You mentioned that you still are struggling to find your blind faith to follow Christ. Thankfully God does not expect us to rely on blind faith. With God invading human history over and over — especially when He entered humanity as Jesus, the Son of God — God has given us the opportunity to have a faith based on evidence, instead of a blind faith. A great example of this is J. Warner Wallace, an atheist police detective who investigated the claims in the Bible about Jesus like he would investigate a crime scene with witnesses. He found all the evidence pointing to the conclusion Jesus actually rose from the dead and that the eyewitness testimonies about Jesus in the Bible are reliable. His YouTube channel is here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVFe7xhG6rl0ruoMQCJDtnw and he has written a book that spells out his investigation of Christianity titled, “Cold Case Christianity”. I highly recommend it.

You mentioned that you still are struggling to find your blind faith to follow Christ. Thankfully God does not expect us to rely on blind faith. With God invading human history over and over — especially when He entered humanity as Jesus, the Son of God — God has given everyone the opportunity to have a faith based on evidence, not a blind faith. A great example of this is J. Warner Wallace, an atheist police detective who investigated the claims in the Bible about Jesus like he would investigate a crime scene with witnesses. He found all the evidence pointing to Jesus actually rising from the dead and that the eyewitness testimonies about Jesus in the Bible all held up very well. His YouTube channel is here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVFe7xhG6rl0ruoMQCJDtnw and he has written a book that spells out his investigation of Christianity titled, “Cold Case Christianity”. I highly recommend it.

For the record? I read that entire comment twice dang it. Even though I am tired numerous security screenings and fullon friskings. And even though I don’t have time to respond I am responding to let you know I read it. heheh.

It’s unfortunate to not know enough about the body/brain as one would like to know; what I do know is as simplistic as your religious belief about good and evil. Ongoing research has come leaps and bounds about what makes us tick as human beings. It’s far more than just a faulty amygdala which affects us from becoming criminals. Myriad complexities of our body/brain has EVERYTHING to do with how we function or malfunction in the short lifespans in which we live. However, in comparison of what is currently discovered, you only offer a sort of superstitious view about good and evil affecting our lives which is tantamount to bygone days when power was given to religious leaders who put to death or imprisoned those who were gaining insights that the Sun did not revolve around the Earth.

It’s not uncommon for a scientist to belong to a religious faith. As discoveries are made, the oxymoron of a “religious scientist” may rationalize these findings as you do but it doesn’t mean their religious bias proves a god exists in the matter.

On a lighter note, I’ve been involved with computers since their inception—most likely you were attending K-12 at that time—so “Jinh” is an alias used for far more years than your cool “Djinn”…but you can call me Ned, Quinn, Maeve, McElroy, Kemo or any other nom de plume left on your blog site if you’re so partial and stingy haha! about sharing the a/k/a…it’s all good.

It’s fantastic you listen to Sam Harris’ podcasts but please read his books, too. I’ve mentioned it before but I encourage you to read Richard Dawkins, “The Magic of Reality”…it’s written, IMO, for youngsters to easily read but will help a person of any age to better understand how the world, universe really works. It helps put into perspective early mankind’s myths in comparison to what’s discovered in science today. For instance, in reading about the universe’s explosive beginning based on the projecting movement, ongoing expansion of planets, galaxies, it’s an extremely hostile and chaotic environment far removed from a purposeful, orderly “loving” made-up-man-god.

Our bodies are also composed of ingredients found in the cosmos and our DNA connects us to ALL living things…yeah, even to cockroaches! DNA discoveries greatly conflict with faith-based creationism beliefs. This and other discoveries go against what early New Christians composed for the Bible, do not lend to the misgotten idea science proves a god exists—certainly, not to the man-god-myth. Geesh, just the lop-sided unbalanced belief the only god this world worships is a man is clue enough not enough people question things and are comfortable with such a skewed, ancient conception. It will continue to be a “man’s world” as long as religions exist.

Taylor, you’ve mentioned some current events regarding recent horrible mass shootings. What was done to innocent people is evil. I would like to share what science is contributing to help better understand and find a way to someday deter a person from making such an evil choice.

The Vegas shooter’s brain was initially examined for common signs which may negatively influence mental health such as tumors, prior injury, etc. Since initial autopsy examination presented nothing obvious, his brain was sent to another laboratory facility which will perform further extensive studies. His body still lies in an undisclosed place since local funeral or crematory businesses in Las Vegas do not desire any affiliation with the matter.

Each state may differ with laws, family rights which may impede studies on the brain’s of mass murderers. It’s a fairly new process in the forensic portion of finding out the “why” a person commits murder than just leaving it to the simplistic, narrow “good and evil” belief system.

Ps – almost done with 2 Corinthians – you’ll have more content to disagree with here soon!

Hey Ned,
(The nickname I’ve taken partiality to) I was just saying you were designed. I’m ok with a bang. It does say in Genesis that God said, let there be light and there was light… after all. I am actually of the opinion that science will prove out the Bible. That study and reseach will direct us to God. I adore science. I enjoy reading scientific papers (though not as thoroughly as you as my math skills are fairly abhorant) and plumbing the research and seeing the amazing things that researchers are discovering about the world around us. Why? Because it tells of God’s ingenuity and brilliance. It tells of His deeper truths and His story that he has written across the cosmos. So yeah, I’m cool with a bang. You missed my point – which was – you were designed in that bang – you were deeply loved in that moment. That’s all. Take a deep breath! Hahah.

Now as to evil. You write all evil off as defects and insanities of the body? If only the body could be perfected we too wouldn’t commit sins? Do you seriously believe that architectural and philosophical building Block? Because if so that house of yours will be extraordinarily shaky in a moment. Because, WHOOPS! I just stole your purse and shived you in your sleep. Your one go at life! And it’s over because I decided I wanted the contents of your purse – some lipstick, a credit card, and a package of Kleenex. Seriously?!? Rough! Or worse yet, I’ve decided my mother-in-law is a bitch and deserves to be mowed down Inc her church alongside 25 others? This is just a body malfunction? Hahahah, no no no!

This is a deep deep truth – and just listen to me just once for a change!! You are the spoils of war. You are being fought over by forces of evil that want very much for you not to listen to what it is that God is saying right now. They are actively telling you that I’m nuts. Heck, they’ll tell you anything that works to make you not believe me.

Catching another flight. But just wanted to say, I am not an enemy of science. I may differ on the philosophical/spiritual prime mover that started things into motion, but otherwise I am not antithetical to its research and study. Not at all. There are a ton of scriptures that tell that nature and science point us to our creator. So why the Pope or any religious leaders would be anti-science is beyond me.

Taylor
Ps you can’t use jinh anymore. Djinn has been my online nom de plume (nom de guerre?) for years and years. Go back to Ned! Hahah.

It’s so easy to divide the world into good and evil. You also owe it to yourself to read up on current neuroscience discoveries about the brain.

All this energy to praise and sermonize the Bible, a book composed by human beings of intelligence of the times, does little to help people in these times considering religion has been around for quite a while and hasn’t cured or stopped violence.

If more money was donated to scientific studies of the brain/body than given to the maintenance of churches and their employees of various titles—priests, pastors, clergy, Cardinals, Pope, etc.—all of them of human fallibility and construct, people could experience an educated, carefully researched understanding of the complexities of what makes us who we are…and better understand, have empathy toward those who do “evil” things.

So many reasons why people do “evil” things can be attributed to physical and mental illness beyond one’s control. We really are all equal and one in this matter because of the human body’s complexities…brain abnormalities concerning the amygdala, hormonal influences, tumors in the brain, skewed seratonin levels in the gut (yeah, there) and a myriad of other reasons people become defined in the ignorant way of a biblical “evil”.

Start showing real mercy and forgiveness by giving credence to scientific research studies on the brain, the body which may give answers to the solutions to stop those of us who turn violent, harm others.

In a way, we are all capable of insanity or violence because of our brain/body influences. It’s not the devil or a god’s test but a our own body’s fallibility.

Science is discovering more and more information about why we think, behave, do the things we do. Please check it out yourself on places like PubMed by typing in your questions on latest research findings or subscribing to science oriented publications which offer latest findings from tests and numerous retestings providing amazing research results about our body/brain.

The “devil” didn’t make you do it—the amygdala in your brain did.

If there were a god, it would manifest in such a way to give concrete evidence but it doesn’t occur because we’ve come a long way from those ancient days and limited knowledge. Heck, it was a big to-do for ancient people to gather and watch executions. Why should people living today revere ancient people’s accounts who didn’t understand yet the importance of washing their hands and would attribute sickness to a devil?

There’s a little book by Neil deGrasse Tyson called, “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” which will more accurately inform that the universe is certainly NOT the kind of made-up story religious zealots give credit to a “loving God.” In all truth, the universe which surrounds our amazing planet as it hurtles in space is far from a “kind” place created by a benevolent god. Any number of things can change—and have changed—the existence of life on this planet. That’s why doomsday prophesies can always seem believable simply because catastrophic events are, and will always be, ominous.

What kind of intelligent, omnipotent god would demand a belief in them based on fear or retribution of non-belief, or expect loyalty based on blind faith as THE ONLY pathway? It simply makes no sense. But it would to ancient people who thought the sun revolved around a flat earth…and to people in this day and age who don’t care to read, learn about discoveries happening in their own lifetime but choose to ignore and follow antiquated and fear-based belief systems.

No one needs a god to live in this world and do the right thing or to be kind to others. It’s empty-hearted and shallow if folks are only doing kind deeds because they want to appease a god and go to heaven. A man-made god of this world is not needed to deeply feel more empathy, love. Because of the mystery of life/death no one yet really knows or understands, yet, sadly, some folks feel safer by clinging to ancient myths.

The very short lifespan we share levels us, makes us all equal, no matter how we perceive things. It’s far more liberating and sane to choose freedom from a man-made-up-god than hold on to the fear and ignorance taught by the questionable validity of writings by ancient people who didn’t know about the atom, gravity, DNA, neuroscience, etc.

It isn’t a question of goodness. And it isn’t a question of merit. The simple question at the end of the day is one’s acceptance or denial of the one true God. If we deny God, He will deny us. We love pluralism and acceptance. I am all for that. Generally. But in this one area, Christ made it pretty clear that denying God is a fairly tragic path to follow.