JaBrIoL wrote:

The very first verse of the Bible states: "In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Observations have
led scientists to theorize that the material universe did indeed have
a beginning. It has not existed for all time. Astronomer Robert
Jastrow, an agnostic in religious matters, wrote: "The details differ,
but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts
of Genesis are the same: the chain of events leading to man commenced
suddenly and sharply at a definite moment in time, in a flash of light
and energy."

True, many scientists, while believing that the universe had a
beginning, do not accept the statement that "God created."
Nevertheless, some now admit that it is difficult to ignore the
evidence of some kind of intelligence behind everything. Physics
professor Freeman Dyson comments: "The more I examine the universe and
study the details of its architecture, the more evidence I find that
the universe in some sense must have known that we were coming."

===>The more Dyson writes, the nuttier he gets.

Dyson goes on to admit: "Being a scientist, trained in the habits of
thought and language of the twentieth century rather than the
eighteenth, I do not claim that the architecture of the universe
proves the existence of God. I claim only that the architecture of the
universe is consistent with the hypothesis that mind plays an
essential role in its functioning."

===>What "mind"???
Where did that "mind" evolved, before there was a "universe"???

His comment certainly betrays the
skeptical attitude of our time. But putting that skepticism aside, one
notes there is a remarkable harmony between modern science and the
Bible's statement that "in the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth."-Genesis 1:1.

===>Which is not even what it says!

It says:

'When God began to create heaven and earth--the earth being
unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and
a wind from God sweeping over the water--God said, "Let there be light";
and there was light.' (JPS TANAKH, 1988)

It implies that there was already a watery mass, "unformed and void",
not "nothing"!

Libertarius
============

On 26 Feb 2004 11:26:07 -0800,

The very first verse of the Bible states: "In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Observations have
led scientists to theorize that the material universe did indeed have
a beginning. It has not existed for all time. Astronomer Robert
Jastrow, an agnostic in religious matters, wrote: "The details differ,
but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts
of Genesis are the same: the chain of events leading to man commenced
suddenly and sharply at a definite moment in time, in a flash of light
and energy."

It is also written in Mike's Big Book o' Religious Stuff that "In the
beginning the giant invisible purple unicorn created the heavens and
the earth." Is that account also in harmony with observations made in
astronomy?

Besides, this is nothing new. There have been many Christians (and
Jews) who have maintained that the Big Bang was simply God's mechanism
for creation. Genesis 1:1 is exceedingly vague--it could mesh with
any given theory of the beginning of time.

True, many scientists, while believing that the universe had a
beginning, do not accept the statement that "God created."
Nevertheless, some now admit that it is difficult to ignore the
evidence of some kind of intelligence behind everything. Physics
professor Freeman Dyson comments: "The more I examine the universe and
study the details of its architecture, the more evidence I find that
the universe in some sense must have known that we were coming."

Could I have a reference, please? I'd like to read the quote in its
context. Forgive my cynicism, but creationists aren't known for their
honesty in representing the ideas of others.

Dyson goes on to admit: "Being a scientist, trained in the habits of
thought and language of the twentieth century rather than the
eighteenth, I do not claim that the architecture of the universe
proves the existence of God. I claim only that the architecture of the
universe is consistent with the hypothesis that mind plays an
essential role in its functioning." His comment certainly betrays the
skeptical attitude of our time. But putting that skepticism aside, one
notes there is a remarkable harmony between modern science and the
Bible's statement that "in the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth."-Genesis 1:1.

I don't think anyone but the most staunch atheist would argue with
you. Could one reasonably conclude that the universe is the work of a
supreme being? Sure.

After all, how can one disprove the existence
of an invisible, omniscient, omnipresent being who acts through
apparently natural means? The only issue is the nature of that being,
which is a debate that rages in countless volumes stretching
throughout history.

It's far from a convincing case, however. Surely you must understand
that the evidence for a "creator" (however you want to define that) is
ambiguous at best. For just as one cannot disprove its existence,
neither can one conclusively prove it. Short of God materializing in
plain view of everyone I'm afraid the issue is left to pure conjecture
and, ultimately, faith.

Nevertheless, I certainly agree with the notion that one can accept
the premises (if not the details) of the Genesis account of creation
while also accepting the theories posed by cosmologists, physicists,
biologists etc. As is the case with most everything, it all comes
down to your particular point of view.

-----------------------------------
mike

"You can't ask God to kill someone for you!"
"Yeah! Do your own dirty work!"

On 26 Feb 2004 11:26:07 -0800,

The very first verse of the Bible states: "In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Observations have
led scientists to theorize that the material universe did indeed have
a beginning. It has not existed for all time. Astronomer Robert
Jastrow, an agnostic in religious matters, wrote: "The details differ,
but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts
of Genesis are the same: the chain of events leading to man commenced
suddenly and sharply at a definite moment in time, in a flash of light
and energy."

It is also written in Mike's Big Book o' Religious Stuff that "In the
beginning the giant invisible purple unicorn created the heavens and
the earth." Is that account also in harmony with observations made in
astronomy?

Besides, this is nothing new. There have been many Christians (and
Jews) who have maintained that the Big Bang was simply God's mechanism
for creation.