Just Another Animal?

We have “evolved”. Really? Purely by accident we have supposedly “adapted naturally to our environment”. This poses some questions that should be obvious. If the argument from Naturalism is that we “used to be” [this], and we have evolved into [this]. We came from cave man, even apes, both of which “lived outside”…in nature. Lets look at how every other “animal” has completed this transformation and see if there is a difference…see if we too are “just another animal”

The most common theme I see in the arguments for Naturalism are that everything evolved to become better suited for life “outside”. Thing is,  now we can’t survive outside, or in many instances without clothing, shelter, and “unnatural heat”.  We die from “exposure to the elements”, or exposure to “outside”. I will be the first to notice the irony of the fact that this argument can also be used for Naturalism. So many will agree that it is dependant upon one’s point of view, biases they hold, and their belief system. <—-This, however can not be said about any of the other “animals” in nature.

Another argument from Naturalism is that morality can be “seen” in the animal world. This is an ongoing debate about subjective morality vs objective morality, and that morality and empathy are one and the same. According to scripture we have been given a soul by a creator, which none of the other animals have. They are said to have a spirit, but not a soul. Approaching this argument from this perspective is a sure stalemate. Is there any obvious, noticeable differences in man and animal? Too many to list, but lets look at this morality vs empathy from a different angle.

Man hunts other animals for sport.

Name another animal that seems to “want to” kill “other animals”, and even his own peers for enjoyment. Is this the same moral code of ethics we see in “animals”? Are there any psychopathic serial killer penguins roaming the Arctic with a law enforcement agency representative penguin hot on its tale? Do we see animals telling their peers lies to swindle them out of their “stash”? Any practical joking ants, grasshoppers? The comedian wasp? Yea, they’ve been known to be quite hilarious=)

Man’s morality goes a bit further than animal empathy. They are not even close to being the same thing. If morality comes from the need to survive as a group, then where are all the laws for that group, the lawless, the rebels, and the long journey to distant lands to war with the others of their own species? How can Naturalism explain the difference in opinions, or even better, show that animals have opinions? Do all animals have a hive mentality? Do all animals care for their young until they are old enough to survive on their own?  The answer to most questions like this is no, so…why not?

Why do some animals “teach” their young, and some abandon them at conception (egg layers even before birth)?

If the “goal” of a naturally evolving organism is to reach the most efficient state of developement for the survival of the species, then why do some achieve this and some become extinct, when they have the exact same resources starting out? Does management come into play in this? Did man gain the usage of knowledge and choices through powers of reason, allowing him to simply “decide to manage” the fate of everything else in existence…by “evolving”? Or, is this also “managed” by reason and knowledge, and choice? No other animal has this morality, or “mentality”.

So if we are “just another animal”, why are we not like any of them?

A word about testimony

There is a reason God chose personal testimony as the one and only way for me to deliver knowledge of Himself to anyone else.

“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” (Matthew 16:4)

This sign of Jonas is the actual Gospel, which is a “story” that the Son of Man will spend three days in the belly of the earth, and rise again. This story is all you get… period… that is if you are inclined to looking for “evidence” of the truth about mankind and his origin. This truth can be verified only by God Himself, and the testimony of the “Holy Spirit” which will be given to those that want it…again, period. There is no default “have to”and no imaginary, made up, arbitrary “rules” that apply, again…period.

Testimony is all you get. Why?

Many atheists seem to think atheism is an (or ‘the’) “default position”. This is interesting because I can remember in my earliest memories a “presence” that comforted me when “things”, (lights, shadows, sounds…) scared me. I remember this ‘presence’ as a “Comforter”, that was for all practical purposes “a parental superior”, (which actually had to rescue me from the fears my parents actually created). I remember this ‘presence’ was known to me and superior to my parents…and, (as I later learned), was actually called, “The Comforter”.

This Spirit is known to me now as “The Holy Spirit”. These memories were present before any knowledge of any God was available to me, as my family was not religious. Some of us have kept in touch with this spirit that comforted us in our infancy and learned of its name and constitution later in life when they could read and started to interact with the world.

Some had forgotten, and later in life were reminded by this same Spirit.

Who is giving me these words to type right now? My mind? My “ego”?

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 (KJV)

If God exists as a creator of “all that is”, then it logically follows that God is capable of imparting knowledge of Himself to anyone He decides to do so for. It also follows that such a manufacturer would only do so for those that have the common decency to humble themselves in the light of this knowledge that they are a manufactured being, which is what repentance actually means, and simply thank Him for their life, and ask the Him for their answers.

Just sayin’

666 What Is It?

Ironically, Atheism is one of the many evidences we as Christians see that they claim does not exist. This will be a look at the mark of “the beast”, the number, what it means, and Bible verses that pertain to atheism and naturalism. My main goal here is twofold. I also hope to give Christians a way to deal with the conflicts that arise from the “Gay Is Ok” sentiments that are now part of “normal society”. This post is not exclusively about this, but I just want to warn anyone sensitive to this issue that it will be brought up in the post. I in no way judge, or condemn anyone in this post, and I hope none of the Christians condemn anyone for anything. This is not what Christ teaches. 

The popular belief about the number 666 is that is is some taboo of evil, and often used by Satanist as a sort of flag. They seem quite proud of this. For starters , lets look at this number.

“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:18 (KJV)

First of all, notice that it is “the number of a man“. If it is our number, then why do people think it is evil? The text states that this is wisdom, and a great mystery. What is this  “mystery”? The number is often debated today, believe it or not, without many even being aware of it. It is the ongoing popular debate about morality. Most atheist will say that objective morality does not come from God, and that God is not “needed“, for man to have morality.

The number 666 literally means, “A man without God’s morals, or God’s moral law, is a “beast”, or “animal”, and that a ,man without God’s moral law will “evolve” into an animal, by adopting animal morality, or a “natural morality”.

This “mark” is something many think will be a physical mark that people will “receive from someone, or something“. Scripture actually states that this mark is “in” the head, not on the head. It is actually a frame of mind, and the frame of mind that we now call “naturalism“. Lets look at a few more verses that show this, and atheism, or “naturalism”.

[Note here: Anyone that is familiar with my studies knows that I stress the use of the King James Version. Many are unaware of the differences, which some are “subtle”, the same word used when Eve was being “fooled”. You may use whatever version you wish, but there is a link to the above mentioned verse at the bottom of the post, in all known translations. Please note the versions, and the KJV, and the word “in” changed to “on” in the other translations. This is a very dangerous error to overlook such a small, or “subtle” change. Remember, Satan fooled Eve by changing just one word. He took God’s words and changed the meaning of “will surely die”, to will “not” surely die. Food for thought.]

“And even as they did not like to retain God “in’ their knowledge”, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:28 (KJV)

Reprobate, defined by the Oxford dictionary:
“a person who behaves in a way that society thinks is immoral”

Without getting into an entirely different subject, just know that in the original text God is not doing this as a punishment. The original text describes God’s intention as “out of compassion“.

Monkeys are said to be reprobates. Interestingly, modern man wants to teach our children that we are the same as apes. Ok, that’s fine, but not my children. They know better, and as a result, so do their friends. I hope you teach your children to read the the scriptures.

Lets consider how society has “evolved”, with the denouncing of God’s role in it’s government, and the push to remove God from any influence in society, or…”a-theism”.
What has morality “evolved” into now? Now, just like dogs, or animals that roam the streets at night looking for a new dog of the opposite sex to “screw around with” (pun intended), it is perfectly normal and morally acceptable to sleep with a different person every night. In today’s world this doesn’t seem to be immoral at all. In fact, it is seen as a trophy of sorts to men in modern society.

“Animal like”?….

Most definitely.

verse 29: “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,…“30:“slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,”

verse 27 is really interesting, as it shows the obvious difference in man’s morality, and God’s morality. Atheist argue that “morality is morality”. There is no “higher” morality.
“And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:27 (KJV)

“Gay is ok” (there is no ‘higher morality’)

Anyone that thinks homosexuality is wrong is a bigot. Now you might understand the reason for me using Phil Robertson in this post. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, part of this same scripture is this verse, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1 (KJV) Before you point fingers at gay people, remember what Jesus said about “casting the first stone”. Please know that God will always side with the person you are pointing at against you, and Jesus has not changed his mind about this. This post is running a bit long, so I will wrap this up.

Know that I judge no one. I do not judge homosexuals, nor does Phil Robertson. However, I’m sure my words will be twisted out of spite, and I will end up being mocked by these same atheist, but just as Jesus was mocked the same as we all will be, I expect this to happen. As Christians, you should expect this too. How do we address these things today, and still live in this “new age morality”, and remain true to our faith? Simple. By example, not by words.

Smile, and love all people. Do not treat anybody as “different”. Do not judge. Love.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21

You will never overcome hatred by the hatred of hatred!

I think it’s an interesting study, and if anyone looks around the earth and is in touch with anything close to reality, they will see these verses playing themselves out in real time. No evidence the Bible is true you say?
-Peace.

http://biblehub.com/revelation/13-16.htm

Social Media Atheist

If you are a Christian and post frequently on social media, you will no doubt run into the social media atheist. I blog a lot about how to deal with these atheist, and this post is an actual discussion I posted on one of the many “Theist vs Atheist” debate groups on Facebook. If you do run into these atheist and they are posting that God is a tyrant God, that says to worship Him or He will toss you in with the french fries, then you should explain to them their error. This is the actual post, and feel free to post it yourself on your favorite social media hangout where atheist pop in and out with these ideas. Remember, they got these ideas from religious fanatic fundamentalist.

Here is something to keep in mind. If indeed Christ has visited mankind, and assured some of us of Himself and life in general (which if Christ indeed exist now, He would be perfectly capable of doing), then it would be also true that to preach against this “good news” of His would also be an indoctrination; and this indoctrination would be without foundation of any rational known truth that it is based on, full stop. Here are a few quotes to consider from the op:

“So teaching children that myths are true is OK with you”
Does this look like a statement from known truth, or an assumption?

“I think electric shock treatment may be a little more humane… give the kid a shock collar.” Whut?

“This whole “wait until they’re adults and can choose for themselves” always sounds a little silly to me. Think about it, teaching your children no religion, is teaching them an irreligious worldview.”

These comments show the two worldviews, and the ideology behind the them. I understand the reasons for the division, and I think herein lies the problem. Many Atheist assume that the teachings of fundamentalist religious fanatics (that are no more spiritual than the Atheist themselves) are representative of spirituality, or “true religion”. (Please, no ‘no true Scotsman’ fallacy comments. Popular to contrary belief, not all situations qualify for a fallacy just because someone thinks the words in a sentence are in some sort of correct position, and yes, I wrote that in the position I wanted it 😀 ). The following statement is NOT at all true…

“I can’t think of anything more evil than brainwashing an innocent child to live in constant fear of eternal damnation, can you?”

Although the idea may true and I agree with it, it is not consistent with the Christian doctrine. Christ, His teachings, and the message of the Gospel tells an entirely different story. According to Scripture, man’s “common ancestor”, Adam, by his own free will and choice did something that caused the spiritual blindness and death of our entire race, which is literally the “death and hell” mentioned in Scripture. If you look at this passage, you will see that hell, and the lake of fire are not even the same thing, and also a second death that corresponds with the phrase “being born again” (which is literally born again of the spirit, and the reason for the division and blindness between theses two worldviews)

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev.20:14 KJV).

So this hell is something we are all headed for, as many say, “by an inheritance of the natural evolution of Adam’s choice”. I’m sure nobody can argue this, lol (dreaming now). Christ came to redeem us from this natural curse of spiritual blindness and death, and offers a hand out of the pit, simple as that. There are many passages of Scripture dealing with the veil that is in place to blind mankind, and Christ lifting it allowing anyone to see the spiritual world clearly, again which if He exist now He would be capable of doing. God did not put us in this situation, our “common ancestor” did.

Another comment from the op…”This whole “wait until they’re adults and can choose for themselves” always sounds a little silly to me. Think about it, teaching your children no religion, is teaching them an irreligious worldview.”

Now I’m sure that some here are quite happy with the state of affairs as is, and there is a ‘dug in’ ideology that …”it just is this way, and that’s just the dim truth of life”. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and this same Christ has healed the spiritual blindness of all who have accepted His offer so far. So you can keep your “just is” death is certain ideology if you wish, the choices Adam faced are still very much available, and still very real, no matter what you “believe”…trust God, or take your own chances under your own power, which is what it is, and I do wish you well if you do.

This blog post is a good analogy of what is actually the Gospel message. Please don’t think I’m trying to acquire converts, another fundi occupation. If you want to jump off a cliff, knock yourself out. I think it’s sad, but I can’t hold anybody’s hand here, and wouldn’t if I could. I am simply relating a truth that many of us know to be absolutely true. We are also aware that some represent this knowledge as “blind hope”. It may have been hope at one point that led us to search for the truth, but once found, the truth has made us free from hope and uncertainty, and you can do whatever you want to with this information.

-Peace

Below is the blog post I attached to this post in the group. Below that is another that is really relevent to this, and a must read for any Christian that wants to increase their faith.
https://twocent2c2.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/a-morning-fable-the-greatest-pitfall/
https://twocent2c2.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/potholes-pits/