Bible Discussion Thread

@Mark Andrew and Bro. Daniel FC,
I would like to discuss a few things. First of all I would like to address the case for creationism that is given by Mark Andrew, declaring that creationism is evidently true based on everything around us, this is a patently illogical conclusion because it is based on the assumption that God created the earth and all life on it. He also declares that there is no evidence for evolution, I would simply like to invite him to look into what science has found to support this theory; including biological similarities between creatures, vestigial organs, genetic similarities, geological evidence, fossil records, and astronomical evidence based on the speed of light and the distance to stars which allows us to determine the age of light and the stars from which it comes. The statement that you don't see monkeys evolving to humans today shows that you really do not understand the theory of evolution because it does not say that monkeys will evolve to humans today or in our life times, evolution takes a very long time, and monkeys are on their own evolutionary tract, to suggest that they would evolve to be humans is a somewhat centrist point of view assuming that we are better creatures than them, while in reality a monkey is very well adapted to the niche that it fills in the ecosystem. The only "Witness" that you have of creationism is the Bible. You do not have to believe that evolution is true, but you cannot say that there is no evidence for it, or that there is a great abundance of evidence for creationism. If you are a creationist, you are so in spite of the evidence, based on faith. Now in response to Bro. Daniel, I am not sure exactly what you are getting at with the "Jewish Sabbath”, and I would love to hear more about this and why you think it has become a perversion of God's commandments. I do however, wish to contend with the condemnation of homosexual marriage that you wrote. Many people claim that the Bible does not really condemn homosexual behavior, having read the bible completely several times, I do not agree with this viewpoint, the bible clearly condemns homosexual behavior as an "abomination" in Romans, Leviticus, Matthew, Luke, and Acts. I would like to suggest however, that the bible also calls the eating of pork, and any other unclean thing, at the same level of condemnation, calling it an abomination. The bible also suggests the stoning of disobedient children in Deuteronomy, along with many more absolutely horrendous crimes. The code of ethics in the bible comes from a society thousands of years old and contains their prejudices, it should be read carefully, and always with some skepticism. Now aside from biblical attacks on homosexuals, there are a few secular reasons that they are condemned in the public discourse, primarily the corruption of the sanctity of marriage, that it is unnatural, and that kids raised in homosexual homes are put in a situation that puts them at a significant disadvantage. The first argument that it corrupts the sanctity of marriage is an interesting one to me, as marriage is a institution which caries heavy governmental effects on taxes and identification, and over 300 (on average it varies by state) state benefits, along with about 1100 federal guarantees and rights in the United States. I am ignorant of the rights afforded to married couples in other countries, so you will have to forgive me if you are writing from another country and discover for yourself the number and nature of the rights afforded if you so wish. Explain to me please how you think homosexual marriage will destroy the institution of marriage, as I would suggest it has already been ravaged by the heterosexual couples that have not done a very good job of keeping it holy. As for the argument that homosexuality is unnatural, it is well documented in more than 500 species of animals, and has been observed in close to 1,500 species. Scientific evidence has not conclusively confirmed that homosexuality is either nature or nurture, but is quite sure that it is not a choice that is made by the individuals, if you do not want to take my word for it, I suggest looking up for yourself what science has discovered in relation to this topic, in fact, I would prefer that you did so rather than just taking it on face value from myself. Finally you have the argument of children being raised by same-sex couples being at some disadvantage. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has recently submitted their report on this topic to the supreme court in light of the upcoming decision on DOMA and California's Proposition 8, it states that children raised in homosexual families are no more likely to be homosexual than those raised by heterosexual couples, the only significant disadvantage that such a child may face comes from societal homophobia that may cause the child to be rejected at school by peers because of the beliefs of other students and their parents, and that in all other cases children raised by homosexual parents are actually more likely to be supported and well cared for because of the significant amount of planning and preparation that homosexual parents must go to in order to have children (whether through adoption or surrogacy). I look forward to having a good, civil discussion with anyone who would like to comment on these points. I do not mean to offend, but only to inform. Please be considerate and polite.