Is Evolution in the Bible? Yes, it is!

This is where the biblical Garden of Eden story meets science. Specifically, it occurs when G-d punishes the serpent making it crawl on its belly, meaning that G-d caused the transition some of legged reptiles into snakes, which was an effective evolutionary event. As evolution continues, newer species of snakes may continue in the trending evolutionary pattern observed as vestigial anatomy shrinkage followed by elimination of vestigial pelvic girdles.

Bible: Fall of Man Image

I suggest that dinosaurs, notably those in the shape of brachiosaurus with its incredibly long neck and tail are the origin of modern snakes.

Brachiosaurus

Brachiosaurus, for example, was incredibly large (its size is not very important [for example whales are usually considered to have evolved from dogs]) and had an operable pelvic girdle, used for walking (as opposed to slithering.) Notice the serpent's shape, and compare it to that of this brachiosaurus image. The story unfolds.

Python Skeleton w/Vestigial Limbs Compared to Human's

Old world snakes such as pythons still have the vestige of a pelvic girdle, which is comparable to their distant ancestors, the dinosaurs, suggesting that the ancestors of snakes evolved from 4 legged reptiles. There is apparently no value to these vestigial skeletal parts. Hence, in newer species of snake - as opposed to old world snakes such a pythons - the extra bones that make up a pelvic girdle exist no longer because there is no advantage selecting them.

Since the Bible allowed snakes to evolve, I believe that this discussion could happen to any species.  
(Disclaimer: The apple was not the forbidden fruit.)

Idol or G-d: Is truth discernible?

One man's God is the next man's idol! How profound. Just say that and put the next evangelist that tries to save you in a pickle. It reminds me of a comical skit from The State. Old fashioned man proclaims [license taken], “I believe in the one true G-d,” dramatic pause “And his name is Zoro and he is living in that lake,” which is followed by the old fashioned man humorously whistling at the end of the short clip.

watch the skit here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpiw-ng5wkQ

I have never heard apologetics from any religion that address this maddening issue, which is that once we establish that there is a G-d, we fall flat on our faces in details, not minor details, but MAJOR DETAILS!, such as what the name of G-d is, but the where, the when, the why, and the how, so I will tell it: The details are up to Gd Himself, not me. However, I have a function too. As a faithful follower of Hashem, my role is to be as His instrument in order that His will may be done. He doesn’t need me to be His instrument, but through His unfathomable ways he has chosen to work through humankind.

Want to know how I came to faith? When I was an atheist at Rutgers, G-d spoke to me and instantaneously I believed. G-d said, "I AM punishing you." There was nothing not to believe about that Voice, and it caused me great joy because I never knew Gd could be capable of retribution, and not only that but that He also cared enough about me enough to speak with me. In my opinion, Hashem chose to speak to me when I was at my lowest because I felt like I had nothing to lose. I would try anything. Had he spoken to me in less dire circumstances, I may have brushed it off without changing. That is how I feel about folks when I tell them about G-d and they roll their eyes or deny that He has spoken with me. Like me in the good times, I expect that they wouldn’t change a thing.

Where Is Endgame In Syria?

If you have been following the situation in Syria, then you probably know that whether Assad is in power or the rebels are in power, neither is an ideal situation.  In fact, sitting back and thinking, perhaps the situation now is ideal.  We have the rebels taking up Assad’s attention, such that Syria’s hands are tied. 

We don’t like Syria because they say only Muslims should rule, or at least practically all of the people of Syria.  Personally, I don’t consider Islamic rule as ideal, such that I don’t see any sort of world advantage war in Syria will gain for the USA.

I can’t say that I agree with the use of chemical weapons, but I don’t see use of chemical weapons as a line of demarcation where it becomes paramount that the U.S. gets involved.  Please Congress, send a message to the President that we do not want another war.  If it is true that the Syrian’s are willing to use them on their own people speaks volumes for how low of a nation this country is.

Strangely, this is coming at a time where we are thinking of raising the debt ceiling again.  I am wondering if there was foul play and Assad didn’t use chemical weapons, but some other party used them, so that the President and Congress can gain the patriotic momentum that they will need to raise the debt ceiling through war.  We won’t be able to go to war in Syria if we don’t raise the debt ceiling. 

Remember, this was the time that the Republicans were going to put down their foot on the issue of the debt ceiling.  But, will they put down their foot at the risk of not having another war?  The Republicans have long been the party that is more trigger happy than the Democrats.  So, will we go to war?  The answer is yes, and only because someone has played the war card in Syria, throwing House Republicans in a tizzy.  They can’t be the world policeman if they vote against raising the debt ceiling!!!

So where should the endgame be?:  The endgame should be now! 9/2/2013

Sovereignty and The Temple - To Demolish a Holy Site or Not

There is a push for Israel to demonstrate itself by bull dozing the mosque on the Temple Mount as a way to demonstrate its sovereignty. This would likely cause WWWIII. However, perhaps this is WWWIII already, starting with the Arab Spring and expanding.

If Israel demolishes this sacred mosque (where the Temple Mount is located), it would make Israel as a rapist.  Building the Temple without the blessing of Muslims would make Israel to be rapist of Hagar.  One who demonstrates power through might is a rapist.  The reason I say Hagar is that the book of Genesis says that Hagar was the wife of Abraham, the first monotheist, and parents of Ishmael.  We are able to liken the Ishmaelites to today's group, Muslims.

Sacred teaching teaches that if one loves the father, then one loves the children.  One is unable to love Abraham unless he or she loves Isaac and Ishmael both.  Thus, it is such that we should not think of Muslims as depraved people, but as our brothers.

I am fully sympathetic with wanting the Jewish Temple Built at the Temple Mount.  However, this is clearly not the time for such a thing to happen. In fact, the only way to lovingly accomplish sovereignty is to wait until Islam, the religion, is history.  Consider the follow, which are the traits of a wise man:

"There are seven things that characterize a boor, and seven things that characterize a wise man. A wise man does not speak before one who is greater than himself in wisdom or age. He does not interrupt his fellow's words. He does not hasten to answer. His questions are on the subject and his answers to the point. He responds to first things first and to latter things later. Concerning what he did not hear, he says "I did not hear." He concedes to the truth. With the boor, the reverse of all these is the case."

- Ethics of the Fathers, 5:7

Religions come and go, and so to this may happen with Islam. The hope is that the Muslim's descendants would then have a different view about the location of the sacred temple.

Power demonstrations like this one that is often suggested have little to do with love and everything to do with power, which is the way of rape. Rape is not about love it is about power.  In that way, it is the way of the boor who hastens actions.  Thus, it is such that in order to build the Temple in its sacred place it must be done with lovingkindness.