[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Lets look at this from a variety of perspectives. The world as we know it, is some one off of who knows how many trillions of chances? Pretty slim odds. Then you look at how things work - from the macro global environment to the micro, the inner workings of the atom in which science still fails to be able to offer more than just theories.

It's my opinion that you're really only looking at it from one perspective. Science isn't about why things are, it's about how things tick.

The Bible could very well be true, but accepting it as truth requires a leap of faith in itself. The answers are self-contained, thus creating the problem of evidence.

But lets move on... Lets look at history. Xtianity is based on the Bible, and it has over time proven to be a remarkably accurate historical text. The Elba texts, the "biblical legend) of the Hittite people later substantiated to have existed, the Assyrian king Sargon and his victory at Ashdod, or the existence of Belshazzar and his unique position to offer the third most powerful position in the kingdom. Don't forget the vast copper mines in Jordan that were discovered in 2008 and are now considered to be the Mines of Solomon, though prior to their discovery historians doubted their very existence..... Fairly convincing accuracy....

Okay, no problem. Several historical references have been proven true. New findings might validate other Biblical claims, even the parting of the Red Sea.

But lets say you need more. Look at the prophecy of the Bible. Israel was to be divided, then Israel and Judah would be scattered. Both happened. There are numerous other prophecies that have proven true, and some that have not yet - so the jury is out on those.

And none of the prophetic texts predate Ezra. There is every possibility, especially given who the texts were directed at, that the "prophesies" were written after the fact. I can't prove they were, but there is also no evidence that they weren't.

Still not enough? Well, not every person experiences the miracles and blessings of God the same way. You have been blessed, you have experienced miracles, no matter who you are. Yet too often we - in our pride that acts as blinders, fail to recognize them.

Or not.

I have been doubly blessed personally, because not only has the Lord blessed my life, He made sure I was in situations where I didn't have any choice but to see His hand in it. When you get to that point, you can't deny it. Sure, you still fight and always will, but you can't deny it deep down. Tell the world it wasn't a miracle, but you know in your heart it was. That's how you know - not only that God exists, but that He loves you.

Unfortunately, unless the laws of nature are actually and obviously overturned, miracles are only apparent if you believe in them. I've had the opposite experience. Things I accepted as miraculous at the time were later seen to be possibly miracles, possibly random chance. It was that realization - that all the assumptions I had made were just that - that made me realize I don't know anything.

You may be right, but I've come to the conclusion that there is a distinct possibility that we only see the divine because we already believe that way.

I wouldn't want anyone to be in that kind of hardship, because pride can be a bear to overcome. But when God looks on you, smiles and holds out His hand to lift you up from your own stupidity - well pretending He doesnt exist is rather difficult.

And when I see a total lack of real evidence, pretending He does exist becomes impossible. It may be true, but I don't see it.