Rooster7

The people who left that garbage out in the woods are idiots. But folks, who are "less than enthused" about LNT, are not guilty of condoning that behavior. Conversely - You dont find it to be a little obscene that folks get upset when somebody wonders off the beaten path and steps on a flower...or picks a flower? I know the NLT rational, but its overstated. The woods are not going to disappear or become devoid of its plants and animals because some folks don't embrace LNT with the same fanaticism.

GB, Your straw man argument is also ridiculous. There's a huge gap between treating national parks and forests like a junk yard, and trying to remove all trace of a human presence like combing the grass and treating it like a hair restoration project. That is what I clearly meant, but I know how some folks like to create their own reality. So if you think the opposite of LNT is to scatter condoms all over the place, I guess there's no changing your mind. Brent I understand your point. But I hope you see a little of what I'm referring to. For some folks, scouting is a religi

If you ask me, LNT is a crock. The lengths to which folks will go to prove how much more "they care about nature and the environment" verses the next guy is ridiculous. Im waiting for someone on this forum to declare that they refuse to fart in the woods. A path through the words is just that, its not a scar. Get a life. Sorry - but really, you guys go much too far.

Ozemu, The emu on the road would get much the same reaction out of me as a Scout. I would say a prayer for both. I would remember with horror both images for the rest of my life. If youre saying that your sense of loss for a Scout (i.e. a person) would be no greater than that of an emu, then no its definitely not worth discussing. Heres a horrible image that I have in my headIts of a Scouter who cannot discern the difference between a hairy bird that mindlessly eats grass and bugs for most of its waking hours, and a young boy with hopes, dreams, and aspirations, which no ani

Just to throw my two cents in... Anyone who refuses to put human life above that of an animal's deserves to be first in line if/when that standard is ever applied. PETA is absurd. However, those who refuse to see that absurdity are even more so.

Fishsqueezer, My comment about fish growing legs was sarcasm. Still, inevitably, the evolution argument supports the idea that species can significantly change over time. I'll accept the idea that a species of animal may acquire thicker skin over time (due to those surviving the winter better than others and passing the trait down to future generations). I accept the idea that a species will become faster (collectively) because the faster animals are better hunters and survive to pass on this attribute. It's "the rest of the story" that I don't buy. I remain unconvinced that over tim

Scoutingagain, The issue is not about Christmas colors. The issue is about who gets to control our culture. There are public officials throughout the country who are ignorant about what separation of church and state means and/or have taken it upon themselves to eliminate public signs of religion. Either way, I disdain the systems that allow them to exist unhindered. No government body should smother your right, and your childs right, to publicly express one's faith whether that means offering a prayer for a friend in a hallway between classes, reading your Bible during lunch, or bri

Packsaddle, Despite your proclamation concerning my knowledge or lack thereof, I know enough. I know enough to realize that those who embrace evolution are blind to the possibility that there could be another cause (for life as we know it). As OGE pointed out, I can understand how certain characteristics have become dominant via survival of the fittest, but I have yet to see a reasonable explanation for evolution (i.e. organisms adapting to new environments and changing their physical appearance over time, through future generations). How do new permutations of a species develop? What

Fishsqueezer, I see examples of individuals accepting the theory of evolution. But what I don't see is - a statement from one of these individual's indicating that the general public and most churches in 1865 accepted the theory. Some people...some churches...that I believe, but not most. There is a profound difference.

Packsaddle, Thanks for the clarification. We now know that all supporters of ID are either ignorant or liars. Again, thanks for that enlightening rebuttal. There is another problem for the faithful, however. I challenge all persons on this forum to come forward and state who or what the intelligent designer is, if it is not God. Okay, I believe God is responsible. Someone else could say little green men. A third can claim some other source. What difference does it make? Science does not claim to answer every question. Now its your return. Tell us exactly what caus

Fishsqueezer, I appreciate the list of web sites. However, since these sites represent hundreds of pages of text, I really dont have the time. Can you provide a quote from a reliable, unbiased source that supports the assertion that the general public and/or the churches of the day in 1865 embraced evolution? Truly, this is an incredible claim. Firstpuck, I understand the concept. However, no matter how you chose to parse words, a segment of a species had to adapt to a changing environment. It matters not to me if this adaptation was serendipitous or self-induced as some so

Fishsqueezer, I agree that we should not attempt to put God in a box. However, I think those who embrace evolution tend to do so because they have done exactly that. They cannot comprehend a God so omnipotent that He could create the Heavens and the Earth in seven days. Yet, they can easily imagine a fish crawling out of a pond and growing legs. Go figure. Please point me to a trustworthy resource that concurs with this thought Evolution, while greatly argued right after Origin of Species, was accepted as mainstream by science, the public, and most religious publications by arou

Rule #4 seems silly to me. Ultimately the goal of science should be to discern truth. What about life on other planets? Is this something we should discuss in a science class? How does rule #4 apply to this subject?

Part of the problem with folks accepting ID as a focus for scientific study is their mindset. Since preschool, weve been programmed by public institutions, educational television, and by other trusted sources to view any subject with links to faith in a certain way. We have this notion ingrained in us which says, all things associated with faith must be relegated as a personal matter which is wholly subjective and purely spiritual in nature, and as such cannot be substantiated in the physical world. Many have chosen to close their minds to the possibility that proof of ID exists, and conseq

The fruit of ones faith is works. In regard to death bed conversions, I am not able to see inside a mans heart. God is. So, while its possible, I would not suggest it to anyone as a Get out of jail free card. Belief and repentance must be real its a matter of ones heart, not just an intellectual acceptance. God knows whether or not a man has truly accepted Him and His gift, Jesus work on the cross.

Made Alive in Christ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been sa

John 6:27-29 (New International Version) "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Backpacker, None of my posts were purposefully composed to communicate hate. I've always tried to support my points with reason (although it's difficult to account for nearly 2000 posts). Still, I apologize if you felt some of my words appeared hateful. A side note: Most so called "primitive", indigenous, tribal cultures embrace the idea of a supreme Creator in the design of the universe. So you see the whole idea of ID pre existed Christianity by thousands of years, it is not a new idea or the province of just one religion. Your last words support the argument that ID is not

Backpacker, As someone who purports to know Jesus, I guess I should turn the other cheek and ignore your comment. But I must say, I think the hatred of which you speak is within yourself, not I. If you want to change the nature of this debate to who I am and what my motivation might be, I suggest you start another thread. And if you are going to spew the same nonsense, at least provide some facts that support such a nasty conclusion.

Supernatural: Belonging or relating to or being phenomena that cannot be explained by the laws of nature or physics. Just because one cannot explain the existence of something using their limited knowledge that does not mean a valid explanation does not existence. Until all truth is revealed, no one is qualified to say what is consistent with the true laws of nature or physics and what is not - especially given Fishsqueezer's list of rules pertaining to legitimate scientific theories, most notably rule #6. The bottom line is, while science deserves credit for seeking truth, all of scien

EagleScout316, The explanation for your username surprises me a little. If faith in God is important to you, why adopt a username inspired by a man who chose to mock Christianity? Even if you dont like people who proselytize, do you want to join the culture that makes fun of believers? This seems counterintuitive your values, and most in particularly to your faith.

I dont watch the 700 Club, or at least not as a planned part of my week. I have seen it occasionally, but I couldnt even tell you if theyre still on the air. However, Id be willing to bet that most of what some folks perceive as judgment from the presenters of that broadcast is really just the message of the Bible being proclaimed. That is, theyre probably not expanding on the Gods Word, just relaying it to others as they know it. People tend to feel like they are being judged when they realize a few truths such as - their own sinfulness and Gods righteousness.

Fishsqueezer, Don't put a box around God through the limitations of the human mind. This is an interesting statement, in which I find agreement. In fact, I was thinking this very thought as I read most of your post. By the way, I love number six on your list. It's a convenient out every time someone punches a hole in the theory of evolution. Ironically, few secular scientists would afford Christians that out in regard to the theory of creationism. In short, there is plenty of evidence of ID - the existence of God (a.k.a. a superior being) as an intelligent designer - if one

Would you be any happier if the federal judge went so far as to say, "God is a myth"? Or is it the season that brings you so much joy? Intelligent design does not directly support a specific religion. It simply purports that there was/is a designer. There is empirical evidence to support this claim. So, it is a theory. This judge, by singling out Christianity, is clearly showing a bias. And he is clearly showing his ignorance by supporting evolution as valid science while discounting intelligent design, simply because if true, it indirectly supports the claims of creationism. D

EagleScout316, Is that 316 for John 3:16? I dont know anything about you. If I was forced to characterize your post, two possibilities present themselves to me 1) Youre a thoughtful young man, who believes in the values taught to him by his church and his family. 2) This is a big charade and youre simply looking to stir the pot and have a little fun. Im going to stick my neck out just a little and assume the former vice the latter. So, given that your faith is important to you, and assuming that youre a Christian, I respectfully suggest that you read the Bible, me