I think the issue isn't whether any particular race or individual is made in the image of the God but whether the human species is made in the image of God. What that says is that humans are the pinnacle of creation, which if I understand the Bible, is what it says. While all humans are in the image of God so we can't claim superiority towards each other that doesn't bode so well for other organisms on Earth or if we were to encounter alien lifeforms.
I don't think that's really a big problem in the grand scheme of worship, though. That God graced human form might be a big enough deal for Christians, but that's just me. It also gets around that exclusiveness if aliens come into play.
I wonder what future beings will think when they look back and read about us homo sapiens thinking we were the pinnacle of creation. Probably laugh.
Did you notice how some managed to participate in a discussion without berating? My understanding of being made in the image of God is having a physical and a spiritual being. It doesn't make us King of the Mountain as any number of other creatures can take us out quite easily.
Actually it is their tone which is the determinant of whether they are arrogant or not. Look back and you will see folks who answered or responded without making some kind of snide remark or outright insult. I find your "equivalency" to be a stretch to say the least. Don't forget, I invited expert commentary. See the ONE LINE in my OP...
Probably skip that from now on. Last time I did that, you ripped on it. That guy died a little over a year ago after an 8 year battle with colon cancer. He left a wife and four children between 10 and 20. Hope you enjoyed your "triumph..."
I don't know if religion has made people more tolerant. I was sharing with you my own experience with what I believe about people (all people!) being created in the image of God (which, by th way, is a really abstract concept which requires a lot of unpacking to describe, as well)....which I don't really qualify as being religous, but you probably would if I described it to you. Maybe over a beer you'd call it spiritual or something else. Regardless of "tolerance" I try to avoid these discussions because usually "tolerance" is not in order when people are discussing very heart-felt beliefs in the context of a message board with anonymity. Nothing I say here is of real consequence, anyway.
My God is personified in Jesus. I don't get vengeful, narcissitic or jealous vibes from Jesus. I promise you...if I were making up God...it would not be Jesus. I'd have him be a lot more forceful and a lot less difficult to pretend to be emulating.
This video is comical. It pretends to be scientific, when in truth it is purely spin. Anyone who watches this and think it bears any merit is insane. Like all Science v. Religion debates I inject the same statement. Religion explains the why, the motivation, the importance. Science explains the how. Science without religion is corrupt, and religion without science is ignorance. This video overly generalizes and in a lot of ways incorrectly states the theory of evolution. It's strawman to the extreme.
As a science teacher in Texas I have to deal with anti-evolution crap all the time from people who honestly believe as their ignorance is equal to my knowledge, to paraphrase Asimov. I have no patience for it and its inherent intellectual dishonesty. And your understanding of the phrase is somewhat unique in my experience. Looking at the Hebrew root for "image of god" you see that it means "image, shadow or likeness of God." so essentially mankind is a snapshot or facsimile of god herself. At the minimum this means that humans occupy a higher place in the created order because they alone are blessed with godlike characteristics. What is more arrogant than placing yourself above all other creation? And that's a no on the book suggestions then? Got it.
When those words were writ, they didn't have cameras or fax machines so your translation would be grossly anachronistic. God... HERself? Now you are belaboring. "At the minimum this means"... one interpretation and your's alone. Protecting baby eagles and whales and seals and snails while aborting millions of human babies is way more arrogant. BTW, I've never killed an eagle or a whale or a seal or a snail or a human-- just for the record! Part of the challenge in this kind of discussion is that your side equates anyone's creation argument with Biblical creation. I don't go by that account. Actually I don't have an account that I go by; I rather enjoy the majesty and mystery which is unable to scientifically account (other than as an incomplete human attempt at description) for the leap from molecule to man. Just a lot of pictures and conjecture as far as I can tell. I love science. But naming stuff and classifying it on paper only creates a vested version of reality. Ask all the dead "fetuses."
To which "facts" are you referring... and to which "reply" of mine are you referring? Or are you just talking trash, RashMan?! :grin:
I guess he rehabilitated after he committed mass genocide multiple times. Jesus is still jealous and vengeful. Tell me, what happens to me if I don't believe in the supernatural nature of Jesus. What is the fate Jesus/God decided for me?_
You're arguing with the wrong guy. I've been forgiven a ton and I assume everyone else has been too, regardless of what you believe. I just don't get jealous and vengeful from the words in red at all..or from how he lived.
MadMax already said it, but I have to agree that doesn't fit in with what I've read, and see about Jesus at all.
You've killed literally billions of organisms in your lifetime, mostly bacteria via your immune system. You've also killed countless insects when driving, probably run over a squirrel or two and I have no doubt you've squished a snail or two without knowing it. Your bit about molecules to man tells me you know so little about science it's sad. Like killing puppies sad.
