UFO/UAP Disclosure’s Effect on Religious Belief

[rogue06]

The fall wasn't necessary, but given free will it was probably inevitable.

I'm fairly certain that a rejection of YEC does not necessitate a rejection of Genesis 3, but it's not something I've looked into.

Lastly, I'll note for the record that the articles I linked aren't necessarily my POV; I just thought they merited some consideration. I'm skeptical that alien life exists, given the extremely long odds against life developing. I'm further skeptical that alien life, if it existed, could cross the vast distances between stars easily enough to make visits feasible; physics seems to make that rather unlikely.

While the odds are indeed poor, given the vast immenseness of the universe means your going to get a nearly endless amount of attempts. Hence, the odds that life exists elsewhere are actually darn good.

But when folks hear that they immediately think of little green men cruising the galaxies in flying saucers. Far, far more likely we're talking about single-celled lifeforms and the like and not intelligent life.

That's a whole 'nudder kettle of fish.

[whag]

OEC accept the fact that eons have existed. That's why they're Old Earth Creationists.

I never said otherwise. I was responding to his statement [bold mine]:

As far as Gen 3, I don't follow the YEC position any longer and would probably call myself a OEC at this point.

I asked why he was reticent to say he was OEC when deep time isn’t a matter of “probably.” Eons are confirmed
to have transpired.

[alaskazimm]

I never said otherwise. I was responding to his statement [bold mine]:



I asked why he was reticent to say he was OEC when deep time isn’t a matter of “probably.” Eons are confirmed
to have transpired.

I say probably because while I used to hold firmly to the YEC position, I have given that stance up. But in the intervening time since being a firm YEC and now, I haven't really given the matter a great deal of thought as to me it makes no impact on the question of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. So I'm probably in the OEC camp but really can't be more committal than that since I haven't studied that various positions to any meaningful degree.

[whag]

The fall wasn't necessary, but given free will it was probably inevitable.

Thank you for that brave concession. How could anyone conclude otherwise if it happened with the first couple in the ineffable presence of God?

I understand your reticence to say the fall wasn’t necessary, but there’s really no way around it if God knows it’s inevitable at the very outset.

I'm fairly certain that a rejection of YEC does not necessitate a rejection of Genesis 3, but it's not something I've looked into.

.

I can help you get started: If one accepts OEC, one must accept that predation, disease, and calamity are evident in the natural history record, which goes back billions of years. All those signature “groaning” symptoms antedated human action.

Lastly, I'll note for the record that the articles I linked aren't necessarily my POV; I just thought they merited some consideration. I'm skeptical that alien life exists, given the extremely long odds against life developing. I'm further skeptical that alien life, if it existed, could cross the vast distances between stars easily enough to make visits feasible; physics seems to make that rather unlikely.

There was a time I’d agree with you, but eyewitness evidence going back more than a hundred years ago suggests otherwise. (Remember, we’re told eyewitness testimony from 2000 years ago is reliable.)

[whag]

I say probably because while I used to hold firmly to the YEC position, I have given that stance up. But in the intervening time since being a firm YEC and now, I haven't really given the matter a great deal of thought as to me it makes no impact on the question of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. So I'm probably in the OEC camp but really can't be more committal than that since I haven't studied that various positions to any meaningful degree.

Fair enough. Thank you for explaining.