everyone has presuppositions, things we assume to be true, that comprise our worldviews . Biblical presuppositionalists presuppose that the Bible is true  and the final standard of truth. "Ya think, Cowboy Bob?" Yes, I had to be

Newborn Children Testify of the Creator

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Even people who are not religious have been known to say that the arrival of a new baby into the world is a miracle. It could be rightly said that the birth event is a culmination of a whole suite of awesome circumstances. Conception itself is amazing, usually only one sperm cell reaches the egg. Many aspects of the development of the child in the womb have been documented, but we still cannot understand the ways of the Creator (Ecclesiastes 11:5).  Portrait of an Infant , Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1881 Parents are responsible to bring them up "discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Many new parents look upon the new arrival and wonder what this new person will achieve in life. Of course, they may not seem "destined for greatness" and their greatest achievements may appear later in life. From conception through birth, a child testifies of the creator.  The phenomenal layers of design manifested in the biochemistry of the cell and the physiological an

The Ecstasy and Necessity of Gold

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Roland Meadows was with my prospector friend, his fiancée Stormie Waters. I found them at a stream near her home and watched them panning for gold. After a spell, I asked why she found gold so compelling. Her answer surprised me. She was not expecting to get rich but was doing all right. Like so many others, she likes the color and weight. Gold has been the object of much killing and theft. It is also discussed frequently in the Bible, and she added that it applies to the attributes of God in many ways. Dubai Gold Sauk, RGBStock / opinto In Revelation, we read that we're going to walk on pure gold in the streets of the New Jerusalem. The antagonist of James Bond in Goldfinger  is Auric Goldfinger (yes, there are people with that surname). Auric means "of gold" or something, but note the first two letters: AU, which is the chemical symbol of this element. None of that is relevant to anything, I'm just showing off something I noticed. There are many applications for gol

Gender Confusion and Regret

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Before the chaos of today, young people would eventually grow comfortable in the sexes they were born with. There was therapy for them if needed. Not all that long ago, people were not demanding to have so-called gender reassignment surgery and to be called by pronouns of their choosing. Worse, children are being given puberty blockers which adversely affect their health. Medical professionals are causing harm and making big money doing it. Transsexuals are having regrets over their devastating life-changing choices. Daylily, Pixnio / Bicanski Rebellion against God's design for marriage and authority have been increasing for the past few years, and there is a great deal of pride and selfishness involved. At the beginning of creation, marriage was to be one man and one woman. Marriage has been redefined by courts and legislation by uppity humans. Also, it is impossible  to actually change genders. Hormones, laws, surgeries — but the reality of the sex one was born with persists all

Humanity Making Itself the Creator

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Naturalistic views run rampant in Western society, pushing the Creator further and further away. We look to ourselves for salvation. This can be delving into our minds with philosophies and New Age pagan religions, or it can mean looking to other people to give our lives meaning. The secular science industry supports politicians who promote leftist views, celebrities think those are just really swell so they give their support to them. People who use emotions instead of their intellects follow along like sheep. Image by Cowboy Bob Sorensen, modified with FotoSketcher Many people have bumper-sticker mentalities. That is, they are motivated by short sayings on memes and bumper stickers, but are unwilling or unable to apply critical thinking skills to issues. "White people are oppressors of darker-skinned people," "A man trapped in a woman's body," "Stop global climate change or we'll all die" and others sound good to some folks. What's really hap

Hunting and the Providence of God

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First of all, let me state the obvious: In any sport, hobby, profession, or anything else, there are pinheads. Hunting has been tainted by those who are careless with weapons, break laws, and do other foolish things. Yet there are men and women who hunt responsibly and with skill. Believers in descent with modifications evolution believe that the urge to hunt nowadays is a holdover from our stupid ancestors who had to hunt. What if I told you that such an idea is hooey? Hunting, Pixabay / jackmac34 (Jacqueline Macou) The above words come from someone who has never hunted and detests the idea of killing for the sake of trophies. Those jaspers do it for pride, often leaving the meat to rot. I wonder how that kind of killing fits into the idea of hunting being an urge of our inner primitive caveman? Here is something that was a bit startling to me, and it may be for you as well, but consider that hunting is a means God gave us to survive in this fallen world. After Adam sinned, death cam

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

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Many Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving Day, but are mainly doing it out of tradition. Family, food, friends are great and we should be thankful for them. What is often missing from the lives of many people is a thankful heart. We must give thanks to our Creator , and recognize the things he has given us. Study on it a spell and be amazed that the Creator of the universe cares about you and me. Indeed, he does not have to, because we are all sinners in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. Give thanks, Unsplash / Adam Winger I've you've a mind to read it, I wrote something more substantial and from the heart at " Having Just Another Thanksgiving Day? "

Domestic Cat Evolution Story Fails

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Those of us who have known our cats and had some with us for years understand that the love exchanged remains long after they are gone. Basement Cat has been gone for over three years but I still get misty-eyed. God has created many gifts for us, whether food or things to discover and use, to better our lives. I fully believe that pets are a part of it. Believers in chemicals-to-cat evolution tell a tail about gradual domestication and call it evolution. Even though the story seems plausible, there is no evidence of evolution. Basement Cat on computer looking at Basement Cat, photo by Robert N. Sorensen Cats may have become domesticated from certain wild cats in Africa. Many are the size of house cats ( Rusty-spotted cats are a bit smaller). Some cats have a nasty disposition that can never be tamed. An example of the deceptive nature of evolutionary storytelling is the claim that thirteen genes changed by natural selection in the domestication process. Akshully, that number between

Music and the Human Mind

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Some years ago, I remember the Highland Festival in Alma, Michigan. The football field was full of bagpipers and the marching band. The lone piper began "Amazing Grace," and then all those other players joined in. The sound went through me and I was moved to tears. Festivals like this are gatherings for competitions in Highland games, dancing, and the pipes. Later, I saw folks at their trailers playing impromptu songs with folk instruments and having a great time. To me, that is the spirit of  music. Celtic music in the pub (modified), Flickr / James Lloyd ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ) The word music  can mean different things to different people, such as snobs who seem to think the only real music is classical, country, or whatever their preferences. Music needs some basic elements, else it is rhythmic chanting (such as rap). Whether we realize it or not, music involves mathematics — especially the intricacies of classical. There are vibrations throughout the universe, something Easter

Miracles, Atheism, and Science

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In discussions with professing atheists about God and creation, miracles are often an important topic. Posturing atheists try to shut down that aspect of the discussion with arbitrary assertions that miracles are simply impossible. The reasoning can be summarized as, "Because atheism." That is, they have circular reasoning and other logical fallacies at their disposal that were produced by an atheistic disinformation clearinghouse; there is little original or deep thought in atheism. One simple problem they have is that to make the arbitrary assertion against miracles, the same illogical universal negative must be invoked against God. Raising of Lazarus / Carl Bloch, 1870 Indeed, I remember hearing a radio discussion between an atheist a man had written a two-volume set where miracles were substantially documented, even in modern times. The atheist refused to believe in them  despite  the evidence. But then, they must reject evidence and even logic when it threatens their wo

Providential Timing, Death Warmed Over, and the Question Evolution Project

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen There have been a few remarks posted of late about my recent surprise heart tests and eventual triple bypass surgery, and I may do a series on another weblog about those experiences. In a few social(ist) media places, I mentioned that I could die during the treadmill stress test, the heart catheter (mayhaps I did not mention that part), and the surgery itself. There is always  a risk, and I made it clear that I was ready to meet Jesus. Yes, I used the opportunities for some evangelism. But the risk of death was much lower than I thought. Unwashed, thirsty, looking like death warmed over the day I was released from hospital, background from Pixlr At  The Question Evolution Project , I was working by my lonesome and was besieged by trolls with atheism spectrum disorder. A former Admin of TQEP sent me a telegram saying that he had opportunities to help. Groovy! Then I went away. Tooth infection, taking antibiotic Antibiotic causes stomach upset Awakened at 04:00 wit

Yet Another Trial of the Century

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Have you ever heard of haliography? (Watch the spelling, it is not about salt.) This was a new word for me, and the definition was regarding somebody writing about lives of the saints. But the next definition fits: someone is the subject of glowing terms in in biographical material. Gregg Jarrett coauthored a book called The Trial of the Century with Don Yaeger, and apparently they want to elevate Clarence Darrow to the level of secular sainthood. Daryl was the hero of the fictionalized version of the Scopes Trial titled  Inherit the Wind.  People have acted like the movie is a documentary, but that is the opposite of the truth. Now secularist jasper's come along and decided to try to sanitize history — again. Neither history nor science are told accurately. Clarence Darrow, 1913, Wikimedia Commons (public domain) How many times is something called "the trial of the century?" Many of these have raised a great deal of attention, but have fallen by the wayside. Clarence w

Morality and Secular Foundations

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When dealing with professing atheists, many make the claim that they can be "good without God." Misotheists can live apparently moral lives for the most part, but they tend to make exceptions for personal benefit. And they cannot explain their foundations. Laws? Laws change. Evolution? Not hardly ! Some atheists accuse creationists of lying about evolution (a ludicrous charge*), but they cannot coherently explain why , if such a charge were true, lying would be wrong in an atheistic worldview! There have been several attempts in secular philosophy to pin down morality without God. Broken foundation, RGBStock / Adrian van Leen Various secular frameworks have been proposed for morality, but they have internal inconsistencies. Some are arbitrary, so good and evil are based on following a set of rules that are incomplete in dealing with human experiences. Some appeal to higher standards outside themselves — when an atheist says that lying about evolution is wrong, they are appeal

Beekeeping is Sweet Stewardship

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One of the strongest evidences for the existence of God is specified complexity, whether on the cellular level or living things. Some sidewinders who claim to believe in science latch onto the unscientific opinion  that things only appear  designed. Frankly (mind if I call you Frank?), that is just plain stupid. Evidence for God is all around (Rom. 1:18-24). A spell back, we looked at how honeybees are clearly engineered . Now we will consider how beehives also show engineering, and that beekeeping is an example of stewardship. Honeybee brood frame at Wright-Patterson AFB (public domain, but endorsement is not implied) A bit of terminology. We hear the word brood  frequently used regarding birds and their nests, but it also applies to bees. A brood refers to the eggs and various stages of the development of the young'uns. Briefly, God gave us dominion over the earth,  we are given stewardship to take care of things (Gen. 1:26, 28). You savvy? While beekeeping may be done as a hobb

Put a Soul in that Robot!

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  Yesterday we looked at how artificial intelligence and transhumanism can work together in an effort to replace the true God with a god of our own making . There is talk of giving souls to robots, but that idea has several built-in problems. Materialists contradict their worldviews when they try to find consciousness (or a conscious spot) in the brain. They have not found it . For that matter, consciousness is difficult to define. Many equate it with the soul. Computers and robots do not have those things that are considered soul-ish. Laughing robot made at Bing AI Image Creator Those stories and fears about AI becoming self-aware and taking over the world are about pragmatism: It is reasonable to eliminate inferior humans (a biased, pessimistic outlook by the writers). But getting a soul or consciousness? Mayhaps it would be through spontaneous generation. In 1972, Robert Sheckley wrote a short story called "Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?" about

Artificial Intelligence as the Replacement God?

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Interest in and development of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing, as are considerations of cautions and speculations of its dangers portrayed in science fiction. C.S. Lewis gave a warning in That Hideous Strength back in 1946 that seems almost prophetic in some ways. There are several related and even overlapping ideas working at once. People have used machines since creation (keep in mind that levers, pulleys, and other things are considered machines). Obviously, many sophisticated machines have been made over the years. AI Cyborg adored by mindless masses* People use whatever means are available to better their lives, and also invent things to help in that pursuit. From here, humans add mechanical things to themselves such as replacement limbs. Then it gets darker. Some people want to go trans — transhuman, that is. The transhumanist movement seeks to replace humanity with machines so the consciousness can live forever. People need to think biblically about that . Ar

An Evangelist for the Gospel of Darwin

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Although they keep it under wraps, the hands at the Darwin Ranch have worship services. Sebastian the latrine digger was talking about new prayer candles on order and select writings from Charles Darwin would be printed up in smaller volumes as gospels. Study on it a spell. Everyone has a worldview. Evolution is religious in nature, with not only the origins mythology, but also salvation and the coming glorious future. They presuppose atheistic naturalism in a way similar to Christians presupposing the truth of the Bible. Evangelism photo Library of Congress , 1939, colorized at Palette , monkey photobomb added  As stated in previous posts and articles, people have their worldviews that use presuppositions. We all interpret things through those lenses. Professing atheists often lean toward Postmodernism , saying there is no absolute truth or moral standard. When atheists assert things are right or wrong, or want to use evolutionary thinking for good in the world, they are inadvertently