BILLIONS OR THOUSANDS? TRUTH OR FICTION?

The age of the Universe is said to be 13.7 billion years. According to scientific research, Earth was formed 4.6 billion years ago. Since then, it has been estimated that 106 billion people were born, lived, and died on Earth. Bible scholars estimate that Genesis, the first book of the bible, was written about 3,456 years ago.  I wonder where God was and what he was doing for the 4,599,996,544 years prior to him beginning to inspire the writing of the Bible after he created Earth?  Maybe he was busy creating other planets?  Or, maybe time is measured differently by God and he was just taking a nap. Anyway, it is becoming more and more difficult for me to reconcile the difference between how the Bible measures time and how science measures time. The Bible talks in terms of thousands of years but science talks in terms of billions of years. I admire and marvel at people who have enough faith to bridge the gap.

Radiometric dating, which was invented a century ago, has been greatly improved to the point that the error margin is less than 5%. It does not require Star Trek technology or a leap of faith. The underlying physics is as clear and understandable as the sunrise or the change of seasons. There is a big discrepancy between science and the Bible. The Bible portrays an Earth only a few thousand years old. Science proves that the Earth is billions of years old. In a choice between believing scientific findings or an ancient book that claims to be the infallible word of God, I choose the scientific findings. In summary, I do not believe that the Bible is the literal, infallible word of God. Yes, it is a great book of Judeo-Christian history and knowledge. It uses figurative language (not literal) to teach about God and morality. Sadly, because most Christian churches still maintain that the Bible is literally true, they lack credibility in this age of enlightenment. Consequently, Christianity is losing members and churches are shrinking.

Christians would help their cause by admitting that the Bible is filled with symbolism, poetic language, allegory, and figurative language. It would be better to address the question, “Is there any truth in the Bible and, if so, what is it?

“Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand”.__(King James Bible) Ecclesiasticus 3:23

FACTS CAN NOT CHANGE MINDS.

Most people believe that their opinions have been formed over time by careful, rational consideration of facts. In realty, we often base our opinions on our beliefs, not facts. And rather than facts driving beliefs, our beliefs can dictate the facts that we choose to accept. They can cause us to twist facts so they fit better with our preconceived notions. Worst of all, they can lead us to uncritically accept bad information just because it reinforces our beliefs. This reinforcement makes us more confidant we are right, and less likely to listen to any new factual information. That is why it is almost impossible to win an argument even if you are 100% right and your friend is dead wrong.

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that when misinformed people were exposed to corrected facts, they rarely changed their minds. In fact they often became even more strongly set in their beliefs. Facts were not curing misinformation. Like an underpowered antibiotic, facts could actually make misinformation stronger. It is absolutely threatening to admit you are wrong! We already have beliefs and a “set of facts” lodged in our mind. The problem is that sometimes the things we think we know are objectively, provably false. In the presence of correct information, we do not change our mind. We just become more entrenched in our original belief. I’m right, you’re wrong!! Wait, maybe you’re right and I’m wrong?? Only the shadow knows.

NO WORDS, JUST PICTURES

https://picasaweb.google.com/109708321807542809934/Autumn2011

I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC

I can't sing and I can't dance but I love to listen to bluesy rock from the 1950's. It makes me want to be "Wild Again". It is "Powerful Stuff" and "Tuff Enuff" to make me want to boogie on down to "Kokomo" , Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Key Largo, Montego Bay, Martinique, and Port-au-Prince. Love to party in the Caribbean! "Since When" am I too old to do "The Hippy Hippy Shake"? I get "All Shook Up" when I hear Buddy Holly's "Rave On". Hey Little Richard, "Oh, I love you So" when you sing "Tutti Frutti". Oh yeah, "Don't Worry Be Happy". I'm talking mixed drinks with mixed songs from the great sound track album from the 1980's movie COCKTAIL. Listen to it and be happy! If you do not have the CD, you can buy it at Amazon. Rock on, man.

A LOST OPPORTUNITY

The National Commission On Fiscal Responsibility And Reform was called the Moment of Truth. It completed its study and made sensible recommendations in December of 2010. The final paragraph of its preamble said: "After all the talk about debt and deficits, it is long past time for America's leaders to put up or shut up. The era of debt denial is over, and there can be no turning back. We sign our names to this plan because we love our children, our grandchildren, and our country too much not to act while we still have the chance to secure a better future for all our fellow citizens".


This moment of truth report on the deficit was an opportunity to begin needed reform. But the proposal died because our selfish political leaders were too ideologically rigid to take on subjects like tax reform, which involve combining Republican and Democratic ideas. The failure to seize that moment was one of the Obama administration's worst errors! Our president failed to lead the way to necessary reform. Our nation is on the brink of disaster because of failed leadership. Let's remember this when we next go to the voting booth.

A RANDOM THOUGHT

While staying in the city for a week, I noticed that most people on the street and in public transportation refused to make eye contact with me. I, on the other hand, always look at peoples' faces and if they make eye contact with me, I smile and say a friendly greeting. Then, I noticed that most of the people who made eye contact were people who were panhandlers, crazy street people, religious fanatics, and lost tourists who were seeking directions. "Aha", I said to my self. So that's why no one looks at me. They are afraid I will ask them for spare change, directions, or help, or give a sermon. I was saddened by this revelation but then I wondered if I might be one of the crazy people. And it was then that I stopped being friendly and just ignored everybody like the rest of humanity. And that's too bad.  

REMARKABLE EVENTS ON THIS DATE.

On today's date, 3 years ago, I was in Cusco, Peru. My two sons, Micah and Marcus, and I were having lunch on the the balcony of a second floor restaurant which overlooked the Cusco town square. We were reminiscing about our successful trekking trip to Machu Pichu. We climbed 30 miles on a rugged mountain trail to the Hidden city of the Inca Indian nation. It was an exciting adventure that I will remember as long as I live.


Today I am in Chicago celebrating the birth of my 10th grandchild. We now have 5 girls and 5 boys. This is another event that is exciting and memorable. My new grandson has been named Evan Christopher Riley. He is a healthy, handsome boy with a great future ahead of him. Marcy and Stephen are lucky to have had him and he is lucky to have such wonderful parents. Also, Evan is lucky to have a loving big sister, 3 year old Emily. Life just gets better and better.