Re: The Supreme Being, creationism, the universe, and evolution

On Mar 15, 9:20 am, "Bea Mused" <racgam...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dr. Raymond Finney, a Tennessee state senator (R-Maryville) since
2004, has some questions about the Supreme Being, creationism, the
universe and evolution. He's planning on asking the Commissioner of
the Tennessee Dept. of Education for answers.

Dr. Finney is an educated man. He's a retired medical doctor and
medical examiner with B.S. and M.D. degrees from the University of
Tennessee. And he's a born-again Christian, "since about age 12," he
writes on one of his websites. "No other experience has so shaped my
life as my acceptance of Jesus as my Savior. My wife and I are members
of Restoration International Outreach (RIO) Central, Maryville, which
is a non-denominational church."

"My life has been immeasurably enriched," Dr. Finney writes on one of
his many websites, "by study of and an attempt (always inadequate in
myself) to follow the Holy Bible's teachings. These Biblical truths
have taught me: (a) that it is better to be a servant, than a master;
and (b) we receive eternal rewards only if we try to serve others,
rather than self. I say these things to tell you that it is a
privilege and honor to try to serve you."

Dr. Finney feels "honored to be recognized [by AARP] as a champion" of
the elderly. "Protection of the environment is a most important issue"
for him. He's a friend to libraries and parks. He's taken a pledge to
"oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes." He's
a member of the National Rifle Association and Blount County Right to
Life. He's worked to promote sexual abstinence until marriage in
Blount County junior and senior high schools.He's a Sunday School
teacher ("teaching only end-time Bible prophecy, which is one of my
favorite Bible topics") and Jail Ministry minister.

Dr. Finney values a civil exchange of views. "We can disagree with one
another," he writes, "without resorting to name-calling or insults.
Our society is losing the ability to engage in polite discourse."

So let's get to Dr. Finney's questions:

*************************************
"(1) Is the Universe and all that is within it, including human
beings, created through purposeful, intelligent design by a Supreme
Being, that is a Creator?

"Understand that this question does not ask that the Creator be given
a name. To name the Creator is a matter of faith. The question simply
asks whether the Universe has been created or has merely happened by
random, unplanned, and purposeless occurrences.

"Further understand that this question asks that the latest advances
in multiple scientific disciplines --- such as physics, astronomy,
molecular biology, DNA studies, physiology, paleontology, mathematics,
and statistics --- be considered, rather than relying solely on
descriptive and hypothetical suppositions.

"If the answer to Question 1 is 'Yes,' please answer Question 2:

"(2) Since the Universe, including human beings, is created by a
Supreme Being (a Creator), why is creationism not taught in Tennessee
public schools?

"If the answer to Question 1 is 'This question cannot be proved or
disproved,' please answer Question 3:

"(3) Since it cannot be determined whether the universe, including
human beings, is created by a Supreme Being (a Creator), why is
creationism not taught as an alternative concept, explanation, or
theory, along with the theory of evolution in Tennessee public
schools?

"If the answer to Question 1 is 'No' please accept the General
Assembly's admiration for being able to decide conclusively a question
that has long perplexed and occupied the attention of
scientists, philosophers, theologians, educators, and others."

*************************************

Simple questions. What are some answers that Dr. Finney might accept?

If it is accepted that there is a creator who is purposefully
unspecified in question 1, why does this creator( or creators) have to
be the god of the Bible. There are many possible creators including
space aliens and is there any reason to give one creator precedence
over others?


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