Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site noscvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!noscvax!walker From: walker@noscvax.UUCP (Janet M. Walker) Newsgroups: net.religion,net.flame,net.origins Subject: Re: Evolution AND Creationism Message-ID: <683@noscvax.UUCP> Date: Mon, 12-Nov-84 16:48:47 EST Article-I.D.: noscvax.683 Posted: Mon Nov 12 16:48:47 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 14-Nov-84 04:33:44 EST Reply-To: walker@cod.UUCP (Janet M. &) Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center Lines: 48 Xref: sdcsvax net.religion:4459 net.flame:6533 net.origins:511 I have seen a great deal of discussion on the relative merits of creationism vs. evolution. It seems to be that, in spite of what you think, you're really not as diametrically opposed as you might suppose, if each side will consider what realm it is actually dealing with. Science deals with definitions of the physical world, religion with those of the spiritual world. If you believe at all in a God, as I do, then you believe that He created this earth - which is defined as best as possible at any given moment by science. I also believe that He created religion (all of the major ones for sure, for you can see when you look at the pure essence of each that they really teach the same spiritual truths - but that's another question) to help man understand his higher nature and the spiritual realm (not just pie-in-the sky either, language is one example of our 'spiritual' ability which distinguishes us from other life). If He did create both, then He will certainly not be in disagreement with Himself. If you also believe that it is the soul which distinguishes man from other life, that the soul is eternal, and the body is only temporal, then there really is no problem. The body, which 'houses' the soul in the physical world, is not MAN. There is much scientific evidence that the body did indeed evolve, but that which makes us unique creatures of God, the soul, was given us. That fish or ape, or whatever form it was in,which was destined to become man may have appeared, outwardly, to resemble that animal, but was, because of its latent destiny, actually different from the other creatures. Therefore man has always been MAN, though the body passed through stages of evolution. The soul is MAN. P.S I believe that the soul evolves also, but consciously, as we are charged with our own education, both scientific and spiritual, when we become aware of our own existence (something no animal can really do). I also believe that mankind as a whole evolves spiritually, and that answers given us by science AND religion are progressive - as we grow in the capacity to understand them. This is, in my belief, why some religious 'answers' SEEM incomplete to scientists. Perhaps we have reached a higher stage of spiritual evolution. One which requires more answers than we formerly had the capacity to comprehend. This does NOT make former answers wrong. It's somewhat like going to 1st grade, then 2nd, etc. It does mean that we need to search to find them, for a if there IS a loving God He will surely provide them. We need to keep open (and loving) minds. It also means that we must recognize the basic harmony of science and religion. If there appear to be differences then they are probably due to our incomplete understanding of either science or religion, or both. Think about it! Janet M. Walker MILNET/ARPANET: walker@nosc Naval Ocean Systems Center UUCP: [ihnp4,akgua,decvax,dcdwest,ucbvax]! San Diego, California 92152 || (619) 225-2316 (AV) 933-2316 sdcsvax!noscvax!walker