CNN.com: Pat Robertson challenges creationism

[talk show host]

If their basic belief make you brothers in Christ (if you are a Christian), should you call them "morons" and "stupid"? I know "retards" is out now no matter what.

Simple beleif in broad teachings doesnt make someone a christian or my brother. I call them morons because their stupidity makes people not familiar with the Bible lose respect for it. They dishonor the very book they supposedly beleive in because they havent bothered to read it and study it for themsevels. They simply listen to what other morons tell them it says and blindly beleive it.

I think anyone is a moron who blindly beleives anything - whether its a particular religion or evolution, without reseraching it for themselves. And theyre an even bigger moron if they still cling to a beleif when it has no basis - in the BIble or in science, because their pastor/teacher/media or whoever tells them to.

[alexey]

.....he says thinking that all religious beliefs are misinformed positions.......

I do not have religious beliefs and I do not agree with them, but I would not go as far as calling them misinformed. I do that only in cases where religious beliefs clearly contradict our knowledge.

Misinformation is necessary to reject things like known geological processes or evolution, but not necessary to have religious beliefs in general.

[Jumbo]

So as a Christian, you're fine with making such judgments on people and labeling them in such a denigrating matter because they're doing something you don't like (you're saying they are influencing others to disrespect the Bible---I'd contend any objection most folks have with the Bible are the product of things with a little more depth than being influenced by "morons", but whatever).

Just trying to make sure I have it clear. I'm good with the "morons" thing in some cases, but then I'm not a Christian. I would have thought the behavior you're assertively supporting in this matter would be considered more towards the "sinful" side, and while we're all only human (always a good one), it would be on the list of types of behaviors to avoid and regret, not justify, advocate, and willfully repeat. It just struck my curiosity, no big deal. I have some free time and am letting my mind wander.

[alexey]

...
I think anyone is a moron who blindly beleives anything - whether its a particular religion or evolution, without reseraching it for themselves. And theyre an even bigger moron if they still cling to a beleif when it has no basis - in the BIble or in science, because their pastor/teacher/media or whoever tells them to.

Proper comprehension of many concepts requires years of training. Many people who research counter-intuitive concepts without proper training may end up disagreeing with them. They researched it for themselves, they feel that they are not believing blindly, etc, and yet that only solidified their ignorance and misunderstanding.

Deferring to the experts is a viable strategy in many cases, especially when it comes to issues of science. Experts could be wrong, but at least we know that they studied the stuff and we know how they got to their results.


There is a danger when untrained armchair "scientists" misjudge their ability to research things for themselves. This is how you get denial of evolution, climate change, etc. While it is important to recognize possible value offresh ideas and contributions from non-traditional sources. we should also recognize that people who lack the training should generally defer to the experts on a number of issues.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I'm not overwhelmingly shocked at this.

I grew up among Southern Evangelicals and I never recall any hostility to science. Since I graduated high school, though, the church I grew up in has become the kind of place that takes trips to the Creationism Museum.

This hostility to science and full on acceptance of YEC seems (at least in my experience) to be a relatively recent phenomenon. I assume that some of the darker corners of the Indepedent Baptist Movement always attacked evolution but Pat doesn't seem to come from that movement.

Pat has a lot of crazy beliefs, but he's never really been one to fight for dinosaurs being in the Garden of Eden, has he?

---------- Post added November-30th-2012 at 03:30 PM ----------

I like my belief in both...God said, "Bang", and we have EVOLVED from there. I know it may be a little unorthodox, but it's what gets me through.

That's basically the Catholic position. God created the Earth and universe. God created man. We don't know his process and can accept what we want to believe regarding that process as long as we recognize God's presence behind it.

[twa]

If their basic belief make you brothers in Christ (if you are a Christian), should you call them "morons" and "stupid"? I know "retards" is out now no matter what.

it beats being racked or burnt at the stake(which has been done for lesser infractions by the "enlightened" brothers in Christ)

They are getting soft

[Bang]

I like my belief in both...God said, "Bang", ...

And Bang said "YOU make the light. I'm in the bathroom."

~Bang

[Jumbo]

it beats being racked or burnt at the stake(which has been done for lesser infractions by the "enlightened" brothers in Christ)

They are getting soft

Just remember you atheist/diagnostics have killed bazillions too, just like followers of the Lords of Flatbu....I mean Gods of Abraham, all in the name of atheism/diagnostics...or texas...or something...I don't trust those Buddhists either...always keep an eye on the fat guy who's always smiling...

[twa]

I thought it was never trust a skinny dude or a lean and hungry look....certainly not those that set themselves on fire

[AsburySkinsFan]

And Bang said "YOU make the light. I'm in the bathroom."

~Bang

Thread winner!!!!

[Predicto]

I'm not sure why anyone assumed that Pat Robertson was a young earther. As far as I know, most evangelicals do not subscribe to that nonsense.

It's just that the ones that do are really loud.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I'm not sure why anyone assumed that Pat Robertson was a young earther. As far as I know, most evangelicals do not subscribe to that nonsense.

It's just that the ones that do are really loud.

The issue or me is that in listenng to him he gives an explanation that would exclude a literal six day creation. That comes into play where he talks about dinosaurs existed before humans and that radio carbon dating is accurate. And that's a pretty big statement because while on the coasts 6 Day doctrine may be rare it is all too common in other areas.