The Parable of the Identical Twins, Love and Science
Once upon a time I met a man named Love, who told me that he was an identical twin. We met in the flower of our youth hopeful in romance, seeking the loves of our lives. Love and I went about our courting in quite a different order. Love would ask a girl to dinner and a movie. At the table he would make it clear up front that he desired to get to know her to determine whether or not she would be the woman of his dreams. He peppered their dinner conversation with many a question, getting to know her through, what I would consider to be more of an interview than pleasant dialogue. Admittedly, I was a bit naive in those days. I would meet a girl and say, “Wow! Here is the girl of my dreams!” Then, I would sit at the table to discover as much as I was able about this amazing creature.
When I broached the difference between our methods, Love said that his brother approached dating the same as he did and so, two to one, I was wrong. Suffice it to say, that I was the more pleasant date. (Love turned off many a beautiful girl.) But Love was spared some of my heartache. At least the interview ended early on for him while I had to suffer a broken heart further down the primrose path.
I asked Love a few questions about his twin. Did not his twin first discover the absolute beautiful and amazing existence of a girl and then launch into his research of her? He supposed that was indeed the case but quickly added that his method was more rational than mine. It was then I realized some of my foolishness. While I was more relationally oriented than Love, I was mucking up the very substance of relationship - knowledge of the other person. Attempting to save a little face I said to Love, “But at least, I enjoy my date as a person and give her the benefit of the doubt.” Love said, “Fair enough, but were you to truly show respect and integrity in your love, would you not desire to investigate and to research as much about her as possible before you throw you entire life into her sphere?”
(for all of my new friends and acquaintances who are atheists, who have been teaching me the importance to research the existence of God and the universe I believe to be his creation. thank you!)
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Pastor Nathan wrote:
“For all of my new friends and acquaintances who are atheists, who have been teaching me the importance to research the existence of God and the universe I believe to be his creation.”
Hi Pastor Nathan,
I’m glad you are looking into what “the other side” has to say. As a former Christian who attended church and seminary over the last 25 years, I know how the faithful can only get ‘one side of the story.’ Unfortunately, it isn’t fair, usually. It reminds me of this verse:
Proverbs 18:17
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
How many Christians only hear one side of the argument… as presented by Christians? That’s why it is so important to be like Jesus, and actually reach out to unbelievers, especially the ones who are willing to talk respectfully.
As an evangelical Christian it bothered me that there were very few older Christians. It made me wonder “Are the older people too smart for this?” Then I see evangelists targeting the youth, highschool age and younger. It makes me think “Are they trying to just reach the most gullible?”
That’s why I hope to see more of you and your crew at these interfaith (and atheist) mixers. The only obstacle I see is fear. And revelation says that the cowards will be thrown into hell. (That was a little motivator for me when I was a Christian.)
Revelation 21:8 (New International Version)
8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Your friend,
Bernie
http://www.meetup.com/sciligion/