ageofreason2000

Ken Ham is know touring the UK.
I couldn't recollect his name until I looked at the site and remember somebody comparing him to a monkey.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/even...x?Speaker_ID=2

This came to light when surfing the Motley fool UK board http://boards.fool.co.uk/Message.asp?mid=7802136
Its not a religious board at all (off shoot of the US Motley fool) but it does have a christian forum where this was mentioned.
(you might need to register - I cannot remember - but it is free)

An extract of the poster's view on Ken Ham's talk
So what, you may say - it doesn't really matter if Genesis is literally true, or just a myth. We have our faith in Jesus Christ, in the resurrection. That's what's more important than wehther Genesis is true or not, isn't it?

I'm afraid the answer is a resounding NO.

God sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. Genesis tells us the account of how the world and then man was created. It tells us of the fall of man and because of which, why we all need to be saved. If there was no Adam, the whole foundation of our faith collapses. Genesis is the foundation of the christian faith.

the thread currently runs to some 19 posts and what I find worrying is a few over there actually agreeing with him.
It's usually a pretty quite board but this one has stirred them up.

Its perhaps interesting to show you the creationist lobby are trying to make inroads into the UK and perhaps give a perspective of the state of play in Britain.

To be fair the pro creationist posts as of writing this only get a few post recs. so perhaps even amongst their UK christian peers, creationism is a step too far from reality.

Oh and it does have the usual "Why does Richard Dawkins not debate with xians what is he afraid of" argument which to fair is refuted.


Age

scombrid

This type of view is pretty polarizing within the faith and while it might win a few otherwise liberal believers over to fundamentalism it will drive a lot completely out of faith.

It's plainly obvious to most that Genesis is likely superstitious bullshit or if you want to be friendly, allegory. If you refuse to let believers take genesis as allegory, a mindset that helps to reconcile its nonsense with the observed world, then many will accept the observed and dump the dogma.

Aggressive literal interpretation by some of my peers is what made me examine the bible critically. I had been happy to dismiss the facts of the OT and accept the moral principles and resurection story until fundies forced me to question the whole lot.

ageofreason2000

Well I see someone took the bait over at Motley Fool UK.

Must say though they are far from your usual militant ID opponent, more your tea with the vicar middle england types. I wouldn't expect any rabid attacks on Evilutionists more a defence of their personal beliefs or stony silence - ignore the stranger with his uncomfortable questions, they will get bored and we can then get back to believing our cuddly fairy tale.

The latter is one of those quaint traits often used by the English when confronted with something undesirable (just ignore them, don't make eye contact, mustn't make a scene).

Age

King's Indian

Hi,

Another thing we're good at is the affectation of finding conflicting views boring. It's quite effective, but it does piss one off.
I do think that, for committed christians, it's not really on to ignore the uncomfortable or mythological aspects of the Bible. After all, Jesus redeems the curse on Adam (Funny, that: "redeem" ultimately derives from the latin "to buy back". Are there any other religions which are so economic in their view on justice? If it's translator's license, it's very apt). And, of course, God had to allow sin into the world so Judas etc. etc.
Mind you, I do know some christians who take the George Eliot position somewhat: agnostic (at least), but seeing religion as necessary to bind communities.
Hmm. That "redemption" bit has got me thinking now. I'd be grateful for any thoughts on the subject.
Take care,
KI
[Added: on second thoughts, perhaps I'll try and develop it a bit and post it under a more suitable heading than "Evolution"]

Take care