April 27 2012

An example of Intolerance;

At a dinner the this evening, the discussion focused on a long earth.

The people involved in the discussion did not disagree that GOD created the earth, they just felt that the earth then developed over a "long period of time". (possibly billions of years).

When I interjected that I considered the earth and all creation to be not older than 8,000 to 10,000 years old based on a "literal" understanding of the creation story, one participant in the conversation "laughed" (more like sneered) and stated you can't be serious.

This is an example of "Intolerance", it wasn't my position that was criticized or challenged it was, simply a rejection of "Me".

My response was that you can challenge the Position but don't mock the Faith.

Call me sensitive or touchy on this matter, but to sneer at another's Faith is in essence rejecting the Person. I am not demanding that You share my Faith, just as I will not yours, but just don't try and tell the person because of that faith that it is silly or nonsense. Ask why they believe the way they do. You will be surprised at how much you may learn.

Another participant, asked "Don't you believe in reason", (I think they meant Science) to which I replied that my position was based on Reason which began with Faith. It was on the appraisal of the facts as they may be, that have been presented that I can only take the position that I do.

I wish I would of added that it is Faith that defines Science not Science defining Faith. All positions begin in faith, since even our precious science needs a "jumping off point" which can not be empirically defended with out some essence of faith.

But then again this is only my opinion.