give man the opportunity to experience the greatest thing that exists -- love. But
love cannot be forced on someone or else it is not love. There must be a choice
involved. God loved us enough to allow us to make the choice. Evil is the result
of the choice of independence from God.”
love cannot be forced on someone or else it is not love. There must be a choice
involved. God loved us enough to allow us to make the choice. Evil is the result
of the choice of independence from God.”
The professor bridles. “As a philosophical scientist, I don’t view this matter as
having anything to do with choice; as a realist, I absolutely do not recognize the
concept of God or any other theological factor as being part of the world
equation because God is not observable.”
having anything to do with choice; as a realist, I absolutely do not recognize the
concept of God or any other theological factor as being part of the world
equation because God is not observable.”
“I would have thought that the absence of God’s moral code in this world is
probably one of the most observable phenomena going,”
probably one of the most observable phenomena going,”
the Christian replies,
“Newspapers make billions of dollars reporting it every week! Tell me,
Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?”
Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?”
“If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of
course I do.”
course I do.”
“Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir, or are you placing
your ‘faith’ in the unobservable?”
your ‘faith’ in the unobservable?”
The professor makes a sucking noise with his teeth and gives the student a silent,
stony stare. The student replies:
stony stare. The student replies:
“May I follow up on the point you were making earlier to the other student?”
The professor wisely keeps silent.
“I believe you have a great mind Professor, but with all respect let me ask the
class a question regarding it. Is there anyone here who has ever heard the
professor’s mind ...felt the professor’s mind, touched or smelt the professor’s
mind?”
class a question regarding it. Is there anyone here who has ever heard the
professor’s mind ...felt the professor’s mind, touched or smelt the professor’s
mind?”
The class remains silent.
“No one appears to have done so. No one here has had any sensory perception
of the professor’s mind whatsoever. While I would not dare to imply it myself,
but wouldn’t the limitations of what you ‘believe in’, the rules of empirical,
testable, demonstrable, protocol, science, say that you have no mind? Wouldn’t
the same apply to your emotions and your will? I believe your great mind is
hidden within your brain although I cannot observe it within the small box, or
within the limited parameters which you want to place God within. If I want to
know your mind or better yet the real you, your mind, emotions, will and even
your spirit, all I have to do, if you are willing to be known, is be willing to seek
to know you and to spend time with you. You can know that God exists, ....... if
you are willing. Are you willing Professor?”
of the professor’s mind whatsoever. While I would not dare to imply it myself,
but wouldn’t the limitations of what you ‘believe in’, the rules of empirical,
testable, demonstrable, protocol, science, say that you have no mind? Wouldn’t
the same apply to your emotions and your will? I believe your great mind is
hidden within your brain although I cannot observe it within the small box, or
within the limited parameters which you want to place God within. If I want to
know your mind or better yet the real you, your mind, emotions, will and even
your spirit, all I have to do, if you are willing to be known, is be willing to seek
to know you and to spend time with you. You can know that God exists, ....... if
you are willing. Are you willing Professor?”
Silence…Silence…Silence The bell rings.
“Class dismissed,”
replies the professor.
“Time is up!”