[golfmenorca]

In the old days, we've had many discussions on LD about the validity of using the past in guaging the present where various religions were concerned. Historical items such as the life (and death) of Galileo, the Crucades, the Dark Ages and the desire of some religious organizations to keep people purposely uneducated were sometimes suggested to be out of bounds because they were centuries past.

I contended then that it wasn't off limits because there still were cases where religious factions still try to do the same thing.

I still contend something similar, although now instead of most of the backlash coming from any church itself, it comes from people who deem themselves staunch followers.

It's frustrating of late, for instance, to see Texas push harder and harder for school agendas that stray from science teachings, and while funny, Colbert's take on O'Reilly trying to disprove science is also scary because the FOX host seems to just be oblivious to even the most fundamental, commonly and scientifically-accepted notions (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-col...-bill-o-reilly and http://www.colbertnation.com/the-col...degrasse-tyson). Then to hear how students in the U.S. are lagging horrendously behind in science (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41255069...nce-science/)?

Yes, it's true we are centuries removed from Galileo, but the notion that we should stop learning because it threatens God is still ever-present.

[goldcigarettes]

It's irritating to me because you can believe in God and still believe in science as well. A lot of very religious people are doctors and scientists, have taken years and years of science courses and spend their lives embroiled in science, but it doesn't stop them from believing in God (or whatever higher power they believe in).

[electmobile]

Oh dont get me started about the education system in this country! WV seems to only care about the mandatory 180 days just to get funding. They dont care about the education itself. Its always about money!

[Ceriopal]

You'll love my depiction of West Virginia in my next book, Chad. :-\ Although I only focus for one segment on an unnamed (fictitious) mining town.

You may enjoy my current book a little better.

[GogaMegaPis]

Dave, it's interesting that you should bring this topic up as I also see a deep division in society as well. Why is it that so few people can believe in God and see science as a means to better understand what God has created?

As for modern day flat earthers, NASA's Kepler mission is sure to ruffle some feathers when the notion hits them that we just might not be the center of creation. Personally I find the mission to be fascinating and what can be inferred about the rest of the universe from Kepler's small glimpse tells me there's much MUCH more out there than anyone had ever imagined! I love it as I feel as though at least a few of us are stepping out of the stone ages and beginning to see things as they really are.

[KimLinbert]

Hi Java!

[hapasaparaz]

Hey Chad, long time no see!

I was just thinking about John 10:16 and how this verse may apply to more than just Jews and Gentiles, or perhaps old world inhabitants and new world inhabitants of the times, but could in all probability considering just how really big the universe is, this rather vague verse could apply way WAY beyond anyone's ability to perceive - makes things all the more exciting! Although I doubt the existence of intelligent life may be present within the Kepler discoveries being that it took hundreds of millions of years for Earth to emerge from its primal state into gaining some degree of intelligence, albeit in this day and age a lot of it is questionable if you know what I mean, the odds of finding a habitable planet amongst them at the right stage of development in terms of life forms is rather slim, but considering the sheer numbers within Kepler's relatively small glimpse and the unimaginable size of the rest of the universe, chances are that somewhere, perhaps lots of somewheres out there, there are or were or will be those other sheep. Their histories may be completely different than ours but their creator is the same and their revelations from God may be different than ours as it applies to their histories, but the end results will be the same - all these flocks will become one flock just as our Lord Jesus said. God is so very great!!!

[Aleksis]

Speaking of 'frustration'... check out Romans 8:19-22

In light of what's beginning to be revealed in the heavens above, this scripture has become even more amazing!!

[mylittlejewelaa]

That's kinda one of the semi-muted statements of my book Java: God can create all, including the natural laws that govern our universe and always have. There is a place for both God and science in this world, but that said, and science isn't something to be afraid of.

[DoctorTDent]

Many people get involved in the science and religion, they are not in conflict with each other.