One of the things I did want to discuss how a widespread belief of evolution has changed (for better or worse) the value of life.
PostPosted: Mon 02 Oct, 2006 Post subject: re: The Truth Project Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post [Mark post as unread]
Anyway, to the issue of evil, "what is evil"
The question really related to the claim of some who say that man is "inherently good" and if there is evidence for that claim.
We looked at the implications of a naturalistic philosophy, tied in the theory of "there is no right or wrong", the life people live when told that there is nothing beyond the grave, Maslow's hieracrchy of needs and if followed truly, what the consequences would be and are.
Some quotes from the class that stood out for me.
These are in context of the theory that man is nothing more than material (no spirit for life beyond death.
"A rat is a pig is a boy." Ingrid Newkirk
"The Finnish Green Party activist, Pentti Likola....goes so far as to say that he has more sympathy for threatened insect species than for children dying of hunger in Africa." cited in The New Tolerance
"While death of young men in war is unfortunate, it is no more serious than the touching of mountains and wilderness areas by humankind."
David Brower
"The purpose of man is like the purpose of a pollywog-to wiggle along as far as he can without dying;or, death takes him." cited in The Best of Humanism
*** the consequences for the above statements are mind-boggling!!!
Life doesn't hold much value.
One quote by Carl Rogers still has my head spinning in circles trying to see the "truth" in it, it seems that he talks out of both sides of his mouth on this one.
"For myself, though I am very aware of the incredible amount of destructive, cruel, malevolent behavior in today's world-from the threats of war to the senseless violence in the streets-I do not find that this evil is inherent in human nature"
****begs the question than, where DOES evil come from than?***
the answer from Carl Rogers is that "experience leads me to believe that it is cultural influences which are the major factor in our evil behaviors"
****but what makes a culture?***
The teacher addressed the issue of how some use the issue of evil to declare that there can't be a good god, how could he allow evil?
Often this stumps christians, we had to ask why. The teacher, Tackett told how we shouldn't be stumped, we, christians, have many answers for this really, it is those who believe in no god, or survival of the fittest, etc that really don't have an answer. The question to ask back he says, is, "why does evil bother you?" If this is a world where only the strong survive, there should be no bad feelings of hurting others, and if man is basically good, well than, YOU explain where evil comes from.
(sorry about the caps, I can't seem to bold or italic in the right places with the button :( )
Some questions I wrote for myself are:
**Why can't the world explain where evil comes from really?
** What evidence is there for the claim that man is basically good?
** In what areas have I accepted the worlds claims in exchange for God's claims?
** How do the biblical claims of the condition of man stack up with reality?
** Maslow says the ultimate goal is Self-Actualization (SA), what are the consequences of this lifestyle?
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