This is a site that is pretty informative, Marlena, in terms of comparative mythology/religion stuff. You could spend a fair amount of time just exploring the "topics" link. _http://www.kheper.net/topics/religion/religions.htm_ (http://www.kheper.net/topics/religion/religions.htm) Julie Krueger ========Original Message======== Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: small addendum to Matrix as philosophy Date: 11/27/04 9:49:40 AM Central Standard Time From: _Eternitytime1@xxxxxxxx (mailto:Eternitytime1@xxxxxxx) To: _lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on: In a message dated 11/26/2004 12:17:59 PM Central Standard Time, andreas@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: Two dozen types of eyes, thousands of different kinds of sea plankton that all do the same thing, an Earth that has been bombarded by massive asteroids and all life forms nearly wiped out some six times: that's not design in any meaningful sense. Hi, Well, I don't know. Supposedly we were created in the image of the Creator. Think what that means: Creator...creative...who said anything about 'intelligent'. I'm not too sure that People are all that intelligent. Creative, yes. Bright, yes. Thoughtful, yes. Complexity in the simple, yes. The simple in the complex, yes. Just because we don't understand the design does not mean that there is no plan or purpose. I can look at wires in a created-by-human medical tool and marvel at the creativity--but it sure does not look like it was planned out very well. Even an automobile engine does not look all that meaningfully designed. But, it does work (usually) for what it was created for...maybe the bombardment was designed to see how the life forms would grow and develop and learn. Maybe that was the design. Personal growth and development is not something we usually do unless forced, you know. <g> SO, maybe as a species (and other species as well?), such a design was necessary. But, I do wonder, as well. Especially with the word: "Intelligent". I look around and have my doubts... But, we were created in the Creator's image. Not the "Intelligent One's" image. So why would we think Our Creator was all that intelligent? Creative, yes. Practical, hm. Don't know. Intelligent? What is intelligence, anyway? (I think of one of our neighbors while growing up who would come over and help us out on the farm--he would tell us kids "You dad, we love him here. He's smart enough to put a man on the moon and half the time we don't understand him. Still, he means well. But it sure is a good thing that he has us nearby. Your farm would never make it otherwise.") Of course, there are lots of theories on Creation in so many religions. I would like, actually, to make a compilation of them. (If one already exists, would someone point me to to it?) I also do agree that if we are going to be teaching Creationism in schools that we ought to be teaching ALL Creationist theories. So, maybe we need to add that as an added bonus to th e Texas textbooks (and people thought those in Kansas were bad--at least they were not insisted it be in the textbooks--only that Creationism be taught in schools and evolution be taught as 'theory'.) So, does the fundamentalist Islamic viewpoint of Creation differ from that of the fundamentalist Christian? What about the other more moderate Islamic viewpoints? Any differences in the sects of either Islam or Christianity? What is the Hindu viewpoint of Creationism? Buddhist? Different sects within either of them? Who else ought I be asking? Native Americans, I suppose, have some. How well thought out are they or are they simply myths and legends? Do any of them have such Creationist Societies which look for the scientific underpinning of Creationism? Luck in the shadows, great blessings in the light, Marlena in Missouri ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html