User: Matt2540

Prior to the rise of Christianity and Islam there were wars between groups of people who had different religious beliefs, but the wars had more to do with power, land, and tribal identity than with religion. For example, the Romans and the Barbarians worshipped different gods, but when they fought they were more concerned with land and wealth than with forcing their beliefs on one another. It should be noted that even though the spread of monotheism led to more intense religious violence, a case can be made that it also helped to reduce tribal violence.

Here are my thoughts on this issue. First, I am both a Christian and a Darwinist, and I see no conflict between the two. Darwinism explains the physical origins of life, while Christianity teaches us about the sacredness and meaningfulness of life. There is no need to choose between the two. Second, intellignt design should not be taught as science, because it is based on assumptions that cannot be scientifically tested - namely, that God intervenes in nature. Science classes should teach only those theories which can be objectively measured and tested. And finally, to my atheist sisters and brothers: I love you, and I respect your right to have your own beliefs. But could you please stop tossing around this simple-minded, irrelevant, worn-out cliche about the Flying Spaghetti Monster?! Faith in God is based on an intuitive belief that there is a moral order to the universe - that there is a cosmic power who calls on us to act with justice and compassion. You may choose not to make that leap of faith, but don't trivialize the question of God's existence by comparing it to belief in strange monsters.